Mediterranean Spice Blends

In the newest issue (June 2012) of Vegetarian Times, starting on page 60, are a number Mediterranean spice blends to make. I made up four of them today to try out later. I will be making the rest later but first I need to pick up Sumac, which I realized I don’t have in my spice & herb collection. The blends are easy to mix up, especially if you keep and use a wide assortment of spices/herbs on hand. An easy tip for storage is use 4 ounce canning jars and a canning funnel for easy pouring of the spices into the jars.

Below are two of the recipes, the article includes recipes to use each blend in. The article alone makes it worth picking up the magazine this month.

Piri-Piri

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cayenne powder
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic
  • ¾ tsp fine sea salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp dried lemon peel
  • ½ tsp oregano

Directions:

Add everything to a small bowl, our through a funnel into a jar, seal tightly and shake well.

Makes about ¼ cup.

I though this was a neat take on Herbes – no Lavender as normally called for.

Herbes De Provence

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp dried crumbled rosemary
  • 1 Tbsp dried savory
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried marjoram
  • 1 tsp dried basil

Directions:

Add everything to a small bowl, our through a funnel into a jar, seal tightly and shake well.

Makes about ¼ cup.

~Sarah

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Upcycling Baby Food Jars, Part 2

This past Friday I had written a blog entry about my work on creating a matching collection of spice jars for my ample collection. The last thing I needed was way to organize the jars that would make it easy to see what I had and not have to pull jars out of a cupboard. I had contemplated having Kirk build me a custom wall holder until I saw something at Target today and picked up three to try:

What I came across was a Munchkin Baby Food Organizer. The ones at Target sell for $7.49 and are white with a bit of springy green on the bottom. They assemble easily (all of Munchkin’s products so far have been easy to put together!) Amazon carries them, Munchkin Deluxe Baby Food Organizer, but they are a bit more money and show the core being blue. Otherwise they seem to be the same, I am thinking Target’s were an older style maybe. Either way they were perfect for my project! I have spots for 72 jars and it fits 2, 4 or 6 ounce jars. And most of all I can turn the trays around, even each layer independently. For a spice junkie this is heaven!

~Sarah

Working On My Spice Jars!

The other day I had one of those “Duuuhhhhh” moments when I read on Beech Nut’s Facebook page about using the baby food jars for spice jars. For months I have tried to find jars that were food grade, glass, sealed easily for freshness, were available in multiple sizes….yeah, hello, right in front of me. Oops. (Which why it went over my head I don’t know! My Dad was the one who collected the jars when Ford was little so he could stash his nails and screws away.)

I have a very large spice/herb collection – well over 50 that I use constantly so I was figuring I would drop $100 for jars if I ever found what I wanted (but probably more) so being able to get jars that are everything I wanted for free (OK, they do cost but Triple B still loves eating baby food so win-win).

Currently I am collecting all 4 ounce jars but also 6 ounce ones for larger items, such as cinnamon sticks and candied ginger. I figure for some small spices we will go back and get a few 2 ounce stage 1 foods for it.

Then when I have them all ready (recycle the label, soak to remove the glue on the jar), Kirk is going to paint the lids for me and then seal them (he paints miniatures) and then put spice labels on the top and front. This should be a fun project so Walker needs to eat lots ;-)

~Sarah

Tool Review: Tiny Mortar and Pestle

I came across this tiny mortar & pestle set at Whole Foods this afternoon:

greenmortar

I have a 7″ granite mortar & pestle (a Thai import) but it isn’t very handy for grinding small amounts of herbs and spices. Finding a small one wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be – I couldn’t seem to find that perfect one for me.

But this little one seemed to be just what I dreamed of: it fits in my hand, cleans up easily and doesn’t take up much space. It also is lightweight so won’t tire your hands as you grind!

I paid $16.99 for mine and picked it up in green marble. Whole Foods also carries it in white and red marble versions, as well as a stainless steel one. The brand is RSVP International.

You can find them on Amazon as well in all the colors. The Green Marble Mortar and Pestle (1.75 pound) by igourmet.com

is the one I have now.

~Sarah

Za’atar Seasoning Mix

The first time I had Za’atar was due to an order from Packit Gourmet – how I had not had it before I am unsure. Most likely I was too busy eating the other sauces when out dining :p

There are though many ways to make a dry mix of it – as with many “ethnic” foods there will be as many ways as there are cooks!  Some call for Sumac Berries, others do not. From what I can gleam, the type with berries is Lebanese Style.It has less herbs than some of the others. If you try the type with Sumac, be sure to get them from a reputable spice dealer. I have listed a link to World Spice Merchants down in Seattle, Wa. I always enjoy going there when I am in the city. (It is down at Pike Place.)

The basic ingredients are dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, mixed with toasted sesame seeds and salt to taste. Some might add savory, cumin, coriander or fennel seed as well.

The word Za’atar apparently is a name for a form of Oregano/Marjoram. Marjoram and Oregano are related in the herb world.
Za’atar Blend 1#

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried thyme
1/4 cup sumac berries, ground
1/2 tsp sea or kosher salt
1/4 cup diced dried onion
2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and grind into a fine powder in a spice mill/clean coffee grinder or blender.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 months.

To use:

Sprinkle on foods as desired or better: Add a Tablesppon or two of extra virgin olive oil to a small glass bowl. Sprinkle a Tablespoon or so of dry mix on the oil. Let sit while you cut up a tasty loaf of bread. Dip away!

Another version:

Za’atar Blend #2

Ingredients:
1/4 cup sumac berries, ground
2 Tbsp thyme
1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
2 Tbsp marjoram
2 Tbsp oregano
1 tsp kosher or sea salt

Directions:
Whirl the ingredients in a food mill/clean coffee grinder or a blender. Store in a tightly sealed container.

Use as noted above.

Hopefully this gives you some good ideas!

~Sarah

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