The Life-giving Variety of Spice

There is an old nursery rhyme....rub a dub dub, three men in a tub.....my version is rub a dub dub, six spices in the tub!

Spices do not necessarily mean palate destroying heat! spices can be about imparting new flavours in a mild or fierce-some way, whichever is your pleasure, but most of all they are about adding new and exciting flavour dimensions to otherwise simple and dare I say it 'bland' foods.


If you like many others at this time of year, are making strides towards changing your style of eating to a much healthier one, spices can be a life saver.

We know how healthful and nutritious a plain steamed piece of fish or chicken is for us, but after a while it will get boring and there's nothing like boredom to make your revert to old habits! Having a blend of spices mixed and on hand ready to go can jazz up many a piece of otherwise boring meat and this 6 spice blend can be used as a marinade, a rub or as a dusting to any meat or fish you have a mind to use it on!

Blend 1.....for a smoky, almost bar-be-que type flavour....good with pork, beef, lamb, fresh tuna, salmon or other oily fish

1 tablespoon garlic granules
2 tablespoons onion granules
1 level teaspoon sea salt
2 level teaspoons ground black pepper
3 tablespoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons chinese 5 spice


Blend 2......for a mild Asian flavour....good with chicken, veal, pork, white fish

1 tablespoon garlic granules
1 level teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon asafoetida powder
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne

you can add 1 teaspoon of chilli powder to either of these blends if you want heat!

Mix the spices together in a bowl then store in a jar with a screw top lid, it's a good idea to label and date your spice blends for future reference!
You can rub the spices all over a piece of meat and let it marinade overnight or in the freezer, you can dust a piece of chicken or fish just before grilling or baking in the oven, or you can even add the spices to some olive or peanut oil with additional herbs and then add meat or chicken pieces for a stir fry.

As my American roots veer more towards the northern states you are more likely to find 'Yankee Pot Roast' on the menu when it comes to 'down home cookin'  but click HERE! for my take on a deep south staple using spice blends......pulled pork!