My Secret Spice Rub

Plus the cheapest, easiest, most practical, sustainable way to buy spices

Hello beautiful souls! It's me, your cheerleader, willing you on to make badass delicious choices every week that nourish your toes and your tonsils.

As we skulk from summer into autumn, Ayurvedic spices can feel earthing and life-affirming which is exactly what I need to help sooth this transition (aside from an acreage of pinot noir and CBD on tap, obvs). Spices such as cinnamon and clove conjure the air around me in a form of spellbinding magic. My nostrils do an all-consuming Macarena as I inhale a whole lot of happiness that only food chemists could explain. Without these toasty Ayurvedic spices (and the trusty assistants as outlined above) I would find it hard to relinquish summer.

So this week's recipe will help you feel grounded yet simultaneously lifted. We use it to rub on meat or tempeh steaks, or let it stew with creamy white beans, onion and courgette. Throw in a few slices of raw chilli to get your veins beating like a voodoo drum (I leave it out for my youngest). As we discovered last week, these devious little vegetables raise our body temperature and help to release natural endorphins to keep our blood gurgling with excitement.

This spice rub might look extensive, but it is outrageously tasty and delighty. The underlying vibe is deeply comforting and warm, like a mother's hug. Or peeing in a wetsuit. (Kidding! I've mostly never ever done that).

To save on plastic and on finances, your local refill centre will sell these spices by weight. The Source in Rathmines, and Pax Wholefoods in Westport both deliver plastic-free all over Ireland. You might like to order your spices from them, if you don't live near a refill store (here’s a map of Irish refill stores to help you find one).

Zero waste shopping, The Source Rathmines

And if you're in the market for making your very own chai spice for coffee, cakes and hot chocolate, then here's my fool-proof recipe (you can screen shot it before I delete my website as part of my transition to Substack). I use it to make Selena Martin’s legendary vegan cinnamon rolls from Wild Sage Bakery in Kerry. The recipe uses aqua faba, and a hefty dose of genius.

Chai spice, to fuel your battery and your hot chocolates this autumn

// Persian Spice Rub //

To store in a jar;