Herbal Rubs & Festive Spices for Holiday Cooking
Herbal Rubs & Festive Spices
Herbs and spices are wonderful additions to your holiday fare. Fresh herbs are always more flavourful and add a special touch to your cooking, whether you’re roasting meats or preparing seasonal vegetable dishes.
In a hurry?
Here’s a quick look at the festive blends in this post:
- Fresh herb rub with olive oil for turkey or vegetables
- Perfect poultry seasoning for chicken or turkey
- Dry herb rub for an easy, flavourful roast turkey
- Apple pie spice mix for cosy puddings and bakes
Fresh Herb Rub
This fresh herb rub is beautiful on turkey, chicken or a tray of root vegetables. The herbs keep things bright and aromatic, while olive oil helps everything brown gently in the oven.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh garlic, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp onion, finely chopped
- 2 tsp fresh sage leaves, chopped
- 3 tsp organic salt (any natural salt you enjoy)
- 1/3 cup (about 80 ml) olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp white wine (optional)
Method
- Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Wash the turkey and pat dry thoroughly, inside and out.
- Rub the herb mixture generously over the skin and inside the cavities.
- Roast the turkey according to your usual cooking instructions.
Perfect Poultry Seasoning
Try this: a simple, flavourful poultry seasoning that works beautifully on both chicken and turkey.
Ingredients
- 2.5 tsp sage leaf, chopped
- 1 tsp marjoram, chopped
- 1/2 tsp rosemary, chopped
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg powder
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
Method
- Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
- Dust over chicken or turkey before baking or roasting.
Dry Herb Rub for Turkey
This dry herb rub is ideal when you don’t have fresh herbs on hand. It still gives plenty of flavour and a lovely golden skin.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp dried tarragon
- 1 tsp organic salt
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 1 medium onion or 1 lemon, for inside the turkey if you are not stuffing it
Method
- Mix the thyme, rosemary, tarragon, salt and pepper together.
- Rub the mixture into the turkey skin and inside the cavities if you are not stuffing.
- Place the onion or lemon inside the turkey.
- Roast according to your normal cooking instructions.
A note from the kitchen
I often cook my turkey with one tin of tomato cocktail poured over the bird and a generous sprinkle of paprika. It gives a lovely colour, keeps the turkey moist, and the herb rub adds another flavour dimension.
Apple Pie Spice Mix
Apple Pie Spices – add a holiday flare.
Mix this gently warming blend into your apples before filling your pie or crumble, or sprinkle over the top before baking. It’s also lovely over baked fruit or winter porridge.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp cinnamon powder
- 1 Tbsp nutmeg powder
- 1 tsp all-spice powder
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
How to Use
- Mix all the spices together until well combined. This makes about 1/4 cup.
- Use to flavour your apple filling or sprinkle on top before baking.
- Store any excess in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid for next time. Keep sealed and away from direct light.
Good to Know
- Fresh vs dried: Fresh herbs give a brighter flavour, while dried herbs are convenient and keep well in the pantry.
- Season to taste: The salt quantities here are a guide. Adjust slightly to suit your family’s taste and the size of your bird.
- Make ahead: You can mix these rubs and spice blends a few hours in advance to let the flavours mingle.
Herbs, spices and a little time in the oven are often all you need to turn simple ingredients into something special. When you’re next in Somerset West, pop into Earth & Thyme to top up your favourite herbs and plan your festive menu with us.