Homemade food gifts are tricky this time of year. Does your neighbor, who has thrown about five parties already, really need another tray of cookies or a loaf of cranberry bread? Probably not.

Bold Cajun blends, Chinese five-spice powder, Caribbean jerk, garam masala from India, Middle Eastern baharat, Thai green curry paste — each of these blends of spices and herbs has its origins as a ...

You control the spice, the heat, and the freshness. Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill Sure, you can buy seasoning blends at the store, but you're often getting more of exactly what you don't want—salt.