Articles by Topic | Articles by date

Allspice
Allspice is a popular spice in Caribbean and Latin savory dishes as well as in desserts. Today, allspice is enjoyed by most cultures around the world. The flavor is akin to a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with a hint of juniper berry. Learn about allspice, and get some cooking tips before delving into the allspice recipes.

Cinnamon and Cassia
All about cinnamon and cassia: history, selection, storage, usage, and plenty of recipes to try.

Coriander
Coriander generally refers to the seeds of the cilantro herb. Confusion reigns because in some areas, the herb is also referred to as coriander. Learn about coriander, how to store it, get some cooking tips, and then jump into the recipes.

Ginger
Ginger can add a wonderful zing to all types of dishes, from salads to entrees. Put a little zest into your life with ginger by learning its history and some innovative uses shown in the featured recipes.

Herbs
Index of articles about herbs, including edible flowers, thyme, rosemary, and chives.

Mustard and Mustard Seeds
Most of us are used to standard yellow prepared mustard, but there are many wonderful varieties of seeds and prepared mustards to experiment with. Mustard is the second most-used spice in the USA. Find out why and how to make your own at home.

Nutmeg and Mace
Two spices from one seed, but can be toxic. Learn the history of nutmeg and delve into the treasure trove of recipes.

Paprika
If you've been hiding paprika in your cabinet simply to add last minute color to dishes, you're missing a lot! Paprika in large amounts lends not only color, but fabulous flavor to many different foods including meats, vegetables, and sauces.

Pepper and Peppercorns
We take it for granted, but the vast majority of savory recipes include some form of black pepper as an ingredient. Learn about the history of peppercorns, varieties, and check out some of the many recipes.

Saffron
The tiniest amount of saffron goes a long way. So in spite of it being the world's most expensive spice, it is still within the budget of the home cook.

Salt
Common and not so common. Find out about the many different types of salt and cooking applications such as encrusted meats, pickling, curing and more.

Spice Blends
Make your own mixes and adjust flavors to suit your personal needs, plus recipes from curry powders to dessert mixes.

Spice & Herb Chart
What herbs and spices go with specific foods? Here's a quick reference chart to help you choose herbs and spices for specific dishes.

Spice Mix Chart
This handy chart gives basic ingredients for some widely-used spice blends.

Spice Pantry Basics
If you are just setting up house, you'll need to keep some basic herbs and spices on hand to be prepared for any recipe. You'll also find links to other pantry basics such as condiments, various food staples, and refrigerator/freezer items to keep stocked in your kitchen.

Spice Substitution Chart
Check this chart for substitutions for various spices.

Turmeric
Turmeric is often confused with and substituted for the more expensive saffron, because not only does it have a very strong flavor, it also turns foods a golden yellow color. Turmeric is frequently misspelled as tumeric, omitting the first letter r. Learn about this pungent spice and how to use it in a variety of recipes.