Saturday, November 28, 2009

Versatile Spicy Seasoning Mix

Every once in a while you stumble across a recipe "that works" and this spicy mix recipe works with just about everything you make with it. I make it up en masse and keep it in quart jars in my pantry for a quick meal or main dish addition.
Use this in any kind of soup as the only seasoning/finisher for flavor, in casseroles, in the rice cooker and as a chicken coating par excellence. Below is the basic seasoning mix and below that is the combination that I use for chicken coating aka spicy chicken coating and for rice as well. I will post more alterations as I think of them.

Basic Spicy Seasoning mix
1/4 cup Celtic or Himalayan salt (due to dampness Celtic salt may clump up the mix)
1/4 cup Sweet Paprika
1/4 cup Dried Oregano Leaves
1/4 cup Thyme Leaves (powdered is best)
2 T Garlic Powder
2 T Onion Powder
2T Black Pepper
1 T Chili Powder
1T Turmeric powder (provides that wonderful burnt orange color)
1/4 t or more of Cayenne Powder

Combine all ingredients in a quart jar and tightly cover till needed. When adding to soups you will get to know how much to use, eg. for a large crock pot of soup add several heaping Tablespoons of Spicy Seasoning Mix.

To use as a chicken coating mix
Grind 1/2 cup of raw sunflower seeds in the blender or clean coffee mill till powdered. Mix together with equal proportions of Spicy Seasoning Mix.
Place coconut on in the bottom of baking pan and melt in the oven. Coat damp chicken in the seasoning/sunflower seed mix and roll in melted coconut oil till all sides are covered with spicy mix and coconut oil.
Bake as usual.
For added zing I sometimes add a little more cayenne powder for a hotter flavor. My family loves it that way especially.

Add to Rice Cooker
To a pot of rice on the stove or in a rice cooker, add several tablespoons of spicy mix and a few tablespoons of coconut oil. Try adding some chopped ginger for variety. This combination adds a wonderful color and flavor! Cook as usual.
Enjoy!


@Living a Lifestyle of Learning daily