The Old Adage: "Variety is the Spice of Life," is true. As I was designing our possible remake of Old Sweetwater, I was trying to use every inch for storage and thought about spices and spice racks.
Do you know what the most expensive spice is in the world? Saffron! We once had a dear neighbor who hailed from New York City. She had danced for a living back in the 1930's and was still a little fire cracker.
One day when I asked her if I could get her anything at the store, she threw her long silk, brightly colored scarf behind her shoulder dramatically; tilted her wildly thick, wavy gray-haired head to one side and piped up, "Yes! I'd love some Saffron for my rice!"
One ounce of Spanish saffron is....uh hem....$160.00. ONE OUNCE. No wonder Donovan was mad about saffron! What's YOUR favorite spice of life (along the line of cooking)? Below is a compact spice rack from Dean and DeLuca, magnetic and rotating spice racks found in many stores.
$100 per ounce? OH MY! My folks are missionaries in Ghana and they brought me back a little bit a few years ago. There must be a budget grade saffron grown there! We know missionaries to Africa can't swing that kind a dough for spice. Maybe if they were missionaries in West Beverly Hills. I think I should use some tonight and make it in honor of your friend and wear a scarf!
ReplyDeleteJanean,
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge fan of saffron in my rice too. But I do not like to dance at all. Enjoyed your post and this was my first visit here.
1) I KNEW that was saffron in your photo even before I read - - - are you PROUD of me?
ReplyDelete2) I've never tasted saffron, perhaps the PRICE is part of that
3) Have you???? Tasted saffron I mean.
4) I ALWAYS wonder about it when they use it on the Food Network.
Wow, naming just one might be hard... I use so many when I cook. One of my favorite spicy smells is cloves.
ReplyDeleteRight now it is turmeric. I sprinkle it in my coffee. It is said to be good for arthris and even skin disorders such a psoriasis.. which I do not have. I've been using it for almost three months. Not sure if it is working but I'll keep trying. Others who I have told about this believe that have noticed a difference.
ReplyDeleteI love saffron in rice!
Karen
Ladybug Creek
I love spice racks..have one, a great way to have many in it's place! Cute story...Come say hi :D
ReplyDeleteI love cinnamon and even add a pinch of it in my freshly ground coffee each morning.
ReplyDeleteWow...those are expensive. Hope you are having a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteDancing before the LORD,
andrea
G'mornin'!
ReplyDeleteFirst..I hate to cook!
but cook I do..
and am said to be very accomplished.
I too recognized the Saffron immediately!
And yes have tasted and used it..
such a delightful spice.
Costly yes, but worth it..yes!
love it in Paella..
and most Spanish dishes..
Tumeric is sometimes/often substituted,
but personally,
I prefer the real thing.
and yes..
I too LOVE to dance..
sometimes the Flamenco!
warmest hugs, laughing smiles..
Loui♥
Ps..
ReplyDeletei think my favorite spice is Cinnamon..makes me feel all warm and smiley..
especially on these cold gray wintery days..
but I love Vanilla..
ice cream...
coffee..
and the clean smell ..
warm hugs..Loui♥
Tarragon! I'm just mad about tarragon. The scent and the flavor is just delicious! I've found when making my oven roasted carrots, brocoli or asparagus a pinch of tarragon in the marinade (olive oil, fresh ground pepper, minced garlic, then kosher salt scattered over the veggies in the pan) adds so much flavor!
ReplyDeleteThe most used spices/seasonings after salt and pepper in my housenold are probably crushed red pepper and Italian seasoning, but tarragon is right up there!
I have a large packet full of saffron in my cupboard. A coworker brought it back from Tanzania.
ReplyDeleteI am a spice-aholic and have just about every spice known to man. My hubby just rolls his eyes when I discover I need a new one. :)
Saffron is a wonderful spice, but very costly. Fortunately, it doesn't take much to add the bright color and wonderful flavor to dishes.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I have one specific spice, but I probably do have a group of spices that I seem to always reach for: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cloves. It must be the warmth the scents bring to my home when I'm cooking with them. In fact, I use cloves in my chicken soup as it enhances the flavor of chicken.
Oh...MY...Goodness...Who knew? The spice racks are lovely. the small vial like holders are nifty too.
ReplyDeleteI do like cinnamon in a lot of things....
Hi Janean
ReplyDeleteMy favorite spices are basil, rosmary and thyme.
You know, I'm half hungarian and bulgarian.
In the europian countries of south these spices are daly-spices for the cooking. Absolutely delicious.
For soup, for meat, for chees etc.
Lovely!
Plant basil, rosmary and lavender to your garden in front of the gate!
"Szerencsét hoz"!
Have a nice day!
Gabriella
Ohhhh! ... and the Spice of Life?
ReplyDeleteThe Love!!!!
First let me say what an elegant blog you have. I loved looking through your earlier posts.
ReplyDeleteI love saffron (but I buy the cheap stuff). :)
I think one of my favorites is cumin. I love it's smokey flavor.
How interesting! We love spicy foods and my hubby is has a nice spice collection for grilling. It's fun to learn more about spices! ♥
ReplyDeleteHOLY Snikes that is a lot! Better be worth it big time!
ReplyDeleteI love spices of all kinds! I cook with so many everyday and yet I have a good friend that never uses anything but salt and pepper... can you imagine that? I can't.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I have a favorite. I do like to put pepper on things.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt years ago took a trip to Europe and brought me back a tube with saffron. She said it's expensive but I never used it.
Actually tossed it years ago.
Who knew ~ not me !