Old Bay Seasoning is the brand name of a blend of herbs and spices produced in Maryland by McCormick & Co. It is often used in crab recipes along the Atlantic coast. There is a lingering connection, bound and blended by spice, between my two Souths, and it is apparent in Old Bay Seasoning. It is kind of like a long-lost cousin of my beloved garam masala; the two blends share so many of the same ingredients. You can make a homemade version of Old Bay by following this recipe.

Ingredients

　　2 tablespoons celery salt

　　1 tablespoon dry mustard powder

　　2 teaspoons finely ground black peppercorns

　　2 teaspoons ginger powder

　　2 teaspoons Kashmiri chili powder

　　1 teaspoon finely ground white pepper

　　1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

　　1 teaspoon clove powder

　　1 teaspoon allspice powder

　　1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

　　½ teaspoon mace powder

　　½ teaspoon green cardamom powder

　　¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder

　　Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. This seasoning blend will keep indefinitely.

　　Reprinted with permission from My Two Souths: Blending the Flavors of India into a Southern Kitchen © 2016 by Asha Gomez with Martha Hall Foose, Running Press.Buy the full book from Amazon or from Bookshop.