Kitchen Tip: Spicing Things Up!

What's On The Menu Monday isn't a recipe this week.
Instead. . .we're Spicing Things Up!

Kitchen Tip:
I adore Barefoot Contessa. . .and try to watch her show several times a week. A few years ago, she mentioned that you shouldn't keep spices over a calendar year, as they loose their flavor! I was crushed!
You see, my son ~and ~daughter in law had given me this beautiful tiered spice rack for Christmas. The thought of throwing out all of those spices just made me sad.

So~o~. . .
Every year, I dump out the old. . .

wash all those spice jars. . .

and refill them with new spices!

I've picked up a few helpful tips over the years to speed the process.

* Once the bottles have been thoroughly washed, I enlist the help of a blow dryer to quicken the process.

"Mr. Ed" states it reminds him of the huge blow dryer at the car wash.
Just angle the bottles, as you don't want the water to pool on the bottom of the jar.

* Another tip is to fill the bottle with a paper towel and let the bottle stand overnight. The paper towel will absorb all the moisture in the bottle. (If you have the time and patience!)

* I use white copying paper cut into fourths to make a paper funnel.  Insert this funnel into the mouth of the bottle and s l o w l y pour the spice through and into your bottle.

A second sheet of paper is place under the bottle to catch any spills.

One down. . . eight more to go!!!

YES! I do agree that spices need to be replaced at least once a year to keep optimum flavor to your recipes.

So~o~o. . .

 On Crooked Creek. . .

we're spicing things up!

Until next time. . .

http://stonegable.blogspot.com/2011/07/on-menu-monday-week-of-july-25-2011.html

On Crooked Creek is joining our gracious hostess Yvonne @ StoneGable  for On The Menu Monday! If you haven't been to this newest weekly meme, by all means drop by and feast on all the lovely menus, meals, recipes and kitchen tips! Be sure to thank Yvonne!