A Crone's Kitchen Magic: 3 Essential Spice Blends
Italian, Taco, and Sausage Seasoning
They say a witch's power lies in her potions, and as a modern-day kitchen witch, I wholeheartedly agree! Today, I'm embracing my inner crone and sharing three of my most reliable "potions" that will transform your meals: “Italian” seasoning, taco seasoning, and sausage seasoning. Get those spice jars ready, we're brewing up some kitchen magic.
“Italian” Seasoning
I use this most often in marina, soups, in my taco seasoning, and to make “Italian seasoning salt” to stir into canned veggies in the winter when fresh is not available and I’m running low on frozen.
INGREDIENTS*
2 tbsp basil
2 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp rosemary
½ tbsp marjoram
½ tbsp thyme
DIRECTIONS
Mix well and store in airtight container.
*I use homegrown herbs for this one, but you can easily use store bought if you prefer.
Taco Seasoning
I use this to season meat for tacos and to make flavored tortilla shells.
INGREDIENTS
¼ C chili powder
¼ C garlic powder
2 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp ground cumin
2 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp coarse salt
1 tbsp black pepper
DIRECTIONS
Mix well and store in airtight container. Use 1/4 C for each pound of meat you season.
Breakfast Sausage Seasoning
We often buy pork straight from the farm, and the butcher doesn’t season ground sausage the way we grew up eating it as breakfast sausage. After some Google searches and trial and error, I’ve found this blend to add the exact spice / seasoning we prefer.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 tsp ground sage
1 tsp ground thyme
1 tbsp fennel seeds
(crushed or ground)2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
DIRECTIONS
Mix well. Use with up to two pounds of meat, depending on your preferred spice level.
Notes:
I up these recipes by 10, making them in large batches, and store each in a glass jar with a silica gel packet (which I buy in bulk).
If you use fresh herbs, make sure they have all moisture removed before storing.
As my journey to become a crone unfolds, the simple act of crafting my own seasoning blends feels deeply empowering. It reminds me that a bit of intention can make the ordinary extraordinary. I hope these recipes inspire you to find your own moments of kitchen magic, one sprinkle at a time. And, I hope you’ll share your favorite spice blend in the comments!