Make your own pumpkin spice
As autumn arrives, we see the leaves change color, people start to cuddle up by the fireplace, and we start craving comfort food. Pumpkins are the star of the show on markets and in stores right now. Their aroma, delicately spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, is sure to put a smile on your face. But you can make your favorite pumpkin dishes even more delicious with your own unique pumpkin spice blend.
Pumpkin spice
Pumpkin spice is a mix of spices that's popular in the US around Thanksgiving. The spices give pumpkin pie a warm, exotic aroma and taste. The main spices in the mix are cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, but you can add other spices to suit your taste or change the proportions.
Make your own pumpkin spice
With a little creativity, you can easily create your own perfect pumpkin spice blend. It's not only fun, even for the kids, but also cheaper than buying a blend from the shop.
You always start with cinnamon, which is the main ingredient. To make a classic pumpkin spice, just add nutmeg, cloves, and ginger powder. If you want the flavor to be fuller and spicier, you can also add cardamom, allspice, star anise, or black pepper.
If you want to make the best pumpkin spice, you need to use fresh whole spices. It takes a bit more work and dedication because you have to roast the spices first to release their full aroma. You also need an electric spice grinder to grind the spices finely. Of course, you can also make pumpkin spice with ground spices. You'll lose some flavor, but it's really convenient and quick. Make sure you buy fresh jars of spices for this.
How to store pumpkin spice
Once ground, store the spice mix in an airtight glass jar in a dry, dark place. You can easily store the mix for one year this way.
Once you've ground the spices, put the mix in an airtight glass jar and store it in a dry, dark place. That way, you can easily keep it for a year. Just make sure you don't store your herbs and spices next to a heat source, as this will cut their shelf life in half.
A versatile spice mix
Pumpkin spice is a pretty amazing spice blend that not only takes pumpkin dishes to the next level but also refines the flavor of so many other dishes, too.
Why not add a dash of pumpkin spice to your latte or chocolate milk? You can also enjoy it in mulled wine and even in cocktails.
Next time you make granola for breakfast, try adding pumpkin spice. You can also add it to yogurt.
Pumpkin spice is a great ingredient for all kinds of desserts and pastries. Try using pumpkin spice to make some extra special pancakes or waffles, muffins, biscuits, or even sprinkle an apple you bake in the oven with the spice mix. Why not try making a tiramisu or crème brûlée with pumpkin spice?
Pumpkin spice is also a great match for savoury dishes like soup with butternut or root vegetables. You could also try pumpkin spice in hummus, chili con carne, or on roasted sweet potatoes.
Recipe: pumpkin spice
Ingredients:
Whole spices:
- 30 g cinnamon stick
- 1 ½ whole nutmeg
- 35 cloves
- 10 g ground ginger
- 20 green cardamom pods
- 5 g whole allspice
Ground spices:
- 30 g ground cinnamon
- 10 g ground nutmeg
- 5 g ground cloves
- 10 g ground ginger
- 5 g ground cardamom
- 5 g ground allspice
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Make pumpkin spice with whole spices.
First, you'll need to roast all the spices. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and add the cardamom pods and allspice. Roast for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Now add cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves as well. Continue roasting until the aromas of all the spices are released. Just be careful not to burn them.
Let the spices cool down completely. Next, put them in a blender and add the ground ginger. Blend the mixture until you have a powder.
Let the spices cool down, then put them in a spice grinder with the ground ginger. Blend the mixture until you have a powder. Rub the pumpkin spice through a fine sieve, then put the mix in a glass jar and seal it.
![SG Pumpkin Spice 00055]()
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Make pumpkin spice with ground spices.
Combine all the ground spices in a mixing bowl, then put the mixture through a fine sieve. Put the pumpkin spice in a glass jar and seal it.
![SG Pumpkin Spice 00100]()
Pumpkin-spiced gnocchi with crispy sageI took traditional Italian pumpkin gnocchi and gave it a pumpkin spice upgrade, transforming the classic into a dish that's brimming with flavor!