DeBorgia woman's seasoning mix a treat for locals

By AMY QUINLIVAN

Mineral Independent

In today’s holiday culture homemade and heartfelt Christmas gifts are often a thing of the past. Traditionally it was the norm for family, friends, and neighbors to use whatever skills and hidden talents they had to thoughtfully create presents to share.

Whether it was a tin of fudge, or knitted sweater, it was always made with love.

That was definitely the case for Gigi DuBois from DeBorgia. Her mother Lee Maher was a school teacher with a crafty side who concocted a unique seasoning blend to give away as gifts.

DuBois recalled, “When I was about 10 years old, she made the first batch of salt as Christmas gifts for her family and friends. She used some herbs from our garden and some purchased. It was an immediate hit and she continued to make it until a few years before her passing. It became a tradition.”

Now that tradition lives on through DuBois who has made the secret family recipe herself for the past 25 years. She’s the only who prepares the seasoning salt so her relatives she claimed, “Have counted on me for their supply.”

In the beginning she would produce batches just for the holidays to give to others. “It started out seasonally. But I almost always have some on hand now. Once mixed, it must nurture for two to three months,” explained DuBois.

Luckily for local residents and friends she has graciously distributed her signature spice and salt mixture during annual bake sale events. She noted, “I have chosen to donate the salt to sell for organizations that are fund raising through the years that I have made it. Occasionally I do sell some outside a sale and that money goes to the organization, in this case, the DeBorgia Schoolhouse Foundation.”

Area homemakers and cooks can usually acquire a bottle of “Seasoned Salt” by Gigi at a DeBorgia Schoolhouse event. DuBois added, “There are a few people who buy year-round because they use it so much and give it for gifts.”

The seasoning which is a blend of herbs and salt could be easily be a kitchen staple. DuBois explained, “It is used for adding to most foods during the cooking process, but is definitely not used for desserts. We use it for meats, sauces, steamed veggies, salads, popcorn, and I have one friend here who uses it for her homemade tortilla chips.”

That friend is Superior resident, Yolanda Ornelas. She originally met DuBois when she lived in the West End and would purchase her seasoned salt at the Old DeBorgia Schoolhouse events.

Ornelas has been using this unique seasoning on her family favorite tortilla chips for about eight years now. She remarked, “My daughter was over for dinner one day and noticed I put something different on the chips, she wanted to know what it was. I told her it was Gigi’s seasoning.”

Whenever Ornelas hosts a Mexican meal everyone requests that she make her traditional chips with the secret seasoning. She shared, “Really it’s so simple I just use tortillas and oil and fry them, it’s the seasoning that makes them taste so good.”

As for DuBois she considers herself to be just an average cook who enjoys trying new meals and flavors. She stated, “The salt is my ‘classic.’ I putter with canning jams and new recipes to keep myself interested in cooking. I love sharing new recipes.”

While she is preparing a new batch of seasoned salts, she not only gathers ingredients but also packaging materials. DuBois described, “I buy the iodized salt and many of the herbs; I grow a few that I dry to use as well. Everyone saves glass spice bottles with shakers for me that I am able to clean and sterilize before filling.” She added, “I also purchase bottles when necessary. It’s finished with a label specifically for the DeBorgia Schoolhouse I purchase from Shutterfly.”

On Nov. 21, the Old DeBorgia Schoolhouse will be putting on a holiday bake sale. Hours will be announced on the Schoolhouse Foundation's Facebook page and on posted flyers.

Of course, DuBois will be selling her sought after seasoned salt but come early because her supply will be limited. She planned to make, “Approximately 20. We’ve already sold about 35-40 bottles at our previous sales this year.”

Look for her table while at the bake sale next month, but don’t try to weasel out the recipe. She stated, “Mom passed it on to us and asked that we only share down the generations. So, that’s where it remains.”