Winter savory (Satureja montana) is a perennial herb in the family Lamiaceae, native to warm temperate regions of southern Europe.
Tag Archives: Gardens
Vanilla planifolia
Dried vanilla pods (beans) are long and black, encasing hundreds of tiny black seeds. Natural vanilla extract is distilled from vanilla pods and is a useful alternative to pods. Vanilla extract is the most common form of vanilla used today. When choosing pure vanilla, check to make sure the color is clear, it is pure, synthetic vanillin, and is also called crystal vanilla. A dark, murky color is also synthetic vanillin, probably ethyl vanillin derived from coal tar. The dark color may be due to a red dye that has been banned in the US or a caramel coloring. A true amber color is an indication of natural vanilla. Also check the alcohol content: Synthetic products have either no alcohol or up to 2% alcohol. Some vanilla-vanillin blends may have 25% alcohol. Price: Vanilla is extremely labor intensive to produce. If you paid $20.00 for a big bottle (even in Mexico), is not pure vanilla extract. How to store: Extracts can be stored indefinitely in a sealed airtight container kept in a cool dark place. Do not refrigerate vanilla extract. Goes well with apples, apricots, chocolate, custards, fish, fruit, ice cream, plums, shellfish.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Other Names: Yellow Ginger, Indian Saffron
Turmeric powder should be kept in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark and dry place. Fresh turmeric rhizome should be kept in the refrigerator. If you are able to find turmeric rhizomes in the grocery store, you can make your own fresh turmeric powder by boiling, drying and then grinding it into a fine consistency. Add turmeric to egg salad to give it an even bolder yellow color. Mix brown rice with raisins and cashews and season with turmeric, cumin and coriander. Turmeric is a great spice to complement recipes that feature lentils. Give salad dressings an orange-yellow hue by adding some turmeric powder to them
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme: (herb) Grayish green leaves of a member of the mint family.
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Tarragon: (herb) Slender, dark green leaves of a member of the aster family.
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)
Other Names: Tamarindo, Indian Date
Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata)
Sweet Cicely, Myrrhis odorata is a plant native to central Europe. It is a tall herbaceous perennial plant, with finely divided, feathery leaves with small white flowers produced in large umbels. The seeds are slender and broad.
Sumac (Rhus coriara)
Other Names: Sumach, Sicilian Sumac, Tanner’s Sumach, Sumak
Star Anise (Illicium Verum)
Other Names: Chinese Anise, Anise Stars, Badain
Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)
Also known as sweet stevia. The US FDA once banned the sale of stevia products in 1991, but 3 years later approved their sale as dietary supplements. Stevia cannot be sold for use as a tabletop sweetener, which is considered a conventional food.