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Sorting the Seasonings
My bulk spice cupboard was a shambles! I had it all spic'n'span for the pantry video, but honestly the last few months have been so crazy busy and topsy turvy here that things have been taken out and shoved back, new herbs and spices have just been dumped in the cupboard and it is driving me crazy!
Since I filmed that video, so many times I've gone to the cupboard and pulled out the jars, finished whatever I was cooking or baking or preserving and just shoved them back.
And now it's the end of April, and coming into casserole, soup and stew season when I use lots of herbs and spices, so it's time to get it all sorted and organised so it is easily usable.
Part of the problem was not enough jars for the bulk herbs and spices. I love to buy in bulk, and buying the herbs and spices we use most in bulk just makes sense. It saves time (one shop for the year) and money (always check your prices first, but honestly, buying in bulk is about 9 times cheaper than buying from the supermarket - see
Spice House v Supermarket - Why Pay 900 Per Cent More?
https://www.cheapskatesclub.net/spice-house-v-supermarket-july-2017.html ) and of course energy (fuel and my energy in shopping and putting away).
Since I filmed that video, so many times I've gone to the cupboard and pulled out the jars, finished whatever I was cooking or baking or preserving and just shoved them back.
And now it's the end of April, and coming into casserole, soup and stew season when I use lots of herbs and spices, so it's time to get it all sorted and organised so it is easily usable.
Part of the problem was not enough jars for the bulk herbs and spices. I love to buy in bulk, and buying the herbs and spices we use most in bulk just makes sense. It saves time (one shop for the year) and money (always check your prices first, but honestly, buying in bulk is about 9 times cheaper than buying from the supermarket - see
Spice House v Supermarket - Why Pay 900 Per Cent More?
https://www.cheapskatesclub.net/spice-house-v-supermarket-july-2017.html ) and of course energy (fuel and my energy in shopping and putting away).
Hannah graciously gave me some of her precious Moccona jars (the real Moccona jars, not the imitations); three of the large jars and three of the medium jars to help me get the spice cupboard sorted (or stop me whining every time I opened the door!) and my lovely and very generous friend Keren finished off the collection by giving me more of them, so this afternoon while everyone was out I emptied, sorted, washed, dried, labelled, organised and generally had the best time getting that cupboard back to order. Phew!
While I was on a roll I also attacked the kitchen spice cupboard. It was in a bit of a mess, some of the jars needed to be refilled and I decided to sort the herbs and spices into cooking styles and keep them together, simply so I could grab a box and know that the contents were all I need for Italian cooking or Mexican cooking or Asian cooking or baking or preserving.
Doing this does mean that some are doubled-up, and I can live with that. The little spice jars are from Kmart and Ikea and some were gifted to me by my lovely friend Wendy from My Abundant Life http://myabundantlife07.blogspot.com/ They work really well in the kitchen spice cupboard and fit well in the little boxes too. I love anything that makes cooking for my family on our budget more convenient.
While I was on a roll I also attacked the kitchen spice cupboard. It was in a bit of a mess, some of the jars needed to be refilled and I decided to sort the herbs and spices into cooking styles and keep them together, simply so I could grab a box and know that the contents were all I need for Italian cooking or Mexican cooking or Asian cooking or baking or preserving.
Doing this does mean that some are doubled-up, and I can live with that. The little spice jars are from Kmart and Ikea and some were gifted to me by my lovely friend Wendy from My Abundant Life http://myabundantlife07.blogspot.com/ They work really well in the kitchen spice cupboard and fit well in the little boxes too. I love anything that makes cooking for my family on our budget more convenient.
Where do I buy my herbs and spices?
Most of them come from Hindustan Imports. They are about 25 minutes from me and I can call in on my way to visit a friend, making it one of my favourite trips - combined errands! The prices are fantastic and the convenience of being able to buy in bulk - up to 1 kilo on some spices and herbs - makes the once-a-year trip well worthwhile.
The other place I like to get bulk herbs and spices is 2Brothers Foods. As they are interstate (for me) I need to factor in delivery costs. I always compare the prices between the two before buying, but 2 Brothers Foods is where I get my bulk TVP; even with delivery they are the cheapest
Most of them come from Hindustan Imports. They are about 25 minutes from me and I can call in on my way to visit a friend, making it one of my favourite trips - combined errands! The prices are fantastic and the convenience of being able to buy in bulk - up to 1 kilo on some spices and herbs - makes the once-a-year trip well worthwhile.
The other place I like to get bulk herbs and spices is 2Brothers Foods. As they are interstate (for me) I need to factor in delivery costs. I always compare the prices between the two before buying, but 2 Brothers Foods is where I get my bulk TVP; even with delivery they are the cheapest
So what herbs and spices feature in my pantry?
Cinnamon
Mixed Spice
Ground ginger
Allspice
Nutmeg
Sweet Basil
Oregano
Rosemary
Thyme
Coriander
Cumin
Curry powder
Marjoram
Mustard powder
Mustard seeds
Bay leaves
Celery seed
Smoked Paprika
Sweet Paprika
Chilli powder
Onion powder
Onion flakes
Garlic powder
Ground garlic
Whole cloves
Ground cloves
Cardamom
Turmeric
Cinnamon sugar
Taco Seasoning
Sausage patty seasoning
Ranch dressing mix
Cinnamon
Mixed Spice
Ground ginger
Allspice
Nutmeg
Sweet Basil
Oregano
Rosemary
Thyme
Coriander
Cumin
Curry powder
Marjoram
Mustard powder
Mustard seeds
Bay leaves
Celery seed
Smoked Paprika
Sweet Paprika
Chilli powder
Onion powder
Onion flakes
Garlic powder
Ground garlic
Whole cloves
Ground cloves
Cardamom
Turmeric
Cinnamon sugar
Taco Seasoning
Sausage patty seasoning
Ranch dressing mix
My spice cabinet has two distinct zones:
1.the bulk zone
2.the meal/recipe zone
That simply means because herbs and spices are bought or grown in bulk, they start off in the bulk cupboard. To use them in the kitchen, they are decanted into the smaller jars kept in the kitchen cupboard, close to where they will be used.
Most of these can be used for different styles of cooking, so to make cooking an Italian style dish or an Indian style dish easier, they are sorted into the various styles. Yes, there are multiples of some herbs and spices, but this method works for me.
When I'm cooking and Indian style dish, I pull out the Indian spice tray. Italian, I pull out the Italian spice tray. Mexican, I pull out the Mexican spice tray. Baking, out comes the tray of baking spices. I love having everything I need in the one place, and it makes putting things away easier, keeps the cupboard tidy and saves us money.
1.the bulk zone
2.the meal/recipe zone
That simply means because herbs and spices are bought or grown in bulk, they start off in the bulk cupboard. To use them in the kitchen, they are decanted into the smaller jars kept in the kitchen cupboard, close to where they will be used.
Most of these can be used for different styles of cooking, so to make cooking an Italian style dish or an Indian style dish easier, they are sorted into the various styles. Yes, there are multiples of some herbs and spices, but this method works for me.
When I'm cooking and Indian style dish, I pull out the Indian spice tray. Italian, I pull out the Italian spice tray. Mexican, I pull out the Mexican spice tray. Baking, out comes the tray of baking spices. I love having everything I need in the one place, and it makes putting things away easier, keeps the cupboard tidy and saves us money.