Pages

▼

Sunday, July 24, 2011

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!
at

15 comments:

  1. Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio PhotographyJuly 24, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Great tip...I really should go thru and toss many of my dried herbs...But instead of replacing them with more dried...this yr I am growing many of my own and then freezing them for better flavor. (so they say) will let you know how that goes.

    Blessings Kelsie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yvonne @ StoneGableJuly 24, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Pat, Bless your heart! This is such a great idea... not only a great reminder to throw away old spices and herbs, but how to wash out out and dry old bottles! Great post! Thank you for bringing your wise advice to ON THE MENU MONDAY!
    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJuly 24, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Love your spice bottles! Thanks for the tips. Now I must add throwing out my spices to my to-do list. I'm sure I've got some way over due for the trash bin.

    Til next time...
    God bless you.
    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  4. MarthaJuly 24, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Unfortunately many people keep their herbs and spices way too long! But oftentimes it IS hard to throw away something "perfectly good"!!! I like your spice rack!

    ReplyDelete
  5. BabsJuly 25, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Great tips and your pretty spice bottles look so nice on your counter top. I should check my spices because I think there's a bottle of parsley flakes in the back of my cupboard. I usually use fresh, so I have no idea why I bought them or the last time I used them. lol Guess I'd better get busy. Thanks for the encouragement to "spice it up".
    Have a great week,
    Babs

    ReplyDelete
  6. Miz HelenJuly 25, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Hi Pat,
    I am visiting from OTMM at StoneGable. This is a great post, that reminds me it is time to refresh my herbs. Thanks for sharing and hope you are having a great day!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJuly 25, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Hi Pat! Oh, you're so smart and I have a tendency to keep my spices too long! I need to take heed and toss em out! Love that spice set you have.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cathy at Wives with KnivesJuly 26, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Excellent post, Pat. Getting those bottles dry can be a tricky thing. It's so easy to let spices languish at the back of the cupboard and end up sitting there for years.

    Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I'm so happy to meet you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. EmreenJuly 27, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    Love the spice rack... And Excellant tips... Am sure it would be of great use to me , the next time I wash my spice jars...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Pat@Back Porch MusingsJuly 27, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Great idea, Pat!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pinky at Designs by PinkyJuly 27, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Well, I just LOVE that spice rack! What a great gift! Thanks for the washing (and drying) tips! I do the paper towel thing but didn't think to use a hair dryer! Hope you are having a great week!!!! XO, Pinky

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)July 27, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    Great tips Pat! I do go through our spices each year, didn't think about the blow dryer idea... genius...
    hugs ~lynne~

    ReplyDelete
  13. MarlisJuly 28, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Love love love your tips.. I didn't know about the paper towel in the bottle.. but like you, I must be very impatient. Thanks for your visit and for your kind comments, many blessings, xo marlis

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anita at Cedar Hill July 28, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Yikes, I do put the date on them, but haven't checked the dates in awhile.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousJuly 29, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    What a great spice rack!!! I haven't seen one like that before. I loved the trick about using paper as a funnel- so simple but great idea!

    bee blessed
    mary

    ReplyDelete

Grateful Gratitude. . .
I am continually overwhelmed with appreciation at the truly encouraging and inspiring comments left by viewers, like you! Thank you for taking a moment to share your ideas and thoughts with me. . .On Crooked Creek.
Fondly,
Pat