I have a thing for spices, sort of like a thing for shoes (yeah, I like shoes). The spice collection now occupies a kitchen cabinet and is creeping into another one. Penzeys catalog descriptions make even sumac berries appealing. If you haven’t checked them out, the address is www.penzeys.com (No, I am not related to Penzeys nor do I have no stock in the company)
Spices have been used for thousands of years as flavorings and preservatives. More recently health benefits are linked to spices such as tumeric and cinnamon. I learned that spice mixtures such as the one described in the article below (Food & Nutrition link) mitigate the effects of grilling – you know, the cancer potential from eating grilled foods. Well, don’t let the food police scare you off – enjoy cookout season and try a new spice combination. I’m going to try the Moroccan Sliders – try them and let me know if you like them.
Food&NutritionMag_Spring_2012_not your mothers spice
Penzeys includes recipes in their catalog
southernfoodscrounge 
baconbiscuit212
/ April 4, 2012Penzey’s is one of my favorites too!
We used to have a retail outlet here, but they sadly closed.
Recently though, I have become a little obsessed with Lior Lev Sercarz. He does these spice blends that just sounds like poetry in a jar!
Click to access LaBoiteaEpice_Catalog_2011.pdf
scroungelady
/ April 6, 2012Thanks for the spice link. Unfortunate you lost the Penzeys store. Interesting that we’re using more spice mixtures compared to single spices now.