Mixed Spice Blends: Classic Spice Blends for Every Dish
Mixed spice blends are a beautiful depiction of food heritage. Rather than relying on a single spice to define the flavor of a dish, most recipes around the world employ expertly blended combinations of spices that add depth, fragrance, and balance. These mixed spice blends are usually tailored for specific types of food—meat, stews, pickles, or rice dishes. By preparing these mixed spice blends in advance, not only will you save time but you will also enjoy uniform flavor and aroma.
Here in this article, we explore a wide variety of ancient and modern mixed spice blends, their ingredients, uses, and benefits. From Indian curry powder to smoky meat spices, from pickling spices to the perfect mixed spice blend for fries—this is your ultimate guide to mastering the art of spice blending at home
Curry Spice Mix
Curry spice would likely be one of the most popular and most used mixes in every household. It is sweet and spicy with a warm flavor and in a mixed spice combination of spices that can be adjusted to accommodate the taste.
If you like your curry a bit spicier, add a bit more ginger and chili. For a blend of spices that’s even more aromatic, try adding a bit of cardamom and saffron. Recipes being what they are, a traditional curry blend can include bay leaves, cardamom, chili powder, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, coriander seeds, curry leaves, fennel seeds, garlic powder, ginger, black seeds (nigella), mustard seeds, nutmeg, and paprika.
The healing potency of this blended spice mix is astounding. Owing to curcumin (turmeric), curry is capable of expelling free radicals from the body, enhancing immunity, and supporting detoxification. Also, the combined action of spices in this blended spice mix is more apt to raise the body temperature and metabolism, which may be conducive to weight reduction
Tandoori Spice Blend
Tandoori spice is an Indian dish and is particularly used for marinating meat. Tandoori mixed spice blend is typically a combination of powdered ginger, paprika, cumin, coriander seeds, turmeric, nutmeg, ground chili pepper, and clove powder.
It’s particularly great for cold foods since it brings heat into the food. Tandoori spice works best when barbecuing meat, such as chicken, and hence is a darling in kebabs and tandoori chicken. It also provides soups and spicy chicken sandwiches with a kick. Chili pepper has capsaicin, an anti-cancer agent, and this spice mix has a lot of fiber that can also be used to digest and treat constipation
Masala Spice Blend
Masala is an everyday blend of spices in India and is extremely popular because of masala chai (spiced tea). Its use, however, extends beyond beverages—it can be applied to quite a variety of foods to provide extra aroma and flavor.
This combination of masala spices generally is made of black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, cumin, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and bay leaves. Whereas some use masala on pickles according to region, others use masala in vegetable preparations, lentils, or barbeques. Although not suitable for every dish, it is a suitable blend of mixed spices for Indian curries, spinach stews, and biryani
Mexican Spice Blend
When you’re considering mixed spice blends from Mexican cuisine, earthy and strong flavors come to mind first. This is a mixed spice blend of paprika, onion powder, cumin, garlic powder, white pepper, and black pepper. Others can be added depending on the region or personal preference.
Mexican spice is used most often on Central American cuisine and is particularly well-suited to enhancing meats, poultry, and seafood. It’s particularly handy in removing the cool quality from certain foods and is an ideal choice for those foods that require a hot, spicy finish
Smoky Spice Blend
If you like the burnt, smoky flavors, then this is the mixed spice blend for you. It has its roots in Abadan, Iran, and some of the ingredients include garlic, onion, black pepper, ginger, paprika, cumin, coriander, bell pepper powder, and a hint of sumac or dried pomegranate powder.
In this blended spice, everything is dry-toasted in a covered pan to allow the aroma to intensify and be akin to the smoky taste. It goes well with grilled vegetables, kebabs, steaks, and even home-made sausages. If you are preparing cold cuts at home, this is the ideal mixed spice mixture that would provide it with a classic smoky taste.
Pickling Spice Mixes
Pickling spices play a vital role in the fermentation and aging process and add distinctive character and flavor to pickles. Every pickling mixed spice blend provides a specific taste profile to the final product. Below is a glimpse at a few regional mixed spice blends that are used for pickling:
Red Cabbage Pickle Mix
Bandari Mango Pickle Mix
There are two varieties of mango pickle, each with a unique blend. The Bandar Abbas-type uses black pepper, green cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, and safflower petals. The vinegar type has chili powder, coriander seeds, fennel, nigella seeds, and safflower, and is similar to Pakistani, Indian, and southeastern Iranian pickles.
Haft Bijar Pickle Mix
This beloved northern Iranian pickle gets its unique aroma from an rich spice mixture: angelica (golpar), coriander seeds, cinnamon, green cumin powder, nutmeg, red and black pepper, and fennel powder.
Stuffed Eggplant Pickle Mix
A pungent pickle made with angelica, turmeric, nigella seeds, coriander seeds, and red and black pepper. The key here is to balance the pungent flavor of eggplant with the aromatic spice mixture.
Spice Blends for Specific Foods
Falafel Spice Blend
Abadan-style falafel derives its signature taste from mango powder, in addition to its foreign tartness. The entire blend includes mango powder, black pepper, black cumin, turmeric, garlic powder, and onion powder. The mix ensures your falafel remains authentic to its origin and potent.
Rice Meal Spice Blends
For Bean Pilaf:A slightly hot and salty mixed spice blend of cumin, cardamom, turmeric, black pepper, salt, cinnamon, ginger, saffron, and curry powder. This mixed spice blend adds richness to the dish and depth of flavor.
For Lentil Pilaf: mixed Spice blend of cinnamon, cumin, rose petal powder, coriander seeds, cardamom, and saffron, a fragrant mix which counteracts the earthy undertone of lentils and imparts an enticing meat smell.
Stew Spice Blends
Chicken Stew: Coriander seeds, cumin, black pepper, garlic powder, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom.
Gheimeh Stew: Black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, nutmeg, dried lime powder, rose petal powder, and saffron.
Other Essential Spice Mixtures
Fish Spice
Perfect for frying or baking, it includes rosemary, coriander, curry powder, garlic and onion powder, and ginger. This spice mixture enhances the taste of seafood without overpowering its delicate flavor.
Abgoosht (Traditional Stew)
The character of this stew is due to a mix of black pepper, black cumin, dried lime powder, turmeric, cinnamon, and clove. Measure each spice carefully, as it has a significant contribution to the overall taste.
Hamburger Spice
For juicy and flavorful homemade burgers, mix paprika, brown sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder. It seasons the beef without dominating its taste.
Kachi Dessert Spice
A classic Iranian comfort food typically eaten for breakfast or dessert. Its signature spice blend includes cinnamon, fennel, cumin, black pepper, ginger, cardamom, coriander, and turmeric. You may add honey or date syrup to sweeten Kachi for a healthier alternative.
Chicken Kebab Spice
A hot and lively mix that includes saffron, turmeric, black pepper, garlic and onion powder, ginger, paprika, and salt. Let your chicken sit in the mix to allow the flavors to seep in deep.
French Fry Spice
Take regular fries to the next level with a mix of coriander powder, paprika, nutmeg, and wild thyme. It‘s an easy upgrade that will impress whoever gets to indulge.
Cold Cut Spice
In order to season homemade deli meats or sausages, mix garlic, ginger, cardamom, thyme, black pepper, nutmeg, chili powder, salt, and cloves.
FAQs
Why is the benefit of using mixtures of spice blends compared to a single spice?
Combined spice blends give a compound flavour which no single spice can acquire on its own. They are time-saving and promote uniformity in cooking as well.
How do I store homemade spice blends?
Store them in tightly covered containers, in darker, cooler environments. For optimal flavour, use within 3 to 6 months.
