A very common question we get asked is, ‘can I add spices when I cook my rice’. Adding seasonings to rice is a very easy way of giving a dish a different taste and making your own seasoning mixes is far cheaper than purchasing ready made mixes. Although purchasing the spices to start yourself off costs more, the amount of seasoning mix you get from these spices makes it far more economical, not to mention they are tastier and healthier with no hidden ingredients. You can also tailor the seasoning mix to your exact tastes.
So here are our favourite seasoning mix recipes – with most of these you can add them to rice before cooking, toast the rice in the spices before adding the water or even easier, sprinkle some over cooked rice and mix in well. They can also be used as rubs for different meats or tofu as flavourings.
GENERAL EASY SEASONING MIX
1/2 cup chicken bouillon granules
1/2 cup dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dill
1 tablespoon dried onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
CORIANDER LIME RICE – add to rice after cooking
1/2 lime, juice of
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp fresh chopped coriander
SEASONED RICE
chicken stock or vegetable stock – I used 1 bouillon cubes dissolved in water
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoon dried thyme
2 tablespoon dried parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
PILAU SEASONING – put together in a food processor and blend
2 tablespoons cumin
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cardamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon black pepper corn
SPANISH RICE SEASONING
1 tablespoon dried onion
3 tablespoons dried red chilli flakes (or less to taste)
1 tablespoon dried celery flakes
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
PERI PERI SEASONING – Mix everything together well.
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp onion powder
2 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp ground coriander
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried parsley
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground cardamon
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper *
* Depending on how spicy you like your food, you can change the level of cayenne pepper. This is a mild seasoning, but you can increase the cayenne up to 1 tbsp if you like it spicy.
MOROCCAN (Ras-El-Hanout) SEASONING – Stir all ingredients together until combined well.
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
CAJUN SEASONING – Stir all ingredients together until combined well.
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 ½ teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 ¼ teaspoons dried oregano
1 ¼ teaspoons dried thyme
½ teaspoon red chilli flakes (optional)
INDIAN CURRY SEASONING – Add all spices to a small jar and shake.
2 Tbsp ground coriander
2 Tbsp ground cumin
1 1/2 Tbsp ground turmeric
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or ground chilies
THAI SEASONING – Place all ingredients in spice grinder and blend. If you have a small blender, you might need to do it in two batches.
1/2 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon course sea salt
2 teaspoons whole white peppercorns
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes more if you like it hot!
1 tablespoon fresh lemongrass grated
3 dried lime leaves
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons ground ginger
1 tablespoon dried mint leaves
2 tablespoons dried coconut flakes
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
ZA’ATAR SEASONING – Stir all ingredients together until combined well.
2 tablespoons dried oregano, preferably Greek or Turkish
2 tablespoons sumac
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon dried marjoram or additional oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
JAMAICAN JERK SEASONING – Stir all ingredients together until combined well.
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp smoked paprika (regular paprika is fine)
1 tsp allspice ground
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper ground
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp cumin ground
1/2 tsp nutmeg ground
1/2 tsp cinnamon ground
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp thyme dried
1 tbsp parsley dried
BAHARAT SEASONING (Baharat (which means “spices” in Arabic) is a spice blend used in Middle Eastern (especially the Arabian Gulf region) and Greek cuisine.) – Stir all ingredients together until combined well.
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
All these seasoning mixes should be stored in an airtight container and can keep for 2-3 months.
What do you think about seasoning mixes – do you use them regularly and what for?