Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Spices

On my way to a second vaccine shot today I stopped in Sayville to pick up spices at one of my favorite stores (Sayville 'n Spice). They had some spices I've never tried before, like Berbere, Shichimi Togarashi, and Tuxedo Sesame Seeds. It's fun to experiment with new ones. Have you heard of these?

And I got some more good news -- the owner says they're adding cheese to their selection of spices and hot sauces. Now I have another reason to return. I love cheese more than anything!

14 comments:

  1. I'm a Spice Fanatic! My Spice Drawer is filled to capacity... enough so I have a Cupboard filling up too! I like to try new things, Variety is indeed the 'Spice' of Life... pun intended. *winks*

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    1. Good for you! And you remind me: I need to create more space in my kitchen for these new spices. :)

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  2. I have never heard of those spices! What do you use them for? I grew up in a household that put salt and pepper on the table, but they were only "for show."

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    1. Flavor. Spices add flavor. Berbere is a spice mixture used in Ethiopian food; it includes chili peppers, coriander, garlic, ginger, basil, korarima, rue, ajwain or radhuni, nigella, and fenugreek. Shichimi Togarashi is a blend of seven spices used in Japanese cooking.

      I find that long-existing foreign cuisines have figured out which individual spices mix well with others. Buying a Greek, Indian or African blend helps us replicate flavors from those cuisines in sort of a short-cut.

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  3. Mmmm sounds delicious!

    My spice cabinet is overflowing, but greatly used. I recently added a Cajun blend I've wanted to put on everything.

    I like hot sauces, but prefer opportunities to taste. I've only ever bought a few actual size bottles and used the whole way through.

    Cheese?! Cheese!! Would absolutely keep me coming back.

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    1. I still dream about these little herbed garlic soft cheese balls my chef uncle served at his wife's business grand opening.

      It was so beyond my teenaged taste at the time (very girly), but the snack table was divine.

      He had said it had some French complicated name so I've never found them again but I certainly enjoy trying ;D

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    2. Food can be a major joy in life. Spices and flavor enhance its possibilities. I learned this only after leaving behind a childhood of blandness.

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  4. The spices are my favorite thing~
    Thanks for share with us

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  5. How delectably wonderful! Love the selection you picked up.

    Berbere is so wonderfully interwoven into the culinary bedrock of Ethiopian cuisine. If you enjoy lentils and chickpeas, it partners especially nicely, IMO, with both of those hearty ingredients. (It's also great, IMO, as a coating for roasted nuts.)

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Great. It's new to me so I plan to experiment.

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  6. Oooh, exciting!!! I have a selection of herbs and spices but am always intrigued to try others. I like having fresh herbs too.
    Mmmmm....cheeeeese!!!! I love Epoisses, Brie-de-Meaux and the smelly soft cheeses (not so keen on blue)

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  7. No, haven't heard of this so thanks for sharing! And yes, definitely get a bunch of cheeses and report back! Cheese is the reason I could never be vegan. ;)

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    1. Ditto. I have no trouble cutting meat out of my diet but cheese? Never!

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  8. Spices and cheese sounds like a delightful combination. It seems like you have some taste exploring to do.

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