spices – in thriver words

Enjoy Something Spicy

As we approach the new year, maybe it’s time to enjoy something spicy! This year’s stockings were filled with spices. I guess Santa knows we don’t want a bland 2025.

My current favorite is New York Shuk Shawarma. It contains Coriander seeds, cumin, paprika, turmeric, garlic, spices, sunflower oil, & salt. (Fortunately, I use this in small enough quantities that the sunflower oil doesn’t seem to cause any adverse effects.) I find myself sprinkling it into many dishes I wouldn’t normally season with cumin. Somehow it adds just the note I want.

I also received a blend from Penzeys called Revolution. It’s made of flake salt, Tellicherry black pepper, cane sugar, turmeric, orange peel and coriander. The predominant flavor is pepper. The orange peel gives it a festive touch appropriate for the holidays.

My son prefers the shit from Big Cock Ranch. His favorite is Good Shit, but he also uses No Shit (salt free), Bull Shit, Aw Shit, and Chicken Shit. He’s not big on Special Shit though.

You can buy the blends separately or in gift packs like Box o’ Sh*t, Get Your Sh*t Together, Shit Load, Give a Shit, and The Whole Shit and Kaboodle. They used to have a Sack of Shit. Not sure that’s available anymore.

Big Cock Ranch also offers BBQ Shit BBQ sauce and three pepper sauces packaged together as Lil’ Shits. The fun continues with Hot Shit hot sauce and Dip Shit seasoning for vegetables or fruit.

You may remember that I started the year gorging on black garlic. I’m still liking it enough that I gave some purée as gifts.

While Christmas is over for this year, we’re about to embark on another year of birthdays, anniversaries, and other gifting opportunities. Spices are excellent gifts for many occasions. Additional spices I consider gift worthy are Penzeys Mignonette Pepper and their Pure Vanilla Extract (single or double strength); smoked paprika, Maldon, whole vanilla beans, Turkish bay leaves, and Vietnamese cinnamon.

If you use and reuse tins, SpiceWalla packaging may appeal. Founded by a James Beard award winning chef, you won’t lack for fresh, quality, diverse choices when you gift this brand. Don’t miss the blends that are collaborations with rapper T-Pain, Billy D’s Fried Chicken, Island Creek Oysters, Caroline Schiff, and more.

Perhaps you’d rather give herbs than spices. Packages of basil, oregano, sage, thyme, cilantro, or mint seeds make a great gift for the gardeners in your life. They’re small, easy to ship or carry and they add delight to a plate.

I see no reason to save spiciness for the end of the year. Why not give herbs and spices now so we can enjoy something spicy as we begin 2025? I plan to!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Pa-Pa-Paprika!

Pa-pa-paprika! My favorite spice right now is smoked pimetón. That feels a little odd because most of my cooking life I’ve only used paprika as a garnish on deviled eggs or potato salad. Now, I’m allowing it to star in lots of dishes.

This trend began when I used the spice on some baked chicken legs a couple of weeks ago. The smokiness added that little something that makes you come back for another bite. Since then, I find myself repeatedly reaching for the tin of Pimetón de la Vera.

Made from dried and ground red peppers, paprika can be used to add color to a dish without overpowering other flavors. In the US, the peppers used for this spice are primarily grown in California and tend to have a mild flavor.

The paprika I’m using, Pimetón de la Vera, is the most common Spanish variety. It’s dried using wood which gives it a distinct smoky flavor. I’ve chosen a spicy (picante) version for a little kick, but Spanish paprika is also available in mild (dulce) and medium spice (agridulce). I’m loving the smokiness, but if that’s not your thing look for Pimetón de Murcia. It’s made with bola or ñora peppers that are sun or kiln dried.

Paprika most commonly uses peppers of the capsicum variety that were originally cultivated from wild peppers native to Central Mexico. Because of trade between the New World and Old World, they arrived in Spain in the 16^th century. The peppers and resulting spice then made their way to Central Europe through the Balkans during the Ottoman conquests. By the 19^th century, paprika had become quite popular in Hungary.

Hungarian paprika tends to be milder and sweeter than Spanish paprika and comes in several grades. Regional varieties in Hungary are not all bright red. Some lean toward muted orange or brown. Paprika is included in Hungarian goulash (gulyas) and paprika gravy (paprikash).

I’m intrigued by paprika gravy which is made by combining meat or chicken, broth, paprika and sour cream. That sounds yummy and may be on the menu for next week in the form of Chicken Paprikash!

There are so many versions of paprika that its flavor can’t be described with a simple word or two. In fact, you may want to taste what you have on hand before you include it in a dish to make sure its particular flavor is compatible with your dish.

And while it’s easy to end up wasting spices, it would be fun to experiment with multiple paprikas to determine which works best for what. It could be a good ingredient to include in a cooking challenge basket.

Add paprika to spice rubs, use it as a garnish, or sprinkle it in hot oil when you fry. While you’re spicing things up, you’ll be adding vitamin A. One half teaspoon of paprika provides 21% of the daily recommended value.

It’s easy for paprika to become one of those spices that are constantly overlooked or limited to a single use. That really doesn’t do this spice justice. Perhaps it’s time to move paprika to the front of the spice cabinet and let it have its day in the sun!

Why Isn’t Okra a Star?

10 Great Gluten-Free Gifts for the Food Lovers in Your Life

gifts As more and more people embrace a gluten-free lifestyle, you may find yourself searching to find great gluten-free gifts for the food lovers in your life. There’s no need to focus on foods with a gluten-free label. Many foods are naturally gluten-free as well as delicious. If you’re looking for ideas, start with our top 10 favorites:
penzey's
1. Spices from Penzey’s
Long before I was gluten-free and it was possible to order online, I began giving Penzey’s gift packs as customer gifts. I love using the spices, so why wouldn’t I want to share! Packaged in a variety of combinations, the spices come in glass jars with black lids arranged in a perfectly tailored box for as little as $14.79. Individual spices and gift cards are also available. https://www.penzeys.com/

2. Harry & David Pears
Harry & David managed to squeak through some tough financial times and we’re so grateful! It doesn’t get any better than a perfectly ripe Royal Riviera® Pear. I let the juice run down my chin every time I bite into one. I just can’t help it! http://www.harryanddavid.com/
stripp
3. Olive Oils and Vinegars from Strippaggio
You haven’t had balsamic vinegar until you’ve tried the Barrel Aged Balsamic Vinegar from Strippaggio. And then there’s the dark chocolate balsamic, blueberry balsamic, espresso balsamic, and many more – all delicious! And we can’t forget the Extra Virgin Olive Oils flavored with basil, lemon, jalapeño, and citrus. Give a sample pack of either 4 oils or 4 vinegars for about $25. https://strippaggioevoo.com/
zocalo
4. Zocalo Andean Heritage Flours
The natural boxes are cute, cute, cute and the flours are totally fun to play with. My favorites are the sweet potato and mesquite flours. The products are free of soy, gluten, dairy, and genetically engineered ingredients. They’re less than $10 and available from a variety of outlets including Amazon http://www.amazon.com/ and igourmet http://www.igourmet.com

cocoa
5. Scharffenberger Cacao Nibs & Cocoa Powder
I use the Cacao Nibs in my cheesecake crust. They add just the right touch of chocolate. The unsweetened cocoa powder flavors my favorite chocolate cake! You can also order a variety of gift sets. A tin of sweetened cocoa, a cute mug, and a candy cane would be perfect for the hot chocolate lover. http://www.scharffenberger.com/

6. Gourmet Gluten-Free Pasta from Pappardelle’s
The selection has changed since the last time I ordered, but there are several interesting options – Basil Garlic Penne, Garlic Chive Rooster Combs, Porcini Mushroom Large Trumpets, and Plain Mafaldine. Of course I’m most intrigued by the Dark Pasta Shavings that are not available this season. That’s okay. I can wait. There’s also a new 3 pack gift box for $40 and electronic gift cards to make things easy. http://www.pappardellespasta.com/products/dried-pasta/gluten-free-pasta

7. Snacks from Nuts.com
We order them for ourselves, why not for our friends! Nuts.com has a gluten-free menu link so it’s easy to choose the perfect snack of nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, candy, or veggie chips.There’s also a variety of coffees, teas, and sugar-free items, not to mention recipes and a gluten-free flour guide. https://nuts.com/

8. Taro Flavored Frozen Yogurt from Red Mango
I have no idea why a root vegetable makes for tasty frozen yogurt, but this flavor is the BEST!!! In fact, when they’re out of it no other flavor seems to suffice. Red mango yogurt retains the tangy taste of yogurt rather than the sweet taste of ice cream. For me, this is a real plus. Gift cards are available. http://www.redmangousa.com/

9. Bacon of the Month Club
We’ve ordered this for friends and they raved for years; problem is, they didn’t share a single piece of bacon with us. How crazy is that? Now there’s a specialized GF version so you don’t have to worry about the rubs and seasonings. http://www.baconfreak.com/bacon-is-meat-candy-bacon-club-gluten-free.html

10. Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Blue Bell had a brief stumble this year. We’re glad to see they’ve resolved the problems and begun shipping again. We’ve been known to spend $125 in shipping cost just to get 4 gallons of Blue Bell to James in California. He loves it that much! http://bluebell.com/

As we push full speed ahead into holiday shopping craziness, I hope this list will help you save some time when you shop for the gluten-free amongst you.

Happy Shopping!