Recommendations for spice rubs that work well with Indian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Spice rubs are a great way to add complex and exciting flavors to your dishes, especially when it comes to ethnic cuisines.
In this blog post, we’ll explore different spice rubs that work well with three popular types of cuisine, namely Indian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern, and suggest some recipes to try at home.
Indian Spice Rubs
- Indian cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors. Some of the most common spices used in Indian cooking include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. Here are some dishes and spice rub blends that work well with Indian cuisine:
- Tandoori chicken: To make a tandoori spice rub, combine coriander, cumin, turmeric, paprika, and garam masala. Rub the spice blend onto chicken and grill or bake until cooked through.
- Chana masala: A spice rub for chana masala could include cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and chili powder. Add the spice blend to a chickpea curry and serve over rice.
- Saag paneer: To make a spice rub for saag paneer, mix together cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. Rub the spice blend onto cubes of paneer cheese and fry until golden brown.
Mexican Spice Rubs
- Mexican cuisine is all about bold and vibrant flavors, with a focus on chili peppers, cumin, and coriander. Here are some dishes and spice rub blends that work well with Mexican cuisine:
- Carne asada: A spice rub for carne asada could include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. Rub the spice blend onto steak and grill to perfection.
- Tacos al pastor: To make a spice rub for tacos al pastor, combine chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, and achiote powder. Rub the spice blend onto sliced pork shoulder and grill or roast until cooked through.
- Chili con carne: A spice rub for chili con carne could include chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano. Add the spice blend to ground beef, beans, and tomatoes for a hearty and flavorful chili.
Middle Eastern Spice Rubs
- Middle Eastern cuisine is all about spices such as cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cardamom, which add warmth and depth of flavor to dishes. Here are some dishes and spice rub blends that work well with Middle Eastern cuisine:
- Falafel: A spice rub for falafel could include cumin, coriander, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Add the spice blend to chickpea flour and fry until golden brown.
- Shawarma: To make a spice rub for shawarma, mix together cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and cinnamon. Rub the spice blend onto sliced chicken or lamb and grill or roast until cooked through.
- Hummus: A spice rub for hummus could include cumin, coriander, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Add the spice blend to chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic for a flavorful and creamy dip.
Making your own spice rubs at home is easy and can be a fun way to experiment with different flavors. Simply mix together your desired spices in a bowl, then rub onto meat, fish, or vegetables before cooking.
With a little experimentation, you can create your own unique spice blends that work well with your favorite types of cuisine.