Have you ever needed one of your full-sized bottles of spice, only to realize that last time you used it was five years ago, and now it’s either too rancid, or weak, to enhance your cuisine? Or, perhaps you’re like me, and you’re reaching for the one spice bottle you need at the back of the shelf, only to have a bunch tumble out and break on the floor. What a mess!
The founder of TSP Spices, Sarah & Katie, have been-there, done-that. But they put their heads together, and came up with a very clever way to deal with spices, one that really keeps you organized. Their solution was to create single-serve teaspoon measures of popular spices and offer them packaged as individual spices, or in gift sets. If you purchase products from their company, TSP Spices, stale spices will be a thing of the past. TSP spices are also good quality, without additives or fillers. If there’s something I loathe, it’s spices that have visible stems or cracked pieces! Also, since these TSP spices are in uniform packaging in tins, they sit and stack neatly on your shelf. Try that with all the different sizes of bottles and tins you get from different stores! The tins are nicely labeled, so you will also be able to find what you need without a struggle. For those who have discerning tastes or who like picnics and eating on the road, the single-packette TSP spices make it easy to tote. Try bringing the species you need when camping, and find yourself burdened with bulky bottles that might even break!
The dog days of Summer are over, but heat is in season, all year round. Spices that offer a bit of heat are great for a gift as well as for experimentation. For this, I suggest TSP’s Sweet Heat Set $16.00, packaged in a nice brown box with white trim and a red paper “belt” across the middle. Open the box to reveal two tins: each with a dozen, one-teaspoon packettes each of crushed Ancho Chili Pepper and true Cinnamon. Yummy!
Another classic heat collection is the Game Day Chili Tin ($9.99) with three packettes of cumin, three packettes of mild chili pepper, two packettes of ancho chili pepper, two packettes of oregano, and one each of fennel and 1 karintje cinnamon. This makes a nice stocking stuffer for the holidays, packaged in a nice chili bowl, with beans and spices, and perhaps, a big spoon. Or, give it to your football host/hostess as a little “thank you” for letting you watch the big game on their big screen TV!
If you long for a touch of heat without real burn, TSP Organic Chile Pepper (Mild) offers just a gentle tingle to your tongue. And just in case you think chili pepper is only for chili, think again! Here’s a snack recipe to inspire you to start experimenting with peppers. You won’t be able to stop popping these spiced almonds in your mouth. Put some out for your next get-together and watch them fly out of the bowl (not literally, but they will be gone in a flash).:
Spiced Nuts
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cups raw pecans (or almonds, or any other nut)
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1/4 cup sugar
1 packet tsp spices Organic Korintje Cinnamon (cassia, ground)
1 packet tsp spices Organic Ancho Chile (ground)
1 tsp salt
Preheat oven to 300 degrees
Lightly grease cookie sheet with oil . Mix almonds and egg whites together and stir to coat. Drain in a colander. In a zip lock bag, mix sugar with salt and spices. Add almonds to plastic bag and shake to coat. Spread nuts in a single layer on cookie sheet and roast 40-45 minutes.
Let cool, then enjoy! Note: If you like more spice flavor, use 2 packets each of cinnamon and chile. These freeze very well
TSP spices offer a lot more than just peppers and heat. You’ll be amazed at everything they have to offer. It’s eye candy for the cook, and a little luxury that makes life more satisfying! . Visit TSPspices.com
