Spice Use Guide
A Sweet Read offers a wide array of fresh and aromatic spices in airtight containers to maintain freshness. Because our spices are purchased in quantity and packaged on location we can offer the freshest spices at prices lower than available at other retail outlets. You can spice up your recipes without a great increase in cost for the extra flavor and punch it will add to your favorite dishes.
Be sure to check our recipe section for ideas on how to add some of these flavorful spices to your menu plans.
Below is a list of some of the spices A Sweet Read offers and a brief description of suggested uses. Experiment, it’s fun and tasty!
Allspice – Its delicate flavor resembles a blend of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Uses: pickles, meats, boiled fish, gravies. Use ground allspice for puddings, relishes, fruit preserves and baking.
Basil – Has an aromatic, leafy flavor. Add to hot dishes towards the end of cooking. Great with tomatoes, peas, squash, snap beans, pastas and soups. Sprinkle over lamb chops & poultry.
Bay Leaves – Has a sweet, herbaceous floral spice note. Use in pickling, casseroles, stocks, stews, soups and curries. Also use with a variety of meats and fish.
Caraway – bridge the gap between sweet and savory. Ideal for breads, cakes, dumplings, soups, and coleslaw. Often used in sauerkraut, noodles, cheese spreads. Adds zest to French fried potatoes, liver and asparagus.
Cayenne – wonderful with seafood. Also use with cheese, eggs, sauces and quiches.
Celery Seeds/Flakes – Good in soups, sauces, stuffings. Wonderful with tomatoes in pasta sauces and in Bloody Marys.
Chili – Adds a spicy, fiery flavor. Used widely in all cuisines. Good in meat and poultry dishes.
Chives – use in scrambled eggs, salads and with cream cheese.
Cinnamon – Sweet, warm taste and aroma. Good in curries, meat stews, rice. Great with lamb & chicken. Widely used in many fruit-based desserts, cakes & spiced breads.
Cinnamon Sticks – Good in mulled wine, pot pourri décor, stewed fruit and as a flavoring in coffee, cocoa, and tea.
Cloves – used in soups, bread sauce, apple pies and crumbles, mulling spices and to stud honey roast ham. Good in marinades and stews.
Coriander – sweet with a hint of orange peel, peppery aroma, used ground in curries, pickling spices, with vegetables, smoked meat and game.
Cumin – warm and sharp with a heavy, pungent aroma, gives a distinct warm flavor to curries, meat and vegetable dishes, couscous, and is used in many spice blends.
Curry Powder– used to flavor, these aromatic leaves give a lemony taste which is sweeter than bay leaves. Used extensively in Indian cuisine recipes such as lamb, chicken and rice, eggs, vegetables and curry puffs. Wonderful in curry sauces and lime rice.
Dill – Has a clean, aromatic taste. Used predominantly in pickling recipes, also adds a pleasing flavor to sauerkraut, potato salad, cooked macaroni, green apple pie and a variety of dips.
Fennel Seeds – Warm fragrant liquorice flavor and aroma. Add whole to meat, vegetables and roast. Also used in sauces, pork and salads.
Garlic - From stews to roast meats, salad dressings and curries. Good for just about everything.
Ginger – Rich, warming flavor. Highly versatile: great with pumpkin, squash, sweet potato, biscuits, puddings, and cakes. Used in many spice blends. Try adding to your favorite tea to give it a bit of pep.
Marjoram Leaves – An herb of the mint family, it has a minty-sweet flavor. Use in beverages, jellies and to flavor soups, stews, fish and sauces. Great with tomatoes, pizzas & salads. Sprinkle on lamb while roasting.
Mustard Seeds – Quickly fried they are sweet and nutty with a delicious aroma. Good in Indian food, pork, pickles and vegetables.
Nutmeg – Rich, warm and highly aromatic with slight sweet notes. Used in English pies and puddings, with stewed fruits and baked custards. Add to mashed potatoes or white cabbage. Goes with most egg or cheese dishes.
Oregano – Use in pasta sauces, tomato sauces and on pizzas. Also use in salads and dressings.
Paprika – Pungent flavor with rounded smoky tones. Use in meat stews, fish & shellfish, vegetables, soups, and rice. An essential item for your cupboard.
Parsley – mainly used as a garnish. Great in sauces, soups, vegetable dishes and with fish.
Pepper, Black – use in marinades, stocks, sauces and as a universal condiment.
Peppercorns, Black – Hot, warm aroma. Highly versatile, use whole or coarsely crushed.
Peppercorns, Pink – Delicate fruity sweet taste. Multipurpose seasoning – gives dishes superb bright pink color.
Peppercorns, White – Pungent ‘bite’ with sweetish notes. Used as a multipurpose seasoning.
Rosemary – strong flavor with pine and camphor notes. Excellent with meat, especially lamb or pork. Commonly used in stuffings.
Sage – Intense musky flavor with warm spicy notes. Used with pork, duck and in stuffings. Wonderful flavoring in butter or ravioli. Good in cheeses and risottos, meat loaves, hamburgers, stews and salads.
Thyme – Warm, earthy aroma with spicy tones of clove and mint, thyme is used with game meats, stuffings and pasta sauces. Good in slow-cooked dishes to develop flavor, sautéed vegetables and sauces.
Tarragon – a distinctive herb, used with eggs, fish, chicken, veal and omelettes.
Turmeric – Adds an earthy taste and yellow color, it is used as a flavoring and coloring in prepared mustard and in combination with mustard as a flavoring for meats, dressings, and salads. Mind your work surfaces – it stains!
A Sweet Read offers a full line of Pennsylvania Dutch Bulk Foods. We carry many candy and snack items, as well as a full line of spices, cookie mixes and a variety of sugar-free products in stock. We also can special order a variety of dry-good items including enriched and whole grain flours; pastas; gluten-free, sugar-free, and wheat-free products; baker’s supplies including flavorings, colorings, one-use baking pans, etc.; seasonal items for Christmas, Easter, fall, spring, Halloween, etc.; and many other items. These items can be purchased in quantity or in smaller lots. Please ask to see our Customer Catalog at the front counter.
A Sweet Read also offers the following services:
· Book, Magazine, and video trade service
· Soup, Sandwich, Ice Cream and Beverages
· Gift Baskets – Ready-to-Go, or Create Your Own
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