Spices

Great as a gift or to use in your own kitchen, making homemade seasoning with whole spices is a great way to add more variety to a wide range of dishes. If you enjoy using spices in sweet and savoury food, you may have your favourites that you use on a regular basis.

Many home chefs like to experiment with flavours by adding a hint of that and a pinch of this, resulting in aromatic combinations that taste as good as they smell. Making a batch of custom seasoning using your preferred combinations will allow you to save time and effort, while still getting the full benefit of rich flavours.

What seasonings can be made with whole spices, and how do you make these delicious blends?

Making Flavoured Oils, Rubs & Seasonings with Whole Spices

There are many different ways to use freshly ground spice as seasoning. Flavoured oils, rubs and salts are the easier to make and the most versatile in the kitchen however, so those are the ones we will focus on today. Check out the instructions below to find out how to make each of these seasonings with the help of a good spice grinder, quality spices and some fresh herbs. For best results, we recommend buying your spices whole rather than already ground – this will provide far more flavour.

• Flavoured Oils. Olive oil is always a good choice (and a healthy choice, too), but you could try some other oils such as avocado oil, apricot kernel oil and even grapeseed cooking oil. Avocado oil has a nutty flavour that is great for salads and fine for cooking, while the latter two can be used for cooking or salad. Grind your spices, chop up your preferred herbs, garlic, lemon or whatever else you wish to add, then funnel into a glass bottle or a jar and cover with your chosen oil. It is best to leave the bottle or jar in a dark, cool place – the longer you let the spices and herbs sit in the oil, the more flavour will be infused. Be sure to write down which combination you have used in each bottle so that you remember it in a few weeks! These oils are good for roasting, cooking, salads and pasta, and make a perfect gift, too.
•  Flavoured Rubs. Rubs are used on meat, chicken and fish, or even vegetables, to provide a coating of flavour that is rubbed in before roasting or putting on the braai. Typically, a rub may include salt (which helps to tenderise meat), as well as a range of herbs and spices. You can make these to taste by using your favourite freshly ground spices, herbs such as rosemary and basil, coarse black pepper, chopped garlic and good salt such as sea salt flakes or pink Himalayan salt. To ensure that your spices stay fresh and flavoursome, rubs should be made in smaller batches and stored in airtight jars or containers.
•  Flavoured Salts & Sugars. Similar to rubs but used to sprinkle over food rather than rub into food, flavoured salts and sugars are easy, tasty and versatile. For savoury food, prepare your spices so that they are in small, easy to grind pieces rather than already ground. Chop dried herbs into small pieces too, and then mix with coarse salt and pour into a grinder. This will allow you to grind everything together over food, to release more flavour. Some good combinations include ginger salt, rosemary salt, garlic flake peri-peri salt and Italian herb salt with basil, oregano and sage. For flavoured sugars, freshly ground cinnamon, all-spice, ginger, mixed spice and nutmeg are always a good bet. Make a set of sweet spice mixes to give to friends or family in grinders or pretty jars, or mix things up with your favourite blends to add more taste and aromatic delight to your baking efforts. These sugars are also great in tea and hot beverages, or sprinkled over cookies, ice-cream and other desserts.

One of the best things about making your own seasoning is that you can be sure exactly what ingredients are included. All too often, store-made seasonings are loaded with preservatives, additives and other nasty chemicals that make them far from healthy. Homemade seasonings on the other hand contain only the good stuff – whole spices and herbs that are safe, healthy and always tasty.

There is much that can be said about the complexity, flavour, wholesomeness and aroma given to meals when whole spices are used. From spicy Indian cuisine to Mexican, Italian, Thai and many other types of food styles, herbs and spices have been used to prepare tasty food since the dawn of time.

Spices and herbs also offer a number of health benefits that give them even more value in cooking. And, for those trying to live a healthier life, adding some freshly ground spices is a simple (and delicious) way to reduce the need for added salt and sugar.

The secret to getting the most from the spices you use in food however lies firmly in how spices are sourced, as well as how they are stored and used.

How to Buy Whole Spices

Buying pre-ground spice from the supermarket may seem like the easiest way to get your dose of spicy goodness. But sadly, there are no guarantees of freshness or quality when it comes to mass produced spices that often sit on the shelves for long periods. Even whole spices may not be fresh.

With that in mind, some of the things to keep in mind to ensure that you buy the best possible spices (without breaking the bank) include the following:

• Take the time to visit local spice shops, markets and other outlets that specialise in spice. Shops that focus on sourcing quality spices from around the world have a far better understanding of variety, shelf-life and usage. You will often have a much greater variety to choose from, with ground and whole options on offer in various quantities. It’s often cheaper to buy your spice this way, too.

• Buy smaller amounts rather than bulk. As spice can easily go stale (even when whole!), buying more than you need is a waste of money and spice. Rather choose smaller amounts and get more when those are running low. This way, you can experiment more easily without wasting or ending up with stale product that ruins your food.

• Grow your own herbs whenever possible. Or, source your herbs from anyone you know who grows their own. Herbs are easy to grow, even in a small kitchen. Once your plant has a decent yield, you can cut and hand bundles of herbs upside down and dry them, filling jars with the dried leaves and grinding small portions as needed.

Storing and Using Your Whole Spices

Once you have a good selection, you will want to make sure that you store and use your spice properly. Inside each individual plant, seed or leaf are volatile oils that start to vanish as the spice molecules break down. When this happens, they lose their flavour and complexity, becoming less aromatic and tasty. This happens to whole and ground spice at some stage – even if whole spices have a longer shelf life.

Light, heat and air can all hasten the evaporation of these precious oils. This means that you should never keep spice near your stove. Transparent containers should be kept in a drawer or somewhere away from the light. Do not be tempted to keep them in the fridge either, as they do not need to be kept cold – the light from the fridge could also ruin them.

A good way to store them is in tins that are labelled and then kept somewhere that is within easy reach and sight. Forgetting about spices that are not often used is a sure-fire way to end up with stale spice, so having easy access to your selection will ensure that they are not forgotten about. You may even consider labelling your containers with the date of purchase to ensure that they do not go past their ‘best by’ date.

Last but not least, one of the best things that you can do is invest in some type of spice grinder. These tools help to release all the goodness and flavour easily, allowing you to enjoy your carefully chosen spices to the max. With a little thought and effort, you can get the most from your whole spices and ramp up your cooking in the process, too.

Adding whole spice to your meals is not only healthy – it’s tasty, too. And what better way to spice things up than the festive season?

Many people have the assumption that spicy means hot. While it’s true that freshly ground chili and other hot spices make up quite a large portion of spicy food, there are many other ways that spices can be used to add flavour, depth and aroma to sweet and savoury foods. With the holidays around the corner, we share some easy ways to add more flavour to your Christmas meals with the help of whole spice.

Tasty Holiday Cooking with Whole Spice

Here in South Africa, we are blessed with a warm climate that is perfect for outdoor dining, braais, picnics and other fun dining options. Whether you are planning your festive dinner or lunch, or simply wanting to enjoy some holiday cooking that gets you into the spirit of things, here are some ways to add more spice to your life…

• Spiced Eggnog. Who says the northern hemisphere countries have to keep their delicious warm beverages to themselves? Even in sunny SA, warm, comforting eggnog will always go down like a treat. Adding sweet spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, clove and ginger will bring out the subtle blend of milk and custard, resulting in a perfect alternative to cocoa or coffee.
•  Spiced Chocolate Cake. The lovely Nigella Lawson offers her fans a recipe for Spiced Chocolate Cake – a dessert that is almost guaranteed to have everyone going back for seconds. You don’t have to save it for parties either… this cake is every bit as good for tea time or any other time.
•  Spicy Cookies. Gingerbread, Swedish spice biscuits and other spicy cookies are festive and delicious. Dig out that old recipe book, or ask your gran or mom for her favourite recipe, then whip up a batch of freshly baked cookies that you can keep all to yourself or even give as gifts. As whole spices are ground fresh, a lot more flavour is released compared to pre-ground spices, making your cookies even more scrumptious than ever.
•  Spicy Roast Duck. Jamie Oliver has a mouth-watering recipe for Roast Duck with Spicy Rub and Masala Gravy, which is sure to be a hit on any lunch or dinner menu. Served with Asian noodles and a crisp stir fry, this is a modern take on traditional roasts that is full of wholesome flavours thanks to the curry blend.
•  Spiced Salads and Veggies. There are many ways that you can introduce some flavour to your veggies or salads as well. A basic green salad can be given a spicy Thai dressing for example, or vegetables can be placed on skewers, marinated in a ginger and soy sauce and put onto the braai as kebabs. Even old favourites such as potato salad can be given a new twist with mustard seeds ground into the mayo and a dash of ground paprika.

You don’t have to add spice to every dish that you prepare of course – unless you love spice as much as we do. But even one dish that has been ramped up in taste is sure to add just the right touch of flavour to your festive meals. With your favourite whole spice and a trusty grinder from Global Grinders, you can be sure that you eat, drink and be merry during the holiday season.

While you may have thought that buying ready-ground spices will give you the same result as buying whole spices and herbs and grinding them yourself, there are many health benefits (not to mention flavour advantages) that are lost when you do not buy whole.

Herbs and spices are a great way to add flavour to a variety of dishes, and in almost every culture across the world, these ingredients have been used since the dawn of time. In addition to adding a whole new taste dimension to dishes, they also offer a number of unique health benefits that help reduce illness, strengthen immune system, clear skin and even reduce inflammation.

What herbs and whole spices should be grinding in your kitchen, and what are some of the amazing health benefits that they have to offer?

Healthiest Whole Spices and Herbs

Be sure to add these herbs and spices to your shopping list, to get the full benefit of their flavour and health power…

1.     Oregano

A herb in the greater family of origanum, this herb is a popular pizza garnish that packs a powerful antioxidant punch. So much in fact, that it is said to have the same level of antioxidant as three cups of broccoli! It is also extremely versatile, working well when used with pasta, salads, pizzas and even sandwiches. To get the full benefit, look for whole dried leaves that you can grind yourself, or use your grinder on store versions for a more intense flavour.

2.     Rosemary

Rosemary is said to contain compounds that help to reduce inflammation, which is a risk factor for a number of health concerns. This herb is being studied to determine how effective it is to enhance heart health. A favourite in chicken and roast vegetable dishes, you can also use this herb in tomato based sauces, other roasts, in marinades and in baked bread. You can use ground rosemary in cakes and sweeter dishes too if you want to try something different and delicious.

3.     Turmeric

With its bright yellow colour, turmeric is an often-overlooked spice that has a whole lot of goodness. It is often found in curry powder and used in curry dishes, and is believed to be good for heart health as well as the prevention of cognitive decline in the ageing. Look for whole turmeric in its natural form, which can be ground into food. Use it in your favourite curries, or add to stews, vegetable dishes, meats, egg salad, potato salad and even in homemade dips and salad dressings.

4.     Red Pepper Spices

There are a number of super spices found from dried red peppers – all of them excellent for your health and high in flavour. Cayenne pepper, paprika and crushed pepper are the most commonly found red pepper spices, each of which have their own unique taste and level of spiciness. Red pepper is known for its weight-loss benefits, helping to boost metabolism and reduce hunger pangs. These spices are also high in antioxidants too. Use these whole, and grind into your favourite dips, sauces, pasta, salads, seafood, marinades, chicken or even roasted chickpeas for a delicious snack.

5.     Black Pepper

The wonders of whole black peppercorns have long been celebrated, with many cultures embracing this spice for hundreds of years. It has been used to treat everything from digestion issues to colds, pain and even heart conditions. Today, science has proved the old healers right, after finding a number of essential compounds such as pipines that are excellent for health. Grind it fresh just before eating, and use on any and all of your favourite foods. You could even try it with fresh strawberries and whipped cream for an out-of-this-world dessert.

What are your favourite spices to grind, and how do you like to use freshly ground spice in your meals?