More Spice Blends

By the way, the Morning Glory Cake lived up to its name. Here's a picture of the sliced cake so you can see all the bits and pieces inside.  It was especially good with a big schmear of whipped cream cheese.

Tomorrow my daughter leaves, she's heading to an all day program at one of the Universities she's considering for grad school.  They have her scheduled up with back to back interviews with five professors.  They claim it has nothing at all to do with admissions.....yeah.  I guess it's the graduate school equivalent of speed dating.

So today we're going to de-stress with a couple of fun projects.  She's been wanting to make that spice mix I talk so much about.  That one that you grind over really good olive oil and then dip really good bread into.  I use it in everything from roasted vegetables to scrambled eggs.  She's making the original,  I'm going to experiment with a new formula.  

First we hit Marshalls for a couple of grinders...these were cheap and perfect for this project.  Make sure you get clear ones, so you can see the beautiful spices inside.   They only had two, or I would have bought more to stash away; these grinders filled with a special spice blend would be the perfect host or hostess gift.   If your grinder comes with pepper already in it, throw it away, it's most likely past its prime.

First up--the Original Great Island Spice Mix:
(equal parts)

RED & BLACK PEPPERCORNS

THYME

ROSEMARY

FENNEL SEED (whole)

CORIANDER SEED (whole)

AND COARSE SEA SALT

I experimented with a spicier blend:
(equal parts)

RED & BLACK PEPPERCORNS

SEA SALT

BROWN MUSTARD SEED

RED PEPPER FLAKES

CUMIN SEED

CORIANDER SEED

CELERY SEED

FENNEL SEED

The mustard seeds and red pepper flakes give it a good kick.  Mix equal parts of all the spices in a small bowl and spoon into your grinder. 

If you're giving this as a gift, write your recipe on a small tag and tie it around the neck of the grinder.   If you're not giving it as a gift, what are you waiting for?  Go get some fabulous bread and olive oil and start grinding and dipping!

I know, I said a couple of fun projects.  You'll have to wait for the next post...