Just because you’re exhausted at the end of a hectic day doesn’t give you a hall pass to roam the supermarket aisles like a zombie looking for a piece of raw meat to throw on a plate, salt and pepper be damned.
Snap out of it!
Your family may be understandably dragging their lifeless asses by the time dinner makes its way to the table, but that doesn’t mean your meal should put everyone to sleep.
Tired of cooking the same old same old yet too tired to seek out new recipes? Get out of your recipe rut by adding a few simple bursts of herb and spice combinations to your tried and true recipes. So easy, yet so delicious. Your kids may even sit up straight, take notice of the new and improved you and smile while they put some flesh on their bones.
As you dip your toes, or fingers as may be the case, in the world of herbs and spices, remember a Balaboosta is not about strict authenticity and rigid recipes.
What may pass as an Italian blend in your household may look and taste entirely different in your neighbor’s kitchen let alone in Italy. As with all cuisines and flavor combinations, there are as many recipes for each ethnic or regional blend as there are ethnicities and regions. Kids hate oregano? Don’t add it! There are no flavor police. No right or wrong. It’s just a matter of taste. Your taste.
When experimenting with herbs and spices, try different variations on a theme, combine recipes, rotate ingredients, most importantly, make your flavor combinations your own.
There is no ONE right way. Truth is, there are very few recipes that require specific ingredients in exacting amounts (unless of course you are talking about baking, which is much more about science and measuring than cooking. Could be why I don’t bake very often!). A Balaboosta is all about substitutions and bold options. Most, if not all your cooking should be done to your taste rather than to measurements.
BALABOOSTA’S SECRET: Make spice and herb blends in batches and store them in glass or plastic air free containers in your pantry. Keep them at the ready to quickly and easily add unexpected flavor to make your meals pop even when you’re pooped!
Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Homemade Taco Seasoning: Chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flake, smoked paprika, salt & pepper
- Homemade Italian Seasoning: Basil, marjoram,oregano, rosemary, thyme & parsley
- Homemade BBQ Spice: paprika, brown sugar, dry mustard, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper
- Homemade Moroccan Harissa: Cumin, paprika, garlic, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper
- Homemade Poultry Seasoning: Sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, dill & lemon peel/zest
- Homemade Berbere Spice: chili powder, paprika, coriander, ginger powder, garlic powder, cumin, cardamom, fenugreek, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and cinnamon
- Homemade Indian Spice Blend: Curry, cumin, turmeric, coriander, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon
- Homemade Greek Seasoning: Oregano, garlic, pepper, lemon peel/zest, marjoram, onion powder
- Homemade Herbes de Provence: Basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, savory, thyme, tarragon, fennel seed, parsley and lavender
Once you get in the rhythm of batch making herb seasonings and spice blends, you’ll be kissing those tired family meals goodbye long before the Zombie Apocalypse comes knocking at your door.
What are your favorite herb and spice blends? Please share your secrets in the comments below. Yum!
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Serve it up with kickass conversations with your kids. Repeat.
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