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12.3.13 Bulk Bins

DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends

I really love DIY gifts, especially when done well. I think there is something a bit more soulful when the gift is crafted rather than pulled off a shelf at the last minute. I’ve done DIY gifts for years but this will be the first year that I’m sharing! After I did a spice blend/recipes for our wedding favor, I knew Christmas gifts would be next. I love spice blends. There is so much you can do and can completely customize the flavors. And of course, homemade vanilla extract is so easy and nice that I had to include it in the mix!

So today, I’m giving you the whole DIY complete with homemade spice blends, recipes that go well with the spice blends, and free printable tags and recipe cards. I’m pretty excited about this and I think it makes such lovely homemade, diy gift!

DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends

DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends

DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends

DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends

DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Gift: Homemade Spice Blends

The jars:

You can use really any jar you like but I recommend looking for 3 ounce spice jars for the blends and roughly 8 ounce bottles for the vanilla. I used these spice bottles and these 8″ bottles. I also like these jars or these jars.

The Spices:

Here’s the amazing thing: you go to stores and spices seem to be slightly expensive. However, order in bulk and you can get pounds of spices for a good price. I highly suggest getting the spices from Frontier- great organic, well sourced spices. If you want to make smaller batches, go to a local health food store or co-op where you can buy spices in bulk.

The Blends:

While the recipes below will provide roughly enough to fill 6 jars, you can decrease or increase the amount by the jars you would like to make- just keep everything the same. Also, I tend to not include salt in my spice blends but always make a note to add salt during the cooking process.

Southwest Blend

1/2 cup chipotle powder
1/4 cup cumin powder
1/4 cup garlic powder
1/4 cup oregano
1/4 cup smoked paprika
2 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons coriander powder
1/2 tablespoon sea salt *opt

 

(yields roughly 6-3oz jars)

Curry Blend

6 tablespoons turmeric
4 tablespoons cumin powder
4 tablespoons coriander powder
4 tablespoons fenugreek powder
4 tablespoons garlic powder
4 tablespoons yellow mustard powder
2 tablespoons ginger
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon fennel powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoon sea salt (*opt)
1/2 tablespoon cardamom powder

 

(yields roughly 6-3oz jars)

Bakers Blend

1 cup cinnamon
1/2 cup ginger powder
1/4 cup nutmeg
2 tablespoons ground clove
2 tablespoons ground cardamom

 

(yields roughly 6-3oz jars)

Herb Blend

3/4 cup thyme
3/4 cup rosemary
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sage
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons black pepper
1/2 tablespoon sea salt (*opt)

 

(yields roughly 6-3oz jars)

Vanilla Extract

To make the vanilla, I used 3 vanilla beans per jar with good bourbon. Simply split the vanilla beans in half, place in the jar, and cover with the bourbon. Let sit for at least 2 months but longer is preferable. I make a note with a jars with a “you can start using” date.

Extra tools:

  • Bakers Twine
  • Hole Punch, Ruler, Paper cutter or xacto knofe, scissors
  • Circle cutter 
{Click to Download Recipe Cards}
Naturally Ella Recipe Card
{Click to Download Labels/Recipe Cards}Naturally Ella Spices

Recipes:

If you want, you can include a few recipes to make with these spices. Below are a few of my recipes that you can sub in the spice mix for the spices that are listed in the recipe.

Southwest Blend

Spiced Sweet Potato Quesadilla 

Stuffed Hatch Chiles

Chipotle Black Bean and Rice Egg Skillet

Roasted Corn and Ricotta Enchiladas (use in place of chipotle powder)

Bakers Blend

Spiced Apple Bundt Cake

Hazelnut Pear Muffins

Apple Whole Wheat Scones

Pumpkin Pie Millet Porridge

Curry Blend

Curried Cauliflower and Quinoa Salad

Curried Butternut Squash Brown Rice Skillet

Curried Pumpkin and Coconut Soup

Curry Marinated Summer Squash Salad

Herb Blend

Honey Mustard Veggie Kabobs (add before grilling)

Za’atar Roasted Sweet Potato, Chickpea, and Spinach Salad

Roasted Potato and Onion Crustless Quiche (replace fresh herbs)

Butternut Squash and Lentil Pot Pie

Categories: Bulk Bins

Previous Post: « Homemade Veggie Burger with Brown Rice, Oat, and Nuts
Next Post: Whipped Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Crostini »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lauren Nolan says

    December 03, 2013 at 18:24 pm

    This is GENIUS! I know I would love to get this as a gift and it’s such a unique idea! I might be stealing it… 🙂

    Reply
  2. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

    December 03, 2013 at 18:33 pm

    This is put together oh so lovely! Great gift idea!

    Reply
  3. Shanna Mallon says

    December 03, 2013 at 19:16 pm

    You amaze me. Who wouldn’t love getting a basket like this one!

    Reply
  4. Brooke (Crackers on the Couch) says

    December 03, 2013 at 21:34 pm

    This is absolutely lovely. What a great idea!

    Reply
  5. Julia says

    December 04, 2013 at 04:37 am

    This is great, …everything: the blends, the labels, combining them with a recipe! Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Sonja Dahlgren says

    December 04, 2013 at 05:56 am

    Beautiful! I love DIY gifts as well, and this idea is fantastic!

    Reply
  7. Nado says

    December 04, 2013 at 07:25 am

    Great Idea!

    Reply
  8. Mireya @myhealthyeatinghabits says

    December 04, 2013 at 08:24 am

    That’s the cutest spice gift set I’ve ever seen.

    Reply
  9. ashley | bloom & nourish says

    December 04, 2013 at 08:24 am

    such a wonderful idea! you’re so creative…i love it! thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Lucinda Smith says

    December 04, 2013 at 08:29 am

    you’re absolutely right – few things top a well-made and thoughtful DIY gift. i’ve got a couple people in mind who would love this. thanks for sharing!
    http://currenttempo.blogspot.com

    Reply
  11. Andrea says

    December 04, 2013 at 08:36 am

    Okay! So I am seeing this trend among different blogs about these homemeade gifts and I must say I love it! I will start out slow with some homemade vanilla extract BUT I want to eventually work my way up!! this is fabulous!!

    Andrea Fer

    Reply
  12. Stuart Alderson says

    December 04, 2013 at 08:57 am

    hope some of these DIY gifts find their way back home?????

    Reply
  13. Julie says

    December 04, 2013 at 09:32 am

    Erin, what a terrific post. Such talent and so inspiring!
    Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    Reply
  14. Maria Tadic says

    December 04, 2013 at 09:59 am

    This is SUCH a cute idea! I love it!!!!

    Reply
  15. jo says

    December 05, 2013 at 06:43 am

    Great idea and lovely post…and great that you’ve linked lots of recipes. So many people i know love the idea to cook but don’t know where to start so the spices (or whatever) just sit unopened which is sad 🙁

    Reply
  16. Katie @ Produce on Parade says

    December 05, 2013 at 11:23 am

    Wow, these are wonderful! They look fantastic. Those bottles are so cute too! How perfect 🙂 Thanks for sharing 😉

    Reply
  17. Amy Jackson says

    December 15, 2013 at 11:40 am

    Love this! Quick question though–when replacing the spices in the recipe, much do you use? Like with the Stuffed Hatch Chiles, would you replace an equal amount of blend for each spice listed (paprika, oregano, garlic, cumin, chipotle= 5 1/4 teaspoons)?

    Reply
    • elalderson says

      December 16, 2013 at 18:37 pm

      That’s how I normally figure it out but if it seems like a lot (common sense is a good judge here), reduce it slightly. I’d say for the stuffed chiles, 4-5 teaspoons of the seasoning would be good!

      Reply
  18. Caitlin says

    December 22, 2013 at 01:13 am

    These are so cute- what a great idea. I think next year I’m going to make taco seasoning for all my American ex-pat friends since we can’t buy it here in Switzerland!

    Reply
  19. Nelly says

    December 22, 2013 at 14:51 pm

    What a great gift! Thank you so much for sharing. Yum!

    Reply
  20. Kate says

    November 05, 2014 at 14:51 pm

    I may have overlooked it, but where can i find the jars with corks that you show your vanilla extract in?

    Reply
    • erin says

      November 13, 2014 at 12:33 pm

      I believe World Market!

      Reply
  21. BreAnna | Crafty Coin says

    August 29, 2015 at 21:50 pm

    DIY gifts are the best! These are seriously the cutest. I love little jars 🙂

    Reply
  22. Israel says

    June 23, 2016 at 11:58 am

    These are great spices and can be used in different types of cuisines – from Indian to Italian to American. Beautifully presented and packaging.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Friday Faves and Cookie Soup says:
    12.6.13 at 8:37 am

    […] DIY Spice Blends from Naturally Ella […]

    Reply

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