Using herbs is a delicious way to season dishes and cut the amount of salt needed for flavor, too. Although fresh herbs need to be used immediately; dried herb mixtures can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container.

The easiest way to dry fresh herbs is to put the baking sheet in an oven at 200ºF–225ºF for 1 hour. Blends made from whole seeds or leaves usually need to be coarsely ground in a spice grinder or small food processor prior to using.

Barbecue Blend

• 4 tablespoons dried basil
• 4 tablespoons dried rubbed sage
• 4 tablespoons dried thyme
• 4 teaspoons cracked black pepper
• 4 teaspoons dried savory
• 1 teaspoon dried lemon peel

Cajun Blend

• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1½ tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• ½ tablespoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme

Caribbean Blend

• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Country Blend

• 5 teaspoons dried thyme
• 4 teaspoons dried basil
• 4 teaspoons dried chervil
• 4 teaspoons dried tarragon

Fish and Seafood Herbs

• 5 teaspoons dried basil
• 5 teaspoons crushed fennel seed
• 4 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried lemon peel

French Blend

• 1 tablespoon crushed dried tarragon
• 1 tablespoon crushed dried chervil
• 1 tablespoon onion powder

Herbes de Provence

• 4 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried sweet marjoram
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1 teaspoon dried lavender (optional)

Italian Blend

• 1 tablespoon crushed dried basil
• 1 tablespoon crushed dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon crushed dried
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder

Mediterranean Blend

• 1 tablespoon dried sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

TIP: If you don't have a food processor, you can freeze the sun-dried tomatoes so they will be easier to crush; however, that adds moisture to the herb blend, so it can't be stored.

Middle Eastern Blend

• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon crushed dried mint

Old Bay Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon celery seed
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• 6 bay leaves
• ½ teaspoon whole cardamom
• ½ teaspoon mustard seed
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
• ¼ teaspoon mace

Pacific Rim

• 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Sonoran Blend

• 1 tablespoon ground chili powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon crushed dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon crushed dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon crushed dried coriander
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

Stuffing Blend

• 6 tablespoons dried rubbed sage
• 3 tablespoons dried sweet marjoram
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 4 teaspoons dried celery flakes

Texas Seasoning

• 3 tablespoons dried cilantro
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 4 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons pure good-quality chili powder
• 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 small crushed dried chili peppers
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder