Roasting spices, nuts or flour requires even more vigilance than frying. To roast, first heat your thick-bottomed frying pan, then add the spices or nuts, shaking the pan continuously. The spices or nuts are done when they are deep brown but not burnt. Spices can then be ground with a mortar and pestle or in an electric coffee grinder or blender. Store ground spices in an airtight container away from light.