Description
Crafting old bay seasoning at home brings coastal Maryland flavors to kitchen creations. Spice blends like this connect regions through simple, aromatic ingredients you can mix quickly and store for multiple culinary adventures.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) celery salt
- 1 tsp (5 ml) paprika
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) black pepper
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) dry mustard
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground allspice
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground cardamom
- 1/8 tsp (0.625 ml) ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp (0.625 ml) ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp (0.625 ml) ground mace
Instructions
- Spice Preparation: Gather whole paprika, celery salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and ground herbs in a clean mixing vessel, creating a foundation for a robust seasoning blend.
- Grinding Process: Use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to pulverize each spice component, ensuring uniform texture and maximizing flavor extraction.
- Refinement: Sift ground spices through a fine-mesh strainer to eliminate potential clumps, achieving a smooth, consistent seasoning mixture.
- Blending Technique: Integrate all processed spices thoroughly using a whisk or small spoon, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
- Storage Selection: Choose a dark glass container with an airtight seal to safeguard the seasoning’s potency and prevent moisture contamination.
- Packaging: Employ a funnel to transfer the spice mixture into the container, minimizing spillage and maintaining precision during the transfer.
- Documentation and Preservation: Label the container with the blend’s name and creation date, then store in a cool, dark pantry away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve its vibrant essence.
- Culinary Versatility: Elevate various dishes by sprinkling this custom seasoning over seafood, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, popcorn, or incorporating into marinades and soup bases for an instant flavor transformation.
Notes
- Spice Selection Precision: Choose fresh, high-quality whole spices to ensure maximum flavor intensity and aromatic depth in your homemade seasoning.
- Grinding Technique Mastery: Use a clean, dry spice grinder or mortar and pestle to achieve a consistent, fine texture that blends seamlessly.
- Storage Strategy: Keep the seasoning in an airtight, dark glass container away from heat and light to preserve its potent flavor profile for up to 3-6 months.
- Customization Flexibility: Adjust spice ratios to create a personalized blend that suits your taste preferences or dietary requirements, such as reducing salt or adding extra heat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg