International Cuisine: Spicey

A Touch of Spice   

Well the blog was a bust the last couple months. I wanted to try to keep up with it but school and life has been hectic to say the least. Anyway, sorry I couldn't share any of the interesting tid bits of culinary information that I've been cramming into my head since I last b-loged. 

     As of lately I've been getting extra familiar with the endless variety of spices the world has to offer. This here is some basic, very common spice mix recipes from different places around the world. Make one. 

Za'atar (Middle East)

1/4 cup sumac

2 tablespoons thyme
1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds
2 tablespoons marjoram
2 tablespoons oregano

1 teaspoon coarse salt

 Old Bay (New England)

1 tablespoon ground dried bay leaves
2 teaspoons celery salt
1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/ teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground mace
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

Garam Masala (India)

1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 1/2 teaspoons ground pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 Chinese 5 Spice (Umm..China)

1 tsp. ground Szechwan pepper
1 tsp. ground star anise
1-1/4 tsp. ground fennel seeds
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground white pepper

 Quatre-Epices (France)

2 tablespoons (1/8 cup) white peppercorns
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (about 12) whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

 Adobo (Latin)

2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder

 Curry Powder (India)

2 tablespoons whole cumin seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons whole cardamom seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds, toasted
1/4 cup ground turmeric
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne

 Hebs de Provence (France)

1 tablespoon dried lavender

2 tablespoons dried savory
2 tablespoons dried rosemary
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried marjoram
2 tablespoons dried fennel seed

 Sazon (Puerto Rico)

Ground coriander -- 1 tablespoon
Ground cumin -- 1 tablespoon
Ground annatto seeds or paprika -- 1 tablespoon
Garlic powder -- 1 tablespoon
Salt -- 1 tablespoon