Tis The Season

Good Morning Porch Pals!

As we approach year's end, I would like to remind you that it is time to clean out the spice cabinet.

Here are a few tips to enhance this chore:

1.) Test- Remove all the spices from the cabinet. Line them up and then one by one, open them and sniff. You should smell a strong odor. If this is not the case, your spice has expired. It will be flat, flavorless, and boring. So will any dishes that it is added to.

2.) Toss- Get rid of old spices. They do not need to take up space. You could wash out the jar and lid and reuse it. Simply adhere a new label with tape or a label maker.

3.) Treat- Most stores have spices and extracts on sale during the holidays. In fact our local market has the store brand marked half-off. Treat yourself to new replacements. Add one per week. Walmart has spices in the Hispanic foods aisle for around a dollar.

4.) Taste- Sample something new. Try a curry or a tangy spice blend. Trying new things will enhance your recipe repertoire.

5.) Tally- Keep a tally of your spices on the inside of the cabinet door. As you run low on one, make a note.

It's really very simple. I like to keep my spices in alphabetical order. That may sound extreme at first, but it is a real time saver. I can easily see if I have something and quickly locate it.

Dear readers I hope you will savor this experience. Take lifeless to marvelous by checking your spice expiration dates at least twice per year.

Adding flavor to your home,
Alis