How to Make Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning is a versatile blend of dried herbs such as rosemary, basil, oregano and many more. It's easy to prepare and can be customised to suit your tastes. Add it to pasta sauces, season chicken, stir it into soups or sprinkle it over your favourite Italian submarine. It's quick, easy and much better than store-bought mixes!

A seasoning mix that's easy to make!

I'm always looking for ways to simplify dinners. So here's my homemade Italian seasoning recipe, perfect for many Italian recipes such as stuffed portobello mushrooms, pasta sauce, pizza, baked chicken, or even sprinkled on tomato bruschetta!

Having ready-to-use spice mixes makes weekday cooking so much easier! Instead of spending hours searching for the right combination of herbs in your spice cupboard, all you need is a jar of this boldly flavoured homemade Italian seasoning.

Making your own Italian seasoning is easy, and it's a great way to gather and use up the last little bits of dried herbs and spices lying around in your jars. It's also easy to store, and can keep for up to 6 months. To make it, simply mix dried herbs such as parsley, oregano, rosemary and other spices in a small bowl or glass jar, then seal the jar and keep it away from light and heat.

What's in the Italian seasoning?

To make this recipe economical, I buy all the ingredients in bulk from grocery shops, health food shops or online.

I've used the traditional dried herbs, but I've also added two optional ingredients that I think make this Italian seasoning mix even more special and tasty. Here's everything you need:

• Dried basil: Basil has a distinct flavour with hints of aniseed and mint.
• Dried thyme: Thyme is a robust, earthy herb.
• Dried rosemary : Dried rosemary has a peppery, woody flavour.
• Dried marjoram : Similar to oregano, marjoram is a little more delicate and slightly sweet.
• Dried parsley: Dried parsley is much more subtle than its fresh version, but it still adds an earthy, slightly peppery note.
• Dried oregano: Oregano is strong and pungent, a dried herb with a spicy flavour.
• Red chilli flakes (optional): I like red pepper flakes to add spice. I only use a teaspoon so that the mixture doesn't become too spicy. On the contrary, the spiciness is subtle and complements the other herbs.
• Garlic powder (optional): Everyone knows how much I love garlic in all its forms! So, of course, I'm including it in this mix! Garlic powder is mild and flavoursome, without the pungency of fresh garlic. It goes well with the dried herbs in this recipe.

How to prepare the Italian seasoning

Preparing Italian seasoning is extremely simple! Simply gather all the ingredients together and mix them in a small bowl. I like to use a fork or small whisk to mix everything well. Then carefully pour the mixture into a small glass jar. I prefer glass to plastic, as plastic retains odours and you may not be able to reuse the container for anything else if you opt for plastic in this seasoning!

This recipe makes about ½ cup of Italian seasoning, so bear this in mind when choosing a jar or container.

How to use homemade Italian seasoning

Italian seasoning is one of those versatile blends that can add wonderful flavour to many preparations! And don't think you can only use it in Italian recipes: it's excellent in any dish that needs a little spice. Here are just a few ways to use it:

• Pasta sauce : Add a few teaspoons to your homemade spaghetti sauce for extra Italian flavour.
• Garlic bread: Replace the dried herbs in my ciabatta garlic bread recipe with 2 teaspoons of this homemade Italian seasoning.
• Sandwiches: Enhance your grilled cheese sandwich on pita bread by sprinkling the seasoning directly into the pocket of the pita.
• Pizza : Add bold flavour to phyllo, grilled and aubergine pizzas with a generous pinch of this Italian seasoning.
• Chicken: Replace the dried oregano in my pan-fried chicken and chicken stew recipe with an equivalent amount of this blend.
• Fish: A teaspoon of Italian seasoning can replace the dried oregano in my easy recipe for baked fish fillet.
• Vegetables: Italian roast vegetables are irresistible with a pinch of this easy-to-use seasoning mix on top!

How to store homemade Italian seasoning

Dried herb spice blends retain their freshness for an extended period - several months in fact! To prolong the life of your Italian seasoning, we recommend storing it in an airtight glass jar for up to 6 months.

For optimum storage, keep them away from light and heat, ideally in a dark pantry or cupboard. However, I understand that it's practical to have the spices handy on the kitchen counter. If you choose this option, be sure to place the mixture as far away from the cooker as possible, to preserve its flavour and aroma for longer.

You'll know your blend has reached the end of its life when it no longer gives off the pungent, appetising aromas you'd normally notice as soon as you open the jar.