To spice or not to Spice? (Full Version)

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bluestone -> To spice or not to Spice? (7/16/2008 3:38:14 PM)

My sister puts too much garlic, butter, etc. in everything she cooks, in my opinion. She thinks I don't use enough.[&:]

I feel that spices and other ingredients should enhance and bring out flavor, not overwhelm.

when it comes to garlic, onions, pepper, and other add-on's, how do you judge whether you are using too much or too little?



JimboFletch -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/16/2008 3:49:20 PM)

If I'm cooking for just me, I'm likely to dump in a bunch of whatever spices strike my fancy. If it doesn't open up my sinuses and bring tears, it's too sissified for me.

However, if my wife or guests will be eating it, I will use spices very sparingly and put a few containers of spices on the table for them to use if desired.



Boats -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/16/2008 3:54:04 PM)

If it doesn't cause you to burst into to flames

- there isn't enough spice. [:D]

But I grew up on Cajun and Tex-Mex.


Boats
[sm=pirateparot.gif]



Miss Giggles -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/16/2008 3:54:35 PM)

I like garlic and butter.

Yes spices should enhance the flavor but there are only a few people who really know how to do it well.



phosadaud -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/16/2008 4:11:39 PM)

It depends on the spice - and the dish. Some spices (basil, oregano, etc), I like to use to enhance the flavor, but I don't want my first bite to be "Oh, basil!". Other seasonings, I want to really taste (ie - garlic!) not just catch a hint of. And of course, what the dish is, makes a big difference. Some dishes are simply downright dull without a lot of spices. And some dishes need spices to mask how icky they are... [&:] On the other hand, some things I love so much, I don't want anything hiding the taste.... [;)]



MrsTracy72 -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/16/2008 4:18:48 PM)

I love flavor but too much can ruin the dish you are making. I agree that you CAN add too much garlic or onion to certain things. Alot of times, you can cook your food in a way that simple salt and pepper will do it.



uncabeeil -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/16/2008 4:28:18 PM)

Smell. Most people never use their sense of smell in the kitchen. They think things should smell good after they're cooked. If it don't smell good when you start there's a real good chance it ain't gonna taste too good when it's done. I cook everything by smell, rarely measuring unless I'm baking. I sprinkle, smell, sprinkle s'more if I think it's needed, then move on to the next seasoning. I usually wind up cooking at all the family functions, so I guess I'm doing something right.



bluestone -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/16/2008 4:29:53 PM)

I love spices, but I want to taste the actual meat or veggie I am eating.



42servehymn -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/16/2008 8:20:23 PM)

[sm=chef.gif]<-----Here is boats cooking.
[sm=fireanger.gif]<-----Here is boats after eating.



Boats -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 7:02:45 AM)

quote:

42servehymn
[sm=chef.gif]<-----Here is boats cooking.
[sm=fireanger.gif]<-----Here is boats after eating.


hehe Yup and we're having Chili tonight -

Want some? [sm=farmersmile.gif] [sm=icon_smile_evil.gif]


Boats



monamie -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 8:58:36 AM)

Herbs and spices have TREMENDOUS health benefits!!! Pile 'em on! They're highly anti-inflammatory. Turmeric has been shown to decrease your chances of Alzheimers.

And for my taste...the hotter the better!!!



lexie -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 10:24:11 AM)

Everyone has their own taste, and often it takes a while to acquire someone else's taste.

When I met my husband I couldn't handle a lot of hot spice. He is Jamaican so he wanted spice in everything. It took a while but I've upped the amount of heat I can take, and he just adds hot sauce to things he doesn't think are hot enough!

But spices like garlic, onion, sage, rosemary, etc (the ones that aren't hot) can still be overused and ruin the taste of a dish.



agapetos -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 11:33:41 AM)

Lexie made a really good post.

Herbs and spices are meant to enhance the food we eat. However, our food isn't supposed to taste exclusively of those seasonings.

If you're using recipes, go buy the ingredients listed as to how much to use. If you're making a dish up out of your head, look at a recipe for similar and see what they use.



Ps103 -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 11:33:43 AM)

I like spicey food--especially hot, spicey food. So does Himself.

I load it on, but I do taste food while I am cooking it, so I know it will taste like I want it to.[:D]

Most restaurant food is just nasty--it is all sugar and salt, and that is all it tastes like, too. You can do a lot with spices and little to no salt and no sugar at all. And like Mona said, they are healthy and good for you.

Butter, I do like, but I usually use mostly olive oil then add just a little butter for the flavor.

Garlic is one of my favorite things! I can eat the cloves raw and whole. When we were out of town last week, we found a garlic restaurant[:D] You could smell it two blocks away[8D]



lexie -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 12:02:56 PM)

quote:

If you're using recipes, go buy the ingredients listed as to how much to use. If you're making a dish up out of your head, look at a recipe for similar and see what they use.


I usually cook it once according to the recipe, and then make notes of what I think could use more or less.

However, I haven't always been a good cook, so it's taken a while to get to this place!



bluestone -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 1:01:37 PM)

If I eat a steak, I want it seasoned, but I still want to taste the steak. Enhancing with spices is fine. Masking the food with spices is what I don't like.



agapetos -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 4:16:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: lexie

quote:

If you're using recipes, go buy the ingredients listed as to how much to use. If you're making a dish up out of your head, look at a recipe for similar and see what they use.


I usually cook it once according to the recipe, and then make notes of what I think could use more or less.

However, I haven't always been a good cook, so it's taken a while to get to this place!

My thoughts exactly. I know this sounds kinda weird, but I've learnt a lot through flipping through cookery books and reading recipes and learning that way what goes with what and what doesn't go with what.



MrsTracy72 -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 6:24:15 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: uncabeeil

Smell. Most people never use their sense of smell in the kitchen. They think things should smell good after they're cooked. If it don't smell good when you start there's a real good chance it ain't gonna taste too good when it's done. I cook everything by smell, rarely measuring unless I'm baking. I sprinkle, smell, sprinkle s'more if I think it's needed, then move on to the next seasoning. I usually wind up cooking at all the family functions, so I guess I'm doing something right.



I smell everything too, but I do have to admit when I make certian things, it doesn't always smell right in the beginning. Like when I did the spaghetti dinner for church. I did 5 nescos of sauce and they all smelled like I added too much basil, thyme, and rosemary, but in the end, they were all great.



phosadaud -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 8:39:45 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: bluestone

If I eat a steak, I want it seasoned, but I still want to taste the steak. Enhancing with spices is fine. Masking the food with spices is what I don't like.


Depends on what the food is. Some food I want to mask... [:D][:D][:D]



WaitingforBoaz -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 9:27:03 PM)

I love garlic, onion and olive oil and used these to excess. Basil too. Any other spice, I follow the recipe the first time and the next time I make it, I adjust to our taste. Some foods you do not know it's too much until the meal is done or ruined so I am very careful with herbs. I have not figured out how to use too much garlic.....but we are Italian[:D].



Liveloved -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/17/2008 11:09:38 PM)

quote:

My sister puts too much garlic, butter, etc. in everything she cooks, in my opinion. She thinks I don't use enough.

I feel that spices and other ingredients should enhance and bring out flavor, not overwhelm.

when it comes to garlic, onions, pepper, and other add-on's, how do you judge whether you are using too much or too little?


I hate to bring up what might be unpopular but sometimes our age affects our tastebuds.[sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif] Perhaps your sister's tastebuds don't work very well or perhaps she's lost her sense of smell because of chronic sinus infections, etc. Or perhaps she just loves garlic, butter, onion, pepper, etc.

What do I do? I love spice. Ginger and garlic I tend to add oodles. Onion and pepper I tend to go easy on---too many people with sensitivities. Fresh herbs are essential and I tend to add more than called for.

I keep track of my variations from recipes so that I can replicate what I've done. But I think all of these wonderful flavors were meant to be enjoyed! And we do.[:)]



Ps103 -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/18/2008 11:05:58 AM)

Nothing smells better than an onion, a couple of cloves of chopped garlic and a big glob of grated ginger sizzling in a pan, just waiting to see what they turn into[:)]

But, speaking of spices: last night I thought the bag of tumeric was closed, but I was mistaken, and it got all over my blouse.[:@] Any tips on how to get it out?



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/18/2008 11:18:16 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: uncabeeil

Smell. Most people never use their sense of smell in the kitchen. They think things should smell good after they're cooked. If it don't smell good when you start there's a real good chance it ain't gonna taste too good when it's done. I cook everything by smell, rarely measuring unless I'm baking. I sprinkle, smell, sprinkle s'more if I think it's needed, then move on to the next seasoning. I usually wind up cooking at all the family functions, so I guess I'm doing something right.


Ditto. I cook the same way.



WhiteRoseBlessings -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/18/2008 11:23:43 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ps103

Garlic is one of my favorite things! I can eat the cloves raw and whole.
[sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif]I think I have developed even a higher respect for you, Kate.

Coupled, with a new level of fear.

Anyone who can eat cloves of raw garlic is no one to reckon with. In raw form, that stuff is HOT!



[sm=pinkhairsmile.gif]



WhiteRoseBlessings -> RE: To spice or not to Spice? (7/18/2008 11:35:59 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ps103

But, speaking of spices: last night I thought the bag of tumeric was closed, but I was mistaken, and it got all over my blouse.[:@] Any tips on how to get it out?
Kate, HERE is a Results Page from a Google search I just did.

The two I like the best suggest letting the sun fade it.
One says to wash the garment in cold water and then let it sun-dry, and then to wash the now pink-stained garment again and the stain will remove. One says to rub lemon on the stain and then let sun-dry.


I've had mustard stains before (and mustard often contains turmeric).

I've gotten the out with Spray-n-Wash Stain Stick (with Resolve Power) (scroll down 3 items).
It's a "treat now, wash later" product.

I discovered it a couple of years ago, and have used it for everything since then. Any stain comes out after using that stuff. At least, that's been the case with me . . . and as you may well know, I'm not the most, uhm, physically graceful of people. [:D]



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