What's in Your Spice Rack?

There's only eight week left before Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season. Do you know what's in your spice rack?
How long has that big container of nutmeg been sitting in the back of all of the other spices?
Is your baking powder, baking soda and cream of tartar fresh?
Don't wait until cooking day before you find out that you need yeast.
It is said that spices should be bought in small quantities. And that you should replenish spices every three to six months.
Another thing that you might want to do is go to that new ethnic market that just opened in your neighborhood. See what kind of spices they have on hand. You might find something that will update the recipes that you've been using for years. Or you may find that certain ingredient that you've been looking for for that recipe you put away a long time ago.
I visited a spice store in Philadelphia that sold smoked paprika and smoked salt. Both are ingredients that go well in a lot of dishes that I make and will never be without.
At any rate, spend some time smelling and asking questions about new spices. It's fun.

Top Chef 3

Well, CJ is finally off Top Chef. Do you think the judges on Top Chef read my blog about CJ? He had some good moments but not lately. Now he can think about his trip to Italy and maybe learn how to make broccolini right. And speaking of cooking. How many times has Brian made a raw fish dish?
Has anyone noticed the reaction that Hung gives any time someone criticizes his dish. The expression on his face, how his eyebrow goes up and how he speaks so fast...I fear he will take one of his chef knives and do a quick chop on someone.
I am seriously thinking that this Top Chef 3 will not produce a real Top Chef, just someone who will fill the job because they didn't have any choice. The only one who may win this is Casey. Does anyone agree?

Top Chef

OK, so Howie finally got the ax. I can't believe it took this long. He clearly was not a person who got along with anyone in the kitchen. And his whining was really getting on my nerves. But I am sure we will see him again.
Now, for the rest of the contestants... why is Hung still on the show? He brags about everything he makes being so good, yet he fails to WOW the judges. And CJ is skating by with OK food, yet he is still there. I just don't get it.
Chef Tom said that to win this competition, the contestants had to create dishes that was unique and original. Yet it seems like as Hung said, the dishes are just a spin of old dishes with a personal touch added. I can do that!
Hopefully in the upcoming challenges, we will see something new in the dishes that the chefs are putting out.
By the way: Is it just me or does anyone else agree that you should put your utensils down first before you put your hands up?