I know there are lots of ready-made spice blends out there, but sometimes it’s nice to have exactly what I want the way I want it–nothing less, and nothing more. Something to go with my rather plain food that isn’t too spicy and isn’t salty and has no black pepper in it, which I don’t do well with. Something that actually helps me digest my food, eases inflammation, adds the pungency of garden herbs and the tiniest hint of smoke. That’s when I ask my spice genie to come out of the bottles and bags of spices in my cupboard and help me dream up something to shake on just about everything I want to eat–and even everything Romeo eats.
Of course there isn’t really a spice genie in my cupboard (although it seems like it since the cupboard door is always opening itself without my help). But I take down the four things in this blend enough times as I am preparing my simple meals to realize it might be fun to mix them up and see what they taste like altogether. And that’s when this simple magic became part of my routine.
This blend is good on just about any of the things I make regularly like Bright Yellow Split Pea and Rice Pilaf, Cold Snap Millet and Lentil Stew, red quinoa-brown-rice-lentil stuffed squash, in between black beans, or just plain old rice–as you wish.
It’s savory, a bit woody, a bit sweet and a bit smoky. It’s just right if you don’t want things really hot. Or if you’re trying to cut down on salt but would like some extra flavor (that also helps ease digestion and inflammation). I get all of the components in bulk at my Co-op, so hopefully they won’t be too hard for you to find either. And even though the handsome Wesley from The Princess Bride doesn’t appear to say “As you wish” when I make this spice blend, it still makes lunch and dinner more fun.
As You Wish Spice Blend
1 tbs of no salt added poultry seasoning
2 tsp of turmeric powder
1 tsp of fennel powder
1/2 tsp of smoked paprika
Mix in a small bowl. It should be just a little orange, but not too orange. Taste with your finger. If you like it, leave it. If it needs more of one of these, add a little more. Taste again. Put in a small bottle with a shaker cap on it and sprinkle this on top of whatever your heart desires.
These proportions are a guess. Honestly, I probably don’t make it exactly the same each time I feel up a shaker jar. I just look at the color after I mix it and taste until it reminds me of the first time I made it (or the last time I ate it). So experiment with amounts and use the proportions that taste best to you.
You can add garlic or onion granules to this if you like. I keep them separate so I can flavor Romeo’s food with this, too. And because it’s fun not to depend on those for flavor all the time.
If you can’t find fennel powder, you can make your own by grinding whole fennel seeds in a spice grinder (I have a coffee grinder designated for just such purposes.) And if you can’t grind up fennel seeds or don’t like them, you could try cumin powder in this instead. I always have ground fennel around because I like to add it to the cooking water when I’m cooking beans. It helps with digestion.
Now when others start shaking on the extra salt and pepper, I have an alternative. Especially if you’re not someone who can tolerate a lot of hot sauce, like me. To keep with my post-modern fairy tale theme, I’m with Goldilocks on this one–it’s “just right”–even though I probably wouldn’t put it on my oatmeal.
And now for the Give-Away:
I ended up with more “Yours for the Picking” cards than I thought I would, so I am able to give a 5 pack of this card design away:
It’s really simple. All you have to do is leave a comment. Over the weekend I’ll have Random.org pick a number (randomly, of course, from the automatically numbered comments, and then I’ll announce the winner. I apologize to my wonderful international readers that I can only offer this to readers living in the US. So if you live in the States, maybe you’ll be the one to get a set of Slow Miracle pomegranate valentines that say “Yours for the Picking.”
PS: One more thing, if I don’t want to end up picking myself over and over, I’m going to have to refrain from commenting on this post until after the give away is over this weekend. So if you have a specific question about the spice blend, hang on, I’ll answer it then, or you can you can ask me on the blog’s facebook page or e-mail me and I’ll answer that way as soon as I can, too.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Your paintings are beautiful!
You inspire me to “slow down”.
I love your blog & your recipes. Thanks for sharing!
What a fun and blend. Do you know what herbs are in the poultry blend? I’d love to make this, but don’t have that at home and thought I might try making it with what my own “poultry blend”. 🙂
The Princess Bride is one of my all time favorite movies!! I had the BIGGEST crush on Wesley… 🙂 And now he’s on my fave show, Psych, as a recurring guest star. I giggle like a kid when I see him…
Anyway, it’s a great idea to make a spice blend of the stuff you use most often! Saves a lot of time. I should do this! The flavors you chose are very versatile – but I think I’d add a bit of spice. I do like things hot! And smoked paprika is divine – it needs to go in everything. 🙂
I love your blog. The combination of good recipes,life experiences and artwork truly make it a treasure!! Thank you for sharing your truimphs and challenges!!
I have never thought about adding spice to my dogs food. She might like it!
Maria, I love your blog and your art work has always made me feel so nice and relaxed too. I am going to try your spice blend, and guess what, I cannot take the hot sauce stuff either. My oldest son and I have been WFBP for a a long time, and we go thru a ton of spices all the time. I realize that every time there is another container or plastic baggie in the recycle bin too.
I am truly in awe of your writings and artwork and your progress too in the plant based lifestyle. All the best to you and your family too!
Maria, your posts are a gift to all of us in sometimes the most unexpected ways – not just the recipes, but the personal sharing that do so openly. Many thanks.
Sherril
I like making up spice blends and giving them as gifts. I will have to try your blend! The cards are lovely.
Princess Bride is a favorite movie of mine as well!
Thanks for the idea of making my own spice blends. I tend to use some of the same combinations, so love the idea of having them made up already!
Beautiful cards, as usual! 🙂
Lovvve this!! It’s perfect,perfect PERFECT when you need a ~lil something extra~ to jazz up just about any dish!
Thank you sooo much for continuing to inspire us with your creativity,talent and knowledge! Hugs to you~~
I never thought of making my own special blend….thanks!
These are absolutely beautiful! I’d love to win a set. I had a brief phase of chewing fennel seeds after eating, because I’d read that that aids digestion, but it didn’t seem to help, so I stopped. I’m sure these things must be so individualized.
Oh Maria, it is sooooo odd reading comments WITHOUT your thoughtful replies for each! I’ll have to come back after the weekend and re-read!!! PS as an Australian (ie out of USA) was I not meant to comment yet either or perhaps you have some kind of filter..or maybe if the winner is me, for example, you just ‘redraw’!!!
I think I missed the giveaway, but that spice blend looks fantastic! As always, thanks for posting culinary inspiration. 🙂
Hi Lee, I’m so sorry you missed the give-away. Glad you like the looks of the spice blend though. I’m honored my simple recipes provide you with culinary inspiration. 🙂
It’s always nice to see what you have been doing lately, Maria Moonwatcher.
Thank you, Annie!
Thanks or the get recipes!
It should say, “Thanks for the great recipes!”
You are welcome, Ellice!
Looking forward to knowing you better. I love all the support I can get being vegan. Looking forward also to using your spice blend.
Thanks, Carolyn, and welcome! I hope you enjoy the spice blend.
Hope I win the pomagranite cards… beautiful …love everything you send me…Love, maja
Hi maja–thanks for your comment–I’m so sorry–the giveaway is over. But there are cards for sale in my Slow Miracle Art Store https://fatfreevegan.com/slowmiracle/shop/ I’m so glad you are enjoying the blog! xo
A friend posted your Crown Roast Califlower recipe on FB, I am excited to try it, looks delish! I really liked your blog a lot. You are an inspiration. I’m gearing up to get started with one, but admit to being fairly intimidated, so bravo to you, very nice. I make organic herb & spice blends and have a small company that is pretty much a secret unless traveling through Groveland on HWY 120 en route to Yosemite, or one, perchance, stumbles upon my website. You’re “As You Wish” spice blend is very similar to my ” Turkey, Chicken & Stuffing” blend, so for a variety of reasons I felt compelled to comment. My website will be updated in a couple of days to have all 15 blends posted. It seems like you’d really like “Mother Earth’s Love” which is one of the 5 new ones in process of being added. I can really relate to your whimsical, artistic style and Feel we have a similar approach to life.
I suppose I should put my website info in here so maybe it won’t be such a secret 🙂 ! barbarajsorganics.com
Welcome, Barbara, and thanks for your comments! I’m happy to hear you enjoy my blog and that it’s an inspiration to you. I’m really fortunate to be part of the Fatfreevegan site. I look forward to checking out your spice blends, so thanks for the URL, too! It’s always fun to connect with a kindred spirit on the internet. 🙂
I still use salt, but I think I’ll give this a try. It’s difficult with a carnivore in the house.
Welcome, Bethery, and thanks for your comment. I hope you like it. It does take some taste bud adjustment to give up salt. Maybe you’d use less along with this blend.