I definitely believe variety is the spice of life. With each change in season, although subtle here in Maui, it is still apparent. I enjoy changing the spices and ingredients, I use for each season, to enhance the ambiance in my home and enliven my palate.
For Autumn, there is nothing more illustrative of this time of year but cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. It is so easy to make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice from items you probably already have in your spice drawer. Personally, over the years, as I learn more about nutrition and where my food comes from, I prefer to make as many staple items as is feasible at home. This is first of all because they always seem to taste so much better than a prepared store-bought version. Most likely this is due to the higher quality and fresher ingredients, I can use in these. Plus, it is always fun to know what makes up a certain spice blend or condiment. I searched through many recipes and decided that I wanted a simple and straightforward spice blend with a nice balance of flavors. I make small amounts at a time so that I use my spices quickly and they are always fresh and flavorful. I also recently learned that nearly all spices and herbs really increase the nutrient density of a meal. So make sure you use a multitude of spices not only because it is tasty, but also to optimize your health.
Pumpkin Pie Spice made with these wonderful aromatic spices. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.
Ceylon cinnamon, Ginger, freshly ground Nutmeg, Cloves
The finished product! I use it in my coffee, sprinkled over roasted butternut squash, and of course your favorite pumpkin pie.
- 1T. Ceylon cinnamon, ground
- ½ T. Ginger, ground
- ¾ t. Freshly ground nutmeg
- ½ t. Cloves, ground
- Mix all spices together in an airtight container.
Leave a Reply