How To Make Italian Style Oregano Seasoning At Home

Proper Italian food is so well appreciated globally because of its tasty, rich underlying, and authentic taste. Oregano seasoning is the most common ingredient that helps to enhance the flavour of many Italian dishes. This flexible combination applied successfully for marinades, dressings, and sauces, may make an average dinner into a satisfactory banquet. In addition to guaranteeing freshness, making your own Italian-style oregano seasoning at home lets you alter the flavours to suit your tastes. Homemade seasoning emphasises natural flavours and is free of additives and preservatives, in contrast to store-bought versions. You can make a flavourful and aromatic spice that goes well with pasta, pizza, roasted veggies, and more with a few items you probably already have in your cabinet.

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Also read: 10 Japanese Herbs And Seasonings To Add To Your Pantry

Preparation Process 

1. Gathering & Preparing The Ingredients: As the main herb in this seasoning blend, begin with 1 tablespoon of dried oregano. To provide a slight sweetness and aroma that perfectly balances the oregano, add 1 teaspoon of dried basil in addition to the oregano. One teaspoon of crushed black pepper will give it a nice jolt of heat. Two teaspoons of crispy garlic can be added to the seasoning to further improve it. This makes it moist and adds a bit of crunch and a good, garlicky taste. Crispy garlic may not be something you consider essential but it actually does enhance the mixture and makes it easier on the palate for a number of recipes.  Finally, add 1 teaspoon of chilli flakes for an added punch and 1 tablespoon of salt to balance the flavours.
2. Preparing the Crispy Garlic: A key element in enhancing your homemade oregano seasoning is the crispy garlic. First, chop the fresh garlic cloves small, making sure they are all the same size for even cooking. To prevent the garlic from burning too rapidly, heat a small quantity of oil in a pan over low to medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the chopped garlic and sauté it gently, stirring often. The garlic should not take more than 5 minutes to turn to golden brown so keep it under check.  To avoid further cooking, take it off the stove as soon as it achieves the ideal colour. Use a kitchen paper-lined dish to drain extra oil. After letting the crispy garlic cool, you can decide whether to leave it whole or smash it slightly to add to your seasoning mixture later. This easy yet crucial step improves the seasoning's overall flavour and texture.
3. Mixing the Ingredients: Combine all the components for your Italian oregano seasoning blend after your crispy garlic is done and cooled. To efficiently release the essential oils and flavours of the herbs and spices, begin by grinding them with a mortar and pestle, a traditional equipment. A small food processor or a spice grinder will do the trick if a mortar and pestle are unavailable. Add the salt, chilli flakes, crushed black pepper, crispy garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil to the mortar. Make sure to completely mix these ingredients by grinding them together with care. The objective is to maintain some granules for a pleasing crunch in your seasoning while producing a uniform texture.
4. Storing Tips: It's important to keep your Italian oregano seasoning correctly to preserve its flavour and freshness after you've mixed all the components and reached the consistency you want. Select an airtight container, either a spice container with a tight-fitting lid or a glass jar. They also ensure that more moisture which would otherwise spoil the mixture, is avoided while the fragrance of the herbs is retained.  Label your jar with the ingredients and the date you produced the seasoning before storage. However, no preservatives are added to this homemade one, it will last for several months when well stored in a cool, dark place and away from moisture and direct sunlight. Keep in mind that herbs lose their strength with time, so for optimal flavour, use your seasoning within six month

Uses Of Italian Oregano Seasoning

A versatile combination, Italian oregano seasoning can be used in a variety of recipes. Here are some recommendations:

• Add it to your handmade pizza to give it a real Italian taste.
• For a taste explosion, mix it with your preferred pasta sauces.
• Use it to marinate fish, poultry, and grilling vegetables.
• To add some zest to salads, sprinkle them with it.
• To improve the flavour of soups and stews, add a pinch.

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To make this Italian-style oregano seasoning for your meals means that you get to experiment with your foods and at the same time, ensure that your foods are rich in quality ingredients. With the help of few necessary components and easily understandable techniques, it can be a quickly done procedure which can help to bring something new in the number of your cooking practices.