Inspiration / Spice Information

Japanese cooking can be a daunting enterprise for a western cook with its exotic array of ingredients, methods, and tools. We can’t explain all of that today, but we can give you a crash course on the top 12 flavors you should definitely know to get started! Dry Ingredients To our dismay, you are unlikely to find a spice rack in a traditional Japanese kitchen. Japanese chefs use very few dried herbs or spices, instead developing flavors from fresh ingredients, seaweeds, pastes, and liquid condiments. That being said, there are a few critical dried materials that have become essential to...

Spices and herbs have long been used for medicinal and magical purposes. Many were used this way long before they were used for culinary purposes. Looking back at the history of spices and herbs, some uses seem absurd, while others are now being scientifically proven to be legitimate therapies and cures. One of our favorite parts of the storied history of herbs and spices is the naming that has occurred through the years. Below are some of our favorite 'witch' names for herbs and spices. To see more names click here Fenugreek- Birds Foot or Cows Horn Chamomile- Blood of Hestia ...

A native to Southwest Asia, saffron has had many uses such as seasonings, fragrances, perfumes, dye and medicine. In the kitchen, saffron is most commonly used in soups, stews, as well as seafood dishes such as bouillabaisse and paella. It is also a welcome addition to risotto and other rice-based dishes. Because this spice has long held the title of “most expensive spice by weight’, it may not be found commonly in every kitchens’ spice rack. Saffron Pronunciation Saffron is pronounced /ˈsæfrən/ or /ˈsæfrɒn,  scientific name Crocus sativus. Hear the common saffron pronunciation: What is Saffron? Saffron is part of...

This is going to sound snobby, but it has been at least 10 years since I have had a bottle of commercial salad dressing in my fridge. I find them messy, expensive and odd tasting. Besides, with salad dressing being so easy to make, I prefer to make my own on the spot.  Of course, everyone knows that a bit of good olive oil and vinegar goes a long way, but truly, all salad dressings are almost as easy! My cheat is to buy the premixed salad dressing seasonings from a quality spice shop (The Spice House in Milwaukee has some...