I’m going to take a chance with this blog post and hope that my Dad, despite his best efforts and support, does not read my Blog. I have a feeling the likelihood is high considering he calls me, of all people, for IT support, never responds to a single email I send him, and is not currently subscribed to our blog for the latest updates. (insert plug here: follow A Stranded Island on the right side of page for email updates!) wow. pathetic. So anyway, onto the best Father’s Day gift idea ever! DIY spices, rubs, and marinades!
If your dad is like most red-blooded American Dad’s, then he’s a fan of anything that can add to the grilling experience. I’m also out of all good golf related ideas, so this is next on the list. There are a ton of great recipes online that you can use or if you’re feeling daring just create your own!
I decided to try to find a variety of recipes that could be used on different meats and provide lots of different flavors. Here’s what my Dad will be grilling with this summer…
Ready to Grill!
- Cowboy Coffee and Chili Rub – steak
- Cajun Seasoning – chicken, shrimp and veggies, tried my leftovers on some chicken and it was good. Not too spicy for the faint of heart.
- Rosemary Marinade – this one can be added to olive oil and lemon to give you a nice twist from just rubs
- Taco Seasoning – who ever has it when they need it?
- Tropical Poultry Rub – Chicken, Turkey, etc.
- Jack of All Trades – This is a recipe that said is delicious on just about anything and is used as much as salt and pepper. I made a minor tweak to the ingredients and changed the name so the similar recipe can’t be found. My signature spice! (All about creating demand, I hope it’s good!)
After finally deciding on my recipe list, I went to work raiding my spice cabinet. If you’re shopping for spices your bill can add up VERY quickly if you aren’t careful. Since there are so many flavors in these recipes, I find that you don’t need to splurge on the BEST quality. If you are working on something with minimal ingredients it might be worth it to buy a better quality spice.
My roommate did some shopping at our local grocery store and came home with 7 spices we needed for about $36. I hit up the local Dollar Store and came home with the same 7 spices for $7. I’d go that route if you’re on the cheap but crafty present budget. They won’t have it all if you’re looking for an obscure one, but they have most.
Tropical Poultry Rub in the making
Cowboy rub measured, the shaking is next!
To mix, I pulled out a Tupperware container for each recipe and started measuring each spice out. After the measuring was complete, I just popped the lid on and gave it a good shake. Done and done, it’s that easy!
Next up just funnel your spices into the jars. We found the perfect spice jars at Bed, Bath and Beyond for 99cents each.
The labeling of the jars is totally up to you. I decided to have a little fun with it and print out a custom created sticker label for each jar. I included a little logo I created for my kitchen, the name of the spice, what it goes best with, and an ingredient list in case allergies are a factor for anyone. (always list your ingredients largest to smallest)
Happy Father’s Day!
Finally slap your sticker on your jars and you are ready to gift away!
Marinade Master out. Katie.
