Video:How to Make Fresh Milled Spices

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Transcript:How to Make Fresh Milled Spices

Hi, I'm Jonathon Stewart for About.com Food with today's 90-second quick tip.

When it comes to adding flavor to fish, poultry, meat, or even vegetables, it's time to give your allspice jar a rest and add some fresh milled spices into the mix. Try this easy method and raise your cooking moxie to new heights. Check it out:

Toast Whole Spices

Start by selecting a variety of whole spices. Today we're using a little mustard seed, cumin, black pepper, annatto, and red chili.

In a shallow, non-stick pan, place your spices over a medium-high heat and toast for a few minutes, until you see just a hint of smoke rising from the pan. Remove the spices from the heat, and empty into a grinder.

Grind the Toasted Spices

There are plenty of spice grinders available out there, but you can also use a simple coffee grinder, which you can pick up for as little as $10 in some stores.

Avoid using the same machine to grind your coffee and spices, however, as the oils from the spices are hard to clean out and can muddy the taste of your coffee. Unless, of course, you like spicy coffee.

Grind for about 30 seconds, set aside for food-prep, and you're all set to go.

Use the Fresh Milled Spices

It's best to use your fresh milled spices right away, while their flavor is at its peak. Mix with a little extra-virgin olive oil and you've got yourself a marinade to die for, or something to dip a chunk of bread in and eat right away.

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