Homemade Poultry Seasoning + Save Big on Herbs and Spices--A RE-POST

(Originally posted 11- 3-2009)

I have never been a fan of buying commercial spice blends. You know, poultry seasoning, chili seasoning, taco seasoning, grill seasoning, apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, seasoned salt. There are hundreds of them; they are expensive and often contain excessive salt, starch, MSG, sugar, artificial ingredients, and preservatives. The most expensive have celebrity chefs' names, with pretty labels. (I do like Old Bay seasoning.)

Here is a good poultry seasoning, which is easily adjusted to your own tastes. It contains no salt, so you can salt separately, if desired. It is delicious in stuffing/dressing, and also good on many autumn vegetables. Needless to say it is wonderful on chicken.

Poultry Seasoning
1 Tbsp. rosemary
1 Tbsp. oregano
2 tsp. sage
1 Tbsp. ginger
1 Tbsp. marjoram
1 Tbsp. thyme
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

All spices and herbs should be dry. Grind together in a mortar and pestle, or use a spice grinder. Store in an airtight container.




A huge money saving tip: buy your herbs and spices in bulk, at the health food store. Recently, while at the grocery store, I realized I was out of cumin and needed it for a recipe that evening. Feeling too lazy to make an extra stop at the health food store, even though it is a whopping mile out of the way, I said to myself, "I'll just go ahead and get it here." When I went to the spice aisle, I was shocked to discover that a tiny bottle of cumin, .9 oz., was $4.96. Yikes!

I quickly realized a extra stop was definately worth it. I bought bulk cumin for 79 cents an ounce. I calculated that the grocery store cumin was roughly 700% more expensive than what I bought from the bulk jar. Not to mention that it was organic and non-irradiated.

It is also a good way to keep your spices fresh as you can buy only as much as you need. Plus a good way to try out new spices and recipes you may be unfamiliar with. No need to make an investment in something you are not likely to use again.

Start saving those spice bottles you already have and refill them from the bulk jars.