tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post6047120311737167344..comments2023-08-29T03:54:10.755-07:00Comments on A Thinking Stomach: Spiced Up and LookingChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607821498331135305noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-12914863431995474692010-12-05T13:57:27.436-08:002010-12-05T13:57:27.436-08:00Now it's seed season on the other side of the ...Now it's seed season on the other side of the world. Thanks to your post I've let my coriander go to seed and am now harvesting the bounty. Used the crushed fresh green seed in a kedgeree last night, amazing flavour!GShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963643826578219126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-88466744496869215562010-07-11T22:18:02.503-07:002010-07-11T22:18:02.503-07:00I recently had some goat cheese in No Calif with l...I recently had some goat cheese in No Calif with lavender blossoms and fennel pollen. Lovely and delicate.Ginkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05831651227889736373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-18168276652602837382010-07-07T14:53:22.618-07:002010-07-07T14:53:22.618-07:00Villager: Yes, I'd love the fennel cookie rec...Villager: Yes, I'd love the fennel cookie recipe, thank you!<br /><br />Gingko: I hope you enjoyed it. Fennel makes me smile--it's such a joy to have in the garden.<br /><br />Mel: There are so many spices to grow in the garden; not all of them need to be imported from far away. It's fun to stock not only the larder from the garden, but the spice cabinet as well. Plus, it is SO MUCH CHEAPER! Spices are expensive.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12607821498331135305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-58504951618106807662010-07-06T09:52:41.232-07:002010-07-06T09:52:41.232-07:00I must learn about harvesting spices! I grew fenn...I must learn about harvesting spices! I grew fennel but never thought to harvest the blooms after it went to seed!! Yikes!<br /><br />We use coriander mucho in bbq rubs!<br /><br />I am on vacation so am behind on following my fave blogs...but yours is always one that I love to visit!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09124981411465130722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-36097318390928990352010-07-05T09:21:51.492-07:002010-07-05T09:21:51.492-07:00Nice to meet you the other night. I can't add ...Nice to meet you the other night. I can't add much to the dialog here. I grow weeds. The mustard is edible but the squirrels beat me to the peaches, citrus and walnutsPasadena Adjacenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09031325790590238246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-18193457453463380122010-07-04T16:39:29.475-07:002010-07-04T16:39:29.475-07:00I just pulled out my cilantro--all gone to seed. N...I just pulled out my cilantro--all gone to seed. Next time, I'm saving some coriander. I've still got the fennel though and I'm going out to chew on a rootbeer barrel.Ginkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05831651227889736373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-58376206312423463852010-07-03T12:02:46.385-07:002010-07-03T12:02:46.385-07:00Meat eating friends happily slurp down plates of m...Meat eating friends happily slurp down plates of my vegetarian spaghetti. i think the secret is fennel. A spoonful is all, sauteed alongside the onions. i never use it for anything else.<br /><br />Coriander i like best when the berries are still green. Try pounding them into a spicy paste with garlic and white peppercorns and small red chiles. Fry it up with shrimp, thick,meaty tomatoes, fish sauce and lime leaves. You won't have enough ; )Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02961191716286809220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-42725383091817885782010-07-01T14:03:40.238-07:002010-07-01T14:03:40.238-07:00I'll second what Angela said about fennel seed...I'll second what Angela said about fennel seed in cookies. There's a recipe in my Park's Success with Herbs book that I have used many times. My mother baked these cookies too. If you'd like the recipe I can send it to you.<br /><br />I've got Nigella seed myself that I don't know what to do with. I need to harvest some so it doesn't self-sow all over the place!Dave @ HappyAcreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441364543023807886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-31703538579557933272010-06-30T19:39:30.687-07:002010-06-30T19:39:30.687-07:00Hi Soilman. Yes, it is fennel you see all over the...Hi Soilman. Yes, it is fennel you see all over the roadsides. It grows prolifically here in California. It isn't Florence fennel, but more like the wild fennel you can find along the roadsides in Italy. I found the same fennel growing in the Roman ruins. It doesn't grow a fat base like Florence fennel, but the young shoots taste delicious prepared similarly to Florence fennel, the more mature stalks are great for flavoring stocks, and the seeds are sweet and delicious. I've heard of some people adding dried stalks of it to barbecues to flavor the smoke. Sigh. I'm making myself hungry.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12607821498331135305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-77779029310977599382010-06-30T18:36:16.824-07:002010-06-30T18:36:16.824-07:00Something I meant to ask about fennel. I noticed l...Something I meant to ask about fennel. I noticed lots of what looked like wild fennel growing in California. Is this indeed fennel... And if so, can you harvest and eat the root like Florence fennel? Or is it non-edible?Soilmanhttp://www.soilman.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-39658530537328293122010-06-30T09:23:21.906-07:002010-06-30T09:23:21.906-07:00Daphne: The garden-variety nigella (nigella damas...Daphne: The garden-variety nigella (nigella damascena) is not the same as the spice nigella (nigella sativa). They both have interesting seed pods, though the spice nigella is much slimmer and more antler-y. I hope your new garden is up and running at a satisfying clip soon!<br /><br />Jenny: Ooooh, that bulgar and cherry pilaf sounds yummy. I'll have to investigate. No, Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena) is not the same as the spice nigella (Nigella sativa). I did try nibbling on Love-in-a-Mist seeds once--they tasted oddly artificial-graph flavored. Weird.<br /><br />Michelle: Oh my, that fennel ice cream with poached pears sounds right up my ally. ECG can eat the pears alone while I eat them with the ice cream--delicious! And that tuna idea is brilliant!<br /><br />Lucy: Thanks for the fabulous ideas, and yes, I'd like the dukkah recipe, please. I'm on the cucumber recipe, stat. It sounds delicious!<br /><br />AOF: For some crazy reason, I hadn't even thought about making my own harisa. But now, you've inspired me! Thank you for being a culinary muse.<br /><br />Soilman: God, I love green curry. It is one reason why I wish cilantro/coriander didn't bolt so fast. I never have enough of the leaf to do all that I want with it, so I purchase it all summer long. I think I'm going to have to have Thai for lunch today, thanks to you.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12607821498331135305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-5352124286963924132010-06-30T08:38:39.468-07:002010-06-30T08:38:39.468-07:00Hi Christina, this is a bit off-topic and I hope y...Hi Christina, this is a bit off-topic and I hope you won't mind: I'd like to email you about a blog day many of us are doing about the proposed soccer fields in Hahamongna. I don't have your email address. If you'd like to know about it, please email me at pb (at) petreaburchard (dot) com. Thanks!Petrea Burchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-12774620536866472142010-06-30T07:36:34.898-07:002010-06-30T07:36:34.898-07:00Coriander's my favourite herb (Brits call the ...Coriander's my favourite herb (Brits call the plant coriander as well as its seeds). It makes any salad better, but it's unimprovably delicious with mussels cooked in green Thai broth made with coconut milk. A squeeze of lime juice adds the final, orgasmic touch...Soilmanhttp://www.soilman.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-33068992114080883272010-06-29T22:22:24.138-07:002010-06-29T22:22:24.138-07:00Fennel and harisa seeds go well in harisa. I tend ...Fennel and harisa seeds go well in harisa. I tend to make a bigger batch and then cover with oil and keep i the fridge. I make a very basic harisa paste - http://confessionsofafoodnazi.blogspot.com/2009/03/another-tagine-of-sorts.html<br /><br />It's great in tagines but I've also used it as the spice component of chilli beans (I do a vego version, but am sure it would work in a carnivorous version too). But my all time favourite is using it as a rub/marinade for prawns. They are always spectacular but so easy to make. <br />http://confessionsofafoodnazi.blogspot.com/2010/03/simple-food-harissa-prawn-recipe.htmlGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963643826578219126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-15129679441350289182010-06-29T17:02:09.836-07:002010-06-29T17:02:09.836-07:00Lucky you.
Coriander seeds: I use it in dukkah -...Lucky you. <br /><br /><b>Coriander seeds</b>: I use it in dukkah - Claudia Roden's recipe in The New Book of Middle Eastern Food uses a whopping 1/2 lb (or so) of the stuff and it's uses are many. (I'll send you the recipe if you like) <br /><br /><b>Fennel</b>: In almost everything, but I know it's an acquired thing...<br /><br /><b>Nigella</b>: Best cucumber salad, ever: http://vegeyum.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/massagingcucumbers/<br /><br />What I do is pop nigella seeds (as you would sesame) in a hot pan then sub them for Ganga's poppy seeds. They sizzle as they hit the dressing. So good. <i>So</i> good.Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524429760235996360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-26918430224343829752010-06-29T13:07:15.996-07:002010-06-29T13:07:15.996-07:00I once made a fennel ice cream that my MIL is stil...I once made a fennel ice cream that my MIL is still talking about, it was paired with poached pears. <br /><br />And this is another Italian take on fennel seeds but oh so good - sizzle about 4 tbs fennel seeds in 4 tbs olive oil in a large frying pan, lay 1/2-inch thick tuna steaks (1 1/4 lb) on top, salt and pepper, turn after 5 minutes, another 3 minutes. Put tuna on a heated platter, add a splash of dry white wine to the pan, reduce, pour over the tuna and serve. Simple and fantastic.<br /><br />My poppy pods are ready to harvest!michellehttp://fromseedtotable.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-91018374722420671822010-06-29T12:31:33.375-07:002010-06-29T12:31:33.375-07:00I love your spicy post. Makes me want to run out ...I love your spicy post. Makes me want to run out and start flinging coriander all over my garden! Found your blog via the Seed Savers Exchange and am enjoying reading your gardening/cooking adventures.<br /><br /> Cilantro/coriander seems to race with the arugula to see who can bolt first in our garden. Last few years I'm growing a variety called Delphino that has an attractive lacy leaf.<br /><br />My husband is also an avowed fennel hater but last week he handed me a recipe from the NYT for Bulgar and Cherry Pilaf that has a whopping teaspoon of ground fennel, so now I feel I have license to pull out the fennel seed jar and give it a whirl.<br /><br />Is the culinary NIgella the same as the flower Love in a Mist? I've been wondering about that lately when I collect seed from my flowers. I use the store-bought type on top of bagels and sourdough loaves, usually in combination with white sesame and caraway.<br /><br />Thanks for a good read! Keep it coming.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01084970392848201228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-24763918865442335562010-06-29T10:39:50.386-07:002010-06-29T10:39:50.386-07:00I've never known that nigella seeds are also a...I've never known that nigella seeds are also an herb. Hmm maybe I'll have to try them. I grow coriander all the time. It self seed readily in my garden so that is good. Well my old garden at any rate. I'll have to get the new garden all set up to self seed for that and dill.Daphne Gouldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305049560953735881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-88637033207654924042010-06-29T10:14:12.632-07:002010-06-29T10:14:12.632-07:00Sarah Heller: Reuuuuuuuuuuuuubens. Ah, I haven...Sarah Heller: Reuuuuuuuuuuuuubens. Ah, I haven't had a good reuben since I left DC. I miss the buggers. I'll look into coriander in rye--I know caraway often flavors it.<br /><br />vrtlarica: Interesting--black cumin oil. I've never heard of it and now I'll go look it up!<br /><br />Angela: Yummmm. I love fennel and fish, but it is always a struggle to convince my husband about that combination; I think I'll have to wait until he's out of town to make it for myself. Fennel in cookies? That sounds yummy too--I'll have to explore that option. Right now, based on your coriander suggestion, I'm imagining braised chicken thighs with lots of toasted coriander seed, garlic, a little chile, and beer as the liquid. Yum.<br /><br />Pam: It is impossible to keep cilantro from bolting, especially if it is warm. That's why I only grow it in the cooler months here. I cheat when it is warm and pick it up at the farmers' markets.<br /><br />Anonymous: That does sound like a good pesto.<br /><br />Jenn C.: Coriander pistachio ice cream? DROOL!<br /><br />Allotment blogger: Of course I use the leafy greens of cilantro in salsa--it isn't salsa without it! Salsa = yum. Sprinkling the toasted seed on carrots sounds yummy and like something that will be happening in dinner tonight, in fact.<br /><br />Djuna: Fennel with cumin sounds like a fascinating combination. I can imagine the fennel sweetening up the nutty cumin. Thanks for the inspiration!Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12607821498331135305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-81549772556329259802010-06-29T09:14:28.028-07:002010-06-29T09:14:28.028-07:00All of these spices go wonderfully in curries, of ...All of these spices go wonderfully in curries, of course.<br /><br />I use fennel, mashed in a mortar and pestle, in many places I use cumin seed - with okra and tomatoes, or in soups. As long as I leave cumin as the more dominant spice, I've never regretted adding it alongside. Fennel seed is also great just plain as a fun thing to chew or breath freshener.Djunanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-42595131750166703292010-06-29T08:26:30.560-07:002010-06-29T08:26:30.560-07:00Coriander (cilantro in the USA) is the perfect her...Coriander (cilantro in the USA) is the perfect herb for carrots, it's used in carrot and coriander soup, obviously, but baked carrots, sprinkled with cracked black pepper and coriander, can also be delicious. I've used in a salsa too, with mint and onion, when it is very good with oily fish.allotment bloggerhttp://blog.gardening-tools-direct.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-24674283556353574052010-06-29T06:51:26.824-07:002010-06-29T06:51:26.824-07:00I've had ice cream at indian restaurants that ...I've had ice cream at indian restaurants that have coriander mixed into a vanilla ice cream base, along with pistachios. awesome.Jenn C.http://nograndplan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-72192611385324552842010-06-29T06:13:12.185-07:002010-06-29T06:13:12.185-07:00Chili lime cashews, garlic, toasted sesame oil, co...Chili lime cashews, garlic, toasted sesame oil, coconut milk & cilantro put in food processer makes a terrific pesto!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-19833455898554113422010-06-29T03:53:05.521-07:002010-06-29T03:53:05.521-07:00I've tried planting cilantro, but it just goes...I've tried planting cilantro, but it just goes to seed almost immediately here. Now, I see that is not such a bad thing!pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02651944290195111894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30498647.post-5797655355912171632010-06-28T23:35:35.964-07:002010-06-28T23:35:35.964-07:00Toasted or raw ground coriander can be used just l...Toasted or raw ground coriander can be used just like you describe using the fennel, in the soffritto used as a base for any kind of stew, braise or slow cooked dish. <br /><br />Fennel is great in cookies and other sweets. Also with fish, great with fish, actually. Fennel gelato? <br /><br />Those suggestions are basic, not particularly imaginative, but versatile, so you can use your bounty.Angelahttp://growcookmake.com/noreply@blogger.com