How can I replicate the packs of seasoning that come in pasta and rice side dishes?

[american8mare]

We like to bulk purchase whole grain pasta and brown rice b/c it is cheap and b/c it is healthier than bleached white pasta or rice. We also really like the pasta and rice side dishes that sell for about a dollar each, but they all come with bleached white pastas or rice, which we then trow away to use our whole grain pasta. I wish we knew how to make our own seasonings in bulk so we could eliminate this costly and wasteful procedure. Rather than describing to me what you THINK would be a good substitute: does anyone know of a good website that explains how to make your own seasoning blends and/or sauces?
www.foodarticles.net....hmmm.... this site is pretty barren, looks like a good idea though, nice site for user submissions; however, there are VERY few user submissions.

 

[Cowgirl_Power]

Look for recipes like spansh rice and all that. Use the seasonings called for in those recipes.

Also keep in that those dry mixes are Mostly salt.

For cheesy ones I would start with popcorn flavoring (chedder cheese and such.

 

[DianeBe]

Mostly all seasoning packets contain a lot of salt or other sodium compounds, plus pepper, then many add onion and/or garlic powder.
Then they may add whatever flavor it is that makes that product different from its sisters and brothers ("chicken or beef, Italian, tropical, cajun, Spanish, tomato" or whatever).

I often just check out the ingredient list for the packets if I like the basic flavor, then use my own version of those ingredients (dried or fresh) while cooking.
I try to duplicate the ingredients of the various premade "spice mixes" sold in bottles on the spice aisle too, or that I see online.

There are loads of ways to flavor your own rice though whether with dried ingredients or fresh (or a combo)...try some of these:
http://www.google.com/search?q=recipes+flavored+rice
http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+make+spice+mixes
http://www.google.com/search?q=recipes+healthy+rice

Or just check out the basic kinds of herbs/spices that are often used in one or another culture, and put those things together yourself too.

One simple seasoning for rice btw (I usually make brown rice) is just a little bit of turmeric. Turns the rice bright yellow, is extremely healthy, and smells like popcorn while cooking (also doesn't taste like saffron, the other "yellow" seasoning, which I'm not personally crazy about).
Or I sometimes use a whole "curry powder" (which usually contains turmeric among other spices).

You might also want to try "basmati" (white or brown) rice and "jasmine" rice to get some flavor built right into the rice without adding anything.

As for pasta sauces, those usually have dried powdered cheeses and tomatoes too, and maybe some chicken or beef powder flavorings, as well as the basic salt/pepper/onion/garlic above (and maybe thyme).

Some of those will also have thickeners in them too, esp. the pasta ones, so you'd have to thicken in other ways perhaps.

HTH, and congratulations on avoiding all the excess sodium in those flavor packets too!