Herbs & Spices

Cool Facts About Basil

June 23, 2011
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Basil is by far my most favorite herb in the world.  I use it in everything from pesto to tomato sauce to salads. I even make little bouquets of flowers mixed in with purple and green basil sprigs. Here some cool things I learned about my lover: Basil ! Cool Facts About Basil: 1. Basil [...]

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7 Facts About Peppercorns

June 2, 2011
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1. Black Pepper is produced from immature green berries that are briefly fermented and then dried until it becomes wrinkled and dark brown to black in color. 2. Ground pepper looses its aroma quickly so you should only purchase whole peppercorns and grind them as needed. 3. Black pepper has a pungent fruity fragrance and [...]

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Red Pepper Flakes or Dried Chili

May 30, 2011
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Red Pepper flakes are the dry seeds from the hot chili peppers.  They get their pungent bite from the presence of capsaicin, the component that stimulates circulation and the digestive process inducing perspiration. for Recipes & Inspiration * indicates required Email Address *   First Name   Close

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7 Cool Facts About garlic

May 25, 2011
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How sad would life be without garlic ?!  I mean can you really imagine living without garlic ? No more garlic bread, no more shrimp scampi… That would be a sad, sad existence for me. Here are 7 Cool Facts About Garlic: 1. Garlic used to be called Russian penicillin & given to soldiers in [...]

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7 Facts About Star Anise

May 23, 2011
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1. Star Anise is the fruit of a Chinese magnolia tree and is Native to Vietnam and southern China. The fruits are picked before ripening and sun-dried to develop their aroma. 2. Star Anise has a rusty color and the shape of an irregular star. It probably is the prettiest spice out there. 3. Star [...]

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7 Cool Facts About Nutmeg

May 21, 2011
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Can you imagine the holidays without nutmeg ? Not me! I love it in my eggnog, late and my super creamy Alfredo sauce, and I have it in my spice cabinet year round. Here are 7 Cool Facts About Nutmeg: 1. In very large quantities nutmeg has a hallucinogenic effect. It is a highly aromatic [...]

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7 Facts About Bay Leaves

May 20, 2011
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1. Bay leaves are used to give a distinctive flavor to soups, stews, marinades and pickling solutions. Add them at the beginning of cooking and remove before serving. 2. Fresh bay leaves have a mild flavor and dried leaves have a fully developed peppery flavor with floral undertones . 3. Dried bay leaves should have [...]

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7 Cool Facts About Vanilla Beans

May 20, 2011
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Who doesn’t like vanilla ? Vanilla ice cream, vanilla cupcakes, vanilla cotton candy, vanilla late, vanilla Tiramisu – Vanilla must be the most popular flavor on Planet Earth. It is my favorite and probably yours too! Here are some cool facts I dug up about those beans: 7 Cool Facts About Vanilla Beans 1. A [...]

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7 Facts About Whole Cloves

May 19, 2011
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Spices and herbs, what would we do without them in our kitchens…? I would be lost no doubt, and that is why I like to always have a little bit of everything on hand. Just like Perfume, when it comes to spices a little bit goes a long way ! Here are some cool facts [...]

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7 Facts About Saffron

May 18, 2011
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Risotto, eggs, mushrooms and seafood, they all love being kissed by little saffron threads. I have a tiny jar of it in my spice cabinet that I like to pull out for a special occasion, like this Shellfish Risotto lunch with my girlfriends. Here are 7 Facts About Saffron -the most precious spice in the [...]

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