House Seasoning Recipe!!!

I'm sharing yet another recipe today, and this has got to be my favorite of all. This seasoning is one I created when I was tired of rummaging through my spice cabinet (and yes I have an entire cabinet for spices, see below) when all I thought I needed was one thing.

 Now granted there are other things in here besides just spices. We have several vinegars and other mixes... But it is mostly spices. (Sad to say this picture was taken earlier this year when Ben rearranged the kitchen and this cabinet has grown since then. The top shelf now houses all of the vinegars since there's no room down below - thank you very much Penzey's Spices...)

So with this entire cabinet why on earth would I create another one??? Well, I have spices that you use only during certain seasons. I have those things you use in only one recipe a year (usually Christmas Cookies). And we have specialty seasonings like Blackening Spice, Barbecue, Chicken Spice Grinder, etc.

I like them all, but sometimes I just want a simple seasoning. Like a steak, or roasted veggies or potatoes. Just a little something something to give it oompf, but not overwhelming flavor. This seasoning (used sparingly) is so simple it just compliments the flavors of whatever. I will actually use it in combination with the specialty seasonings if needed. So here's what you'll need (pardon the industrial size packages, I'm making a bunch of batches for Christmas gifts):

 A container of some sort (remember for gifts, the more practical the better. Something with a wide mouth works best like this jar)
Kosher Salt
Seasoned Salt
Black Pepper
Onion Powder
Granulated Garlic (Or Garlic Powder works too)

WARNING: This is one of those recipes where it's not exact, but I will try to make an exact-ish plan at the bottom of this post.

2nd WARNING: Once you make this, plan on making it for everyone who tries anything made with it - you've been warned!

I like to make this in small batches. I use whatever container I plan on storing the seasoning in as my measuring cup so I know that it will be well blended and fill it perfectly.

 Here's how it goes, fill the container just less than half full with Kosher Salt. Next, put in about half that amount of Seasoned Salt. Put about half of that amount of Black Pepper in. Lastly, put about half of that amount in of both Granulated Garlic and Onion Powder. So now it just about fills the jar.

 Dump the entire contents into a bowl. With a whisk, put it directly into the center of the bowl and start circling in small circles widening the circles with each pass until you've reached the edges of the bowl. This will pull up the seasonings and will blend it perfectly in no time at all.

Pour it back into the jar and seal. It is now ready to give as a gift or to keep and use as needed (which will be often I assure you). Just remember to keep this seasoning stored in an air-tight container since it contains salt, it could become lumpy if it sucks in moisture from the air.

Now I know some of you might be asking some questions like:

* Why not just put on the top of the jar and shake it until it's mixed?
I've tried it and it does not end up with the consistent mix that whisking does.

* Why make individual batches rather than one large batch?
Even with whisking, I cannot be confident that once that batch would be divided that each jar would contain the same mix. One might have more pepper, one more garlic. This way each jar is the same(ish)

And as promised, here's a more accurate recipe for those that would like one:

1 cup Kosher Salt
1/2 cup Seasoned Salt
1/4 cup Black Pepper
1/8 cup Onion Powder
1/8 cup Granulated Garlic

Give it a try. This makes excellent inexpensive gifts for Christmas. Think about it. All of those people you would normally give Christmas Cookies, give them this instead! Leave a container in the mailbox for the mailman, give some to your hairdresser, etc. It would be a nice change from the "norm".