How Spice Blends Are Saving Home Cooks During COVID-19

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Back in the early years of the home-cooking revolution, to prepare everything from scratch was a mark of a true home cook. This included spice blends too. Attention, long hours, and hard work went into the making of every dish and spice mix recipe. Every spice was carefully picked, roasted, ground and unique blends were crafted for special delicacies.

Till recently, store-bought spice blends were bulk manufactured, packed with preservatives, MSG and salt. Also, those who used these pre-made spice blends were considered ‘cheaters’ or ‘cross cutters’. For surely, a gourmand would only incorporate the freshest blend of spices, whole or ground. Of course, another option is to purchase locally made artisan spice blends so you can be sure they’re organic and free from preservatives as well.

Fast forward to 2020, managing a rampant pandemic, home schooling, work meetings and lunch preps all within the same day, has most of us an inch away from losing it. Home cooked meals (how long do cooked meals last?) are finally getting the priority they deserve, but dishes that take up the least amount of prep time and efforts, while concurrently packing flavor and nutrition are what we need.

The Comeback Of The Spice Blend and Spice Mix Recipes

Texan spice brands are seeing a hike in their business for preservative-free, MSG-free spice blends. More people are looking for layers of flavors in food and probing at why spice mix recipes were ever shunned.

Home cooks now realize that spice blends not only impart a different dimension of taste but also nourish our immunity, which is suddenly the talk of the town in the face of the pandemic. Those of us working a tight budget love spice blends for they can save the cost of buying all the components individually. Sometimes, finding all the ingredients isn't even possible. The exotic blend of spices native to their lands can be hard to come by in America, thus making it impossible to match the taste of the original dish. Today, we look at popular spice blends from around the world that are helping us become somewhat decent home cooks with a broad flavor palette.

Popular Spice Blends From Around The World

Adobo Spice Mix Recipe From the Philippines

You are probably thinking I got this wrong, since Adobo is known to be a more of a sauce than a spice blend. You have probably even heard it being called as a dish- Chicken Adobo sounding familiar? Well, it turns out Adobo is all of it. A spice blend, a sauce and a dish. It is native to Philippines but finds much popularity in Mexican cooking as well. The versatility of the Adobo spice blend is its strong suit. It can be used as a dry seasoning mix as well as a wet marinating sauce. Here is a simple but delicious Adobo spice mix recipe:

• 6 tablespoons garlic powder (how long does garlic powder last?)

• 2 tablespoons onion powder

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 2 tablespoons black pepper

• 3 tablespoons oregano

• 5 tablespoons turmeric

Store this spice blend in an airtight glass container, preferably in the refrigerator so it stays fresh for longer. To convert it into a wet spice rub, combine half cup of the adobo seasoning with ¾ Cup of fresh orange juice, 1/2 cup of lemon juice, and one small onion.

Ras El Hanout Spice Blend From Morocco

The phrase Ras el hanout (how long does ras el hanout last?) translates into, “head of shop”, so it literally means “Top of the line”. It is said that this Moroccan spice blend, the Ras el hanout was crafted by North African spice traders who would carefully combine the best spices from their shop to create a signature blend that was both unique and several spices deep. Throughout Morocco, each spice seller will have their own spice mix recipe, that’s been passed down for generations and is guarded sacredly.

The ingredients of this exotic spice blend can be hard to find easily. There are many detailed versions featuring as many as 40 spices and one different spice can change the complete balance. Here is a simplified Ras el hanout recipe you can make with these easily available spices:

• 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

• 1 tablespoon ground mace (how long does mace last?)

• ½ tablespoon ground cloves (how long do cloves last?)

• 1 tablespoon ground fennel (how long does fennel last?) seed

• 1.5 tablespoon ground cardamom

• 3/4 tablespoon ginger powder (how long does ginger powder last?)

• 1 tablespoon ground galangal

• 5 tablespoon black peppercorn

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon ground turmeric

• 3/4 teaspoon saffron threads (how long do saffron threads last?)

• ½ teaspoon white peppercorn

• 3/4 teaspoon aniseed

• ½ teaspoon powdered cubeb spice

• 1 powdered star anise (how long does star anise last?)

• ½ teaspoon ground fenugreek seeds (how long do seeds last?)

• 1 teaspoon culinary grade lavender buds (how long do lavender buds last?)

• 1 tablespoon paprika

In a mixing bowl, combine together all ingredients and mix well till all spices are well mixed and no lumps remain. Use what you require and store the rest in an airtight glass container in a cool place.

Garam Masala Spice Blend From India

You will find this spice mix recipe in every kitchen that has its roots in the Indian subcontinent. The garam masala (how long does garam masala last?) is the Indian equivalent of the Chinese five spice powder. While the ingredients vary from region to region, the basic flavor of the garam masala spice blend tends toward earthy with a mellow kick of comforting heat and a sweet undertone.

Garam masala is usually added at the later stages of cooking as the spices in this blend can turn bitter if cooked for too long. It is advisable to dry roast the mix before introducing it into the cooking pot, as roasting allows the aromatic oils to activate and basically bring the spice to life.

It is fairly easy to find components that go into the making of the garam masala spice blend. Here is your guide to make authentic and easy homemade garam masala:

• 1 1/2 tablespoon cloves

• 10 cinnamon sticks (how long do cinnamon sticks last?)

• 5-6 bay leaves

• 2 tablespoons caraway seeds (how long do caraway seeds last?)

• 2 tablespoons fennel seeds (how long do fennel seeds last?)

• 10-12 green cardamoms

• 3 black cardamoms

• 6-star anise pods

Combine the ingredients and grind finely. I find it works well to do this in batches, since the bigger ingredients like the cinnamon sticks, black cardamoms, and star anise pods can remain coarse if not ground well. Store in an airtight glass container in a cool pantry or move what you don't need into the refrigerator. Remember to add garam masala at the last stage of your cooking.

Sichuan Spice Blend From Asia

Undoubtedly the hottest spice blend on our list today is the Sichuan blend of spices or the Szechuan spice blend popular in Sichuan cuisine of the Xinjiang province in China.

The heat in the seasoning mix comes from the Sichuan peppercorns. This is an absolute essential and is what gives the food a ‘ma la’ flavor that the cuisine is so known for. Ma la refers to the heat being almost numbing in your mouth. Strangely enough, the Sichuan peppercorns do not belong to the pepper family. They come from a prickly ash bush and have a zingy flavor that contribute to the taste of the seasoning mix. The other important ingredient in this Sichuan spice blend is sea salt (how long does sea salt last?). Authentic Chinese dishes do not use MSG but a sprinkle of sea salt that introduces an angle of saltiness, different from what you find at faux Chinese fast-food outlets.

Vinegar powder, citric acid, (how long does citric acid last?) Korean chili flakes, peanuts, sesame seeds (how long do sesame seeds last?) and ground coriander make up the rest of the Sichuan spice blend. if you can handle this seasoning mix, it will be one of your top most used arsenal in the kitchen.

• 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns

• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

• 3 tablespoons Sichuan pepper flakes

• half teaspoon sea salt

• 1 tablespoon ginger powder

• 3/4 tablespoon cumin seeds (how long do cumin seeds last?)

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• ¾ cup peanuts (walnuts (how long do walnuts last?) or cashew nuts (how long do nuts last?) work well too)

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Dry roast the nuts on low heat and set aside to cool. Combine together the nuts, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, and use a coffee blender to grind into a fine powder. Add the Brown sugar, ginger and garlic powder, Sichuan pepper flakes and sea salt to this and continue to mix well until properly combined.

This dry Sichuan spice blend can be used as a wet marinade rub as well. Add enough vinegar, lemon juice and soy sauce (how long does soy sauce last?) to make a smooth paste and marinate your protein of choice.

Final Say

Spices on their own don't tell you much about where they come from but when you observe a spice blend, it tells you a story about the land, the people, the style of cooking, and how it all comes together. A really good spice mix recipe is forgiving, and generous and does wonder for your home-cooked meals.

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