Topic: Let's see your spice cupboard!

[JerryM]

i can see you're all in need of a good laugh.

so i will have to post my "spice cupboard". i really normally am a very organised person (clearly not as organised as Bobby).

i need to tidy it a bit 1st though.

[JerryM]

the tidy did not take as long as i thought.

from Left to Right:

fresh ingredient store ie 10kg onion, LH carrier bag - seeds, RH carrier bag - powders, background unopened bags.

impressive ehh.

the stove normally sits in pride of place but it's out on lone for lasagne at the mo (to make the white sauce - electric hobs no good).

[chinois]

People seem to buy much bigger bags of spices than me. I always buy the smallest i can (except for coriander) to make sure they're fresher and because they last such a long time.
I've found supermarkets are a good place to buy as they tend to be fresher (check by looking at best before dates). I take the ones from the back to make sure it's the newest batch. I've found the bags in asian shops tend to be older (although if you check the dates you can find fresh stuff too).

[JerryM]

for added info i've checked through my cupboard as follows:

Seeds:

Ajwain, Bay Leaf, Cardamom Green, Casia, Cloves*, Coriander, Cumin, Curry Leaves*, Fennel, Mace, Onion Seed* (Kalonji), Panch Puran*, Pomegranate, Star Anise.

Powders:

All purpose seasoning (rajah), Almond, Cinnamon, Chilli, Curry Powder (Rajah), Deggi Mirch, Garlic*, Ginger*, Paprika, Basaar, Mango* (Amchur), Methi*, Turmeric, Tandoori Masala.

* would not buy again

[Unclebuck]

are you sure?!!
cloves are a must have - home made garam masala also rogan josh dishes
curry leaves fair one unless you like traditional dishes [i do]
Onion seed again i would agree i do sometimes use in breads a nice savory taste
garlic powder i use a little in bhajis

but wait..............you wouldn't buy Methi again!! thats like the holy herb to me!!

[SnS]

but wait..............you wouldn't buy Methi again!! thats like the holy herb to me!!

  AND ME 

... unless you're growing your own ?

[Bobby Bhuna]

AND ME 

Me too!

[Secret Santa]

but wait..............you wouldn't buy Methi again!! thats like the holy herb to me!!

If they asked me...'what herb would you die for?' ...I'd say, after all the obvious jokes, Castoori Methi.

It's bloody obvious.

If you are leaving this one out you are well off the BIR trail!

[Roti]

I think jerry is maybe talking about fenugreek powder rather than dried leaves?

[JerryM]

it is the leaves, brand Supreme, dried fenugreek leaves.

i know - it absolutely astounds me too. i've read some much about the stuff and i have tried to use it successfully on many occasions.

i've found that's it's better added at frying stage than after the base has gone in.

but seriously i've made identical curry's to try to prove myself wrong. it just does not add anything special or closer to BIR for me.

i'll have to put it with the chicken stock to ask my fav BIR when i'm back home over new year to get a definitive answer.