This short program offers a primer on the use of herbs and spices “to take your cooking from ordinary to extraordinary.” Shot in a cozy kitchen setting, Herbs & Spices features prolific cookbook author, instructor, and TV personality Paulette Mitchell (whose books include the popular 15-Minute Gourmet series), who guides viewers through the basics of handling and preparing herbs, selecting and using various herbs and spices (including dry, fresh, whole, and ground), understanding the characteristics of different kinds of salt, and an appreciation of pepper (“the king of spices”). Along the way, Mitchell demonstrates a simple recipe for herb-roasted vegetables and also puts together an easy homemade pesto. The close-up camerawork is useful in illustrating techniques such as chopping vegetables uniformly and handling delicate herbs without causing damage. Adopting a casual, conversational style, Mitchell also offers plenty of practical tips on storage, measurement, and proper usage. Recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)
Herbs & Spices
(2009) 18 min. DVD: $49.95 (teacher’s guide included). Learning Zone Express. PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 1-57175-836-4. Volume 25, Issue 3
Herbs & Spices
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