CanadianFoodies.com

Would you like information on:

Spices

Anise: Seed Whole and Ground

Color - brown with tan stripes
Flavor – delightful sweet licorice aroma and taste

Use – Coffee cake, sweet breads, rolls, cookies; fruit compote, stewed apples, preserved fruits, all fruit pie fillings; licorice candies, sweet pickles; beef and veal stew; cottage cheese.

Cinnamon

Available as – Whole, Ground

Whole
Color - light brown
Flavor - distinctive, sweet, spicy

Ground
Color – light brown
Flavor - similar to above, sweeter and slightly stronger

Use – Buns, coffee cake, muffins, spice cake, molasses cookies, butter cookies, cinnamon toast; custards, tapioca, chocolate pudding, rice pudding; fruit pies, broiled grapefruit, apples in any form, stewed fruits, pickled fruits; heated spiced beverages, hot cocoa and chocolate drinks; sweet gherkins; sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash.

Cloves

Available as – Whole, Ground

Whole
Color - dark brown
Flavor – distinctive, spicy, sweet, penetrating

Ground
Color – rich brown
Flavor – sharp, spicy, pungent

Use – Ham, boiled tongue, pork roast; pickled fruits; preserved fruits; stewed fruits; apple, mince and pumpkin pies; beets, baked beans, candied sweet potatoes, squash; hot spiced wines, hot tea; spice cake; sweet gherkins; rice pudding, chocolate pudding, tapioca; bean soup, beef soup, cream of pea soup, cream of tomato soup.

Crushed Red Pepper: Spice

Color – bright red to orange
Flavor – hot

Use – Pizzas; sausages; Italian specialties; wherever heat and spot color are desired.

Nutmeg

Ground Color – copper
Flavor – distinctive, exotic, sweet

Use – Doughnuts; eggnog, custards, puddings; whipped cream, ice cream; fried bananas, stewed fruits; spice cake, coffee cake, cookies, pumpkin pie; steamed and glazed carrots, cabbage, spinach, snap beans, squash, onions, sweet potatoes; meat loaf.

Paprika

Ground Color – red
Flavor – distinctive, very mild

Use РPoultry, ham, goulash, fish, shellfish; salad dressings; vegetables; gravies; cheese, Welsh rabbit; canap̩s; deviled eggs; stuffed celery, cream soups, chicken soup, chowders.

Black Pepper

Whole Color - dark brown
Flavor – distinctive, pleasant spicy bouquet with palate-tingling flavor and enduring after-taste.

Ground Color – varies from cream to black
Flavor – same as above

Use – Almost all foods, except those with sweet flavors. If you are preparing a non-sweet dish that “needs something” try a little pepper first. It is used universally to add sparkle to foods, including: Pickles; soups; poultry, meats; fish; shellfish, game; sauces, gravies, marinades; salads; eggs; cheese spreads; vegetables; spiced vinegar.

Saffron

Available as – Whole and Ground
Color – predominantly maroon
Flavor – distinctive, exotic, concentrated (not strong, yet a little goes a long way)

Use – Rice; rolls, breads, buns; fish stew; bouillabaisse chicken; chicken soup; cakes.

Turmeric

Available as - Whole and Ground
Color – orange (used mostly for its color)
Flavor – mild, slightly bitter

Use – Pickles, relishes, prepared mustards, salad dressings; creamed eggs, fish, seafood; to color rice dishes where saffron is not used.