2nd Man is in love with any herb or seasoning...
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| Saffron and Herbs de Provence |
And the other day, two of his favorites came in the mail. I told him to let me snap a picture. Some days, he must think I'm crazy, but then I remind him that's what happens when he lives with a blogger, ha!
Anyway, saffron of course is saffron, he uses it in rice dishes mostly but has been known to drop some in a casserole or a stew. Saffron is very strong so it doesn't take much. The other one of his faves is Herbes de Provence...the famous French mixture of savory, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, oregano and lavender. That last one is what makes him like this this blend. Often they include all the herbs listed except lavender. He uses it as a rub on a pork loin that is out of this world. The lavender adds just the right unique touch.
Do you have a favorite seasoning?
P.S. Sorry I've fallen behind on comments this week, but will start replying and catch up tonight and this weekend.
I have no favorite store bought seasonings as I mix and make my own meat rubs for pork, chicken beef, etc. along making my own sauces, dips and seasonings of sorts.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love secret rubs (wait, that didn't sound right, ha, you know what I mean!).
DeleteLOL. You about made me spit my coffee out all over my key board.
Deletei use all kinds of spices. my least favorite is chinese 5 spice.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I don't think we've ever used 5spice. Hmm, interesting....
DeleteI don't have a favorite seasoning, but the one gardening success I've had was growing herbs in pots. I had dill, oregano, and something else I can't remember. Next spring you might want to use one of your flower beds to plant herbs.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Oh, yes, we had a small bed this year with basil and thyme and a few others. It took off like gangbusters. Will definitely do that again.
DeleteBasil,
ReplyDeleteSome days, I have been known to bury my face in it and breathe in. I think exbf thinks I am nuts, too--hold this; no, the other way; put that down so I can take a picture...on and on. He is a good sport.
LOL, I love basil too, I can understand. :-) Inhale deeply and enjoy!
DeleteI too am not fond of Chinese 5 Spice. Particularly if applied with a generous hand.
ReplyDeleteBasil and rosemary are probably my favourites. And they are thriving in the garden at the moment.
Another vote against 5 spice, ha. Now I want to try it, LOL. Basil seems to thrive everywhere doesn't it?
DeleteI have become a little bit of a lavender snob lately. I had never really cooked with it until a few years ago when I made a lavender pound cake. Now I use it for both sweet and savory dishes and am in love with it. Oh and did I mention lavender tea?
ReplyDeleteHmm, the only time we've used lavender is in the herbs de provence, will have to look for some recipes for it by itself. I'm guessing you have to be very lighthanded with it.
DeleteMy current favourite is a mix that's simply called habanero and smokey chillis. It has habanero, jalapeno chipotle, and smoked paprika. Very hot but also adds a fantastic depth of flavour. Mind you, I'm also partial to a bit, well okay, a lot of cumin. And I'd never say no to fresh basil. But lavender? Much as I want to like it, I've never had anything with lavender in it that didn't make me feel like I was eating a candle. I do love lavender candles but prefer by far to just enjoy the scent as they burn. :)
ReplyDeleteMoonwaves (having to post as anonymous as blogger is going mad again)
ooh, that sounds yummy. I love smoked paprika and combined with some heat, yum! Cumin is great too. LOL on the lavender comment, in this blend at least, it's ever so very very subtle, In fact, I'd say most wouldn't be able to pick it out in a lineup, ha. But I understand.
DeleteAussies love their roast lamb and rosemary with mint sauce or jelly on the side. I gave it to my cousin from Texas but I don't think he was impressed. Americans don't eat roast lamb apparently !! Australians aren't into rubs on their meat much either though the cooking shows all seem to do it.
ReplyDeleteI've just found your blog. I'll have plenty of catchup reading to do for a while. Are you still working and living in the city or have you moved to your farm? My cousin lives in Alvin by the way.
Thank you so much and welcome!!! Alvin I know it well, it's about 40 miles South of here? Maybe 30? (south of downtown). We aren't out there yet, still a work in progress and a weekend place for now, we have to get our jobs to the right point for that, but it's a goal!! And I have to say I'm not a huge fan of lamb if it's gamey tasting but I have had some that's been amazing. I'll have to give it a shot. And will try the mint sauce!!
DeleteI like to go out into my herb garden and pick whatever is freshly growing and sounds good at that time.
ReplyDeleteI also grow a variety of mints in pots on my front porch where they are easily picked to flavor my water and iced tea.
That sounds like a great idea, thanks!!!
DeleteOh we love za'atar at our house - it's a middle eastern spice with oregano, sesame seeds and sumac, which is citrusy in flavour. I think Nigella Lawson brought it to our attention and we haven't been without it since. We especially love rubbing it on some Greek style pitas with a bit of olive oil and broiling until the tops are just starting to brown. We then cut them into wedges and use them as an app or side. Yum!
ReplyDeleteza'atar? Our store nearby is mediterranean will have to look for that, thank you! And we love Nigella. Thanks for this suggestion, it's going to be tried out!!!
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