HERBES de PROVENCE

I usually buy this mix but this time, being low on money and rich in spices, I decided to put it all together myself.

I had everything but the fennel.  I mixed it all up and figured I would add it later.  By a stroke of luck, I found it growing in a garden along side the road where I was waiting at a red light.  It was hanging very close to my window and I decided I had to grab a few, just because it was like the Universe giving me a gift.  I took a small handful.  I came home and added it to my mix.  I think I still need to buy some and add it in. But for now, it will do.

What do we do with Herbes de Provence you might ask.  Well, my husband loves it in his tomato salad.  We all like it in quiche and I use it here and there for different recipes.

HERBES de PROVENCE

2 tablespoons dried, chopped or ground, rosemary
1 teaspoon fennel seed
2 tablespoons dried savory
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried marjoram
2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers
2 tablespoons dried Italian parsley
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon bay powder (bay leaf in the spice grinder works very well)

Grind rosemary and fennel seed.  Mix all together. Store in glass jars

garam masala and pumpkin spice

There was a couple things on my docket today.  Go through my spices and make some more of the mixes that I use a lot- especially in the fall.

Here are some of the things I use my garam masala for.

 
Butternut Squash Soup
 
Chickpea Tikka Masala


 
 Dum Aloo
 

 Lucknow Red Bean Chili (Rajma)

Carrot and Potato Indian Stir Fry
 

garam masala

1/4 cup cumin seeds
⅓ cup coriander seeds
2 tablespoons whole peppercorns (reduce to 1 tbsp for heat)
2 tablespoons whole cloves
2 tablespoons green cardamom
6 whole mace
6 cinnamon sticks
6 whole bay leaves
4 black cardamom, seeded
1 small whole nutmeg, crushed

Toast all the ingredients except for the nutmeg and black cardamom in a hot dry skillet for one minute.  Cool and grind add in the other ingredients. Make sure you take the black cardamom pods apart and discard the husks.

pumpkin spice 

⅓ cup ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg or mace
1-½ teaspoons ground cloves
1-½ teaspoons ground allspice

Add a gift tag with these instructions: “For pumpkin pie, add 1 to 1-½ teaspoons of spice mix to your other ingredients.”


 
Here are some of the recipes I use pumpkin spice for.

 
pumpkin donuts

Pumpkin Pie Bars

Pumpkin Cheesecake
 
Pumpkin Tart

Penzeys and Spices

While I was away a few weeks back we went to the Palisades Mall in Nyack, New York.  I was so excited to discover the Penzey's Store there.  I bought a few spices and then the sales lady redeemed some coupons I had.  I left the store one happy customer with lots of spices!

I have ordered from Penzey's before.  I love their catalog and I love their products.  (Why did I forget some epazote while I was there?)

Since I have been home I already used the Rosemary, Ginger, Taco Seasoning and the barbecue 3001.  All insanely delicious.  I usually make my own Taco Seasoning mix but this one I would buy.  Its just that good.

Disclaimer: I was not reimbursed in any way to say any of this.  This is all  of my own accord.