Thursday, February 26, 2009

Seasonings/Spices

"Seasonings and spices are especially important when it comes to basic food storage.

Beef, chicken, or ham bouillon granules are excellent secondary storage items. Wheat and rice, either brown or white, cooked in bouillon take on wonderful new flavors, as does barley. In fact, bouillon is an excellent base for many soups, sauces, and casseroles.

Soy sauce, with its Oriental flavor, is another excellent seasoning. Fried wheat or rice with fresh vegetables and sprouts is enhanced with soy sauce. It also adds good flavor to a stir-fry or even to some stews or chicken or fish dishes.

Legumes (peas, beans, soybeans, lentils) respond well to seasoning salts and spice blends like chili powder, curry powder, poultry seasoning and celery, garlic, and onion salts.

It will be important to keep some "sweet" spices on hand, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice. Simple rice pudding, for example, is dependent on such spices for its unique flavor. The simplest cookies and cake are enhanced with their use.

Cocoa or sweet cocoa mix is a good supplementary item to store along with the basic nonfat dry milk. Punch powder is a welcome flavor in lean times. Nor should we forget vanilla, almond, lemon, or maple extract for making pancake syrup.

A year's supply of flavorings your family enjoys could make the difference between stark or satisfying eating."
(Source: Lehi North Stake Relief Society Cookbook, pg. 220-221)

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