Just a pinch of the right spices can take a bland dish and transform it into a culinary masterpiece. However, pre-mixed spice blends can be expensive and may not always cater to your individual preferences. While it may seem intimidating, creating your own spice blends is actually quite simple and a great way to save money in the kitchen. You can certainly play around with whatever spices you have on hand, but if you’re in need of some inspiration, Minimalist Baker has some versatile, flavorful recipes that are a great place to start. Here are a few we especially love.
Everything Bagel Seasoning
Good for so much more than just bagels, this blend adds salty, savory punch to anything it’s sprinkled on. It’s based on Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning and is easy to throw together in just a few minutes. We love it on avocado toast or even over Asian dishes.
5-Minute Caffeine-Free Chai Spice Mix
Chai means tea, and while this recipe was technically created as a drink mix to be served with some steamed milk, we’ve found it makes a lovely addition to curries and even baked goods. Cinnamon and cardamom provide warmth and comfort, while ginger and black pepper add a flavorful kick.
Tandoori Masala Spice Mix
For beans, tofu, veggies, and more, we love this zix-ingredient, Indian-inspired blend. Masala is a Hindi and Urdu word used to describe a mixture of ground spices. The spices in this recipe create a zesty, smoky flavor, but there is no set definition of what a masala needs to include. Feel free to play around with the ratios and experiment with each spice.
