Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Roasted Chicken Spice Blend

A.K.A. “Roast Rub”

Whatever kind of chicken you’re roasting – whole, breasts, thighs – this spice blend is the perfect addition for that classic roasted chicken flavor profile. I refer to it as “roast rub”, and usually season the chicken with it a few hours ahead of time, if possible. This heightens the flavor, and also perfectly tenderizes your chicken. No big deal, though if you don’t get to applying the roast rub until just prior to cooking. Your chicken is still going to come out of the oven smelling like Sunday-dinner-heaven.

My number one use of this spice blend is on bone-in, skin on chicken breasts, roasted in the oven. I typically roast enough chicken for that night’s meal, plus throw some extra on the baking sheet to ensure plenty of extra to use in meals for several days. The extra chicken is perfect to add to a bowl meal, a salad, tucked into a soft tortilla with taco spices, or chopped up for classic chicken salad.

This recipe yields enough to last you a while. Simply use what you need today, and then store the extra in your spice drawer.

Roasted Chicken Spice Blend

Course

Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Servings

cup

Ingredients

3 tablespoons salt (kosher; if using table salt, use a little less)
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper/ground red pepper
1 tablespoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground rosemary

Course

Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Servings

cup

Ingredients

3 tablespoons salt (kosher; if using table salt, use a little less)
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper/ground red pepper
1 tablespoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground rosemary

Instructions

Combine all ingredients. Store in a tightly sealed jar.

Maple Tahini Dressing

By Jen

Tangy, creamy, and a hint of sweetness – this simple, easy dressing hits all the right notes. It’s just rich enough to pair well with the spartan crunch of cabbage and crisp apples (like in this Apple & Cabbage Slaw). It’s delicious over roasted chicken or roasted squash, as a salad dressing, or even as a dip for veggies. Honestly, I keep inventing ways to use this dressing over and over again, as it is definitely one of my favorites. Please leave me a comment and let me know all of the ways you’re enjoying this dressing!

The prep for this sauce is so simple that I encourage you to outsource the task to anyone who might be able to help you in the kitchen – your kids? spouse? significant other? roommate? Let your assistants lighten your load in the kitchen whenever possible!

Maple Tahini Dressing

Course

Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Servings

cups

Ingredients

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
juice of a half lemon
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
1/2 cup tahini
2-3 tablespoons water (thin to desired consistency)

Course

Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Servings

cups

Ingredients

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
juice of a half lemon
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
1/2 cup tahini
2-3 tablespoons water (thin to desired consistency)

Instructions

Combine ingredients in a medium jar or bowl, and whisk to combine.

Gingerbread Spice Blend

By Jen

When December 1st rolls around, I suddenly find myself craving anything and everything related to gingerbread. That’s exactly why I always kick off the holiday season by making a batch of this gingerbread spice blend! Looking for some holiday spirit? Add a dash of gingerbread spice, and you’ll suddenly find yourself fa-la-la-la-ing and jingle-bell-rocking all day long. It’s powerful stuff, this gingerbread spice. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I use this blend when making my Gingerbread Spice Energy Bites with Collagen, I sprinkle it on my overnight steel-cut oats, and I’ve even been known to add a little bit to my coffee. I’m sure there are a million other festive ways to enjoy this spice blend – I’d love to know how you plan to use it!

Gingerbread Spice Blend

Course

Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons ground ginger
2 tablespoons allspice
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1/2 tablespoon ground cloves

Course

Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons ground ginger
2 tablespoons allspice
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1/2 tablespoon ground cloves

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in an air-tight glass jar.

Taco Seasoning

By Jen

Keep things real on Taco Tuesday! Instead of store-bought taco seasoning packets that are full of mysterious, junky ingredients, try making your own using real, recognizable ingredients. It truly is quick and easy-peasy. I make it with spices that I always have on hand, so there’s no need to run to the store for a packet when taco cravings strike.

KITCHEN TIP: I keep a copy of this recipe and the recipes for my other go-to spice blends in my spice drawer. When I need to make a new batch, I don’t have to waste time hunting for the recipe. And I usually have my kids (a.k.a. kitchen minions!) make the blend.

Taco Seasoning

Course

Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Cuisine

Mexican

Servings

(enough to season one pound of ground beef/turkey)

Ingredients

1 tsp salt (use a little less if meat is already salted)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp dried red pepper/cayenne
1/2 tsp dried minced garlic or garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp dried oregano

Course

Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Cuisine

Mexican

Servings

(enough to season one pound of ground beef/turkey)

Ingredients

1 tsp salt (use a little less if meat is already salted)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp dried red pepper/cayenne
1/2 tsp dried minced garlic or garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp dried oregano

Tangy Tahini Sauce

By Jen

There’s a reason McDonald’s has always called their Big Mac sauce “special sauce”. Seriously, in my book, any sauce is special! Sauce transforms plain ingredients (in this case, humble leftovers) into a delicious meal in two seconds flat, like this super quick dinner of Chicken and Broccoli Slaw with Tahini Sauce.

Real food can most definitely be fast food! And by the end of a busy weekday, quick & easy cooking is exactly what I need. I plated up the following, and topped it all with a savory, tangy tahini sauce:
◾broccoli & carrot slaw (raw, but you can saute first if you prefer; I buy this pre-shredded)
◾shredded chicken (from my meal prep stash)
◾Forbidden rice (yup, from meal prep; brown rice would work well, too)
◾a little bit of French lentils (using up the last of meal prep)

This is one of our go-to sauces in our house we use to elevate all sorts of basic batch-cooked protein, veggies, and slow carbs into a special meal.

Tangy Tahini Sauce

Course

Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Servings

cups (approximately)

Ingredients

1/4 cup avocado oil or high oleic safflower oil
1/4 cup tahini (ground sesame seeds)
1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari or coconut aminos)
1/4 cup warm water
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2-3 cloves chopped garlic
1 tsp chile oil or a squirt of sriracha sauce
2 tbsp dark toasted sesame oil

Course

Sauce/Dressing/Spices

Servings

cups (approximately)

Ingredients

1/4 cup avocado oil or high oleic safflower oil
1/4 cup tahini (ground sesame seeds)
1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari or coconut aminos)
1/4 cup warm water
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2-3 cloves chopped garlic
1 tsp chile oil or a squirt of sriracha sauce
2 tbsp dark toasted sesame oil

Instructions

Put all ingredients into blender & mix well.

Greek Spice Blend

By Jen

One of the easiest ways to feed a crowd, whether that be your family or if you’re simply entertaining is to go buffet-style. Think taco bar, chili bar, or these Greek Chicken Mediterranean Bowls. Grilled veggies like eggplant and zucchini, chickpeas, feta, tomatoes, rice/quinoa, cucumbers, fresh herbs like mint and oregano, and tangy Greek dressing are the perfect DIY base for grilled Greek-spiced chicken. Mix up a batch of this Greek Spice Blend, and you’ll be ready for a quick weeknight dinner or for a weekend of entertaining, with plenty leftover for future meals and meal prep.

Greek Spice Blend