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Looking to add some extra spices to your dishes? Try this amazing Tuscan Heat Spice Recipe to give a tasty kick to various cuisines.

There are some excellent store-bought spice combinations available. However, I’ve discovered that a homemade spice combination is unmatched.

This Tuscan heat spice blend recipe uses traditional Italian spices and adds a kick with crushed red pepper flakes and black pepper. The dried lemon peel imparts a citrusy flavor to this dry spice blend recipe, elevating it to a new level.

What Will You Love About This Recipe

One of the best things about this Tuscan Heat Spice Blend recipe is its perfect balance of flavors. This mix’s blend of spices and dry herbs produces a pleasing harmony of flavors.

The warmth of the garlic and onion powders is complemented by the flavorful herbs, including oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary; paprika provides a hint of smokiness.

Another thing about this recipe is the homemade goodness that it brings with it. Making your spice blend gives you more control over the quality and freshness of the ingredients. Plus, something is fulfilling about making your seasoning blend from scratch.

Long shelf life is another great feature of this recipe. Once prepared and stored properly in an airtight container, this spice blend can last for several months, allowing you to enjoy its flavors in a variety of meals without fear of it spoiling.

Ingredients:

For making Tuscan Heat Spice Blend, you need ingredients in the following quantities:

Dried rosemary = 2 tablespoons
Dried basil = 2 tablespoons
Dried marjoram = 2 tablespoons
Dried parsley = 2 tablespoons
Onion powder = 2 tablespoons
Garlic powder = 2 tablespoons
Smoked paprika = 2 tablespoons
Dried thyme = 1 tablespoon
Crushed red pepper flakes = 1 tablespoon
Cracked black pepper = 1 tablespoon
Dried lemon peel = 2 teaspoons

Instructions for Making the Tuscan Heat Spice Blend Recipe

Following are the detailed instructions for making the Tuscan Heat Spice Blend:

Step 1

Take a small bowl. Add rosemary, basil, marjoram, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, cracked black pepper, and dried lemon peel to that bowl.

Step 2

Mix all the ingredients in such a way that they thoroughly incorporate each other. You can use a blender for this purpose.

Step 3

Taste the spice blend and adjust the salt and red pepper flakes in it according to your taste preference.

Step 4

Shift this spice blend to an air-conditioned jar or a spice jar for storage.

Tips and suggestions

Following are some tips and suggestions to make the most of the Tuscan Heat Spice Blend recipe.

Although dried herbs and spices are used in this dish, fresh herbs, when available, can offer an additional flavor dimension. If you have fresh herbs on hand, you can use them instead of dried ones, but bear in mind that fresh herbs require a larger quantity than dried herbs.
Rather than using pre-ground spices, try grinding whole spices like dried rosemary or whole black peppercorns for an even more robust flavor. Just before incorporating the spices into the mixture, you can grind them with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
You can change this blend’s spice level to suit your tastes. If you prefer a lower heat level, you can reduce or leave out the crushed red pepper flakes. On the other hand, feel free to add a little more cayenne pepper or more red pepper flakes if you want your food to be very spicy.
Feel free to experiment and customize the blend by adding more herbs and spices based on your preferences. To add more flavor dimensions, you may add dried sage, fennel seeds, or lemon zest.
Try toasting the spices a little bit before adding them to the mixture to bring out their flavor. Simply warm a dry skillet over medium heat, add the entire spice (if using), and toast for a few minutes until aromatic, stirring regularly. Make sure not to burn them.
Once you’ve created your spice blend, label the jar with your name and date. By doing this, you can monitor its freshness and make sure you utilize it before its best-before date.

Recipe Variations

Following are some recipe variations:

Mediterranean Herb Blend

For a richer, smokier flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
Add 1 tablespoon of dried parsley for an added burst of herbal flavor.
For a more savory flavor, double the amount of garlic and onion powder.

Citrus-Infused Blend

For a vibrant, zesty flavor, mix in 1 tablespoon of dried lemon zest or peel.
To make the recipe less spicy, reduce the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
Add a small teaspoon of dried thyme for a flavorful herb accent.

Italian-Inspired Blend

Add one tablespoon of dry Italian spice, usually a mixture of herbs such as rosemary, basil, oregano, and thyme.
If you want a stronger flavor, add extra onion and garlic powder.
For a milder version, omit the crushed red pepper flakes; for greater spice, add more.

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