A delicious and delightful all-purpose sauce made with olive oil and the herbs and spices found in everyone’s spice rack. A simple sauce with a simple name, Spice Rack Sauce certainly won’t break the bank, but it most certainly will rock your taste buds!
SPICE RACK SAUCE
Have you ever had one of those nights when you get home from work and you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Of course you have! We all have those days when life throws every possible obstacle right smack down in the middle of your path.
STRESS AND FOOD
Sometimes, it’s our jobs that cause such stress, frustration, and anxiety. But, other times, it’s our spouse, or kids, or dare I say it, our extended family. Gasp! Whenever I feel like that, I can usually break it down and determine exactly where it’s stemming from. Shall I share it with you?
Why should I start hiding behind Lord Byron’s Kitchen now? I’ve always been very forthcoming. My personal opinions and thoughts tend to come through in the parables I write in my recipe posts. So, I’ll fess up. As much as city life, particularly Toronto, has to offer, it seems the older I get, the more and more I dislike living in the city. Toronto is a great place to live; don’t get me wrong, but I don’t belong here.
My roots go back to small town living. You know the type of town where you can borrow an egg from your neighbour; the type of town where you can leave your doors unlocked until bedtime; the type of town where you feel secure and safe 100% of the time?
IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE OF SCENERY
I grew up living like that. And, so did John.e. In fact, he spent most of his younger years living on a farm with his parents. So, naturally, we both wish for the return to a small town. More specifically, we want a small farmhouse. It has to be somewhere within reach of the city. But, it has to be far enough that we can’t hear the sirens, or breathe the smog.
The plan is to relocate as soon as McKenna has finished high school. It will also be determined by which university she attends. And, because I’m an overprotective dad, I assure you it will be no more than a few hours driving distance!
Until then, it’s business as usual. We’re up in the morning; take the transit to work; work all day; take the transit back home; make dinner; complete chores; work on Lord Byron’s Kitchen; help with homework; feed the cats, etc. Sounds exciting doesn’t it?
COOKING IS A STRESS RELIEF FOR ME
Wanna know how I push the stress, frustration, and anxiety aside? I eat! I find so much comfort in cooking and baking. And even though those things are fun for me, getting to eat, is much more fun! What about you? Do you love to cook? If it’s not your thing, then surprisingly, this recipe is for you. I call this Spice Rack Sauce, because that’s just what it is!
We all have a spice rack in the kitchen that for the most part goes very unused. Well, now there’s no excuse. You can make this gorgeous and delicious sauce. Toss it with pasta like I’ve done, or you can baste a roast chicken in it. Try scrambling or frying some eggs with Spice Rack Sauce – it’s so good!
Now, you have a delicious meal in front of you. You have spent some quality time spent with your thoughts in the kitchen. Don’t you feel better already? Works every time!!
Spice Rack Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried red chili flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small sauce pan. Whisk over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Don’t be tempted to leave it on the heat for too long; the dried herbs will burn!
- Use sauce on pasta, chicken, fish, or even baked potato!
Notes
Nutrition
Danielle Wolter says
so i live in san diego and for many years we lived downtown right in the city and it was a lot of fun. all the business and noise and things to do. but as i got older i realized i belong in the country. so we recently moved about 30 miles outside of the city and just love it. it’s quiet, there’s a small town community, and its wonderful! that aside, I’m loving this recipe so much. any easy sauce that you can dump on a plate of spaghetti is a dream for me!
Carol says
Hi! I read your post today and just wanted to offer a small bit of advice. Enjoy your time -whatever it may be that you do now and just let it be. It may feel so routine and you may think that you would love to be in small town but that is not all it is cracked up to be either, once you get used to living in city. I have come out of retirement for these very reasons and did find it a shock to the system after taking one winter off. I think it would be wonderful to live on outskirts of bigger city, where those sirens would not be heard too often and you still have the luxury of shopping and other amenities close by. This was my experience and I hope you can appreciate it.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Carol. I think deep down I’m just a country boy at heart. I grew up in a small town, and even though I’ve lived in a city for many years, a small town life keeps calling me. I’ll still be close enough to the city for shopping, theater, and culture. 🙂
Mahy Elamin says
Oh this sauce looks absolutely amazing! I’ve recently gotten into making my own sauces, and I’m certainly adding spice rack sauce to the list. All those ingredients sound amazing together! I will have to make this soon!
Kylee says
I grew up in a small town in New Zealand (well, a small town within a huge county/city) and I know what you mean! The simple life. The husband and I dream of building a house on a big property somewhere outside of the city (but still with access to the good grocery stores, I mean let’s be real here).
This spice rack sauce looks delish – and I love how you could change it up depending on what you have around!
Gloria says
What a great idea. So much better than store bought options. Well stocked cupboards ALWAYS have great ingredients to whip up tasty rubs, spice blends and sauces. I think I need to give this a try. Hubby has requested pasta for dinner this weekend.
Dee says
The picture are so vibrant and beautiful! I love you plan to relocate close to your daughter’s collage. Mine docent go for another decade but I’m freaking out already so adopting your plan would be a great solution!
April says
I definitely put 5 stars for this sauce. It is one of my favorite and can be used with so many dishes! Looking super delicious, too.
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
This recipe is one of my favorites because it makes my life with the kiddos so much easier. They love pasta, and I like to switch up our sauces. I love that I always have the ingredients on hand!
Jere says
Small town living has a lot to offer and knowing your neighbors is so important. I bake when I am stressed so last weekend we had lemon cookies, an apple galette and jam tarts. Now for your recipe I will definitely be making this pasta as it look so delicious and easy.
Stine Mari says
As I am a spiceoholic all my spices are frequently used. And that is also why I LOVE this recipe! I can’t wait to make a batch! Also, can totally relate on your big city issues. I’ve always lived in this medium sized city in neighborhoods where you have huge gardens and not much traffic. However, it is stressing me out that huge contractors are starting to pack these beautiful areas with a ton of houses and no gardens. I am actually considering moving because my amazing mountain views are about to hide behind a huge block of a house. Ugh. Seems like I needed to vent, lol! Again, AMAZING sauce and good luck on your quest to find a lovely farmhouse!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hahaha! Seriously, one of the best comments I’ve read in a long time. I love a good vent! 🙂
Candiss says
I love simple sauces and I love using up all those spices collecting in my cabinets so this simple sauce fits the bill perfectly!
Jacqueline Debono says
I grew up in London (UK) but I now hate cities, even for holidays! We live in the countryside in Veneto, Northern Italy, 40 minutes from Verona. We’re surrounded by vineyards, cherry orchards and woods and can see the Dolomite mountains in the distance. Heaven on earth and I wouldn’t swap it for anything! The only traffic is tractors! Love this spice rack sauce. Such a great idea!
Karyl Henry says
I have all of the ingredients in my pantry!! I will for sure be making this sauce, because it looks amazing. And I can already see several different recipes with it
Maman de sara says
This sauce looks great! I can tell I am hungry just by looking at that yummy pasta 😋.
Kelly Anthony says
Cooking is also my therapy and happy place. This recipe will come in handy on a night that something goes wrong. I will still be able to make dinner because I have all these ingredients in my pantry all the time.
Amanda says
I love this seasoning mix! It’s seriously perfect on pasta, and I plan on using it on so many other recipes. Thanks for sharing such a tasty and versatile recipe!
Jori says
This is brilliant! And I love that you can store it for two weeks. I doubt it’ll last that long though. Twice a week a really need something I can put on the table in 20 minutes that’s tasty and comforting. This is just the ticket.
Mimi says
Fantastic sauce that I can use with so many meals. I love playing with herbs when combining them with oil – the amount of each creates a very special flavor that I really enjoy in my food. Great recipe.
Jacquelyn Hastert says
I hope that you find the house of your dreams! I know it isn’t always the easiest task. Anyways this sauce sounds like a spice lovers dream. I would love it over chicken or pasta. Can’t wait to make it.
Stephanie says
This looks like such a delicious sauce to have on hand to add flavor to dinners! I will have to leave out the red pepper flakes because I’m a BABY when it comes to spicy food, haha!
Lathiya says
The name of the sauce sounds interesting. I love that this sauce is versatile and can enhance any simple dish
Patti L. says
I’ve said it before, I like to read your anecdotes and “confessions’ 🙂 This, Byron is a great way to use my “too many” dried herbs, to give to my busy friends. I’m a shop-a-holic when good spices and herbs are on sale. AS for city living …ew-w. I raised my kids on small acreage outside a small Oregon town. Now, in WA State…I’m here because they’ve grown and moved up here to good careers.. I am a country gal, but family is here. DO IT…don’t waste a minute. Your daughter will love it too!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Patti. I’m the same way. I buy almost everything in bulk. As for country living, we promised our daughter that we would wait for her to finish high school. Two years will fly by quickly – hopefully!
ElLois says
I ❤️ This!!
My “local” Stater Bros store has this “ butchers blend” I liked but I guess selling it no more. So I took the ingredients and made my own!!
I call Staters local because I live over 30 miles from the nearest market. I live in a small town (pop 3000) that is in “hinterland”. It’s nice but between the highway & major railroad. So noise.
I buy my most used spices in bulk, never run out, but always fresher than my old cooking ways.
I’m so ready to make some more of your other sauces ❤️
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you! I’m so glad to hear that you liked it!