The luscious recipes in The Spice Kitchen: Flavorful Recipes from Around the World are so infused with flavor that the pages themselves seem aromatic. Author Michal Haines writes, "Over the years my kitchen has played the role of home base while I traveled the world of different cuisines via spices, learning about their unique roles in different culinary traditions." With pages in The Spice Kitchen opened, the reader will travel with Haines to discover the evocative recipes of the silk road in the home kitchen. These are adventurous recipes garnered from around the world, each tempting to the taste buds. Even the names Haines has chosen for her recipes are evocative and inspired.
Haines has organized not merely with cooking in mind, but also with awareness of the day-to-day changes in our lives. Since it was her own home kitchen that inspired her to travel the world via spices, Haines understands that we all adapt to time: one day may be frenetic and leave little time for the kitchen, while another day may be long and lazy day allowing for more elaboration and more creativity. One day we may party at home, on another day pack a lunch to eat al fresco. Understanding that time is variable, she has organized her chapters with life-styles in mind.
Mezze - a flavorful way to introduce new dishes or have a stand-out party. There are recipes such as Spiced Asparagus Dip - with mint, fennel & cumin, Spice-crusted Peanut Nibbles - with coriander, turmeric, fennel and chiles, Istanbul Street Mussels - with allspice, cinnamon, fennel, cloves and bay leaves.
Mid-week Speed -These recipes are to speed you through the kitchen with a minimum of fuss. What better time to understand spices. You'll find recipes such as Watermelon, Cumin Seed & Fennel Salad, Buffalo Mozzarella Fritters with Red Salad, Young Ginger with Shrimp
Portable Feasts - Based on the street food that is part of almost every culture's cuisine, you'll pack a lunch or head for a picnic at the beach with recipes such as Vietnamese Baguettes- with cinnamon and chiles among other flavors , Armenian Street Bread, topped with garlic, cumin, and chili lamb, or Spicy Rolled Indian Omelets - with chile, cilantro, cumin and coriander seeds.
Asian Feasting - For either a main course, or for a few shared courses, there are recipes such as Thai Super Snacks - with mint and garlic, Vietnamese Dinner Noodles - with cilantro and mint, Siamese Mussaman Chicken Curry - with lemongrass, cilantro, cumin and coriander.
Luxury Sundays - Here are recipes such as Tequila -fueled blackened Chicken with Red Beans, flavored with paprika, oregano and chiles, Italian Braised Squid - with garlic, fennel, coriander seeds and chiles, Andalusian Roasted Lamb - with cinnamon, allspice, bay leaves, nutmeg, Spicy Chocolate Ginger-Tart - with fennel, caraway, ginger.
Spiced Nights - Find recipes such as Eggplant Rolls with Honey, Mint, and Sesame Seeds, Seville duck with Oranges and Olives, flavored with cinnamon, rosemary, oregano and coriander, Betrothal Rice Pudding, a classic in Afghanistan and sweetened with cardamom, raisins, rose water, Saffron Pistachio Parfait.
Winter Blues - Find recipes such as Winter Blues Thai Soup flavored with lemongrass, galangal, chili, lime and coconut milk, Southern Black Bean Soup with cilantro, garlic, cumin, coriander and chiles, Mixed Spice Bread with a variety of spice road spices, Ricotta Prune Tart with nutmeg and allspice.
Dinner at the Yees - The author's Chinese family contributes Licorice Chicken and Bean-curd Parcels, tender and savory with fennel, cardamom, cinnamon, and coriander, Fragrant Orange Pagoda Beef, flavored with red pepper, Szechuan peppercorns garlic, chile and ginger, Simple Ginger Shrimp
Baked Treats - Sweetness reigns in recipes such as Ginger Ninja Bread, Date Marsala Buttermilk Cake super-fast Polenta Orange Cake.
Drink it In - An assortment of flavored drinks to top off the meal. Try Red Pagoda with licorice, vodka, orange and soda water, Sweet Hit a mix of strawberries, peppercorns and vodka, Summer raspberry Vanilla Ratafia with merlot, vodka or rum, vanilla, orange and raspberries.
Kingly Condiments - chutneys and jams flavor even the darkest winter day. Try Slow Mango and Clove Chutney, Yellow Ginger Pickle, Patient Date and Lemon Chutney, or Orange and Ginger chutney.
This is a sweet and savory book with innovative, and highly aromatic recipes. Haines has a glossary and there are color photos throughout by Jacqui Blanchard. Whether you are an expert or a connoisseur, you will use up those spices on your shelf, not throw them out.
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