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 …

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 …

Saffron Threads vs. Saffron Powder Saffron threads are easy to count out, easier to judge for quality at a glance, and can look very pretty in the finished dish, so most pro chefs prefer them. Saffron powder, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be pre-steeped and takes up less space, making it popular with some …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Wild ramps have a delicious garlic/leek/onion flavor that is delicious fast-pickled.  With just a few minutes’ work and a 24 hour wait you can have savory-sweet pickled ramps for a tasty snack, sandwich topping, or a garnish that is as visually striking as it is flavorful. You can pickle as many ramps as you can fit in your …

with Vanilla Crème Fraiche & Tellicherry Pepper Syrup Makes at least 50 servings. Ingredients 7 cups + 2 tsp. Sugar 2 cups Water 2 quarts heavy cream 5 lbs. frozen huckleberries 6 tbsp. Tellicherry peppercorns 16 oz. crème fraiche 4 Vanilla Beans Huckleberry Puree 1. Add 5 lbs. huckleberries, 5 cups sugar and 2 quarts …

When asked to write my first blog post for Marx Foods, my immediate thought was to post a cocktail recipe.  No need to wait for St. Patty’s Day, you can enjoy this upgraded, vanilla-centric Irish Coffee year round. Vanilla-holic Irish Coffee 2 premium vanilla beans—one for infusing the whiskey, and one for the whipped cream …

Chez What do you have for us next, Christo? Fennel Pollen butter with aged steak, you say?  Fennel pollen is so rich and aromatic that it can hardly be compared to fennel the fresh vegetable. Immediately upon smelling it I knew I was going to have to make a compound butter and have it on a …