Mad about Saffron!
Written by Asinus Asinum Fricat on May 30, 2008 – 5:08 am -Coming from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus, it takes 75,000 blossoms or 225,000 hand-picked stigmas to make a single pound which explains why it is the world’s most expensive spice! In Sydney, I used saffron liberally. I made a knockout Scallop dish, cooked lightly in a saffron & vanilla broth.
Tags: Food, History, Saffron, Spice
Posted in Food | 10 Comments »
The Mighty King of All: Garlic
Written by Asinus Asinum Fricat on May 15, 2008 – 7:52 am -A diet rich in garlic can have a significant positive effect on your health, according to the New York Times. Really? I could have told you that a thousand times! It seems that garlic increases the production of hydrogen sulfide in your blood, which - in the short term - relaxes your blood vessels and increases blood flow.
The power to boost hydrogen sulfide production may help explain why a garlic-rich diet appears to protect against various cancers, including breast, prostate, and colon cancer, say the study authors. Higher hydrogen sulfide might also protect the heart, according to other experts. Did I mention it tastes great in sauces like Aioli? Read more »
Tags: Aioli, Condiment, Food, Garlic, Health, Sauce, Spice
Posted in Diaries | 6 Comments »
Salt, the Stuff of Life
Written by Asinus Asinum Fricat on May 14, 2008 – 8:12 am - 
Salt, the most popular food seasoning, is a dietary mineral essential for animal life, composed primarily of sodium chloride. Salt for human consumption is produced in different forms: unrefined salt (such as sea salt), refined salt (table salt), and iodized salt. It is a crystalline solid, white, pale pink or light grey in color, normally obtained from sea water or rock deposits. Edible rock salts may be slightly greyish in color due to this mineral content.
Chloride and sodium ions, the two major components of salt, are necessary for the survival of all known living creatures, including humans. Salt is involved in regulating the water content (fluid balance) of the body. Salt flavor is one of the basic tastes. Salt cravings may be caused by trace mineral deficiencies as well as by a deficiency of sodium chloride itself.
Overconsumption of salt increases the risk of health problems, including high blood pressure. In food preparation, salt is used as a preservative and as a seasoning. Read more »
Tags: Condiment, History, Salt, Spice
Posted in Food | 14 Comments »