Toast Your Spices

"It really opens up the flavor of the spices and gives the dish
a delicious warm, earthy quality. This trick works with any spice:
ground ones like curry powder or whole spices like cumin seeds or
cinnamon sticks. It's a simple way to maximize flavor. Just toast
them in a little bit of olive oil for a few seconds before adding
the other ingredients."

-Food Network Magazine December 2010