Canadian
Old Bay-Style East Coast Seasoning
Bay, celery salt, mustard, ginger, paprika, white pepper, cloves, allspice, red pepper, mace, cardamom and cinnamon form an Old Bay-style spice blend.
What It Is
Bay, celery salt, mustard, ginger, paprika, white pepper, cloves, allspice, red pepper, mace, cardamom and cinnamon form an Old Bay-style spice blend.
Origin
An East Coast Canada-themed homemade seafood seasoning inspired by the familiar Old Bay flavour family, not a claim that the commercial brand originated in Canada.
Fun Fact
Aroma changes how strongly we perceive flavour, which is why herbs, citrus peel and warm spices can make a simple recipe taste far more complicated than the effort involved.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp bay leaf powder
- 2 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp allspice
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp ground mace
- ½ tsp cardamom
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Notes
Taste before the final adjustment. A recipe should guide dinner, not bully it. If it needs a little more acid, sweetness, salt or heat, make the change in small steps instead of launching the whole spice rack into orbit.
Substitutions
Use equivalent ingredients where needed for allergies or availability, but keep the main sweet/sour/salty/spicy balance intact. This is cooking, not a hostage negotiation.
Storage
Store in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator. Use a clean spoon each time because introducing mystery crumbs is how condiments develop side quests.
Freezing
Most dry seasonings do not need freezing. For wet sauces, freeze in small portions only if the ingredients tolerate it; creamy emulsions may separate after thawing.