62 herbs spice recipes

Why buy prepacked taco seasoning when it is easy to make from scratch. If you purchase the spices at a bulk store it is also very very inexpensive to make. As a bonus you can control the salt. Commercial mixes have way too much salt for my tastes.

A garden vegetable spaghetti sauce loaded with peppers, zucchini, and summer squash, slow-simmered with garlic and a big handful of herbs. A meatless, freezer-friendly marinara for using up the garden.

Creamy polenta loaded with Italian sausage, mushrooms, red pepper, ricotta, Gruyere, and Parmesan, set in a pie plate and baked into golden wedges. A make-ahead Italian showpiece.

Creole seasoning blend with paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, oregano, thyme, onion powder, and black pepper. A versatile Cajun-Creole spice mix for everything from gumbo to grilled fish.

Homemade Sri Lankan curry powder blends dry-roasted coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves with curry leaves and cayenne. Stores for months in an airtight jar.

Poached cod in a fragrant saffron broth with leeks, bell pepper, and tomato. A light, low-sodium fish dinner built on a slow-simmered vegetable stock with rich golden color and delicate flavor.

Linguine with avocado pesto: creamy no-cook sauce of ripe avocado, basil, parsley, garlic, and pine nuts blended over al dente linguine. Dairy-light, oil-light, flavor-heavy.

Roasted red pepper mustard blends fire-charred bell peppers with mustard seeds, sherry, red wine, and honey. A complex artisan condiment for sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and grilled meats.

A batch-cook curry base gravy with garlic, ginger, onion puree, and tomatoes. Make 10 portions, freeze, and shortcut your way through weeknight curries.

Authentic Indian garam masala blends black pepper, caraway, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, and cardamom into a robust, fragrant spice mix for curries, braises, and finishing dishes.

Homemade curry powder ground in a blender from coriander, cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, fennel, and a touch of saffron. A 14-spice blend with brighter, fresher flavor than store-bought tins.

Toasted curry powder oven-toasts coriander, cumin, fennel, cardamom and turmeric before grinding for a deep, aromatic, restaurant-style spice blend. Six-month shelf life in a tightly sealed jar.

Steamed potato salad tossed with green peas, celery, and scallions in a lighter dressing of mayonnaise, yogurt, Dijon mustard, and loads of fresh dill. A bright, tangy side for cookouts and potlucks.

Homemade Cajun spice blend with paprika, filé powder, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, and fennel. Ornish-friendly with no added fat. Makes 2 cups in 10 minutes flat.

The cookies will keep, their flavor improving, for at least a week.

Toast cumin and coriander seeds until fragrant, then pound with fresh green chilies, lemongrass, galangal, and shrimp paste into an authentic Thai green curry paste bursting with heat and herbal brightness.