Cooking is not just about good food and giving your body the nutrients it needs; it’s an art form where flavors, aromas, and spices come together to create culinary masterpieces. While store-bought spices are convenient and readily available, there’s something truly special about crafting your own homemade spice blends. Not only do they elevate your dishes to new heights, they allow you to tailor flavors to your liking. In this guide, we’ll explore the world of making your own cooking spices, from selecting the finest ingredients to creating custom blends that will dazzle your taste buds.
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The Magic of Homemade Spices
There are several reasons to make your own homemade spice blends!
Quality Control:
One of the primary benefits of making your own spices is quality control. You can select the freshest ingredients and avoid additives or preservatives that might be present in commercial blends. I’m always looking for ways to eat a bit cleaner and avoid preservatives and additives and making my own spice blends is an easy way to do so!
Customization:
Homemade spices are incredibly versatile. You can customize them to suit your preferences by adjusting the flavor profile, heat level, or salt content to match your taste. With so many kids in my family, I usually have to avoid overly spicy foods so being able to adjust the spice level of a seasoning blend is a plus for me.
Cost-Effective:
Making your own spices can also be cost-effective in the long run. The best way to save money by making homemade spice blends is by purchasing whole spices in bulk and grinding them as needed can save you money compared to purchasing pre-ground spices. However, since I have a very busy family, I usually buy the pre-ground spices in bulk instead to save time, while also saving a bit of money in the long run.
Unique Flavor Profiles:
Creating your spice blends allows you to experiment and develop unique flavor profiles that can become your signature in the kitchen. Get creative in the kitchen! It’s fun to mix up your favorite blends for roasting chicken or tacos or whatever it is you’re whipping up!
Getting Started: Essential Tools and Ingredients
Before diving into the world of homemade spices, gather the essential tools and ingredients:
Tools:
Spice Grinder or Mortar and Pestle – If you plan to use whole spices and grind them yourself.
A spice grinder or mortar and pestle is essential for grinding whole spices into fine powders.
Small Airtight Containers:
These containers will store your homemade spice blends and keep them fresh. Various-size mason jars are my favorite way to store my homemade spice blends.
Measuring Spoons and Cups:
Accurate measurements are crucial for consistent spice blends. Depending on the quantities of the spice blends you plan to make ahead of time you’ll need either measuring spoons or measuring cups.
Ingredients:
This is where the fun really begins! Think of the different seasoning blends you want to make and gather up the usually suspects of spices, whether whole spices or pre-ground.
Spices:
Start with high-quality whole spices like peppercorns, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom pods, and dried chili peppers. These are easy to find in a whole foods store or bulk spice store.
Alternatively, you can purchase bulk pre-ground spices at places like Sam’s Club or Costco for much less than you regular grocery store. Amazon is also an excellent option for different spices.
Herbs:
Fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil, and oregano add depth to your blends. I prefer to use dried herbs in my seasoning blends as I tend to make them in larger batches so I have them on hand whenever I need them.
Salt and Sugar:
These are optional but can be used to balance flavors in some spice blends. These are pantry staples for me and I always have them on hand!
Dried Citrus Zest:
Lemon, lime, or orange zest can infuse your spices with bright, citrusy notes. You can zest your own citrus fruits and dry them if you’d like or purchase zest dried as a spice blend.
Too busy to make this right now? Pin for later to your favorite Pinterest Board!
Creating Your Homemade Spice Blends
Here are a few great homemade spice blends to get you started. These are all for one serving or enough for one recipe, however, feel free to double or triple, especially if you use a particular spice blend regularly in your cooking.
Garam Masala:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons whole cloves
2 tablespoons whole green cardamom pods 4 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
Instructions:
Dry roast all the spices in a pan over low heat until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Let the spices cool, then grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
Store the garam masala in an airtight container.
Italian Seasoning:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried oregano 2 tablespoons dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried rosemary 1 tablespoon dried marjoram 1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder Instructions:
Combine all the dried herbs and spices in a bowl. Store the Italian seasoning in an airtight container.
Curry Powder:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons ground coriander
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
Instructions:
Mix all the spices together in a bowl.
Store the curry powder in an airtight container.
I particularly love making homemade Taco Seasoning, Homemade Chili Seasoning and Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice. Here are a bunch of recipes for homemade spice blends!
Tips and Tricks for Spice Blending
Here’s a few tips and tricks for creating your own spice blends!
Toasting Whole Spices: Dry toasting whole spices in a pan over low heat enhances their flavor. Stir constantly and remove them from the heat when they become fragrant to prevent burning.
Consistency Matters: Achieving the right consistency is crucial. For most spice blends, aim for a fine powder, but for some, like curry powder, a slightly coarser texture is acceptable.
Experiment and Adjust: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spice combinations. Start with small batches, taste, and adjust until you find the perfect blend for your dishes.
Label Your Blends: Always label your homemade spice blends with the name and date of creation. This helps you keep track of freshness and flavor profiles.
Storing Your Homemade Spice Blends
Proper storage is essential to maintain the freshness and potency of your homemade spice blends. Follow these storage tips:
Airtight Containers: Store your spice blends in small, airtight containers to protect them from moisture and air. I love using mason jars for storing my spice blends.
Cool and Dark: Keep the containers in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. I keep all my spices in a particular cabinet in my kitchen so they are handy and convenient whenever I need them.
Use Quickly: While homemade spice blends can last several months, they are best when used within a few months for maximum flavor. For example, I’ll make a double batch of my homemade taco seasoning since we eat tacos at least a few times every month. On the other hand, homemade pumpkin pie spice I don’t use as often so I don’t make and keep as much.
Conclusion
Making your own cooking spices is a rewarding endeavor that can elevate your culinary creations to new heights. With the right tools, fresh ingredients, and a dash of creativity, you can craft custom spice blends that suit your taste and transform your dishes. So, embark on this flavorful DIY adventure, and let your taste buds savor the magic of homemade spices. Your kitchen will never be the same again!
