Mix it up
Here are some of my favorite spice mixtures. Using any of them will heat up your dinner menu. Each makes about 1 / 4 cup.

Jamaican Jerk: Combine 2 teaspoons each garlic powder, leaf thyme, brown sugar and kosher salt. Add 1 teaspoon each nutmeg, crushed dried red pepper flakes and allspice. Add 1 / 4 teaspoon of both cinnamon and fresh-ground black pepper.

Tandoori Indian: Combine 1 tablespoon each cumin, coriander, paprika, ginger, turmeric and kosher salt. Add 1 teaspoon of both cayenne pepper and cardamom.

Cajun Spice: Combine 1 1 / 2 teaspoons each kosher salt, sweet paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and thyme. Add 1 / 2 teaspoon each cumin, cayenne pepper and fresh-ground black pepper.

Herbs De Provence: Combine 1 tablespoon each dried rosemary leaves, oregano, thyme, marjoram, basil, fennel or anise seeds, tarragon leaves and fresh-ground black pepper. Add optional lavender leaves, to taste.