The Spice Pantry

Spices are used liberally throughout the recipes in this cookbook. They are my friends, each one having a very specific color, texture and flavor—always adding excitement to any meal while warming the heart. When I was growing up, I never saw my mother use a measuring spoon. This is typical with Old World women, who use their fingers to sprinkle a little of this or throw in a little of that. They cook from a place of passion and intuition, continually adding spices and tasting till the desired state perfection is achieved. Since I started cooking, I have become something of a scientist with spices—experimenting with blending them to attain unique flavors. I encourage you to do the same. Eventually, when you feel confident with your spices, you can decide how much to add of a particular seasoning without measuring. In time, your intuition will guide your senses to play with spices like an artist mixing paint to achieve that ideal color. Brilliant reds, yellows, greens, and a dozen other shades in every imaginable shape, size, and texture sit in my spice rack, mysteriously telling me how to use them. They will talk to you too.