Homemade Spice Mixes

Mixing the Ethiopian spices

I love spice mixes.  I'm a lazy cook, so I find it much easier to just grab one spice jar and shake rather than measure out five different spices. Using spice mixes can help cut down on your use of salt. Spice mixes also make excellent Christmas gifts.  I purchase my spices in bulk from the local health food co-op.  They're economical and probably fresher than the packaged spices.  Here are two mixes that I especially like. Use them with vegetables, soups, stews, stir fry, or wherever you need a special kick.

Ethiopian Spices:
2 parts pepper
2 parts cumin
2 parts ginger
1 part tumeric

Mixing the Scarborough Fair seasoning

4 parts sea salt (optional)

(Note: If you leave out the sea salt, each individual can add salt at the table according to taste.)

Scarborough Fair Seasoning
Equal parts of (you guessed it)
Parsley
Sage
Rosemary
Thyme