"TIS THE SEASONING
Credit: LA Times Crossword
Sylvia Bursztyn and Barry Tunick

The clues below can be answered with a name or phrase containing the name of a seasoning.

1. Make the grade
2. The very best, genuinely good people
3. Ali Baba password
4. Dawdle (with y)
5. She sang "Come On-a My House"
6. Self-defense (non-lethal) weapon
7. Hold off, as an animal
8. Knowledge from one with experience
9. Seek preferential treatment by flattery and fawning
10. Classic Sherlock Holmes portrayer
11. She did everything he did, only backwards and in heels.
12. Knot used in boating

Answers:

1. Cut the mustard
2. Salt of the earth
3. Open sesame
4. Dilly-dally
5. Rosemary Clooney
6. Pepper spray
7. Keep at bay
8. Sage advice
9. Curry favor
10. Basil Rathbone 
11. Ginger Rogers
12. Clove hitch