Around The World In 9 Spicy Ways

Prepare your tastebuds for a spice adventure from all corners of the globe, transporting us to the dining room tables of so many different cultures.

For as long as we’ve had access to food, and fire to cook it with, we’ve been dreaming up new ways to make everything taste better. Depending on where in the world you find yourself, better can mean different things. Sweeter. Hotter. Stronger. More fragrant. Scented. Or all of the above, for different meats, courses or seasons.

The versatility of spice is practically endless, with every country’s cuisine featuring a unique mix of seasonings to suit their region’s natural food resources and traditional cuisines.

Food and spice and everything nice

Like the cooking process, spices are able to transform a dish from bland beginnings to an explosion of flavours. They elevate everyday meats, poultry, seafood and vegetables into delicious dishes that leave us licking our fingers and asking for more.

In a sense, spices are veritable magic potions that help us cast delicious spells with our stoves and ovens. There’s nothing quite like the aroma of opening your spice cupboard, as your mind instantly wonders to far-off lands as your stomach starts belly dancing to celebrate what your nose is already taking in. Ahh, whatever recipe you have in mind today, this is going to be good!

So prepare your tastebuds for liftoff as we embark on a round-the-world spice adventure. On the itinerary, nine spice blends from all corners of the globe, transporting us to the dining room tables of so many different cultures.

Why are homemade spice blends better than store bought spice blends?

Homemade spice blend recipes are easy, healthy and cheap! All it takes is a bit of time and preparation and you’ll be ready to spice things up, whenever and whatever you’re cooking next.

When you make your own spice blends, you have full control over the spice flavour you want to create with ingredients and quantities that suit your palate. A little more of this or a lot more of that. It’s all up to you.

It’s not just culinary imagination that improves with homemade spice blends either. Making your own is much healthier for you. No hidden chemicals or E-number nasties or MSG. Just 100% pure raw ingredients that you’re choosing and combining. Fresh and wholesome, and even organic if you like! Crush and grind exactly what you need for each meal or plan ahead and fill some spice bottles that you

It shouldn’t come as any surprise that it’s also much cheaper to make your own spice blends. While we’ve put together 9 exciting blends for you, you could even make the basic ones you might be buying from the store.

Save money and eat better by bottling your own homemade garlic powder, onion powder, peri-peri powder, paprika, ranch seasoning, Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, chicken spice, creole seasoning and dry rubs. Store in an airtight container and they’ll keep (just about) forever.

How to use your homemade spice blends

Start with a liberal sprinkle of your favourite spice blend over your meat and vegetables as you’re preparing your ingredients. If you’re looking for as much flavour as possible, rub your spice blends into the meat and leave it to marinade overnight.

Combine with fresh herbs to contrast the deep spice blend flavours with something bright and fresh. You could even sprinkle on cheese and crackers, or cucumbers on a base of cream cheese.

That’s just for starters. We’ve got lots more to share below. We hope you’ll enjoy adding a bit of homemade spice to your life, before digging into the end result that makes it all worthwhile.

Around The World In 9 Spicy Ways | Cooking Clue

American Pumpkin Spice

Used in pies, muffins, cookies, lattes or even whipped cream.
Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
 
 

  • ¾ cup ground cinnamon
  • 6 tbsp ground ginger
  • 12 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 6 tsp ground allspice
  • 6 tsp ground cloves

Instructions
 

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until combined
  • Store in airtight jars
  • Remember to label the jars

Notes

Freezes well in ziploc plastic bags
Course: Sauces and Spices
Cuisine: American
Keyword: american, condiments, pumpkin spice, spices

Around The World In 9 Spicy Ways | Cooking Clue

Chinese Five Spice

Traditional Asian spice mix of 5 spices used in many fragrant savoury dishes such as duck and roast pork
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tbsp black or Szechuan peppercorns
  • 2 tsp star anise break up into pieces
  • tsp ground fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Grind together and mix well
  • Store in airtight jars
  • Remember to label the jars

Notes

Freezes well in ziploc plastic bags.
Course: Sauces and Spices
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: 5 spice, condiments, spice mix, spices

Around The World In 9 Spicy Ways | Cooking Clue

Indian Garam Masala

Usually sprinkled on a curry right at the end of the cooking.
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 2 tbsp cumin seeds
  • ¼ tsp grated nutmeg
  • 8 cardamom pods
  • 2 bay leaf
  • 2 cinnamon quills
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns

Instructions
 

  • Grind all together and store in an airtight container
  • Remember to label the jars

Notes

Freezes well in ziploc plastic bags.
Course: Sauces and Spices
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: condiments, garam masala, masala, spices

Around The World In 9 Spicy Ways | Cooking Clue

Louisiana Cajun Spice

Great on steak, chicken and in rice dishes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tbsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • Mix all together well
  • Store in airtight container
  • Remember to label the jars

Notes

Freezes well in ziploc plastic bags.
Course: Sauces and Spices
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cajun, louisiana, spices

Around The World In 9 Spicy Ways | Cooking Clue

Portuguese Fiery Spice

Used over chicken and meat and in Prego rolls

Ingredients
 
 

  • 5 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp chilli powder or cayenne
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ bay leaf crushed

Instructions
 

  • Mix well together until combined
  • Store in airtight containers
  • Remember to label the jars

Notes

Freezes well in ziploc plastic bags.
Course: Sauces and Spices
Cuisine: Portuguese
Keyword: fiery, portuguese, spices

Around The World In 9 Spicy Ways | Cooking Clue

British Christmas Spice

Aromatic spice used for gingerbread, Christmas cake, puddings, cookies, in ice cream or drinks.
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp ground star anise
  • 2 tsp ground coriander seeds
  • 2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp ground fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp ground ginger

Instructions
 

  • Add to an airtight jar and shake well
  • Remember to label the jars

Notes

Freezes well in ziploc plastic bags.
Course: Sauces and Spices
Cuisine: British
Keyword: Christmas spice, condiments, spices

Around The World In 9 Spicy Ways | Cooking Clue

Middle Eastern Za’atar Spice

An aromatic Middle Eastern spice used baked into flatbreads, sprinkled over any food, to season meat and fish and in salad dressings.
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tbsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 star anise
  • ¼ cup dried wild thyme or regular thyme
  • 2 tbsp salt flakes
  • ¼ cup unsalted peanuts
  • ¼ cup ground sumac
  • ¼ cup roasted sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Grind together the thyme cumin and coriander seeds until fine
  • Sieve the mix, discarding the fine powder
  • Transfer to a bowl
  • Grind the star anise and salt flakes and add to the bowl
  • Grind the peanuts until medium fine and add to the bowl
  • Mix well together in airtight jars and store in a cupboard
  • Remember to label the jars

Notes

Freezes well in ziploc plastic bags.
Course: Sauces and Spices
Cuisine: Middle East
Keyword: condiments, spices, za’atar

Around The World In 9 Spicy Ways | Cooking Clue

Durban Hot Curry Powder

Used to make chicken, beef, fish and vegetable curries
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
 
 

This makes a large quantity so can be halved  for smaller families

  • 250 g coriander powder
  • 100 g cumin seeds
  • 100 g fennel seeds
  • 30 black peppercorns
  • 6 g cloves
  • 6 g caraway seeds
  • 12½ g star anise
  • 8 g nutmeg
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 15 g cardamom
  • 30 g turmeric
  • 12½ g red chilli flakes

Instructions
 

  • Spread out evenly on a roasting tray
  • Roast in a 170 °C preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until aromatic
  • Check regularly, do not over roast as spices will become bitter
  • Store in small airtight jars, freeze some and keep some for everyday use
  • Remember to label the jars

Notes

Freezes very well in small ziploc plastic bags
Course: Sauces and Spices
Cuisine: South African
Keyword: condiments, curry powder, spices

Around The World In 9 Spicy Ways | Cooking Clue

Ethiopian Berbere Spice

An aromatic and heady spice great sprinkled over lamb, beef or goat meat for the BBQ
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 cardamom pods
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • ½ tsp black peppercorns
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp fenugreek seeds

Instructions
 

  • In a dry pan roast the cumin, fenugreek, cardamom, cloves, black pepper and paprika over a medium heat for 2 minutes or until aromatic
  • Avoid scorching the spices as this will make them bitter
  • Cool completely and then grind finely
  • Mix thoroughly into the rest of the spices
  • Store in airtight jars
  • Remember to label the jars

Notes

Freezes well in ziploc plastic bags.
Course: Sauces and Spices
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Our Pick
Shardor Electric Spice Grinder

This one-touch stainless steel multi-functional grinder houses a 200W motor to make quick work of continuous and even grinding - just 5 seconds to a coarse powder. The stainless steel bowl contains convenient measurement markings and is removable for easy cleaning of bowl and blades.

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