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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 187
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Does anyone know if there is a book on the market that explains spices, where they come and what to use them in when cooking? I have been doing my own plain cooking since 1958 and I'd like to try something besides cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, dry mustard, cream of tartar and salt and pepper. My cooking has been boring for a long time.
Thanks in advance.
Gryphon's Lair
Gryphon's Lair
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 3528
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I went to Amazon.com and searched for spices - several books came up. Try that and see if one of them may be what you're looking for.
Enjoy and if you need a taste tester, let me know - pepper is fancy for me ! HA
Molly, Murphy and Me are ready to be free !!!
Trudy, Molly & Murphy
"be the kind of person your dog thinks you are"
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 233
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You could read though some recipes that sound good to you and write down what spices they call for. If you have a near by Food Coop or Whole Foods grocery store they sell spices in bulk. You can just buy a little bit of each spice you need & put in a little baggie, it isn't expensive at all this way.
A recipe we enjoy is to take one 15 oz.can of black beans, saute 1/2 of an onion in a little (1 teaspoon) of good olive oil, you can add some of the juice from the can of beans so they don't stick. When onion is soft, add the beans and rest of juice from the can. Let this simmer about 20 minutes and add 1 teaspoon of ground Coriander and 1 teaspoon of ground Cumin, 1/2 teas. of good balsamic vinigar and a drop of Tabasco. Cook another 10 minutes for spices to blend. This is good served with corn bread. You can also add a couple of the pre-cooked chicken sausauges cut in pieces at the beginning. They have nice a great selection by the fresh meat section at Whole Foods. You can cook a couple and freeze the others for later.
Redetotry
Redetotry
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Joined: 3/16/2009
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Knorr spices has just come out with Cilantro cubes and Chipolte cubes (like the chicken and beef bouillon cubes).. We are adding those to our soups...and Ummm Ummm...does it ever add a lot!!
Joella
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 233
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Joella, Thanks for the tip, cilantro and chipolte cubes sound great I'll look for them at the store.
Redetotry
Redetotry
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 124
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I found this web site to be useful. http://www.mccormick.com/content.cfm?ID=11937
So sorry, I do not know how to insert a web site so it is 'live'.
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 124
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Gosh, I guess I do know how. In the message as I was typing it did not look like it was active and then when I posted it was.
Also, someone mentioned balsamic vinegar. I really like using this and another favorite is nutmeg. You can use it on meats, fruits, sauces and hot breakfast cereals.
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 187
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Thanks, Casadedi. That website was exactly what I was looking for. It's going to be very helpful.
Gryphon's Lair
Gryphon's Lair
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 1075
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We are not full timers------- & so I always have a large herb garden in season at home-----& grow most all of the herbs we use----- & I dry them & put some of them in small containers for the 5th wheel for when we travel ------I'm vegetarian & use lots of herbs in my cooking!
I also have a large mint bed & I dry all that mint-- & use it as our mint tea to drink either hot or cold!
I don't do well with anything but herbal teas!!!!!!
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Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 18
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Here are three websites which explain the history and uses of most herbs and spices:
www.yankeegrocery.com/spice_mill/yhspgloss.html
www.cnn.com/HEALTH/indepth.food/herbs/chart.html
www.deancoleman.com/herbs.htm
The above websites are informative, but for the actual herbs and spices, try www.penzeys.com Penzey's offers excellent selection, prices, and customer service; you won't be disappointed!
If you're an "herb and spice novice", I suggest selecting the smallest containers of a few basics to try out, i.e., the 1/4 cup plastic container. (This is usually a bit more than 1 oz.) I also suggest requesting a catalog.
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