Austinites -- anyone want to do an order with The Spice House in IL?

[alfreda89]

I've got seven things to get from them, but the S&H on those 7 items is a minimum of $10.00. Anyone else want in? It's a much better price the more we order, since most of the price is distance, not weight.

http://www.thespicehouse.com/

Comments

[apricot-tree.livejournal.com]

Not in Austin - but I'm curious - what are you getting? We usually get Back of the Yards, Lake Shore Drive, and Ruth Ann's Muskego Avenue Seasoning (which I love on baked potatoes!)

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm still good on their curries and garam masala (I also make my own masala, and my own chili mix) but I like their cinnamon, allspice, ground nutmeg -- and I am going to try their orange peel.

The Indonesian cinnamon is an experiment. At the worst of my taste/scent problems, I could smell chemicals in it -- so stuck with the other three. But it's been several years, so I should check out the current stuff.

Other than they don't have organics, that one thing is the only spice that ever disappointed me. Getting a box with bay leaves and solid nutmegs used as packing material is my idea of packing material!

Also -- the vanilla paste is awesome and keeps for years in the fridge.

Need to try ordering maple syrup on-line -- I use a lot of it cooking, and right now Costco isn't carrying it.

Actually, I'm supposed to go easy on spices while eating macro. So I use very small amounts of these on breakfast rice, for example.

[apricot-tree.livejournal.com]

My Mom has talked about making her own chili powder for her issues. Where did you get your recipe?

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I looked at other recipes and how they were balanced, and created my own, since for a while all peppers except real pepper upset my system. The weird ingredient is cumin, which is essential in good chili (I think). There are specialty books on chili-making. They often have recipes. It would be a place to start! I had one chili pepper that seemed all right -- de arbo -- and started from it.

[apricot-tree.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'll pass that on. :)

And, of course...

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

..I'm willing to share my recipe. It's in "parts" as opposed to traditional measurements, so you design it based on whether you want a large spice bottle when finished, or a small bottle.

Re: And, of course...

[apricot-tree.livejournal.com]

I'm sure she would appreciate it. She likes chili, but she's not sure what kinds of tastes add what. I think it would help her to see what someone else uses. Thank you!

Re: And, of course...

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Here you go:

Kathi’s Chili Powder –

1 part ground cayenne
1 part paprika (ground & sweet)
3 parts ground cumin
1.5 parts ground oregano
1 to 3 parts garlic powder
2.5 parts dried, minced de arbo chili peppers – remove caps and seeds first.

Mix together well, store in a sealed jar like an old spice jar. Keeps well.

Re: And, of course...

[apricot-tree.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'll send it on. :)