How-To
What is Spirulina?
Its deep emerald color is one clue that spirulina is one of nature's gems. As this ingredient grows in popularity for its nutritional benefits, more of us are asking, "What is spirulina, anyway?" Spirulina is the common name for two species of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae.
Exotic Hibiscus
Exotic and delicately beautiful, the hibiscus plant is a tall, erect annual cultivated in the tropics and subtropics. There are over 300 species of hibiscus, including Hibiscus abelmoschus (musk-mallow), H.
Bulk Pantry Staples
A well-stocked pantry helps us feel secure in our homes and opens up our from-scratch cooking to more interesting and healthier possibilities. But beyond these obvious benefits, the advantages of buying in bulk also include saving money, reducing waste and enjoying a better, fresher product.
All About Soup
Soups are nourishing, economical, and easy to make. And — whether you're using fresh produce or this week's leftovers — spices can make any soup sensational, too! Ask someone about his or her favorite food when the temperatures drop and the flurries threaten to fly, and chances are good that a lot of them are going to say soup.
Cooking with Bay Leaf
The noble bay laurel (Laurus nobilis, in fact) harkens back to ancient Greece, when kings were crowned with wreaths of bay and Olympic champions were awarded bay garlands. No less renowned today, bay laurel has been named The International Herb Association’s Herb of the year for 2009.
Warm Spices
You know a warm spice when you meet one, whether you smell it wafting through the kitchen or taste it in a stew. That deep aroma and strong taste makes any dish richer.
Relax with Chamomile
German v. Roman Chamomile German chamomile has been classified by botanists as Matricaria recutital, M.
Chinese Cuisine
The art of balance is apparent in every authentic Chinese dish — the cold and the hot, the sweet and the sour, the subtle and the pungent. And while the exotic, full flavors of Chinese cooking make a dish seem indulgent, at its core it's a frugal cuisine — making use of local, in-season foods and on-hand ingredients.
Baking Flavors & Extracts 101
In some recipes, using a flavor extract or flavor is easier and yields a tastier, more uniform result than adding the actual ingredient itself. For example, almond flavor might be preferable to using chopped almonds in some breads, cakes or cookies.
Practical Peppermint
A hardy perennial—watch out or it’ll take over the garden! — peppermint is a cross between spearmint and watermint. Its botanical name is Mentha x piperita, after a Greek nymph who was transformed into a plant, but you’ve most likely heard it called simply “mint.
