Making your own mixes is all about saving money, feeding your family healthier meals, and adding fabulous flavor to meals. This recipe is no exception; it's very simple to make, much less expensive than commercial salt-free seasoning mixes and can be adjusted to your taste.
This mix will keep about 6 months stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Remember to never store spices near the stove, because the heat makes them lose potency more quickly, and store them in the dark, since sunlight, especially direct sunlight, can affect the flavor as well.
And make sure to label any spice or seasoning mix, or any homemade mix for that matter, with the name of the mix, the date it was made, and the date it should be discarded. These mixes can all look alike when several are stored together!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon ground dried bay leaves
2 teaspoons celery salt
1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground mace
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
This spice mix, similar to Old Bay seasoning, makes a flavorful addition to all types of seafood. If you eat seafood regularly, multiply this recipe as much as you want and keep it on hand in a sealed, airtight container. Marylanders just about worship this mixture and put it on everything from seafood – for which it is intended – to pizza, with a lot of choices in between those two extremes.
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Store in an airtight container and store in a cool place. Use with seafood or chicken. You can sometimes find ground bay in your supermarket, but you may have to grind it yourself. Be sure to use dried bay leaves, not fresh, because they grind more easily, and completely grind to a powder. The stiff spine in the center of the bay leaf can injure your esophagus if you swallow it, but if it's reduced to a powder that risk is eliminated.
Store this seasoning mix in a tightly covered container at cool room temperature in a cool, dark place. While it is best to use this Chesapeake Bay seasoning mix within a month to retain freshness, it will keep for several months if it is stored correctly.
Uses for Chesapeake Bay Seasoning
As said above, Chesapeake Bay seasoning is wondrous on seafood, and that is its No. 1 use. The most common other uses for this seasoning mix are on corn on the cob and popcorn. But there are many other uses for this tasty seasoning mix.
Just count the ways:
Chicken wings
Deviled eggs
Grilled chicken
Fried chicken
Cold fried chicken sandwiches, sprinkled on top
French fries
Loaded baked potatoes
Any creamed soup
Macaroni and cheese
Popcorn
Pasta sauces
Bloody Marys
Scalloped potatoes
In egg, chicken, shrimp, tuna and potato salad
Biscuits
Steamed broccoli
Green beans
As a baste on your baked Turkey or Chicken!