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7 Delicious Spice Mixes

7 Delicious Spice Mixes
March 7, 2017

Avocados are so good on so many levels. For example, they’re good-natured. They’re creamy, which helps them blend seamlessly into all kinds of foods, and their mild, nutty flavor brings out the best in sweet and savory dishes. If variety is the spice of life, the spice of spice … is avocado!

 

The following seven recipes for avocado-lovin’ spice mixes will save you time in the kitchen and bring a little extra kick or zip to your favorite recipes. Most can be made with pantry staples already in your spice rack.

 

1. Guacamole Spice Mix

Guacamole is the ultimate food for good times with good people, which is why you can find guacamole recipes all over the world inspired by cultures and cuisines from Mexico to Italy to Hawaii to Mumbai. That said, everyone loves a classic. If you want to stick with a traditional recipe, it’s easy to make your own guacamole mix. Once you do, you can store it in a dry glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, and pull it from the spice rack when you’re ready to whip up some dip for good times.

 

Ingredients:

  • 4 tbsp. fine salt
  • 3 tbsp. garlic powder
  • 3 tbsp. onion powder
  • 5 tbsp. cumin
  • 3 tbsp. cayenne

 

Directions:

Stir all ingredients together and store in an air-tight container. Mix one tablespoon into 8 oz. of guacamole. Test and add more if desired.

 

2. Chili Spice Mix

Chili is the ultimate comfort food and like guacamole, it’s versatile. You can use any number of beans, not just the standard kidney bean, and switch ground beef, turkey, pork, or chicken for chorizo, or opt out of meat entirely. If you ask us, though, there are two non-negotiables: a spice mix to give the chili some kick and sliced or diced avocado served on top.

 

 

Regardless of the specific chili recipe you use, this basic chili spice mix is a great pantry staple to have at hand, especially during colder months.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 c. chili powder
  • 1/4 c. cumin
  • 1 tbsp. coriander
  • 1 tbsp. cayenne*
  • 2 tbsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp. garlic salt

 

Directions:

Shake well and store in an airtight jar. Mix into the chili while simmering, then ladle into bowls and top with avocado!

 

*In lieu of cayenne, you can use any other ground chile powder — ancho, chipotle, and guajillo are some common Mexican chiles sold in a dried form in supermarkets; you can grind them into a powder and add them to your mix.

 

3. Taco Seasoning

Few things bring joy to the heart like Taco Tuesday. It’s a weekly tradition every family can get behind, thanks to the versatility of build-your-own fixings. You can keep it simple with avocado, cheese, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes, or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, try avocado honey salmon or avocado pulled pork tacos.

 

Regardless, when it comes to the protein filling, you’re gonna need some spicy taco seasoning. Just a few minutes mixing a few basic spices from your cabinet will generate a month’s worth of taco night seasoning. So you can spend less time cooking and more time taco-ing.

 

Ingredients:

  • 4 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 6 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 4 tsp fine sea salt
  • 4 tsp ground black pepper

 

Directions:

Mix and shake well so all the ingredients are blended. Store in an airtight jar until Taco Night!

 

4. Italian Herb Blend

Salads are full of goodness—especially when filled with superfoods (like, say, nutrient-dense avocados.) And there’s no need to buy salad dressing if you already have avocado oil, vinegar, and a few basic spices at home. Whip up this super easy Italian herb bled to dash into a homemade vinaigrette and serve an impressive salad topped with avocado at your next dinner party.

 

You can also use this mix to add to a pasta, pizza, or any other recipe calling for Italian seasonings.

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp. dried basil
  • 2 tbsp. coriander
  • 2 tbsp. marjoram
  • 2 tbsp. oregano
  • 2 tbsp. rosemary
  • 2 tbsp. savory
  • 2 tbsp. thyme
  • 2 tbsp. red pepper flakes

 

Directions:

Mix them all up and once blended, store in an airtight jar.

 

5. Garam Masala

Garam masala, or “hot spice mix,” is a classic Indian spice blend traditionally used in curries and lentil-based dishes. Clever cooks who enjoy its complex flavor have found loads of other uses for it, however, and garam masala can now be found in everything from guacamole to avocado and chicken tandoori bowls to avocado mango lassi. Garam masala pairs exceptionally well with avocado, whose creamy, mild flavor is the perfect foil for the smoky, sweet, and savory blend.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp. cumin
  • 1 ½ tsp. ground coriander
  • 1 ½ tsp. cardamom
  • 1 ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. cloves
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

 

Directions:

It’s ideal to make garam masala with whole spices you’ve pan-toasted and ground yourself, but if you ain’t got time for that, use powdered spices instead. Blend well and store in an airtight jar.

 

6. Chili Lime Salt

Chili lime seasoning is a spice mixture that’s a fixture on many Mexican tables. If you’ve ever tasted it, you’ll have no trouble imagining how it can go on everything, from mango guacamole to avocado shrimp cocktail  avocado watermelon summer salad, to the rim of a refreshing avocado mocktail.

 

The Mexican brand name chili lime seasoning isn’t always easy to find in the U.S. (bummer), so gather the basic ingredients and mix up a homemade version. You only need three ingredients.

 

Ingredients:

  • Chili powder (store-bought or grind your own using your favorite chiles)
  • Salt
  • Dehydrated lime juice

 

Directions:

Can’t find dehydrated lime juice? Make your own substitute. Zest fresh lime peels and allow the shavings to dry on a plate for a few days. Taste-test as your mix your ingredients to find the right proportion for you taste. You might like your seasoning saltier or spicier.

 

7. Chamoy Sauce

Confession: Chamoy sauce is not a spice mix. It’s … a sauce. But it’s loaded with spices, and once you make it, you can bottle it up, store it in the fridge, and pull it out for drizzling on avocado slices, salads, guacamole, or just about anything really. You can even top your avocado ice cream with chamoy!

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 c. apricot jam
  • 1/4 c. fresh lime juice
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. crushed red pepper
  • 1 tsp. ancho chili powder

 

Directions:

Put all ingredients into blender. Pulse or puree until smooth, then pour into a jar or bottle and store in the fridge.

 

If you want DIY ancho powder, you can grind dried ancho chilis into a powder with a molcajete or spice grinder.

 

Molcajete 101

Learn how to choose and use a high-quality molcajete (stone bowl) to grind spices or mash avocados for guacamole the traditional way. Click here for our guide.

 

Get Expert Advice on Spice

Spicing things up is important. Just ask Jax, the world’s top Guacamole Expert. He’s overflowing with knowledge and ideas to keep things interesting in the kitchen.
 

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