DIY Spice Blend
Craving the mouth-tingling flavors of an Indian curry or the heat of a North African stew? Spices are the answer.
Spices are one of the best ways to season other ingredients. They lend either bold or subtle flavors to dishes while also being affordable, convenient, accessible and easy to use. Not to mention the fact that spices have powerful health-promoting properties due to their antioxidants! Some spice blends you can buy in a store may not be quite what you are looking for. Luckily, it’s easy to make your own by following these guidelines:
● Consider what cuisine inspires you. Use a global spice map to identify what spices give traditional dishes their flavor, aroma and color.
● Use a 4-ounce Mason jar or another small container for your spice blend.
● Add 1 tsp of mild spices and ¼ tsp of bold spices. Scale up if you would like to make a larger quantity of your spice blend.
● Smell the spices! Adjust as you see fit.
● Shake the Mason jar to mix the spices well.
● Include salt and freshly ground black pepper, which pair well with all spices.
● Most spices require heat to unlock their aroma. Do not add your spice blend to already prepared dishes. Rather, start the cooking process by heating up the spices, typically with oil and another ingredient like alliums such as onions, garlic and scallions.
Spices typically maintain their potency for about a year. Continue to use your spice blend until it doesn’t taste as flavorful as when you first prepared it.
