Cajun Seasoning
The Original Spice Mix.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Smoked Paprika (35 g)
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder (15 g)
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder (12 g)
- 1 tbsp Kosher Salt (optional) (20 g)
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper (10 g)
- 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper (10 g)
- 1 tsp Ground White Pepper (10 g)
- 1 tsp Dried Mexican Oregano (6 g)
- 1 tsp Dried Thyme (6 g)
Instructions
- Add peppercorns to spice grinder. When at good consistency, add herbs and blend. mix in the rest of the ingredients.
Why It Works
Cajun season is an early example of an American premade spice mix. It started as a method for hunters to carry around a sachet of mixed spices that were shelf stable and could be used for a variety of cooking methods and recipes. People in the large port cities had access to a variety of fresh herbs and jarred ingredients for cooking, but those in the field needed a single premade ingredient. The base is the three peppers: cayenne for kick, white for base, and black for floral. Also, New Orleans is the birthplace of modern pharmacy. These pharmacies served as storefronts that would freshly grind and mix herbs and spices into prescribed recipes. They would also offer Haitian Vodou tinctures and digestives. Peychaud's Bitters is an early example of one of these pharmacy recipes.
Usage / Pairing
Cajun Chicken Pasta, Gumbo, Cajun potato salad