What is in your spice cupboard?
Some time ago (2007) I published a list of spices I have in mine. Here is the current line up:
Star anise (whole)
Baharat (home made)
ground chillies
ground cardamom
dried marjarom
curry powder
dill seeds
dried sage
juniper berries
asafoetida
gr. black pepper
fenugreek seeds
mixed spice
brown & yellow mustard seeds
belacan
black peppercorns (whole)
caraway seeds
dry mango powder
poppy seeds
chinese 5 spice
tamarind
lemon pepper
cinnamon quills
kalonji seeds (nigella seeds)
smoked paprika (hot & sweet)
ground turmeric
celery seeds
gr. coriander
gr. cayenne
gr. nutmeg
whole nutmeg
gr. cumin
gr. cinnamon
paprika
cumin seeds
prickly ash/Sichuan pepper
dried oregano
dried tarragon
dried galangal
gr. ginger
saffron
dried chillies (birds eye)
gr. Kashmiri chilli
cloves (whole)
mace
vanilla pods
all spice
coriander seeds
panch phoran
sesame seeds
fennel seeds
cardamon (whole)
ras el hanout (home made)
rose water
garlic powder
brown cardamon pods
I frequently use spices in cooking. Some of my favourite ones are the more familiar ones like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. I sometimes use them as a medicinal thing too - rather crudely perhaps but studies have shown benefits of a number of spices listed above. For example, fenugreek appears to have a glucose lowering effect, turmeric apparently has anti-cancer properties and so on. (You can do the literature searches yourself). I have used fenugreek as an anthelmintic and turmeric as an anti-viral against the common cold, both properties of which have been reported.
I love the history, mystery and exotic "romance" of spice.
Do you have Ian Hemphils 'Spice Notes' it a great book
ReplyDeleteAfter sorting out the pantry ours is looking rather sad, sigh! When I was checking the dates on some of them, I realised that I had bought a lot for one off dishes. I have replaced the spices we used a lot but will replace more as needed. I love turmeric and ginger, they would be two of my favs. And yes to using herbs and spices no matter how for medicinal use. I am sure some people think I must be mad when I mention things like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired now! Our spice shelf seems very sparse compared to yours!
ReplyDelete