How to Make Seasoning Packets
Herbs and spices add zip to any dish. However, sometimes in the rush to get supper on the table it takes too long to drag out all the spices you'll need, then measure each one and put them away again and clean up what you've spilled. Instead, you depend on tried and true salt and pepper and maybe a few onion flakes. Take a few minutes to prepare seasoning packets in advance of meal preparation. You'll save time and your meals will taste better. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Use this Italian seasoning packet for sauces, meatballs and stews. Mix with one part vinegar and two parts oil for salad dressing. Measure 1 tablespoon each of dried parsley, oregano, basil and fennel seeds into a bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon of dried garlic granules and two tablespoons of onion flakes.
-
2
Add the Mexican seasoning packet contents to ground beef for tacos or pat on chicken strips for fajitas. Put 1 tablespoon each of dried oregano, parsley and cilantro into a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried garlic granules, 2 tablespoons of onion flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of dried lime zest and from 1/2 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of hot pepper flakes.
-
-
3
Add a French flair with a seasoning packet containing 1 tablespoon each of thyme, tarragon, chervil and parsley. Add to 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/2 cup of white wine as a marinade or use all red white if cooking beef or lamb.
-
4
Sprinkle this basic seasoning packet on stew meat, vegetables and chicken. Put 1 tablespoon each of parsley, thyme, onion flakes, 1/2 teaspoon rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon garlic granules into a bowl. Mix well.
-
5
Zip up steaks with steak seasoning packet. Pat the mixture on steak as a dry rub. Mix 1 tablespoon each of brown sugar, black pepper and ground coffee. Add 1/2 teaspoon each of cayenne pepper, onion flakes and garlic granules. Let the steak sit for up to 2 hours, then grill as usual.
-
6
Flavor tea with a seasoning packet of 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon dried lemon zest. Instead of the lemon zest, use orange or lime zest for a different taste treat.
-
7
Store seasonings in sealed zip lock bags. When ready to cook, add the contents from the seasoning packet to the dish. Each packet should season two pounds of ground meat, for example.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Make a triple batch of the seasoning mixes you use most often. Seal tightly in a glass jar. Stir before using to mix contents.
Put the seasoning in small squares of cheesecloth tied with butcher's twine if you want the flavor of the seasoning added to the dish but not the ingredients.
Spices, especially red pepper flakes, onion flakes and garlic granules can be irritating to the skin.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit spices image by Bartlomiej Nowak from Fotolia.com
