Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

 If you're like most people, you probably have a can of the popular Old Bay Seasoning on your shelf, and you use is occasionally when you cook seafood.  I haven't purchased this stuff for over 4 years - I make my own.  This stuff sells for almost $4.00 a can, and you can make the same thing for less than $1.00.

I also use it on dozens of recipes.

Let me show you how easy it is to make.

You will need:
Bay leaves (a good handful)
1/4 cup celery salt
2 Tab. dry mustard
4 teas. ground ginger
4 teas. ground black pepper
4 teas. sweet paprika
2 teas. ground nutmeg
2 teas. allspice
2 teas. ground white pepper
2 teas. ground clove
1 teas. ground mace
1 teas. ground cardamon
1 teas. crushed red pepper flakes

First you need to finely break up 1/4 cup of bay leaves, (about 1 good handful).  You can do this whatever way is easiest.

Make sure to get the pieces as small as possible.

Place the pieces into a small bowl and add:
the rest of the ingredients.

Note: Since mace and cardamon are rather expensive, I just buy a small amount from the bulk section.  That way I am not paying for a full size container that will sit on the shelf and get stale, (and I only pay a few pennies for the small amount that I need).  The same with celery salt, I don't use it very often, so I buy it in small amounts from the bulk section.  A good way to save money on spices.

Whisk everything together until everything is incorporated well.  You can already smell the wonderful warm flavors of all the spices.

Pour into a clean container with a tight fitting lid, label, and store on your pantry shelf.

I use this for my roast chicken, (it makes a great rub).
I use this on my ribs, (just mix it with some brown sugar).
I use it in the steam water when I cook clams, lobsters, crabs, shrimp, any kinds of shell fish, (just a couple spoonfuls).
It's great on pork roasts, and pork chops as a dry rub

It's a very versatile seasoning, and so delicious.  Give it a try and you won't go back to the store brand.

Enjoy!