Your guide to everything in the authentic world of spices.

Homemade Graham Crackers

DIY Graham crackers: just in time for your epic Labor Day, last-summer-campout s’more session. I originally ran across this recipe on Brown Eyed Baker. The recipe is so crazy easy, so delicious, so beyond what we expected—I’ve made four batches in two weeks. We’ve been gobbling them up plain, smearing them with peanut butter, crumbling them on [...]

Easy Popsicle Recipe: How to Make Red Zinger Spiced Popsicles

Summertime feels like bliss. But what about those heat waves that come ripping through July and August that feel downright satanic? Not so much. And with no central air, maintaining a civilized nature becomes a challenge worthy of its own reality show. When the thermostat and humidity index go hand-in-hand over anything above 85 I [...]

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Cooking with Fresh Herbs: 3 Ideas

The green gateway to freshness; that’s spring for you. Enter herbs. What’s unique about spring is that cooking with herbs works with what’s fresh growing now…asparagus, strawberries or rhubarb anyone?…as well as adding a refreshing shot of flavor to the stalwart staples from winter such as potatoes, carrots or even frozen vegetables. It’s time to think of [...]

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Spice Yourself Skinny with Simple Southwestern Roasted Vegetables

4 Signs of Spring: Flowers. Windy Days. Spring Skiing. Getting Ready for Bathing Suit Season! Chilly rain one day…a wet snow shower the next followed by a surprise shot of warm sun that lasts all of two hours before disappearing into the cold night. We want food that keeps us warm [...]

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More Gingerbread Road Show: A Perfection of Confection

Making gingerbread houses takes a certain breed of person. Creative. Patient. Methodical. Not sure about you but I’d get sick just from snacking on all the candy decorations. So let’s add self-disciplined to that list. But here’s the kicker—who doesn’t absolutely looooove gingerbread houses during the holidays? Occasionally the universe aligns and we make them [...]

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Thank You

The holiday posts, in all their chocolate, peppermint, gingerbread, spirited spiced-out glory are a comin’. But for now it’s time to take a deep breath and enjoy the slow pace of Thanksgiving. The Monthly Spice Sherpa offers a collection of some great Thanksgiving, late autumn recipes, tips and DIY fun. But for now it’s time for [...]

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Food Fraud: A Quick Guide to Sneaky Spices

Here’s the scene: you want to bake. Your cookie recipe calls for the distinct taste of nutmeg. You open your nutmeg jar and carefully measure out your tablespoon of…coffee husks. WTF? Welcome to food fraud. Ok, so the above example is a bit exaggerated but not not entirely implausible. Chances are that adulterated nutmeg would more likely be ground [...]

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How to Conquer Grocery Prices…with Spices

Grocery prices are back on the climb, thanks to yet another record setting drought and heat wave this summer. This reality coupled with, which for many is the back-to-school season and the result is a nation of households with some pretty tightly pinched food budgets. Were you aware that not only can spices can help you lower [...]

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What Spice Pairs Well with Blue?

Rough summer. Stunning blue skies, time in swimming pools, relaxing in Lake Placid, happy kids. And one singular heartache of an epic proportion. About 1100 pounds worth. My beautiful, athletic, feisty off track thoroughbred became very sick. Turned out she had a pre-existing condition that was even too big for her stoic nature and huge [...]

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Enchilada Sauce for Impatient Cooks

Do you want the liveliness a bold Mexican dish made from scratch but aren’t in the mood to sacrifice half your weekend chained to the stove to make a singular sauce? Here is a sauce that gives you the aroma and flavor you want along with the flexibility to use it however you please. A Speedy Molé Sauce Too? A quick cooking molé [...]