Preparing Ground Spices with Spice Grinder?

If you're ever tempted to use ground spices bought in a bottle or plastic pack, just try this test, Lightly toast in a dry pan some whole spice seeds(coriander,for example)for about a minute, or until they start to smell fragrant. Transfer them to a spice grinder and process to a fine powder. Lift the lid and sniff the result, then compare this with commercially available ground coriander that was processed goodness knows how long ago, and has gone from the factory to the store to your cupboard and been kept there until you're about to use it. I'm certain that after doing this test, you're about to use it.I'm certain that after doing this test, you'll be convinced that it's best to grind your own spices.Heating spices before grinding crisps them slightly, making them easy to grind,and it also helps release the fragrance and flavor in the volatile oils.

Freshly roasted and ground spices can be cooled before being stored in an airtight container in the freezer. Where they keep every bit of their fresh fragrance. Since I use a lot of coriander and cumin, to save time, I prepare a batch of several tablespoons of freshly roasted and ground spices and freeze them; they do not freeze into a solid. taste as if they have been freshly toasted and ground.

Seasoning pastes are used in countless Southeast Asian dishes. When using a spice grinder(and,indeed,if using a mortar and pestle),it is important to slice or chop the ingredients before processing. If using dry spices as part of the paste, these should be ground first,then the fresh moist ingredients such as chilies, shallots.garlic,galangal,and lemon grass added.

If you are not including shallots, which give off a lot of moisture,you may need to add some liquid to the spice grinder to keep the ingredients turning. Process the ingredients to break them up, switch off the grinder and scrape down the sides and lid with a rubber spatula,and process again, keep repeating this,adding a little oil, water or coconut milk(each recipe suggests which is appropriate) if needed.Don't overload the jar of your spice grinder; divide the ingredients into two or even three batches if needed and process each until completely ground.

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