Kate Johnson: A whole mess of seasoning mixes (recipe)

I am, as I know all of you are, so very, very happy to see my friend the sun coming out more these days. To honor spring, I decided to share some of my favorite seasoning/spice rub recipes that can be used when grilling, smoking or air frying. Enjoy!

A friend gifted me a jar of this one Christmas and I had to track down the recipe after I ran through the jar because it was so good on so many things. Sprinkle in omelets, on shrimp, chicken, veggies …

Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning

Source: 4dflavours.com.au

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 teaspoons onion powder

1 1⁄2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon paprika

1 tablespoon seasoning salt

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (you can add more according to your taste)

1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon thyme

Directions

Combine above mentioned ingredients within a small container; make sure that the container is completely dry. Now store the mixture in airtight container for up to 6 months.

I do not own a smoker, so I typically make my baby back ribs in foil in the oven. I also do this when I am out camping. I am not a fan of imitation smoke flavorings; therefore, I use a sweet paprika (I find online at a spice store), and I use either ancho chili or other chili powder that comes from dried peppers from the garden along with some cayenne.

After removing the membrane on the back of the ribs, I rub a generous amount on all sides, cover well with foil and slow cook for 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours (depending on how “falling off the bones” you like your ribs). Then I finish them off on the grill or under the broiler. You can add sauce at this point, but I am a dry rub lover and offer sauce on the side.

Pork Dry Rub

Source: Kate Johnson

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup brown sugar

4 teaspoons sweet paprika

4 teaspoons fresh cracked black pepper

4 teaspoons Kosher salt

4 teaspoons garlic powder

4 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (less if you dislike it too hot)

1 teaspoon ancho chili pepper

Directions

Combine all the ingredients for the rub in a small bowl and stir with a whisk to mix. Rub onto the pork on all sides.

I love this taco seasoning! It is so darn good, and you can make enough to store (BTW a couple great sources for bulk spices are Centro Market, The Dollar Store and Big Lots).

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

3 tablespoons chili powder

4 1⁄2 teaspoons cumin

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 1⁄2 teaspoons paprika

1 1⁄2 teaspoons corn starch

3⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder

3⁄4 teaspoon onion powder

3⁄4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

3⁄4 teaspoon oregano

3⁄4 teaspoon brown sugar

3⁄4 teaspoon cayenne (optional for more heat)

Directions

Mix - sprinkle on cooked ground meat and add 1/4-1/2 cup water and let simmer down for 15 minutes or so.

Fish tacos - add this with a small amount of flour and dust the fish pieces then cook in a few tbs of hot oil, in a grill basket or in the air fryer.

This is an excellent fajita spice mix! It is great on veggie fajitas (peppers, onions, mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, squash….), shrimp, chicken. It nails that fajita flavor like no other! I love making sheet pan fajitas and you could also do these in grill baskets.

Fajita Seasoning

Source: allrecipes.com

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon white sugar

1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder

1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder

1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin

Directions

Stir cornstarch, chili powder, salt, paprika, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and cumin together in a small bowl. Add avocado oil to mixture.

Slice all kinds of veggies, drizzle with spicy oil mixture and roast at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes or throw on a hot grill in a grill basket.

I finally broke down and got myself an air fryer. Oh boy - should have done that LONG ago. The one I got came with two separate baskets and can be directed to air fry or roast.

I literally use this appliance more than any other kitchen appliance. By the time my oven is warmed up - the food is DONE! I love this recipe for chicken wings.

Again - I prefer a dry rub and offer sauce on the side, however, the addition of sauce at the end for a few minutes might be right up your alley!

Chicken Dry Rub

Source: www.allrecipes.com

Dry-rub chicken wings are seasoned with a Memphis-style blend of spices, then cooked in an air fryer in this simple, tasty small batch recipe for two.

Ingredients

10 1⁄2 teaspoons dark brown sugar

10 1⁄2 teaspoons sweet paprika

5 1⁄4 teaspoons kosher salt

3 1⁄2 teaspoons garlic powder

3 1⁄2 teaspoons onion powder

3 1⁄2 teaspoons poultry seasoning

1 3⁄4 teaspoons mustard powder

1 3⁄4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

28 chicken wings or more as needed

Directions

Whisk together brown sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, mustard powder, and pepper in a large bowl.

Toss in chicken wings and rub seasonings into chicken with your hands until fully coated.

Arrange wings in the air fryer basket, standing them up on their ends and leaning against each other and the wall of the basket.

Cook in the preheated 400-degree air fryer until wings are tender inside and golden brown and crisp on the outside, about 35 minutes. Transfer wings to a plate and serve hot. This would be great on any chicken that could be cooked on the grill as well.

Kate Johnson is a long-time resident of Carson City. She is an avid gardener, cook, musician and lover of dogs.