Thoughts on the spice trade

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04 February 2023, 01:28 PM

RealPlayer

Thoughts on the spice trade

Isn't it interesting that Europeans brought spices from the Middle East and Asia, used there for curries and other savory dishes, and then turned them into flavorings for sweet European desserts?

Cloves, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, cardamom, allspice, etc.

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“It's hard to win an argument with a smart person. It's damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person." -- Bill Murray

04 February 2023, 02:14 PM

Axtremus

Hasn’t bring out giant worms from the sand piles, so far so good.

04 February 2023, 02:49 PM

wtg

Interesting point, RP.

I remember when I started cooking foods from cuisines I was not familiar with I thought, "why would you put cinnamon in a savory dish like pastitsio?". My only exposure to cinnamon previously was, as you mention, in sweet dishes.

I guess it's just what you get used to!

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When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier

04 February 2023, 03:26 PM

Piano*Dad

quote:
Originally posted by Axtremus:
Hasn’t bring out giant worms from the sand piles, so far so good.

Ahaaaaaha.

04 February 2023, 06:08 PM

Nina

There's a recipe in the WTF cookbook (I think it was from either Bee Lady or AdagioM) that is a lamb stew with cinnamon. It's fantastic, and the cinnamon gives it a really exotic flavor. I've made it all the time. It's best with lamb, in my opinion, but still pretty good with beef.

04 February 2023, 09:15 PM

AdagioM

quote:
Originally posted by Nina:
There's a recipe in the WTF cookbook (I think it was from either Bee Lady or AdagioM) that is a lamb stew with cinnamon. It's fantastic, and the cinnamon gives it a really exotic flavor. I've made it all the time. It's best with lamb, in my opinion, but still pretty good with beef.

I don’t think it was me. And hey, where is Bee Lady these days?

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04 February 2023, 10:43 PM

RealPlayer

I used to get invited to a New Year’s gathering of artistic types in Manhattan (it only stopped because our host sadly passed away) where there was always the most wonderful array of homemade dishes. The one relevant here is a dish of carrots seasoned with cardamom. It was unforgettable. Wish I’d asked for the recipe.

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“It's hard to win an argument with a smart person. It's damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person." -- Bill Murray

05 February 2023, 12:34 PM

jon-nyc

I thought they also used them to disguise the flavor of food that was beyond its shelf life.

Like modern restaurants and their invariably spicily-prepared fish specials.

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05 February 2023, 12:57 PM

RealPlayer

quote:
Originally posted by jon-nyc:
I thought they also used them to disguise the flavor of food that was beyond its shelf life.

Probably true, but I also thought there was something about certain spices being preservatives in themselves (not sure how true that is).

On a related note, I've bought store-bought hummus and pesto sauce (in the refrigerated section) and I can distinctly taste vinegar, neither of which belongs in these foods. Simply there to prolong shelf life.

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“It's hard to win an argument with a smart person. It's damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person." -- Bill Murray