Spices & Herbs: what’s the difference? Spices are hot and spicy, and herbs are, well, ‘herby,’ right? Not exactly. Spices come from the seeds of a plant, but herbs come from the leaves or roots. So, juniper, vanilla, coffee, and chocolate, are spices, but not spicy, whereas curry leaves and ginger, though quite spicy, are herbs. A good reason for abandoning the distinction, as I have done in this cookbook. Spices of Life and Herbs, Too! contains 87 recipes, each featuring a different herb or spice (or several), and each with ‘locked-in tastes.’ The book also contains my ‘alphabet’ of spices and herbs, from A to Z, which answers questions such as: Which is the most expensive spice on the planet? Answer: Saffron, which comes from crocuses. And how many crocuses do you need to make a kilo of saffron? Answer: 77,000! Which is the real Spice of Life? Answer: ‘Spice of Life’ is the nickname of Sumac, ground from the fruits of the Rhus tree, sometimes known as the Tree of Heaven. Which is the most popular spice in the world? Answer: Pepper, which comes in many varieties: black, white, pink, red and green. Which spice was considered as valuable as Manhattan? Answer: Nutmeg. The only source of Nutmeg used to be the Banda Islands, now part of Indonesia, Once controlled by the British but coveted by the Dutch, these islands were swapped for Manhattan, which Henry Hudson had already claimed for the Dutch Trading Company. The 1647 treaty gave the British control of the whole Hudson River area, whilst the Dutch gained a monopoly supply of their beloved nutmeg.

In this groundbreaking cookbook, Nina Simonds offers us more than 175 luscious recipes, along with practical tips for a sensible lifestyle, that demonstrate that health-giving foods not only provide pleasure but can make a huge difference in our lives. With her emphasis on the tonic properties of a wide variety of foods, herbs, and spices, this book also brings us up to date on the latest scientific research. In every recipe–gathered from cultures around the world in which good eating is a way of life–Simonds gives us dishes that are both irresistible and have a positive effect on one’s well-being. For example: -Cardamom, a key digestive, subtly seasons her Steamed Asparagus with Cardamom Butter. -Cinnamon, which strengthens the heart and alleviates nervous tension, adds spice to her Fragrant Cinnamon Pork with Sweet Potatoes. -Basil has long been used as a healing salve and in teas. So who wouldn’t feel rejuvenated by a delicious bowlful of Sun-Dried Tomato Soup with Fresh Basil? -Peanuts, which fortify the immune system and lower cholesterol, provide a tasty, crunchy accent in Sichuan Kung Pao Chicken. -Mint, which has many healing properties, from taming muscle spasms to dissolving gallstones, can be relished in Minty Snap Peas accompanying Pan-Roasted Salmon or in a Pineapple Salsa served with Jerk Pork Cutlets. -And peaches give us vitamin C, beta carotene, and fiber. So enjoy them in a wonderful Gingery Peach-a-Berry Cobbler. To help us understand what part these health-restoring foods can play in our lives, Simonds peppers Spices of Life with lively interviews with a variety of experts, including Dr. Jim Duke, who offers anti-aging advice from his Herbal Farmacy; Dr. Andrew Weil, who discusses his latest nutritional findings; and Dr. U. K. Krishna, who explains basic Ayurvedic practices for healthy living. And more. With its delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes and concise health information, this delightful book opens up a whole new world of tastes for us to enjoy every day and to share with family and friends.

50 Herbs and Spices That Will Transform the Way You Cook The key to becoming a skilled home cook isn't about tracking down the perfect recipes or mastering the techniques of professional chefs. It lies in understanding the vast world of flavor, one that can be difficult to navigate. Essential Spices and Herbs introduces you to the 50 must-know herbs and spices that will take your cooking to the next level. Detailed profiles of these game-changing flavors for the modern kitchen include pairing suggestions, complimentary foods, and noted health benefits, plus recipes to put them to use. Acquaint yourself with the aromas and flavors of these fundamental herbs and spices, with: An overview of the healing powers of key herbs and spices Over 100 delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes 10 essential spice mixes to quickly add flavor to any dish A guide to spice and herb combinations by cuisine to celebrate global flavors Informative tips for buying and storing spices and herbs Part reference, part cookbook, Essential Spices and Herbs will guide you along your journey through the magical world of flavor. Recipes include: Cold Bulgarian Cucumber Soup, Roasted Garlic and Brie, Rosemary Grits, Brown Butter-Sage Sauce with Tagliatelle and Pumpkin, Thyme-Stuffed Baked Tomatoes

Herbs & Spices is the essential cook's companion, now redesigned and updated with all new recipes. A classic reference, the best-selling Herbs & Spices is a trusted resource in the kitchen, with more than 200 unique herbs and spices from around the world showcased alongside gorgeous, full-color photography, flavor notes, and pairings. This new, updated edition includes the newest herbs, spices, and flavorings influencing global cuisine today, plus more than 180 recipes for main dishes, marinades, pastas, pickles, and sauces. Part spice cookbook, part kitchen encyclopedia, Herbs & Spices offers handy seasoning how-tos: How to identify and choose the best herbs, spices, and other flavorings. How to prepare and cook with them to ensure you are making the most of their flavors. How to make your own blends, spice rubs, sauces, and more - then customize them for your family's palate. Herbs & Spices is perfect for beginning cooks just setting up a kitchen, foodies exploring the deliciously exotic mash-ups of today's modern cooking, and experts looking for ways to experiment with new flavor combinations. This practical illustrated reference book gives you all the guidance you need to become a master of seasonings and to make tantalizing food from around the world.

Author and herbalist Brittany Wood Nickerson understands that food is our most powerful medicine. In Recipes from the Herbalist’s Kitchen she reveals how the kitchen can be a place of true awakening for the senses and spirit, as well as deep nourishment for the body. With in-depth profiles of favorite culinary herbs such as dill, sage, basil, and mint, Nickerson offers fascinating insights into the healing properties of each herb and then shares 110 original recipes for scrumptious snacks, entrées, drinks, and desserts that are specially designed to meet the body’s needs for comfort, nourishment, energy, and support through seasonal changes. Foreword INDIES Gold Award Winner IACP Cookbook Awards Finalist

Guild of Food Writer’s Awards, Highly Commended in ‘Specialist Subject Cookbook’ category (2022) André Simon Awards shortlisted (2022) "A beautiful book, and one which makes me want to cultivate my garden just as much as scurry to the kitchen." — Nigella Lawson "At its core this book is about cooking, but it's an essential and valuable resource for folk who love to grow their own herbs and cook. Sorted by individual herbs with detailed notes on how to grow and use them, it's going to be a book I will turn to a lot over the years." — Nik Sharma Herb is a plot-to-plate exploration of herbs that majors on the kitchen, with just enough of the simple art of growing to allow the reader to welcome a wealth of home-grown flavours into their kitchen. Author Mark Diacono is a gardener as well as a cook. Packed with ideas for enjoying and using herbs, Herb is much more than your average recipe book. Mark shares the techniques at the heart of sourcing, preparing and using herbs well, enabling you to make delicious food that is as rewarding in the process as it is in the end result. The book explores how to use herbs, when to deploy them, and how to capture those flavours to use when they might not be seasonally available. The reader will become familiar with the differences in flavour intensity, provenance, nutritional benefits and more. Focusing on the familiars including thyme, rosemary, basil, chives and bay, Herb also opens the door to a few lesser-known flavours. The recipes build on bringing your herbs alive – whether that’s a quickly swizzed parsley pesto when short of time on a weekday evening, or in wrapping a crumbly Lancashire cheese in lovage for a few weeks to infuse it with bitter earthiness. With a guide to sowing, planting, feeding and propagating herbs, there are also full plant descriptions and their main culinary affinities. Mark then looks at various ways to preserve herbs including making oils, drying, vinegars, syrups and freezing, before offering over 100 innovative recipes that make the most of your new herb knowledge.

Spices are universally recognized as a source of flavor and aromatics, but in cultures around the world, these plant parts have a long history as source of medicine. In Spice Apothecary, author Bevin Clare combines her training in herbalism and nutrition to inspire a return to the kitchen spice cabinet for better health and healing. Focusing on 19 common culinary spices that are easy to source and prized for their flavor, this practical guide highlights each spice’s role in supporting wellness goals and delivers creative and impactful ways to incorporate key health-boosting spices into everyday life. To bolster the immune system, chili, garlic, ginger, and mustard are best. Celery seed, parsley, and sage support kidney function, while the respiratory system benefits most from ginger, mint, and thyme. Learn the best way to harness each spice’s medicinal power, the proper way to store spices, and how to determine your daily dose. Then, prepare customized dried spice blends and use them in delicious dips, soups, sauces, and even sweets that deliver flavor and healing. This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.