Get Your Grind On
Saturday, February 9th, 2008Got an article on how to make your own mustard coming up that requires the use of mustard powder. While you can buy mustard powder at the store(I usually do), know that you can also grind your own mustard seeds. In fact, you can pretty much grind all your own spices. I know for must men that seems a bit too…let’s be polite and say “domestic,” but hear me out.
How many times have you bought curry or turmeric or star anis(hehe) for one recipe and then not used it for a year? Then the next time you use it(probably on the same recipe) it’s got no flavor. That’s because when you grind a spice, it’s oils and enzymes are exposed. Otherwise you wouldn’t be able to taste them. But this also means they can evaporate or oxidize if left sitting on the shelf long enough.
By grinding your own spices, they are fresh right up until you use them. And, not to sound like a cheap fuck or anything, it’s a lot cheaper to buy whole spices. A lot.
What if you don’t have a grinder, you ask? If you have a coffee grinder, than you already do. And if you don’t have your own coffee grinder, you’re missing out. Just make sure you clean it thoroughly before and after you grind the spices. You don’t want your coffee tasting like mustard and you really don’t want your mustard tasting like coffee. There are 2 ways to clean it.
- The cheap way is to put chunks of stale bread in there and grind them up. This will pick up any lose flavors.
- The less cheap way is to buy a can of compressed air(yes the stuff for computers) and blow it out real good. This way is extremely fast and bizarrely fun. Especially if someone else is around and you blow mustard dust into their face. Good times.
