Authors: Sallie Morris and Lesley Mackley

Competent information on the origin and cultivation, appearance and use of 50 spices. Information and recipes for 35 exotic spice mixtures - sambals, masalas, curry pastes. The 100 best international recipes with all the arts of creative seasoning. With step-by-step instructions and many kitchen tips.

A nice gift for anyone who loves to cook

The world of spices is so big and diverse that even experienced hobby cooks can always learn something new. Almost 50 spices are presented in individual portraits, with the level of detail depending on the importance of the spice: things that we rarely use, such as cassia or sumac, are presented on half a page, international spice stars such as chillies sometimes on six pages. Each spice portrait goes into the history, cultivation and harvest, aroma, use in the kitchen and storage.

Was The Handbook of Spices What makes it different from other similar books are the many recipes for making your own spice mixes: curry powder, masalas, sambals, exotic spice pastes, but also spice mixes for grilling or desserts. You can even find out here how you can use spices to flavor and refine oils and vinegars, but also drinks (tea, coffee, punch). In addition to basic information on use, preparation or storage, the authors also succeed in awakening the reader's basic desire to experiment with spices - in order to gradually discover the whole world of spices with their wonderful scents and promising aromas in their own kitchen open up.

The beautifully designed illustrated book is rounded off by a detailed recipe section. And that's good. Because the book makes you want to put your newly acquired knowledge of spices into practice straight away. For example: pumpkin soup with curried horseradish cream, chickpea patties with coriander and tahini, lamb with cinnamon crust and green pepper, veal escalope with grapefruit and ginger.

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