Our November meeting was at my house with an assigned spice to each member. This was received as a fun challenge and all recipes were amazing! Taking everyone out of their comfort zone and having such tasty results proves what a talented group we have.
Cloves
Angi made these cute and flavorful cupcakes highlighting cloves. The candied orange peels which decorated the cupcakes were my favorite! I'm thinking Angi needs to host a 'how to candy your fruit' party. She mentioned that she didn't follow the recipe in having the peels soak overnight. Instead she placed peels in pan cover with cold water, brought to a boil, drained and repeated two more times. Cloves are dried flower buds of an evergreen tree native to Indonesia. Whole cloves can be used to stud ham or pork roast, or oranges (see below). Ground cloves are used in desserts, cakes, pies, liquors. Pairs will with cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, red wine and star-anise.
Tarragon
Betty made this simple yet elegant appetizer featuring tarragon in a dipping sauce for grilled shrimp.Tarragon can be very strong and overpower your dish - use sparingly. Tarragon can be used to infuse in oils, vinegar and mix in butter. Its the primary ingredient in Bernaise Sauce.
Cardamom
Cindy made "Exotic Flavored Chicken Thighs" with a "Tomato-Mint Salad" using only four ingredients for the chicken of which cardamom was highlighted. The recipe is from "License to Grill" ~ Chris Schlesinger.Cardamom is in the ginger family and is a sweet pungent spice. Popular uses in curries, coffee, pastries. The ancient Chinese would use as a breath sweetener, medieval German doctors mixed it with honey to treat bruises.
Turmeric
Denise's delicious stuffed mushrooms (this link is very close to what Denise use) had great flavor. There is no sausage in the mix - just veggies and spices. Healthy and yummy!
Turmeric is also in the ginger family. It is a rhizome that is often boiled and dried and ground into a deep orange-yellow powder that is most commonly used in curries.
Marjoram
Jeanne made these fabulous meatballs with a cranberry relish. Spicy Cranberry Glazed Meatballs... but the glaze was served as a dipping sauce and so good!
Marjoram is a sweet aromatic herb that is in the mint family with an oregano-like flavor. It can be used for flavoring meats, sausage, chicken, turkey, soups, stuffed peppers and even pizza.
Ginger
I made Prosecco Ginger Cocktails that were so easy to make and yummy. Doesn't ginger have a medicinal purposes so we can say this is a 'healthy' cocktail? Just ginger simple syrup, candied ginger and Prosecco.
For dessert we had Gingered Pear and Raspberry Pandowdy. Candied ginger in the crust gave it that special touch. Served with a dollop of whipped cream.
Ginger is one of the most widespread spices. Its used in both sweet and savory cooking... in its raw form, dried or even crystallized. Candied ginger tastes yummy and makes a wonderful snack. It can also help cure motion sickness and nausea.
Ginger is one of the most widespread spices. Its used in both sweet and savory cooking... in its raw form, dried or even crystallized. Candied ginger tastes yummy and makes a wonderful snack. It can also help cure motion sickness and nausea.
Nutmeg
Jen brought her famous squash soup served with fried sage leaves and nutmeg. The crispy sage leaves added a unique touch.
Nutmeg is the seed of the tree. Usually you get the best flavor when you use the whole nutmeg seed and grind when needed. Its versatile and can be used in many sweet or savory dishes.
Star Anise
Nina brought this FABULOUS cocktail highlighting bourbon and a hint of star-anise. How did I miss the photo op of these Apple Spiced Bourbon Toddies served in these cute little 2 oz china mugs. These were so yummy and I'm looking forward to enjoying the left over tonight!
This wonderful star shaped dark brown pod Is actually the fruit of an evergreen tree that grows in China. The whole star-anise can be used in teas, marinades, soup and as Nina proved - cocktails!
Cinnamon
Rita stepped out of her comfort zone and whipped up a batch of Butternut Squash Mac-n-cheese with Bacon and Cinnamon. Rita improvised with bacon and cinnamon in lieu of the sausage. The cheese sauce she made looked good enough to eat as fondue with large hunks of bread!
Cinnamon is one of the most versatile spices. It is used for both sweet and savory foods. It comes from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree and can be used in its dried tubular form or ground.
Cinnamon is one of the most versatile spices. It is used for both sweet and savory foods. It comes from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree and can be used in its dried tubular form or ground.
Potpourri
I was so touched when presented with a gift bag from "my cooking club girls". What a nice, generous, thoughtful gesture... yet not necessary. Thank you ladies for your commitment to make this 'club' a success!
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| Rita, Angi and Denise |
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| Cindy and Betty |
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| Jeanne |
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| The "Cooking Club Girls" |