Bay leaves come from bay trees, which in Latin is a Laurus. In Roman times, a wreath or crown made from bay leaves was a sign of honor for its bearer. (Think of the phrase “to rest on one’s laurels.”) Kings, priests, prophets, poets, and the victors of both scholarly and athletic contests wore laurels [...]
Ah, one of the world’s most celebrated herbs! The French call it herbe royale, it’s considered sacred in India (and is often planted around temples and shrines), and it’s a sign of love in Italy. There are more than fifty species of basil; their various iterations are ubiquitous in cuisines ranging from Thailand to the [...]
Also known as Jamaican pepper, allspice is the dried berry of the pimenta dioica plant. It tastes like a combination of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and juniper–hence, its name “allspice.” Mayans used allspice to embalm their dead, Aztecs used it as an ingredient in their hot chocolate, and today most Americans use it in sweet baked [...]
Herbs and spices have been used for millenia for culinary, medical, cosmetic, and religious purposes. Spices have been actively traded on an international level ever since 2,000 B.C.E., when Arab traders brought back pepper, cloves, nutmegs, and other delicacies from the famed Spice Islands (the Molucca islands off the coast of Indonesia). In the 1400s, [...]
Nothing can compare to sitting in Brussels’ Grand Place and enjoying a salade nicoise at an outdoor café, but here’s a simple, tasty version I made for a last-minute dinner yesterday. (Minus the potatoes and anchovies.) Depending on your appetite, this could serve one or two people. Ingredients 1 can tuna 1 large tomato 1 [...]
Here’s a way to add crunch to your traditional caprese: add jicama! Ingredients Fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed or sliced Ripe tomato, in slices or chunks Fresh basil, cut into thin strips (chiffonade) Jicama, sliced Balsamic vinegar Olive or flaxseed oil salt & pepper to taste Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss. If you’re [...]
Hazelnut milk, oat milk, almond milk…there are endless alternatives to dairy for those who can’t drink milk and those who want to try something different. (If you want to try something really different, head over to the kombucha corner.) They also have a fair amount of shelf space dedicated to honey and organic mate tea, [...]
A glorified version of Whole Foods, but on a more local scale. If I’m looking for an unusual vinegar, though, I’m heading to Papa Joe’s. They also have an extensive chocolate selection…and their produce section is the most immaculately-arranged one I’ve ever seen. Two locations, one in Rochester and one in Birmingham. www.papajoesmarket.com
Wow…cheese. And more cheese…and more cheese… I tried to count the varieties but was too overwhelmed to continue. Also a fantastic selection of exotic oils and flours. In the mood to nosh? Keep going–the British food section is just around the corner. In downtown Royal Oak, at the south end of Main Street (by I-696). [...]
This Ann Arbor delicatessen is nationally renown for its sandwiches and massive selection of fresh-baked breads. It also has a tremendous cheese counter, an enticing array of dry goods (bitter honey, anyone?), and staff members who are not only friendly and knowledgeable but who literally drive hours a day for the sheer pleasure of working [...]
