If you’ve never used fresh turmeric before, be careful—it can stain clothing and surfaces and leave your fingers with a golden hue. The roots look a bit thinner than gingeroot, but when you snap it open, the color is as beautiful as the bright orange color of a sunrise or sunset. In recent years there have been quite a few… Read More
Ethiopian Berbere
Have you tried Ethiopian food? Packed with rich and flavorful spices, you’re sure to love it. I’m starting a series of posts with a primer on a few building blocks to many Ethiopian dishes. Think of them as vignettes on making an Ethiopian meal. First, an integral ingredient used in Ethiopian cuisine is berbere (behr-ba-rry), a ground Ethiopian spice… Read More
My Masala Dabba
Last year I decided to invest in a simple tool found in virtually every home in India. I bought a masala dabba or Indian spice box, a simple yet clever way to organize spices. A round stainless steel tin with a tight-fitting solid or glass lid, a masala dabba typically holds seven or more smaller… Read More
Za’atar
Known as the” King of Herbs” in the Middle East, za’atar is both a class of herbs and an aromatic and alluring blend of spices. Za’atar, the spice blend, is such an incredibly versatile mix of spices that it is easily one of my favorites. I’m sure many of you may be familiar with it… Read More