Spice up your life

Create your own exotic blends at home – it’s fast, simple and will save you money

MEXICAN Combine 1 tbsp ground cumin, 2 tsp each dried oregano and paprika, 1 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder and sea salt, ½ tsp each crushed chilli flakes and ground black pepper. MILD CURRY POWDER Combine 1 tbsp each ground cumin and ground coriander, 2 tsp ground turmeric, ½ tsp each cayenne pepper, ground mustard seeds, ground ginger and fenugreek powder, and ¼ tsp ground cardamom.

CARIBBEAN JERK Combine 1 tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp each ground allspice, cinnamon and sea salt flakes, and ½ tsp cayenne pepper. BRAZILIAN TEMPERO BAIANO Grind 1 tbsp cumin seeds, 2 tsp each dried parsley, dried oregano, ground turmeric and white peppercorns, and 1 tsp crushed chilli flakes to a fine powder. INDIAN GARAM MASALA In a frying pan on medium, combine 2 tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tbsp each cardamom seeds, black peppercorns and cloves, 2 tsp fennel seeds, 2 whole star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 dried bay leaf and ½ tsp ground nutmeg. Stir until lightly toasted. Grind to a fine powder then sieve.

CAJUN Combine 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano and flaked sea salt, 1 tsp each dried thyme, cayenne and ground black pepper. CHINESE FIVE-SPICE Combine 2 tbsp anise powder, 1 tbsp each ground pepper, ground fennel and cinnamon, and 2 tsp ground cloves. MOROCCAN RAS EL HANOUT Combine

2 tsp black peppercorns, 1 tsp each coriander seeds, cumin seeds, ground nutmeg and cinnamon, ½ tsp each cardamom seeds and hot paprika, ¼ tsp each ground turmeric and ground allspice. Grind to a fine powder. BRITISH MIXED SPICE Combine 2 tbsp ground cinnamon, 2 tsp each ground nutmeg and allspice, 1 tsp ground ginger and ½ tsp ground cloves.