How to make Oregano seasoning from common kitchen ingredients

No, we are not asking you to grow your own oregano plant from scratch. Remember the magical seasoning we put on pizza that is never enough no matter how many packets we empty? That is oregano seasoning, which contains dried oregano combined with a bunch of other spices and herbs. If you have also begged for extra packets of oregano seasoning with your pizza like the rest of us, you would be thrilled to know that you can make it at home with just a few ingredients that you must already have in your kitchen! Here is how to make oregano seasoning from common kitchen ingredients.

Oregano is a perennial and aromatic herb that comes from the mint family. It is native to the Mediterranian and Southwestern & Western Eurasia. The herb is known for its distinct flavour and intense fragrance. It is widely popular in Italian, Greek and Mediterranean cooking. There are both culinary and ornamental varieties of this herb, however only the former is suitable for cooking. Oregano is now available almost everywhere, including India. Yet, not everyone has it at home. So if you do not have oregano at your home, what else can you use for your seasoning?

Two commonly available Indian herbs can be used to substitute oregano. The first and most common one is Carom (ajwain leaves). These plants can be found in almost every other household in India. These leaves are also used in treating cough, cold and fever in children. Fresh carom leaves bear a strikingly similar resemblance to oregano when it comes to the fragrance. The second closest substitute to oregano that is commonly available in India is Marjoram (Marva leaves). It belongs to the same family as oregano and is often mistaken for its fancy cousin due to its appearance and aroma. Just grab any out of these two herbs that you can find and let us make oregano seasoning!

Take 20-25 fresh carom or marjoram leaves. Wash them thoroughly with normal water 2 to 3 times. Dry them under the fan for an hour or in the sun for a week. If you do not have the time to put them out in the sun, you can use a microwave to do the job. Simply put the leaves over a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 3 minutes. If the leaves are still not dry enough, microwave for an additional 2 minutes. It should not take them more than 5-6 minutes to completely dry up.

If you have dried your leaves in the sun, you may want to put them in a mortar and pestle to convert them in a coarse powder. If you do not have a mortar and pestle, put the dried leaves in a mixer and pulse until roughly powdered. You will notice the striking similarity between regular oregano and the substitute from their aroma when they are freshly ground.

Once your homemade oregano is ready, we can make the flavourful oregano seasoning! Add 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, ½ tbsp carom or marjoram leaves powder, ½ tbsp dried basil (you can also use dried holy basil or Tulsi), ¼ tsp dried rosemary (you can also use ground caraway seeds or bay leaves), 2 tbsp powdered garlic and ½ tsp chilli powder in a clean and dry plastic bowl. Use a spoon to combine all the spices and herbs properly.

It is best to store the oregano seasoning in an airtight container. If you want to prolong its life, keep it in the refrigerator. Consume this seasoning within two months, or it may lose its aroma and taste. You can always make a fresh batch as it uses such simple ingredients! You can put this oregano seasoning on anything you like, but do try it on Maggi, upma, cheese veggie sandwich and of course, the creamy mac and cheese!