"Spice" It Up!

The other night I was rummaging through my spice cabinet looking for tarragon. I never use tarragon.... except for this one salad I make a couple times a year. Then I got a bright idea (watch out!) Im going to do a post on spices because all you girls are so spicy!

First of all you want to make sure your spices are "past their prime."

1. Check the bottle for a "best by" date.

2. If there is a code on the bottom of your bottle, and it's McCormick, go to their website http://www.mccormick.com/ and use their fresh taster thingy.

3. If it's from Baltimore it's at least 15 years old.

4. It it's in a tin it's at least 15 years old. (I think the tins are so cute!)

Get rid of the un-fresh spices. My momma gave me this tip: Buy your spices in bulk. This way the ones you use often, it's cheaper. The spices you don't use often you can just buy what you need, so it's not sitting in your cabinet going bad.

Tips Cooking with Spices

• Ground spices release their flavor more quickly than whole spices.
  
• Whole spices need a longer time to release their flavor. They work well in longer cooking recipes such as stews and soups.


• Robust herbs such as sage, bay leaves and thyme stand up well in cooking, while milder herbs such as basil, marjoram and parsley can be added last minute for best results.


• Rub leafy herbs in the palm of your hand to release flavor and aroma.


• Fennel seed, cumin seed, sesame seeds and white peppercorns may be toasted to intensify their flavors. Add the spice to a dry skillet and heat until aromatic.

Here are 5 super spices for your health:

Cinnamon: has one of the highest levels of antioxidants! (even more than 1/2 cup of blueberries) It also has many polyphenol compounds which help regulate blood sugars. Sprinkle on cereal, coffee, on pbj sandwiches, and bananas!

Ginger: no we are not talking about the cutie on Gilligan's Island... this spice can help with soothing distressed stomachs and even help with nausea and migraines. Sprinkle on peaches, pears or cantaloupe. Add a 1/2 tsp ginger to a quart of freshly squeezed lemonade.

Oregano: or "joy of the mountain" is also high in antioxidants. It also has antimicrobal properties that help with fighting bacteria and parasites...eeww! Saute cherry tomatoes with oregano leaves, garlic salt and pepper.

Red Pepper: If you are trying to control your food intake, red pepper is supposed to help. Capsaicin, which makes the red pepper hot also makes you feel full. People who added red pepper to their meal ate fewer calories. It is also said to help boos your metabolism! Sprinkle it on hummus or guacamole for a metabolism boosting kick!

Thyme: Some studies suggest thyme's antioxidants, could offer age related benefits, such as helping to maintain cognitive heart function and promote heart health. Beat 1/8 of a tsp of thyme into 2 eggs before scrambling.

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