One thing I love about summer is the abundance of flowers growing in the yard. However, there is only one that I can not do without… Lavender. It grows so beautifully here in the Pacific …
Sunflower Seeds Know Your Herbs and Spices
Sunflowers come in all colors and sizes. But not all seeds are fit for human consumption. This was the first year I attempted to grow sunflowers at the new house. I never grew these giants …
Hops #KnowYourHerbsAndSpices
First thing most people think of when they hear the word, “hops” is beer. Hops is added to beer to create a certain amount of bitterness. Most people are on one side of the fence …
Homemade Spice Jars
Homemade Spice Jars I love Starbucks Frappuccinos and often buy them when I am traveling or even just to have at home. I also keep every single jar which drives my husband crazy. I am …
Wasabi Know Your Herbs and Spices
Wasabi is also known as Japanese Horseradish. Its use originated in Japan where it grows wild and in other parts of Asia. Wasabi is presently cultivated in these regions as well as in the west …
Vanilla Know Your Herbs and Spices
Vanilla: 6 beans (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Did you know that vanilla beans are seed pods from orchids? Quite misleading but true! The vanilla plant grows as a vine. Growing and processing this orchid is labor …
Turmeric Know Your Herbs and Spices
Turmeric is a tropical spice mainly grown in India. It is one of the main ingredients in curry powder, giving it its deep yellow color. It is also often used to color yellow mustard. Be …
Thyme Know Your Herbs and Spices
Thyme is one of those herbs that goes well with everything. You can find it in so many dishes. Use this herb as a natural choice for tomato based sauces, vegetables, herb dressings, rubs and …
Tarragon Know Your Herbs and Spices
French tarragon is the common name for the more used variety of Russian tarragon. The tender slender leaves of the perennial are sometimes used as salad greens. Tarragon is one of the four herbs (tarragon, …
Taco Seasoning Know Your Herbs and Spices
Taco Seasoning is a blend of spices that complicate beef, chicken, veggies and even homemade chips. Use it for tacos, fajitas, quesadillas and more. Here is a basic recipe sharing common ingredients found in most …
Star Anise Know Your Herbs and Spices
Star Anise is a star-shaped, dark brown pod that contains a pea-size seeds. Native to China, star anise comes from a small evergreen tree. The whole pod is dried before use. Star anise gives a …
Spearmint Know Your Herbs and Spices
Spearmint is one of my favorite herbs. I always have a patch growing just outside my kitchen window. It is a fast spreading herb and needs to be thinned frequently. Fortunately I love it so …
Shallots Know Your Herbs and Spices
Shallots are in the Allium family which includes onions and garlic. Although shallots grow in a cluster like garlic with individual cloves, they have a much milder flavor more like green onions. Buy bulbs with …
Sesame Seeds Know Your Herbs and Spices
I’ve been familiar with sesame seeds and used them in a variety of dishes for some time. I can honestly say until now I didn’t know from what kind of plant they originate. The scientific …
Serrano Peppers Know Your Herbs and Spices
Serrano peppers pack a punch for their size. I run across this specific pepper listed in recipes which usually are served cold like salads and salsas. They are typically eaten raw and have a bright …
Seafood Boil Know Your Herbs and Spices
Seafood Boil speaks for both the seasoning blend and the meal. Everything gets cooked in one pot. Shellfish potatoes, corn on the cob are all favorites at the table. Shrimp, crayfish, crabs, lobsters are cooked …
Summer Savory Know Your Herbs and Spices
Summer Savory is one of those herbs you may have heard about but are not sure how to use. This herb is more widely used in Canada and Europe than the U.S. You can use …
Salt Free Mixes Know Your Herbs and Spices
photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net Spices And Herbs” by artur84 Salt-free herb and spice mixes try to mimic the way salt enhances foods. Salt is a mineral and minerals in foods are where flavor originate. Minerals …
Saigon Cinnamon Know Your Herbs and Spices
Cinnamon is one of the most celebrated spices in the world. Western cultures use cinnamon to flavor baked goods, puddings, candies and cereals. European countries use it to season soups, sauces, meats and pasta dishes. …
Sage Know Your Herbs and Spices
Most people think of sage when preparing stuffing to accompany their Thanksgiving turkey. This herb also works with fatty meats like pork and is used in making sausage. This herb has thick, soft leaves that …