Adobo Seasoning
Adobo is an all-purpose seasoning salt used in many Latino countries. Adobo marries the flavor of garlic, turmeric, oregano with cumin (has salt also). Makes any food a comfort food and smells wonderful when cooking. Sprinkle onto any seafood prior to cooking. Can be found at most grocery stores and many meat markets.
Cayenne
Orange-red in color, this ground pepper is extremely hot and pungent. Add cayenne pepper when cooking seafood and fish, in particular all types of shellfish plus salmon and trout. This pepper may also be referred to as a finger pepper, finger chili, ginnie pepper, or bird pepper.
Here’s a spicy rub with cayenne – great for fish …
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions
Mix together and rub on fish prior to cooking.
Cardamom
Small, triangular-shaped pods containing numerous small black seeds which have a warm, highly aromatic flavor. You can buy green or black cardamoms although the smaller green type is more widely available. It leaves the tongue with a warm antiseptic sensation similar to eucalyptus with an additional peppery after taste. Some have described its flavor as spicy and cola-like. Grind cardamom from one of the whole forms of the spice to insure a superior flavor and aroma, both of which are quickly lost when the spice is pre-ground.
Looking for a dish with an Indian flare to the taste
This spice mix is used in many Indian dishes and is referred to as garam masala. There are many variations to garam masala - this a simple one that can be used with seafood.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsps coriander seeds
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 1 ½ tsps black cumin seeds (shahjeera)
- 1 ½ tsps dry ginger
- ¾ tsp black cardamom (3-4 large pods approx)
- ¾ tsp cloves
- ¾ tsp cinnamon (2 X 1” pieces)
- ¾ tsp crushed bay leaves
Instructions
Heat a heavy skillet on a medium flame and gently roast all ingredients (leave cardamom in its pods till later) except the dry ginger, till they turn a few shades darker. Stir occasionally. Do not be tempted to speed up the process by turning up the heat as the spices will burn on the outside and remain raw on the inside.
When the spices are roasted turn off the heat and allow them to cool.
Once cooled, remove the cardamom seeds from their skins and mix them back with all the other roasted spices.
Grind them all together, to a fine powder in a clean, dry coffee grinder.
Store in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place.
Basil
Basil tastes gives a sweet-scented, minty aroma when crumbled over fish. It blends well with garlic, thyme, and oregano. Crush dried leaves with your hand or in a mortar and pestle to release it’s flavor. Remember to wait until the last few minutes of cooking to add basil as its flavor will be sweeter and fresher.
Use this marinade with a firm fleshed fish like swordfish, mahi mahi, or salmon steaks.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 c. olive oil
- Few drops hot pepper sauce
- 1/4 c. minced fresh basil (or 1/8 c. dried)
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
Whisk together the vinegar, oil and hot pepper sauce. Stir in the basil. Pour over fish and marinate about 45 minutes, turning once, before grilling.

