It’s pizza week here at Kayotic Kitchen! Time to stock up on flour and oil, everyone! I’m giving you an entire DIY pizza kit: crust, sauce, seasoning and my favorite toppings. All you need to be seriously happy and to make those around you happy as well.

I’m starting with my pizza spice. Even though a simple Italian blend will do, it’s a heck of a lot more fun making your own. I just kept combining things—and didn’t forget to jot down the ingredients on a small notepad for a change—until I ended up with a bland that’s wicked good. It smells heavenly, especially after a few days when the flavors have really blended together. It adds pizzazz to your pizza.

So what are you waiting for? Break out your mortar and pestle, spice or coffee mill and get to it.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 1/2 tbsp dried onion flakes
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt
1/2 tsp chili flakes
7 black peppercorns
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Optional: 1/2 tsp fennel seeds

Directions:

It’s not exactly rocket science, I’ll be the first to admit that, but getting the exact right blend wasn’t as simple as I thought it would be.

Talk about storyboards! Combine all ingredients. The fennel seeds are totally optional but I think they add a spectacular flavor!

I use the spice mill that came with my food processor, but a simple coffee mill or mortar and pestle will do as well.

It’s so dead-simple to make these kind of special blends yourself. Like it spicy? Up the chili flakes. Like it more Italian seasoned, up the basil and oregano. Play with the ingredients and make the recipe your own.