All-Purpose Spice Rub

About a year ago I found a recipe for an all-purpose spice rub on MarthaStewart.com. We love it! I use it on chicken and veggies all the time. By making so much ahead of time, it makes it easy to spice up your dinner (pardon the pun). I store it in my old baby food jars. The kids can help you make it too. I put all the ingredients in a large Ziploc bag and let the kiddos shake it up to mix everything together.

• 1/3 cup coarse salt
• 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/4 cup paprika
• 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons dried thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (optional if you want a little spice)

This is a very versatile recipe. Feel free to try different spices. We have used rosemary and red pepper flakes instead of thyme and cayenne.

One of our favorite ways to use this rub is to make roasted cauliflower. Place the cauliflower florets in a baggy. Pour in a tablespoon of oil (I use olive or canola because they are the healthiest for your heart). Then our in some of your spice. Shake the bag till all of the cauliflower is coated. Bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes, turning once. Yummy! Yummy!