A Handy Spice Guide
ALLSPICE…is a pea-sized fruit that grows in Mexico, Jamaica, Central and South America. Its delicate flavor resembles a blend of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. USES: (Whole) Pickles, meats, boiled fish, and gravies. (Ground) Puddings, relishes, fruit preserves, baking.
BASIL…dried leaves and stems of an herb grown in the United States and North Mediterranean area. Has an aromatic, leafy flavor. USES: for flavoring tomato dishes and tomato paste, turtle soup; also use in cooked peas, squash, and snap beans; sprinkle chopped over lamb chops and poultry.
BAY LEAVES…the dried leaves of an evergreen grown in the eastern Mediterranean countries. Has a sweet, herbaceous floral spice note. USES: for pickling, stews, spicing sauces and soup. Also use with a variety of meats and fish.
CARAWAY…is the seed of a plant grown in the Netherlands. The flavor combines the tastes of Anise and Dill. USES: For the cordial Kummel, baking breads; often added to sauerkraut, noodles, cheese spreads. Also adds zest to french fried potatoes, liver, canned asparagus.
CURRY POWDER…is a ground blend of ginger, turmeric, and fenugreek seed, as many as 16 to 20 spices. USES: For all Indian curry recipes such as lamb, chicken and rice, eggs, vegetables, and curry puffs.
DILL…is the small, dark seed of the dill plant grown in India, having a clean, aromatic taste. USES: Dill is a predominant seasoning in pickling recipes; also adds pleasing flavor to sauerkraut, potato salad, cooked macaroni, and green apple pie.
MACE… the dried covered around the nutmeg seed. Its flavor is similar to nutmeg, but with a fragrant, delicate difference. USES: (Whole) For pickling, fish, fish sauce, stewed fruit. (Ground) Delicious in baked goods, pastries and doughnuts, adds unusual flavor to chocolate desserts.
MARJORAM… is an herb of the mint family, grown in France and Chile. Has a mint, sweet flavor. USES: In beverages, jellies and to flavor soups, stews, fish, sauces. It is also excellent to sprinkle on lamb while roasting.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)… is a vegetable protein derivative for raising the effectiveness of natural food flavors. USES: Small amounts, adjusted to individual taste, can be added to steaks, roasts, chops, seafood, stews, soups, chowder, chop suey and cooked vegetables.
OREGANO… is the leaf of a safe bush growing in Italy, Greece and Mexico. USES: An excellent flavoring for any tomato dish, especially Pizza, chili con carne, and Italian specialties.
PAPRIKA… is a mild, sweet, red pepper growing in Spain, Central Europe and the United States. It is slightly aromatic and prized for its brilliant red color. USES: A colorful garnish for pale foods, and for seasoning Chicken Paprika, Hungarian Goulash, salad dressings.
POPPY… is the seed of a flower grown in Holland. Has a rich fragrance and a crunchy, nut-like flavor. USES: Excellent as a topping for breads, rolls and cookies. Also delicious in buttered noodles.
ROSEMARY… an herb (like a curved pine needle) grown in France, Spain, and Portugal, and has a sweet, fresh taste. USES: Used in lamb dishes, soups, stews, and to sprinkle on beef before roasting.
SAGE… is the leaf of a shrub grown in Greece, Yugoslavia and Albania. Flavor is camphoraceous and minty. USES: For meat and poultry stuffing, sausages, meat loaf, hamburgers, stews and salads.
THYME… is the leaves and stems of a shrub grown in France and Spain. It has a strong, distinctive flavor. USES: For poultry seasoning, croquettes, fricassees and fish dishes. It’s also tasty on fresh sliced tomatoes.
TURMERIC… is a root of the ginger family, grown in India, Haiti, Jamaica and Peru, having a mild, ginger-pepper flavor. USES: As a flavoring and coloring in prepared mustard and in combination with mustard as a flavoring for meats, dressings, and salads.
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