How to Spice Up Veggies

Red Pepper Garlic Blend

Steaming, baking, grilling, or even stir frying vegetables in a small amount of oil, are all healthy ways to prepare them. As long as the vegetables aren't loaded in heavy sauces or smothered in gravies, they can be a healthy and low calorie addition to every meal. Creating your own herb and spice blends allows you to control the amount of salt that is added. The majority of commercially produced spice blends that are found in grocery stores list salt as one of their main ingredients.

Things You'll Need

• Various herbs and spices
• Small bowl
• Mixing spoon
• Mortar and pestle or
• Pepper mill or
• Coffee grinder
• Containers to store the completed spice blends

Instructions

Lemon Pepper Blend

1. Ingredients:1 tbsp. dried lemon peel2 tbsp. black pepper2 tbsp. freeze dried garlic flakes2 tbsp. freeze dried onion flakes

2. Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir together with a mixing spoon.

3. 

   See the HOW TO COMPLETE THE SPICE BLENDS section for three methods that can be used to grind the blends to the desired consistency.

Red Pepper and Garlic Blend

1. Ingredients:2 tsp. freeze dried garlic flakes2 tsp. freeze dried bell pepper flakesNote: A spicier blend can be made by adding 1 tsp. dried chili pepper flakes to the mixture.

2. Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir together with a mixing spoon.

3. 

   See the HOW TO COMPLETE THE SPICE BLENDS section for three methods that can be used to grind the blends to the desired consistency.

Garlic, Chive & Onion Blend

1. Ingredients:1 tsp. garlic powder1 tsp. onion powder1 tsp. paprika2 tsp. freeze dried chives

2. Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir together with a mixing spoon.

3. 

   See the HOW TO COMPLETE THE SPICE BLENDS section for three methods that can be used to grind the blends to the desired consistency.

No-Salt Spice Blend

1. This blend is based on a popular, commercially available, no-salt spice blend.Ingredients:1 tsp. basil1 bay leaf - crumbled1/2 tsp. black pepper1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper1 tsp. celery seed1 tsp. coriander1 tsp. cumin2 tsp. dried lemon peel1 tsp. garlic powder1 tsp. marjoram1 tsp. onion powder1 tsp. oregano1 tsp. parsley1 tsp. thyme

2. Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir together with a mixing spoon.

3. 

   See the HOW TO COMPLETE THE SPICE BLENDS section for three methods that can be used to grind the blends to the desired consistency.

Complete the Spice Blends

1. The spice blends can be ground to the desired consistency using one of three methods.

2. One option is to place the mixture in a mortar and grind with a pestle.

3. Or, use a coffee grinder to grind the blend the spices together.

4. Finally, you can place blend in a pepper mill and use as needed with each meal.

5. The spice blends can be ground to a fine powder if desired. However, they have a bit more interest and texture if left a bit on the coarse side.

Tips & Warnings

• These spice blends can be stored for up to one year. Place them in a cleaned out, used spice jar or other container with a tight fitting lid.

• Store the containers of spice blends in a cool location, away from direct sunlight or other heat sources. Inside a of a kitchen cabinet would be an ideal location to store the spice blends.

• Some people may be tempted to add a bit of salt to all of these blends. The highly seasoned blends truly taste delicious on their own so don't be tempted to add salt. Enjoy the natural taste of the vegetables with their spice-enhanced flavors.

Resources

• Recipes for ethnic spice blends
• Recipes for traditional spice blends
• Recipes for French spice blends