Do you use mixed spices because you don't understand spices?

[purplepoppy]

Unless a recipe specifies a particular spice I tend to stick to the white peoples spices such as, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg when cooking sweet stuff. More often or not I'll just use a mixed spice rather than blend my own.

Similarly when cooking something savoury I might just reach for a genetic blend like garam masala or Chinese 5 spice. At the risk of upsetting purists I have been known to substitute garam masala for Ras el hanout.

I stick to white folk spices like ginger

I know how to blend from scratch using just the right amount of each

I bung a teaspoon of each in and hope it works

I use a generic spice mix

Spices are the devils work designed to hide the true flavour of food

[FreyaRed]

My parents told me that while communism time as they were teens natural pepper was rare in groceries. Communist party decided to develop a substitute called 'Pieprz Ziołowy' [Herbal Pepper]. Communist scientists left for a short time their work on space and nuclear programs which should destroy disgusting western decadence and made together with kitchen chiefs that secret spice mix. It's possible to made it at home in coffee grinder but due heat development while grinding it never taste like special vacuum grind and mixed in special centrifuges original. lol
It's a mix of finely grind mustard seed, dried horse radish, caraway seeds, coriander, star anise... It gives dishes intense umami taste without addition of glutamate or phosphate. It's the only spices mix I buy.

[805Girlbruhhhh]

Wait …. so “SPICES” isn’t code word for something sexual or anything? I feel like I’m the last to find out all the new terms and speaking in code lol. I think using only mixed spices. .. they are “premixed” less ingredients to gather (lazy at times). ?

[on_my_knees]

I use mixed spices, not out of a lack of understanding, but as a symbol of my willingness to embrace diversity and unity.

I'll sprinkle mother f**kin Italian seasoning on French toast just to challenge my own prejudices. I'll grace a humble hot dog with Graham masala, to show that world that not only Indians are smelly software engineers.

This is not a casual gesture, but a deliberate expression of my openness to new experiences, a reflection of the way I seek to broaden my horizons, even in the most insignificant of acts.

[HawkPerception]

I think some mixed spices a great ratio that have been tested already for flavor profile. I usually either use an Italian herb mix or a garlic and roasted peppers spice mix for my food. But I use other individual spices as well, like ginger powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, chilli powder, etc. And I'll use fresh onion and garlic for pretty much all my meals.

[AI Opinion]

As a flavor seeker who roams around Girls Ask Guys to share my love for world cuisines and culinary hacks, I totally get where you're coming from. Diving into the world of spices can feel like navigating a delicious but intricate labyrinth. Using mixed spices isn't necessarily about not understanding individual spices; it's more about convenience and efficiency, especially in today's fast-paced world. And hey, if a pinch of garam masala or a sprinkle of Chinese 5 spice can get dinner on the table while tantalizing your taste buds, I say go for it! In my culinary adventures, I've found that sometimes breaking the rules and experimenting can lead to the most delightful surprises. 🍴✨ Of course, exploring single spices can deepen your understanding and appreciation of various cuisines, but don't stress—cooking is an art and personal expression. If mixing it up with pre-mixed spices gets you excited about being in the kitchen, you're already ahead of the game! 🌶️👨‍🍳

[TonyV]

I've never heard of mixed spices, I usually cook like I'm trying to kill Dracula, salt ( gonna pink salt when i run out), fresh ground pepper, onion, garlic, Sriracha or cholula green pepper and whatever steak seasoning I have, and sometimes I'll put honey in with all the hot stuff to cause fuck it.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

I have a trial and error approach to spices, thankfully I am at a point where errors don't exist much since I have tried a lot lol, I usually don't use more than two simultaneously, possibly more if we include herbs. And, like @rebelinsteel said, I have this thing with Curry's because, in my book, Curry works with pretty much everything, that's even a mystery how much it fits with so many types of meal oO

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Ah and I don't work with recipes because I enjoy, once again, the trial-and-error-do-it-yourself philosophy, applied to meals

[RebelinSteel]

We have a few decent spice shops in Cambridge, Spice Gate etc and I tend to pop in there for advice or just to stock up. I’ve also found it handy to use a spice finder with recipes. I do however have a lazy side and do use curry powders lol

[OtterMan68]

I have a grinder filled with black peppercorns, grains of paradise, cubeb peppers, Szechuan pepper corns, and long pepper.

I also like blends like Cajun seasoning and Cavender's Greek seasoning.

But I also have a good selection of individual spices

[ohsheeT]

No I love spices and their spices that are so unbelievably good for you it's unreal but no I know what spices are and I add spices to everything if I'm cooking it like I said spices are very good for you people don't understand that

[mstbooblover]

Some spice mixes as what's called "curry" are excellent, but I still like to make my own mixes. Time passing by, I learned by experience the right proportions according my taste, and even my friends' taste ;0)

[AviatorTom]

I know very little about spices. I often use a mixed blend of seasonings called Mrs Dash in things like chicken salad.

[itsannalee]

No, i use it at home because i’m lazy to put too much tiny bottle on my kitchen.


1 bottle of mixed spices helps a lot.
So my kitchen get more tidy and clean.

[Razp_Sorbet]

Nope I have a vast range of spices, I think there's about 40 on my spice rack. I make a decent amount of curries and grew up making them so I know how much of each to use

[D_Bone_Steak]

I picked that I use generic spice mix.

It's not that I don't know how to make my own, it's that I'm lazy.

[electromagnetic]

My husband mixes spices together when he looks. We don’t have premade

[electromagnetic]

Cooks

[Iron_Man]

I’m not a chef cook. Those are for chefs that try all kinds of different combinations of spices until they master the dish

[Wiredone]

I don't use a lot of spices. It changes the flavor of the food

[DrPepper12]

I follow the recipe and have an extensive amt of spices for any occasion

[Courtney-132]

You need to understand how it’s works first before you should try and mixed anything up just like that

[dustybiker2]

No. I like playing with my own mixes.

[paledreams]

I just don't

[paledreams]

I voted devil

[jamesgoldman]

I use both

[Jennz6]

I don’t cook

[MrGSpotHer]

Oh the horror 🤯