Combinations

• Dried herbs, such as oregano, thyme and parsley, pair nicely with black pepper, garlic, lemon peel and sea salt, and are common in Greek cooking. Other more simple but classic combinations include dill, lemon peel and garlic, or lemon peel with garlic and oregano. To make an all-purpose seasoning for meat or vegetables, use the garlic/oregano/lemon peel combination with the addition of basil, parsley, thyme, black pepper and dried onion, with or without cinnamon and allspice. You can combine your herbs and spices with or without salt.

Choices

• You can create a simple or complex seasoning mix, depending on your personal preference. Mint is a staple of Greek cooking, but many people prefer to leave it out of an all-purpose seasoning mix because of its bite. Other strong flavors, such as cinnamon and fennel, often considered to be the secret ingredients in Greek sauces and spice rubs, may also be too loud for an all-purpose blend.

Using

• The best way to use an all-purpose seasoning mix when cooking is to pour some out directly into the palm of your hand and then sprinkle over the dish, salad or sauce you are flavoring. Shaking the spice directly from the container over a simmering pot will steam and spoil your spice mix. A tablespoon of Greek seasoning can also be blended with extra virgin olive oil and vinegar to create a quick and easy Greek salad dressing.

Storing

• When stored properly, spices don’t spoil, but they do lose their flavor over time. To keep your seasonings aromatic and fresh, store them out of the sun in a cool, dry place in a sealed container or bag. Storing your seasonings in the freezer is a bad idea because condensation will form on the inside of the container, eventually spoiling your mix. Don’t keep your seasonings stored above or near your stove or dishwasher, as heat tends to wake up their flavors and if you’re not cooking with them, they'll lose their potency and the flavor will be wasted.