DIY Homemade Spice Mixes for Gifts

Homemade Spice Mixes for Gifts! Fresh spice blends take the meal from eh to wow. Gift these homemade mixes like garam masala, curry powder, cajun spice, pumpkin pie spice and more. Vegan Glutenfree Recipe

You all sometimes double up on the spices in some of my spiced up meals, curries, recipes. There are some blends such as ones with more herbs and flavors, that work well to double for the flavor impact, while there are others like my garam masala, that I often use half of that what I list in my recipes or others. This probably happens because my blends are generally quite fresh and hence very potent. They often have a lot of flavor payoff! And using huge amounts can spoil the overall balance of flavors on the recipe. 

Fresh Spice blends that have fresh and vibrant flavors make great gifts for foodies and cooks. They take the meals from ok to Wow! You can use these spices in various ways. Some examples are listed with each. Store in an airtight glass container away from sunlight and heat and they will be fresh for a few months. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Here’s wishing you all a restful 2018.

Let’s make some homemade Spice mixes!

These are printable photos! Print and attach to the spice jars if you wish. 

Garam masala (Makes 4 tablespoons)

• 2 Tbsp ground coriander
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1/2 to 1 tsp black pepper
• 3/4 to 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 to 3/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

This is the quick version. For longer storage make the whole spice version and grind portions of it for use for a month or so. The blend stays fresh and potent with whole spices.

Things to try with it Butter Tofu , Cauliflower Tikka Masala,  Masala Pot Pie, lentil sweet potato dal curry. And many more Indian dishes!

Curry Powder (Makes 5 tablespoons)

• 1 Recipe Garam masala from above, omit clove for a less spicy version
• 1.5 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp ground mustard
• 3/4 tsp ground ginger, optional
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp fenugreek seed powder, optional
• 1/2 tsp cayenne, optional

Use curry powder in Lentil Butternut Curry, Curried fried rice,  Japanese Curry, Curry Ramen , chickpea sweet potato curry. 

Curry Powders vary by brands and ethnic influences (Caribbean, Japanese, British) and can be very varied in terms of flavors and ingredients. The British/western Curry powder is not really used in authentic Indian food. Its often a blend of spices mixing some northern Indian and southern Indian spices.

There is no one blend used in Indian cuisine. Depending on the region, the blends vary in names and spices. Garam masala, Goda masala, Sambhar Powder, Kashmiri Garam masala etc. The dry masala(blend)s which you can think of as  regional curry powders are used to make specific curries. The Indian market has picked up on the popularity of this naming as well and you will find curry powders such as Madras Curry powder, Kashmiri Curry powder, vindaloo curry powder etc which as basically versions of kashmiri garam masala,vindaloo masala etc. 

This is my version of the generic curry powder for Indian curries. I build up the recipe with the garam masala for more Indian flavor profile. You can adjust the flavor based on your preference with additional cinnamon, turmeric or heat. 

Here is my Cajun spice Recipe.

Use it in this popular Cajun Cauliflower over garlic sauce pasta,  Or Cajun Roasted Veggie Bowl, Cajun tofu with cilantro lime rice, Sloppy Cajun lentils!

Here is my Pumpkin pie spice Recipe.

Use it in Turmeric Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Bread, Sweet Potato Pie bars, Pumpkin Pie Truffles, Pumpkin Bars and all things fall!

Many more blends such as Ethiopian Berbere, Baharat, Taco spice, Jamaican Jerk (all in my second book) make great gifts! 

Bonus Blends!

Taco Spice

• 2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp each chipotle pepper powder, black pepper
• 1 tsp each of oregano and parsley
• 1/2 tsp cayenne (optional, add less to preference)
• a good pinch of all spice or cinnamon.

Chai Spice

This is the traditional Indian Chai spice or Chai masala which is mainly cardamom with hints of cinnamon, pepper and cloves. Non Indian brands are quite different with a base of cinnamon and all spice. Adjust to preference.

• 2 tbsp green cardamom seed powder
• 2 to 3 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 to 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground fennel seeds(optional)

What are you gifting this year!