What to do with all those spices and herbs?
I have so many. Alot of them get used up quickly and replenished. Many are used once or twice and then forgotten, or mabye only used for the holidays. It seems like such a waste. Does anyone have any ideas for using up forgotten herbs and spices?
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10 Comments:
I read recently that dried herbs really lose their efficacy after about a year and should be tossed. I have a drawer full of dried herbs that I haven't touched since the late nineties. Once I started using fresh herbs, I found little use for the dried ones. Does anyone have any information about how long to keep dried herbs on hand? Spices I do use occasionally in baking. Maybe make a huge batch of gingerbread? Or cinnamon cookies? I wonder if spices lose their potency too.
megnut at 11:43AM on 03/30/07
Megnut, last spring we moved to a new house that has a herb garden. I didn't use much of it last year because I was a bit overwhelmed with it all. This year I will make a point of taking full advantage of the fresh herbs. I just have to figure out what everything is!
ThatGirl153 at 11:54AM on 03/30/07
I have that same problem with spices and herbs. In fact just yesterday I was spring cleaning my cabinets and decided that some of them HAD to go: if not for the fact that they were old just because I have no room. Tossing those nearly full jars, knowing how much they cost into the trash gave me a stomache ache.In fact I started wondering if there was a herbs a spices rescue mission...lol. I found 3 ...yes 3 bottles of nutmeg which by the way I rarely use because about a year ago I tried fresh nutmeg and can't believe the difference. I grow fresh herbs but need the dried for winter time. I wish that they would sell spices and herbs in MUCH smaller quanities but likely if they did they would jack up the prices and defeat the purpose anyway.
Sindy at 2:12PM on 03/30/07
Meg, open the jar and take a whiff. If it still smells like oregano or cardamom or whatever, it's usable.
I keep all my spices and dried herbs in the freezer, and I'm convinced they stay potent longer this way.
Cathy at 4:18PM on 03/30/07
Sindy, all I use is fresh nutmeg! Isn't it wonderful? It's like a totally difference spice. And the nuts keep fine, and I just grate as needed. I love it.
megnut at 6:08PM on 03/30/07
Last week I went to Penzeys and spent over 80.00. I bought just what I use regularly. When I have a sometimes spice I buy the small size. McCormick and Penzeys sell a small. A tiny plastic .07 ounce jar. If you have something you hardly use buy the small.
I cleaned out my spice cabinet (lazy susan) and threw out the old stuff last week. I have slowly been changing over to mostly Penzeys. There is still some McCormick, William Sonoma, Tony Chachere's and some Fortum and Mason.
I have about 9 kinds of salt. How long does salt last?
JerzeeTomato at 1:49AM on 03/31/07
I think salt will last forever. What is Penzyeys? is a store or a brand?
ThatGirl153 at 11:59AM on 03/31/07
Penzeys.com. I got turned on to them in 1993 (by catalog) when the Food channel began and they were not masking the brands on the jars. Penzeys is affordable and there are quite a few stores (a total joy for those who love seeing and smelling) to visit.
Recommendations; shallot salt and shallot pepper (just good on everything savory as far as proteins. The ground ancho and chipolte chili peppers, I used to grind them myself and it was a mess.
Cinnamon, vanilla, granulated garlic. So many I just cannot name all.
They have lovely sets for gift giving which I now give for all weddings.
JerzeeTomato at 1:12PM on 03/31/07
Penzy's has a branch in Grand Central now. Highly recommended, especially their potent cinnamon and freeze-dried ginger.
Sarah Deming at 1:55PM on 03/31/07
Megnut, I think my microplane grater and Nutmeg are the most used things my kitchen. I use nutmeg in something almost everyday. Spinach, eggs, cream sauces mmmmm. My favorite tip I learned believe it or not from Gilmore Girls (go figure). I grate a little into my coffee before brewing. It gives the coffee a lovely smooth and very subtle flavor.
Sindy at 2:55PM on 03/31/07