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    Home » holiday

    DIY Homemade Spice Mixes for Gifts

    Published: Dec 22, 2018 by Richa 13 Comments

    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

    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!

    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

    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  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

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

    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 RecipeHomemade 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

    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!

    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

    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. 

    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


    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. 

    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

    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!


    Pumpkin Pie Spice

    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!

    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

    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!

    Sharing is caring!

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    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online! I love hearing from you all! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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    1. Robbie B. Cuellar

      June 17, 2021 at 3:33 am

      This is an amazing explanation about spice mixes.
      I was looking for an article about this topic and now you provided this correct information. As a Diy worker, I also love cooking with woodworking.
      Thank you…

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        June 18, 2021 at 1:50 pm

        Awesome!! Do leave a rating too!

        Reply
    2. Dewayne Perry

      January 06, 2019 at 9:33 pm

      Hi Richa where did you get the containers?

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 06, 2019 at 10:33 pm

        at worldspice.com , its a local shop

        Reply
    3. Monica Mead

      December 26, 2018 at 6:19 pm

      Thanks so much for your help this holiday! Your Nut Loaf & Easy Vegan Gravy were front-and-center on our table this year, plus those Cowboy Cookies were a hit! You put so much effort into all of these recipes – you are greatly appreciated 🙂 Looking forward to 2019!

      Reply
      • Richa

        December 27, 2018 at 12:44 am

        <3 <3 <3

        Reply
    4. Colleen

      December 26, 2018 at 6:34 am

      Thanks for these ideas! Do you happen to have one for taco seasoning?

      Reply
      • Richa

        December 26, 2018 at 12:21 pm

        yes see notes on this recipe https://www.veganricha.com/2018/05/vegan-spanish-rice-bowl-with-taco-roasted-cauliflower.html

        Reply
        • Colleen

          December 26, 2018 at 3:36 pm

          Thanks so much!

          Reply
    5. Romy

      December 23, 2018 at 12:17 pm

      Hi Richa,

      this absolutely are three of my favorite spice mixes 💛 it’s a little to late now to prepare them as gifts for Xmas this year (I have all my presents sorted anyway, woohoo ;)), but I’ll just make some for my own kitchen. After all, you can never have too many spices in your cupboard, right?

      Lovely holidays to you and your loved ones!
      xo, Romy

      In Love with Bliss – plantiful recipes nourishing body & soul

      Reply
    6. Cassie Autumn Tran

      December 22, 2018 at 6:50 pm

      Throughout the years, I’ve learned that you definitely don’t need to purchase pumpkin pie spice and garam masala from the store. You can totally whip it up yourself! I most certainly love the little spice jars. They look like the most perfect Christmas gifts!

      Reply
    7. Sally

      December 22, 2018 at 6:01 pm

      Thanks for a wonderful year of inspirational recipes and every good wish to your family for 2019.

      Reply
      • Richa

        December 23, 2018 at 12:29 am

        Thank you Sally. Happy Holidays and Good Wishes to you and your fam too!

        Reply

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