Hello wise people of the information superhighway. I’ve been trying to get a nice spice collection going, here’s what I have currently. Any suggestions on other things worth adding? I like experimenting with different spices on various thing.
Chili powder
Paprika ground
Cumin ground
Mixed herbs
Curry powder
Cayenne pepper ground
Star Anise
Oregano leaves
Bay leaves
Sesame seeds white
Cardamom ground
Mustard powder
Onion powder
OXO chicken stock cubes
Thyme leaves
All purpose seasoning
SaltI’m going to buy some pepper and cinnamon today. I did have pepper, but naturally it was stolen and I forgot to buy any in my last shop
NB: I have zero clue wtf star anise is, so if anybody knows what I’m meant to do with it, it’d be much appreciated.
Warning, spice habit can get out of control.
What is going on in your life?
My spice cupboard contents are my commodities.
Far too much empty space. Double stack!
There is a very good reason why I don’t. My daughter sometimes uses my spices and I hear my spices being dropped which hurts me.
What I am gonna do one day is make extra shelving. One day.
Oh dear. I’m a klutz too, but it’s different if somebody else ruins stuff
I love her and everything and I’ll keep feeding her but I don’t like hearing clink clink clink boof oops don’t worry.
Ha. I have one of those things, but I ended up using it to hold masterfood recipe base sachet things. I have a small cupboard dedicated to spices! Will send pics when I get home
Good list. I would add whole cloves to that list, and whole cumin seeds rather than ground. I would also use whole cardamom pods in preference to ground, but that’s just me. One is usually enough to get that citrussy/eucalyptussy taste & fragrance. Buy the greenest ones you can find. You can also take off the outer husk and just use the seeds for a milder flavour. I would also add sumac to that list - middle eastern spice that adds tang and is very yummy with fish, vegetables and anything with cheese in it. I would also invest in a rosemary bush in a pot, so that you can use a few leaves here are there for meat dishes. Very yummy with lamb but also goes good with beef, but it’s easy to use too much so a few leaves is much better than a whole sprig. Dried rosemary from the shop is a pale shadow of the real thing. Smoked paprika is versatile, goes on practically any meat/fish and is also good with vegetables - sprinkle on potato or cauliflower for a delicious flavour.
Star anise is nice in asian dishes, but I find the flavour very strong so I usually just break off one of the spikes of the star and just use that.
One of my fab faves is to grate a couple of big carrots, and put in a frypan with 3 cardamom pods and 1 clove and teaspoon of whole toasted cumin seeds, then fill up the pan to juuuussst cover the carrot with milk. Simmer on a VERY low heat stirring frequently until all the milk evaporates and the carrot goes mushy. Add about 1/3 cup of sugar or to taste (varies with the sweetness of the carrots) and stir in. You may not need any sugar at all if the carrots are very sweet. Enjoy as a dessert with icecream or smear thickly on a biscuit of your choice.
What are whole cloves? Like cloves of garlic? Do whole cumin seeds taste different to ground? I’m not a huge fan of cumin, it smells and tastes like a packed peak hour train in summer to me. Thanks for the sumac suggestion! Never tried it, but I have heard of it. Can it be bought at a standard supermarket, or is that a speciality grocer spice?
I always forget about rosemary. I don’t eat lamb very often, so I’ve never needed it before. The jungle box (herb planter box) in the backyard has some space after some of it died off, might look at chucking some in there. At the very least, the next person to move in might like to take some!
Thanks for the recipe as well!
Yes whole cumin is different to ground - smells nicer imo. Good basic spice that goes with everything (nearly). The whole seeds are usually dry roasted in a dry pan until they change smell to delicious. The change is unmistakable. Sumac is available at most colesworths, and sometimes at Aldi, and is probably included in most middle eastern spice blends. Rosemary is fine on potatoes too - I like a bit on roasted potatoes, not so much on mash - but its natural partner is pumpkin.
I like to use Mild Moroccan spices from Hoyt’s
Cloves and bay leaves for speghetti bolognaise sauce.
I have chicken salt. General seasoning and Italian herb mixes as well.
OMG Chicken salt! That’s been a whole fucking thing. The drongo stole my damn chicken salt, and I forgot to replace it
It was actually hell at the air BNB, cause I bought chips but just assumed the house came with chicken salt, or at least normal salt. There was neither. I didn’t want to waste them, so I just had chips with pepper and tomato sauce. It was damn depressing.
Ginger
galangal
mild madras curry powder
turmeric
big pepper grinder with a blend of different peppercorns
spaghetti herb and spice mix from Mediterranean Wholesalers
mace
mustard seeds
mustard powder
mushroom stock cubes
whole nutmegs
dried fenugreek leaves
fresh ground lemon grass in a tube
Thanks for the suggestions. I haven’t heard of a few of these! What’s galangal, mace, and fenugreek leaf?
Garlic powder
Dill
Sechuan peppercorn (mouth numbing and spicy)
MSG - it’s not bad for you, but will elevate your dishes
Rosemary, oregano, sage and thyme are good for meats and stews
Cajun is basically my go to. Yes you can make it yourself but the big jars of it last ages and honestly probably go in 1/2 the stuff I make anyway. Same goes with Pizza topper.
Star anise has an aniseed taste. Kind of like liquorice but not that strong. Used in middle eastern and Asian stews and soups. It gives an added boost when used with other spices like cinnamon and cloves.
@CEOofmyhouse56 @Baku it also interacts interestingly with compounds in onions. A small amount, like one of the individual seed pods with the onions for a stew can add an interesting depth of flavour
Ooh, thank you. I tried little choc coated aniseed balls (as well as choc coated coffee beans) while I was in Canberra (the place we went for lunch had a surprisingly large chocolate range). I don’t mind the taste. Might give it a go in something soon
That’s a serious list there. I’d get some oxo beef cubes.
Others you might consider but not necessary: cinnamon sticks, tarragon, chives, smoked paprika, garam masala, basil, Italian mix, parsley, garlic powder.
My fav thing to do with star anise is a braised beef stew thing.
Cubed cow. Brown the fuck out of it. Onion, garlic, ginger, star anise, dried orange rind, honey, soy, stock. Chilli if desired. Simmer until sticky. Rice of course.
Omg this sounds super good! Could I bother you for a full recipe? I’d like to try it. It sounds delish
I kind of don’t do exactness in cooking. I’m a pinch, handful, shake sort of Cook.
Don’t buy anymore. A year from now, you will end up with half a dozen oregano’s and multiple same spices because you’re at the market and can’t remember what you have. So you buy yet another smoked paprika to add to the collection. I know I’m not alone on this.
Hello, are you me? Wtf I do this too. I have so much of everything 😭
I have 3 cinnamons and 5 paprikas at home too…
If you can source Australian pepper berry I highly recommend it
It’s easy to go overboard on getting spices and they go stale/lose flavour quickly, so maybe build a collection up by starting with a few basics and then adding as you need them?
Or look up spice mixes you’re most likely to use (ie taco seasoning if you like tacos) and buy the stuff for those.
It all depends on what you cook!
You might not need star anise or sesame oil unless you’re cooking Chinese food that specifically asks for it, and the sesame seeds are a luxury sprinkle. I see bay leaves used in soup or maybe rice dishes.
The list looks pretty solid though.
I used to use ground coriander seed with cumin and onion in a rice dish but it’s not an essential.
Paprika comes in a few kinds so pick your favourite. There’s the plain sweet paprika which adds a lot of colour but just a little bit of a capsicum taste, smoked paprika which is stronger in a good way, and also a hot paprika I haven’t tried.
Some things you might like to have as well are soy sauce, fresh or jarred garlic, or white vinegar. Also honey, tomato paste… it depends
Also if you do anything sweet you might like to have some vanilla essence. It’s good even just in a microwave mug cake.
Ps. Don’t feel you have to force yourself to cook meals every day! If you live alone it is a heavy expectation to manage, especially with work and study. A lot of people struggle to do it because historically there was an extra person at home handling all that.
Good point. I’ve had this spice collection going for about a year (although most of its come from the last few months). But I despise not having a single ingredient I need for a recipe, and I like putting random shit on chips or in chicken flour coatings just to get a sense of the flavour (I make these knockoff popcorn chicken things and basically put random amounts of most of my spices in there).
I do also have some seasonings and spice mixes from various meal kit box things I’ve tried, and the old LT gave me some of his containers full of stuff from them. I think I’ve got a ton of "Mexican spice seasoning).
To be honest, cooking decent meals is something I really struggle with. If left to my own devices, I’ll just buy and eat pre crumbed chicken schnitzels from my butcher every night. I try to make at least one decent, well rounded meal a week, and try something completely new once a fortnight. But I primarily eat chicken, I’m not a huge fan of beef or lamb, although I do occasionally eat those too for a bit of variety.
I always have white vinegar, but often end up using it as a cleaning product more than a cooking one lmao. I do keep white wine vinegar on hand as a replacement for sake and Mirin in Japanese dishes (ie teriyaki chicken). Seems to be the closest substitute I can actually buy. (It’ll probably stay that way until I move out, as we’re forbidden from having alcohol on the property)
I’ve never tried coriander, but I have one of those mutated tongues, so absolutely despise coriander. I can’t remember if I have sweet or smokey paprika, I think it’s sweet though. Might look for a smokey one
I usually keep some vanilla essence on hand, but that too was stolen. It was only cheap imitation stuff, so I might buy a proper extract
Thanks for the help and info!
Corriander leaf and ground are totally different things. If you have the gene that makes the leaf taste like soap the seeds are still fine
No probs!
Yeah back when I cooked I used to just batch cook once or twice a week. As I got more tired it was usually something one pot with frozen veg thrown in so I didn’t have to chop or have greens go slimy in the fridge.
Cooking decent meals is a struggle.
I have the soap gene and the coriander seed was ok but it was only added because it was called for.
@Baku@aussie.zone star anise is this one which I usually use in making masala’s for meat dishes like curries and Briyani. It kind of adds ooomph to the masalas. Without it masala’s taste light. This kicks up the taste to feel more heavy, if that makes sense.
Usage personally is a broken one (like half) for a masala that goes with 1/2kg of meat (or a meal for 2-3 people), it could be one full one if not ground up and used as is in things like briyani.
I always feel its flavour is wasted when not ground up. But in a briyani it could make sense if you need the extra heat, but don’t want to consume the spice (like a first time user).
Sorry for the data dump. Got a bit excited 😜
@Baku a bay tree in a pot is a good option if you can (with housing arrangements and climate)
What’s that?
@Baku the tree you get bay leaves from. They’re much better fresh
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurus_nobilis
Whole spices keep better than ground ones generally. Asian grocers will be much cheaper than the supermarket, but you’ll be buying big quantities. Do consider the Australian natives; lemon myrtle and bush tomato especially.
Thanks! I keep hearing about this lemon myrtle stuff. Gonna see if I can track some down
I use star anise with my marmalade. After my make the marmalade before I put the lid on I put a star anise on top of the jam. It imparts a lovely flavour.
I can still taste things a bit but my sense of smell is 0%. Kids are feeling noticeably better though which is great 😅
In a further twist, instead of our friend giving COVID to Mr P, it may have actually been the other way around. An acquaintance of his wanted to come over and he told them they couldn’t because COVID. Apparently they said (imagine flippant ditzy voice) “Oh I’ve had that food weeks! Can’t seem to get rid of it!” And then proceeded to regale him with anecdotes about people they’ve seen in recent weeks, including their very elderly parents and people we’ve regularly been in contact with! 😠 Some people are just jerks.
Did you ever give anything away thinking it’s worthless, or that you’ll never use or want it again, and then over a decade later think WHY TF DID I DO THAT I’M A COMPLETE IDIOT?!?!?!?!
Yeah that’s me.
Missing my old Macintosh 512K from 1984 with second external disk drive, in perfect working condition. That I now want to tinker with bad, especially now that there are great storage/communications options that can be built for them.
Retro-computing is EXPENSIVE now.
</nerdregret>
On the upside, emulators exist any I still can play Dark Castle and Fools Errand.
My dad bought a certain brand of keyboard for music, in the 80s, and he’s accumulated many different ones now. I cannot remember the brand/model, but he sold it before I was born and kicks himself for it because 1) it’s worth a lot now, and 2) he said it made the best sound and his current ones don’t come close.
My dream if I win the lotto, would be to buy him a moog
70s/80s audio electronics were so much better, completely agree.
I luckily DO have my dad’s old hifi setup, the sound is just -chef’s kiss-
Aw man that sound would be sick as from your dad’s setup! Jelly as
Not gonna lie it’s pretty awesome ☺️ And as a bonus, our 5 year old is becoming great at turning records over for me at the end of the side! Especially the Bluey picture discs 😄
My husband had an IBM Original 286 that he still reminisces about to this day.
My first computer was an Amstrad
Friend of mine had an Amstrad, I remember it being wiiiiide. Nice machine though!
I had 2. Both hand me downs. First one, tape deck. Second one, floppy disk.
The one thing I wanted back from the past is my Intellivision. It may or or be in a derelict shed. Gone either way.
I do still have 2 Nintendo game&watch😹 batteries cost more than the hardware now!
I’ll pour one out for it tonight.
I wish I still had my childhood Commodore 64. Been on the lookout for one for a while now, but even the fixer-uppers are worth heaps. The days of $20 garage-sale specials are long gone!
I put a commodore 64 on my hard rubbish pile 20 years ago. Not proud of that now.
Hindsight is 20/20!
As fun as retro computing and gaming is, I’ve found emulation to fulfill that itch for a more reasonable price.
I use Qemu/KVM with virt-manager, I’m currently playing with Windows XP and trying to get games like AOE2, Warcraft3, etc running on it. Eventually I may get an old white LCD 4:3 monitor.
Retro handhelds like the Miyoo Mini Plus, Anbernic RG35XX-H & Trimui Smart Pro are cheap and fun portable retro game handhelds, they are becoming very popular and the firmware mods are getting better.
Yeah I’m also well into emulation. VICE for commodore stuff, and omg how good is exodos! WinUAE for Amiga. I still long for the actual hardware though, I’ve got an old DOS machine and love it, though even that is still a bit too “new” (it’s a PII)
Ack. Need to sort out something wit my car insurance and this is the 2nd day I’ve gotten the same person who seems very inexperienced.
Guess I’ll call back tomorrow and hope I get someone different.
I just wanted to let everyone know I may not be technologically gifted like youse but I can crochet a hat and make really good sandwiches. Ok.
I can make a good sandwich but not crochet a hat, so you’re one up on me.
I can knit socks and make acceptable sandwiches but I’m not good at hats
You’re my homey and all…but ‘youse’?
Oh baby, what is you doing…
We should use youse because the English language would benefit from a plural you; it’s Austalian instead of the y’all the yanks invented, and ye has gone out of fashion.
More than one ‘you’ I think. Perfectly reasonable. We need this.
Karaoke
The man is scared I’m gonna blow up his speakers and his hearing so he got out the old computer speakers.
I don’t know him, bit were brothers deep down.
His fears are justified
There is a secret to being technologically gifted. Read the instruction manuals. n/k
Yeah but some things are better when they are physically shown in person.
that’s why we also watch YT or have instructors if possible
I don’t care if it’s almost 11, I’m having a post dinner coffee and enjoying it damnit
I must really overestimate people’s intelligence. There a YT sub dedicated to these docs fishing hearing aid batteries and such out of people’s ears.
All I have to do is open Binge to get a reminder to never overestimate people
I appear to have burnt myself out on art but despite the block the desire is still there.
I’m just so constantly exhausted and not feeling good or stressed out
I really did not know there was a recipe difference between Savoy and Jatz.
Where on earth does the name Jatz come from?
Class finished early and I learned that kahoots gives me competition anxiety 😂 love it though.
I’m Christmas decoration shopping lol.
the shops are full of it already
Probably about time for hot cross buns to be in the shops then.
Last team meeting I was in my manager brought up booking Christmas leave 💀 how are we there already
It’s in the wind now. Preparations need to be made. I love it though. I’m freaky about it.
The seasons are starting to shift, we are well into the second half of the year, time to set up the game plan… Shit, I probably should start thinking about my movements too
I hope I haven’t made a mistake tipping for Collingwood tonight.
changed it last minute before the bounce.
Anyone see this comment on the other DT yesterday? “Unpopular opinion but I think the daily thread is better post mass exodus of former regulars” How rude! lol
Fuck that shit hole
That’s why they are the other thread.
Wolves do not concern themselves with the opinions of sheep
Lol, well good for them were not there then. Love seagoon calling for them to name names, as if they had the necessary amount of brain cells to rub together to remember our usernames haha
Edit: the issue with that place, and the site in general, is the bigots. Everytime something is posted there about housing or crime, it always turns to shitting on minorities/women. Cancerous.
I love calling people out and watching them squirm. 😂
Rather arrogant, But it’s whatever, most of the people there these days are new or gronks. Also I didn’t even know noparticipation was still supported. Love the old Reddit layout
They can get stuffed.
That is all.
Talk about a desperate attempt for attention
So rude! :)
Hi. I’m from the University of Youveneverheardofit and I’m doing a project on bunyips. I was wondering if you could do my 35 minute survey. Thanks I appreciate it.
Thank fuck we don’t get that shit.
“Dear community”
Lol, couldn’t even be arsed tailoring it to the community. Literally bare minimum effort. What a drongo
A new gas meter was installed at my house and the readings are wild. My gas has been switched on with the new meter for just over 24 hours and if this reading started at 0, I’ve used over 2000m3 of gas in that time apparently. My previous reading for 28 days, I used 51m3. Something is very wrong here.
Call the gas company/distributor and you can report a fault. They may try to palm you off to your energy provider, but you should be able to explain what you have here and they can send someone out.
I remember a whole bunch of org rules (like paying for the service which will be refunded if the meter is actually found to be faulty, etc) but I’m not sure if they apply here.
Definitely check with your gas distributor
Thanks! I called the gas company and they put me through to AusNet who installed the new meter. They’re sending someone out tonight to check if there’s a leak. There has to be, or this meter is giving faulty readings, because the usage is just not possible. I also switched the gas off at the meter just in case.
Perfect, wasn’t sure where you are so I didn’t want to say ausnet (used to work for them).
Fantastic they’re sending someone out! Great news! Get some documentation if you can as well, to show your energy provider, in case they issue a bill or anything. Just a paper trail to say it was the fault of installation. :) ausnet should tell your provider though internally, they’ll get a list iirc
Loving this insider knowledge! I freaked out thinking the gas company is going to try and claim that I used that much gas and make me pay for it, and the first person I spoke to at the gas company only heightened my anxiety. He put me through to someone more senior who was way more helpful, straightaway she said based on those numbers there’s a problem. I’ve got several meter reading photos from the past 24 hours, and my bills with evidence of past usage to show how out of line this new meter is reading at.
I’ve worked for Tru Energy, Energy Australia, Ausnet, Alinta, and Horizon Power, so I have a massive knowledge base lol but mostly for Vic, NSW and WA.
With that evidence you have, and any documentation from Ausnet, you can ensure you won’t be overcharged if ausnets data doesn’t make it to your provider, or it isn’t actioned before your next bill.
Your provider may say it will work itself out in the next actual read of your meter, but you should be able to get it adjusted with a self-read. They may ask you to provide photo evidence of your meter reading, which it sounds like you have.
Once it is fixed and you have the documentation, save it and call your provider and go over your options. Don’t be afraid to politely ask for a senior, as they will have more authority (generally) to action changes/input your self read. Your consultant may push back before giving you to a senior, but that’s because their Team Leader and Management have KPIs and one of them is reducing “escalations”.
Let me know if you need further advice!!
Baby girl has been picky even being fed the fancy little tins of cat food in crab flavour… I was starting to worry about her health. But I mixed in some of the new insanely expensive food (bought to be easier on her kidneys) and she’s eating it with relish.
Of course! She’s got good taste!
