Easy DIY Spice Blends ~ this fun project involves blending together your own custom spice mixes and packaging them up for fabulous holiday food gifts. Just be sure to make enough to keep for yourself!
Tomorrow my daughter Clare is heading out to an all day program at one of the Universities she’s considering for grad school. They have her scheduled up with back to back interviews with five professors. They claim it has nothing at all to do with admissions…..yeah. I guess it’s the graduate school equivalent of speed dating. I’m getting nervous just thinking about it, so today we’re I’m going to de-stress with a fun foodie project…we’re mixing and matching whole spices to make our own custom blends ~ you can grind them over really good olive oil and serve with bread for dipping, or cook with them. I use it in everything from roasted vegetables to scrambled eggs.
First we hit Marshalls for a couple of grinders…these were cheap and perfect for this project. Make sure you get clear ones, so you can see the beautiful spices inside. They only had two, or I would have bought more to stash away; these grinders filled with a special spice blend would be the perfect host or hostess gift. If your grinder comes with pepper already in it, throw it away, it’s most likely past its prime.
TIP: If you can’t get to a large discount department store, check for clear plastic pepper grinders on Amazon, there’s lots of options.
If you’re not used to working with whole spices, you’re in for a treat. Whole spices are much fresher than ground, and when you grind them yourself you release their essential oils…the aromas are out of this world.
If you’re giving this as a gift, write your recipe on a small tag and tie it around the neck of the grinder.
These spices make the easiest and most delicious appetizer ~ just grind a good amount into a shallow bowl of your best extra virgin olive oil and set it out with a fresh baguette for dipping…it’s pure heaven!
Love the idea of gifting spice blends? Try my TRIO OF FINISHING SALTS.
DIY Spice Blends
Ingredients
The Original Great Island Spice Mix
- equal parts:
- RED & BLACK PEPPERCORNS
- THYME
- ROSEMARY
- FENNEL SEED whole
- CORIANDER SEED whole
- AND COARSE SEA SALT
The Spicy Version
- equal parts:
- RED & BLACK PEPPERCORNS
- SEA SALT
- BROWN MUSTARD SEED
- RED PEPPER FLAKES
- CUMIN SEED
- CORIANDER SEED
- CELERY SEED
- FENNEL SEED
Instructions
- Mix the spices together in a small bowl and spoon into your clean grinder.
- Reassemble the grinder.
- Grind over olive oil to use as a dip for bread, or use as a seasoning spice in eggs, vegetables, just about anything!
- Note that pink, or red, peppercorns are associated with nut allergies. If that is a concern, leave them out and substitute green or white peppercorns.
DON’T FORGET TO PIN THESE EASY DIY SPICE BLENDS!
13 Comments
Juls @ Juls' Kitchen
October 25, 2011 at 11:46 amyou’re right, the idea is genius, perfect girt for Christmas!
Erin
October 19, 2011 at 4:32 pmThis is such a great idea! Perfect for a gift! Love it!
Victoria
October 18, 2011 at 8:49 amwhat a great way to de-stress!! good luck to your daughter x I’ve done the grad school speed dating thang….she’ll be fine! 🙂
From the Kitchen
October 18, 2011 at 3:06 pmOh my this looks delicious. A great idea for our table and for gifting! I’m going to check out Marshall’s for the grinders. Thanks for the tip!
Best,
Bonnie
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen
October 18, 2011 at 11:33 amBest of luck to your daughter!! I LOVE these spice mixs – they sound wonderful and would add to almost any dish – love your spice grinders 🙂
Mary (great photos!)
Mary
October 18, 2011 at 4:12 amThis is an awesome idea, Sue!! I LOVE it! I am sooooo going to do this with some of my favorites. I especially love the idea of doing this for gifting!
Lizzy
October 18, 2011 at 12:24 amSue, your morning glory cake looks amazing! Love the muffins, so I know I’d love your fabulous cake. And your spice mixtures would make such fabulous gifts…filing this idea away. Thank you!
Stephanie
October 17, 2011 at 11:51 pmWhat a great idea! I’m going to have to remember this one come the holidays. Such a fun project!
Cathy
October 17, 2011 at 10:00 pmGreat Christmas gift idea.
DaniBP
October 17, 2011 at 9:28 pmThis looks delicious, thanks so much for the inspiration.
I’m absolutely going to try this!
Good luck to your daughter on her high pressure day! I hope it goes well for her.
A Trifle Rushed
October 17, 2011 at 9:25 pmThe cake looks so scrumptious. And I just love the spice mix, I may well make a few pots as gifts, I know a few people who would love it. (after I’ve made one for myself, of course!)
Rita
October 17, 2011 at 5:59 pmThat cake sure look good. I am so impressed with your spice mix; have always wanted to try this and never have. Great idea for a personal Christmas gift.
Rita
Mary
October 17, 2011 at 4:06 pmThis is a really great idea for gifts and you presented them beautifully. You asked about the ice cream. It is a novelty for those of us who are not use to chewing ice cream. It is fine but I think I’ll stick to gelato. My testicles are fine :-). Have a great day. Blessings…Mary