Some spices (such as hibiscus flowers and fennel pollen) can be used whole, but to use most whole spices you will have to grind or grate them first. Using a Grater: For whole nutmeg you will need to use a nutmeg or Microplane grater.  Simply drag the whole nutmeg nut across the surface of the …

Pre-Toasting: Many recipes and saffron fans will tell you that you should lightly toast saffron threads on the stove to dry them out completely, enhancing their flavor.  Whether or not this is a good idea actually depends on how thoroughly the saffron you have was dried.  The producers of our Iranian saffron threads do not recommend toasting, …

A bouquet garni is basically an aromatizing agent that is used to add flavor and aroma to dishes. Bouquet garnis are removed from the dish after they have flavored and aromatized it.That’s why you want to tie it up…it would be quite a challenge to fish peppercorns out of a boiling pot! The classic bouquet …

Real vanilla beans are a fantasic ingredient (particularly for baking) that should not be overlooked.  They bring tremendous flavor to all sorts of desserts, from custards and mousses to ice cream & cakes.  Some chefs even use them in savory applications like sauces for lobster and veal. Using Vanilla Beans: 1. Place the bean down on …

This is one of our favorite new techniques since discovering it over on the French Culinary Institute’s Cooking Issues Blog.  With an isi cream whipper and some gas chargers (N20) you can infuse small amounts of alcohol with incredible flavors and colors in one minute. If you’ve already learned the technique, you can skip right …

This is a Thrifty & Delicious Food Gift Idea! Vanilla beans are wonderful items to have in your pantry simply because they are relatively inexpensive when bought in bulk and each of the 175-200 beans in a pound are incredibtly potent. For example, you can slice the bean open and use the tiny seeds in …

If you come across some vanilla beans in your pantry that are hard as a rock, don’t despair!  Here are some great ways to either coax them back to life or still get some use out of them: Grind them into vanilla flavored sugar:  This is my favorite way to deal with dry vanilla beans.  …

Making vanilla scented sugar is simple, and doesn’t use up your vanilla beans. Not only is vanilla sugar delicious, but it makes great gifts for the bakers and coffee drinkers in your life! Here’s how to make it: Ingredients: 2 Vanilla Beans (either tahitian vanilla beans or madascar vanilla beans will do) 2 cups of sugar …

This play on a Manhattan features the ultra complex, layered flavor of elderflower paired with bourbon infused with orange, star anise and pink peppercorns, evoking the homey flavors, aromas and essence of autumn. Ingredients:       (Makes 1 Drink) 2 oz Flash-Infused Autumn Bourbon (Recipe & Technique at How to Flash Infuse Alcohols) 1/2 oz Dry Vermouth …

Vanilla contains a lot of alcohol-soluble flavors that are commonly drawn out to make vanilla extract.  Making homemade vanilla vodka is easy and a great way to bring the calming and flavor-enhancing properties of vanilla to your mixed drinks. Ingredients: 1 pint sized jar or resealable bottle 4-5 Tahitian vanilla beans or bourbon vanilla beans …