How to Make It
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Rub the dried rosemary between your palms as you add it to crush the larger leaves. Stir or whisk until the blend is uniform.
This is a lighter, more aromatic rub than most. It should smell like a garden, not a spice rack. Store in an airtight jar for up to 3 months. The lemon zest powder will lose potency faster than the herbs, so give it a sniff test after 2 months.
How to Use It
For roasted vegetables: Toss cut vegetables with olive oil and 1 to 2 teaspoons of rub per cup. Spread in a single layer on a sheet pan and roast at 425 degrees until caramelized, 20 to 30 minutes. Cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and Brussels sprouts all work beautifully.
For grilled eggplant: Slice into half-inch rounds, brush with olive oil, and dust both sides with the rub. Grill over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side until soft and charred. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
For tomatoes: Halve large tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with the rub. Roast cut-side up at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. These slow-roasted tomatoes are incredible on pasta, pizza, or crusty bread.
For potatoes: Toss cubed potatoes with olive oil, a generous coat of rub, and roast at 425 degrees until crispy on the outside and tender inside. Shake the pan every 10 minutes for even browning.
For grilled halloumi: This rub turns grilled halloumi into something extraordinary. Slice the cheese into planks, brush with oil, dust with the rub, and grill for 2 minutes per side until golden. Serve with grilled vegetables and flatbread.
The Mediterranean Approach
Mediterranean cooking doesn't overcomplicate things. Good oil, fresh herbs, citrus, and heat. That's the whole foundation. This rub captures that philosophy in a form you can keep in your pantry and use any night of the week.
The herbs in this blend are the same ones that grow wild across the hillsides of Greece, Italy, and southern France. They were bred for exactly this: making simple food taste better. When these herbs hit olive oil and a hot grill, they release essential oils that create an aroma you can smell from across the yard.