Herbs and Spices
All about various herbs and spices and how best to use them.
Chef Michael Schulson And McCormick Remind Us To Check Our Spices
Don’t forget that even though most spices don’t come with a “use by” date, it’s still a great idea to move older spices out of your cupboard. That’s what Chef Michael Schulson and McCormick spice company urges us chefs to do. “If you were wearing leg warmers when you last bought your cinnamon, it’s... »
Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri sauce is an amazingly refreshing concoction of fresh, green herbs, olive oil and garlic, with a few other ingredients thrown in. It is attributed to Argentinian cuisine, which is often overlooked in my opinion, but it seems to have derived oringinally from a basic Genovese Pesto. Since its preparation involves no meat, stock,... »
Make Your Own Chili Powder
I use a lot of mixed spices when I cook, such as Italian spice mix or Herbes de Provence, but ALWAYS make my own chili powder. Not only do I use it in chili, but it also comes in handy as a dry rub for barbecue roasts and for sloppy joe or burrito seasoning. There... »
Herb Butter
I have found that nothing turns a simple dish into something sophisticated more easily than herb butter. It is so easy to make, and has so many variations — as well as so many uses – that it is an absolute must in the repertoire of any cook worth his or her salt. To start, it should... »
For the Love of Basil
I can still remember when my mother first introduced me to the culinary delight that is basil. Her garden had a generous amount of it, and it was easy to smell it even though it was sharing space with chives, mint, sage and other herbs. She pulled off a few leaves, and gave me... »