We all know how much cheaper it is to prepare a meal at home rather than eating out, however, you can take it a step further by making your own sauces and spices.  I have previously posted my recipe for Worcestershire sauce (see the link under ‘Recipes’ on the right-hand side of the blog).

Curry powder is a perfect example of something you can make up yourself.  You probably have curry paste in the refrigerator (maybe even a couple of different types) but this powder mix is great for any recipe where it calls for a teaspoon or so of curry powder.  It is also perfect to have made up rather than trying to make a curry with 1/2 teaspoon of this and that.  I originally made this as a time-saving measure because I found it so fiddly to have to measure out small quantities of lots of spices whenever I went to make a curry.

CURRY POWDER

35 g cumin (powdered)
35 g coriander (powdered)
20 g tumeric (powdered)
20 g cardamom (powdered)
15 g chilli (powdered)
1 cinnamon stick
12 cloves
5 g yellow mustard seeds
10 g black peppercorns

Place the cinnamon, cloves, mustard seeds and peppercorns in a spice grinder and grind until powdered.  Combine all ingredients and store in a dry glass jar.

Use according to taste.

I buy all of my spices from Simply Good at Morayfield.  They are in bulk containers so I take my own paper bags and then decant them into my jars when I get home.  This helps to eliminate any packaging.

Today I have also made balsamic syrup and am making grainy mustard.  More on both of those another day.