Spice Rub's for Gifts!

 I made 4 spice blends.- Italian, Herbs De Provence, Blackened rub, and  a Mexicali rub.

 I used a spice rack.  I bought it on sale. I cleared it out and cleaned the jars! I removed the previous label with an SOS pad. Grab your mortar and pestle.

 I got out my label maker to clearly mark the jars.

I always start with some good salt. I used sea salt that I crushed. Making rubs really depends on your own personal taste. The following are only suggestions. You can customize to your family likes and dislikes. Have fun and try these!

Herbs De Provence:
1 part kosher or sea salt 1 (teaspoon) lavender- Adjust for larger recipe batches.
1 part sage
1 part oregano
1 part basil
1 part thyme
1 part tarragon

Whirl in a coffee grinder or crush in a mortar and pestle. You can use this as a rub for chicken, turkey, or fish. Every year I rub my holiday turkey down with this and olive oil. I then stuff the bird with 2 lemons cut in half and roast. It is sensational.  You can add 1 tablespoon to softened butter, mix, shape into a log, and freeze. Cut a piece off and place over baked, sauteed, or grilled meats.


Italian Rub:
1 part kosher or sea salt
1 part black pepper - fresh cracked!1 part basil
1 part oregano
1 part garlic powder
1 part onion powder
1 part parsley flakes
1 part red pepper flakes

Whirl in a coffee grinder or crush in a mortar and pestle. You can use this as a rub for using to make a great red sauce.You can add 1 tablespoon to softened butter, mix, shape into a log, and freeze. Cut a piece off and place over baked, sauteed, or grilled meats.

Blackened seasoning rub:
1 part kosher or sea salt
1 part black pepper - fresh cracked! 1 part garlic powder
1 part onion powder
1 part sugar
1 part paprika
1/2 part cayenne pepper
1 part thyme
1 part oregano

Whirl in a coffee grinder or crush in a mortar and pestle. You can use this as a rub for seafood, chicken or fish. It makes a fenominal addition to your flour for fried chicken. You can add 1 tablespoon to softened butter, mix, shape into a log, and freeze. Cut a piece off and place over baked, sauteed, or grilled meats.

Mexicali rub:
1 part kosher or sea salt
1 part black pepper - fresh cracked!
2 parts paprika
1/2 part cayenne pepper
1 part cumin
2 parts dried cilantro flakes
1 part Mexican oregano
1/2 part garlic powder
1 part onion powder

Whirl in a coffee grinder or crush in a mortar and pestle. You can use rub for seasoning taco meat or fajitas! You can add 1 tablespoon to softened butter, mix, shape into a log, and freeze. Cut a piece off and place over baked, sauteed, or grilled meats.
You can do this. It is easy. Go ahead. Do this instead of giving someone a spice rack full of stuff they probably will not use. It is rewarding and much cheaper than (tiny) $5.00 bottles of store bought spice rubs! It is a sweet gift to give away. It is always a nice addition to your or anyone's kitchen. Remember, you can, ROCK THAT PLATE!