When I was a kid, I hated peas. My mother would heat up some frozen peas with butter and salt as a side dish. Then, the negotiations would begin. I would start negotiating how many peas I’d have to eat before I could be excused from the table.
Then one day, we went to a Greek restaurant for dinner. I didn’t know it, but my dish came with a side of peas. But, these peas had oregano and paprika and who knows what else in them. I loved them! And I never looked back.
I love peas now. They are one of my favorite vegetables. I still make that pea dish for dinner. And now, I look forward to the first fresh peas of the season.
If you haven’t guessed where I’m going with this, my point is that seasoning matters. I know lots of adults (and kids) that won’t eat bland veggies, let alone something wild that’s bland. Maybe you know people like that too.
That’s where my secret weapon spice blend comes in. It’ll give killer flavor to any dish you make, meat, veg or wild. I add it to my pan while I’m sautéing my onions in oil or butter. It’s my first step for most of my savory dishes. It makes the base. It makes the flavor.
That’s why I want to share it with you. If you or someone you know is struggling with wild food because they think it will be bland or that it will taste bad, start with this base. Let the aroma fill the kitchen, the house, and everything will change.
My seasoning blend is inspired by New Orleans. It’s spicy, savory and complex. You can make a big jar of it and it will last for years, depending on how you store it. This recipe below is enough for a dish that will serve 10-12 people.
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried marjoram
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
There you have it. My secret weapon. I hope you try it out. When you do, shoot me a message. I’d love to know how it turned out for you.
Cheers,
Greer