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| An internet picture of spices |
- Bought a spice and then used only a little until five years later it's still there, a mere shadow of its former self.
- Bought a package of cinnamon sticks or whole cloves in hopes of making a wonderful Christmas something and there they sit, dusty and alone.
- Had a beautiful spice rack filled with colorful spices and the light, heat and moisture from being in the kitchen has rendered them useless.
What to do? What to do?
The non savory spices (we often think of them a dessert spices but they are used in many other dishes) are perfect for humidifying your home. Fill a large heavy pan half way with water. Add spices. Turn on high until it comes to a soft boil then turn down to a very low simmer. It's a great way to add moisture to your dry inside winter air, it uses up old spices and it smells wonderful. Don't forget it's on the stove -or- don't leave unattended. Duh.
I've tried putting spices in electric or candle scent pots and I've not been pleased with the resulting fragrance.
If you like the fragrance of savory spices, you could always boil as above. I tend to think it smells more like I'm opening an Italian restaurant but you may enjoy that, too.
I feel good by simply throwing other spices outside on the winter ground and let them biodegrade. I wouldn't put them in the bird feeders - birds can be picky.
It's reported that using strong fragranced bay leaves, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, mint leaves, turmeric powder, cloves and garlic repels ants and mice.
I'm including all forms of pepper and peppercorns in the purge process. It not only can loose it's flavor/smell but can take on a bitter nasty taste.
Don't throw salt, in any form, on your lawns or gardens unless you want to kill the vegetation for a long time and the melting snow may take it unintentionally to a bed.
Pure salt can be flushed down your toilets or down the drain as it tends to clean as it goes. Seasoned salt can go stale and flavorless over time and is best thrown in the trash. I've never had pure salt go bad. I have bought the odd trendy salt from the odd location and found it had a flavor I didn't like, those can go down the drain.
If you like to cook with seasonings, purge your shelves of every spice over one year old (many suggest a few months old.) Write the date on the container. Why ruin a good dish with stale, flavorless or off-flavor seasonings.
If you buy good seasonings and they come in containers too big to ever use it all, ask around and share with friends. We all buy too much unless we're in the restaurant business.
And off the dry spice kick but kitchen purge related:
If you've had your baking soda, baking powder or yeast packages over a year, flush those babies down the drain, too. Soda takes on fragrance from other things (it's why it's suggested we put an open box in the frig and it's why it's in many kitty litters.) Baking powder and yeast loose their properties and will cause your baked goods to not rise as beautifully.
And when all these things are actually purged out of your kitchen, may I suggest only buying the basic spices on your first shopping trip. As you need others, then get them at that time. Also, if you're really into flavor and cooking, buy a good quality. Not necessarily expensive or gourmet but freshly stocked. Health food stores usually carry smaller containers and more freshly acquired. Although there are many other web sites, Penzeys Spices are good.
And a really yummy alternative:
Then there's always the really garden/produce store fresh spice or flavoring that is another whole set of tastes. I have froze some fresh herbs from my gardens in olive oil.
Frozen Oil & Herbs
Wash and dry herbs and veggies. Pick from stems, remove seeds, chop if necessary.
Assemble ice cube trays (plastic/rubber is the best).
Put in enough herbs/veggies to be able to push down under the rim but not crush.
Pour in a good quality olive oil to cover. Set in freezer.
When solid, remove, put in lock-top sandwich bags and label.
And now friends: Go forth and purge that spice drawer.
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