For those of you working on cooking from scratch, The Dollar Stretcher has an article for you:

Homemade Seasoning Blends

Anyone have other blends they are willing to share?

 

I've made my own cinnamon sugar in the past.

One year I wanted to make a salt-free seasoning and Mom looked at the list of ingredients the recipe called for. Mom said that buying a jar of Mrs. Dash was less expensive.

Mom used to make her own salad dressings using olive oil and vinegar plus a couple of other things.I believe that she added Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt to the dressing. We liked it better than dressing we could purchase.

 Pumpkin pie spice: 

1 part nutmeg

 1 part ground cloves

2 parts cinnamon

 Thanks Pat. I ran across a recipe that calls for pumpkin pie spice. I was going to check my pumpkin pie recipe and figure out the measurements and seasonings based on what I use for the pie. This works though.

 

Oh good, I have a Cajun seasoning but it has too much salt in it. Now I can make my own without added salt.

Stacycue:

have a Cajun seasoning but it has too much salt in it.

 

I find many packaged seasoning blends have too much salt. 

 

Taco Seasong (for 1lb ground beef)

1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1-2 tsp ground cumin
dash of salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Tabasco or Cajun Sauce -- to taste

I don't use the the packages anymore because they are too salty for our tastes.

My dad came from Louisiana and I remember him talking about a seasoning called Shasharie or maybe its - Shaw-sha-ree?  I have no idea how to spell it.  Does anyone know what it is or how to spell it?

This probably sounds ridiculous, but could it be a basic mix used in the preparation of some French Charcuterie items like the French versions of preserved meats/sausages like salami (I know it's Italian, but you get the idea). I always associate Louisianna with French style food - although, I am not from the US and have only briefly visited New Orleans for a couple of days, years ago.

Did you mean primarily dry seasonings?

 

I just play around until something tastes the way I want it to.

I make my own sauces like salad dressing or bbq sauces.

Ex: Creamy Parmesan dressing for salad

1/2 cup mayo

1 teaspoons white sugar

1 Tablespoon white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons cream or half and half

Combine all ingredients in a pint jar. Top with lid and close tightly. Shake well until everything is combined. Let rest for a while for flavors to 'marry'. Use on tossed salad.

 

This is a good base for cole slaw dressing: omit Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Add 1/2 teaspoon celery seed.

Blue Cheese dresssing: omit Parmesan cheese. Reduce sugar to 1/2 teaspoon; reduce vinegar to 1/2 teaspoon. Add 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese. Shake to combine.

 

bw