We said at the outset that the Geezer Gourmet likes prepared condiments
and spices. True, some could be made at home, such as salsas, barbecue
sauces, spice combinations and even infused oils and vinegars. But
many products out there are very good and reasonable in price, so why bother?
There is a short list of condiments and spices in my pantry that provide
flavors ranging from subtle to remarkable in dishes ranging from veggies,
grains and salads to roasts and ribs. Infused oils and spice combinations
are at the top of the list.
Infused Oils: In culinary speak, infusion is a process
of extracting flavors from a product, such as herbs, spices, fruits or
tea leaves, by immersing it in a liquid, such as water, oil or vinegar.
I use infused oils quite a lotoften to finish a dish in its final preparation.
If you are tired of butter, try an infused oil. OK,
the calories are about the same, but the olive oil doesn’t have the cholesterol.
Two of my former bosses like infused oils.
Chef Laurie Bell liked a lemon pepper oil made by Olivier, a company
in California. Though pricey, a little goes a long way to brighten
up steamed beans, broccoli or blanched asparagus as well as salad dressings.
The infusion is very refined and the lemon pepper taste fades if this oil
is used as a cooking oil. Think of it as a sauce. A drizzle
does it. I am on my fourth bottle of this stuff. Its carried
only by Williams-Sonoma. There are other flavors too, but the lemon
pepper is a true standout.
Chef Bonnie Moore likes infused oils made by Boyajian, a company in
Massachusetts, and for good reason. Boyajian oils are priced low
enough to use in larger quantities. More better, these infused oils
are very intense and will not fade when heated. This outfit makes
a wide variety of infused olive oils, Asian oils and citric oils.
They even make a lemon-pepper oil. Sutton Place Gourmet and
Trader Joe’s carry a few of the Boyajian oils. They have a Web site
(boyajianinc.com) where you can shop and order direct.
In all, infused oils can add sophistication to your cooking. Drizzle
some on veggies, salads, pizzas, and pastas; brush it on between the slices
of a baguette before warming, or mix some into the tapenade for the
focaccia. Use it to substitute or augment butter in the preparation
of rice dishes and to add that little something to your pasta sauce that
will delight but confound the steady freeloaders at your table.
Spice Combinations: They tell this story at LAcademie
de Cuisine: It seems that the White House chef was preparing the
menu for a state dinner in honor of the head of government of a country
in the Maghreb, the northwest part of Africa (Tunisia, Morocco, or Algeria).
Lamb was the selected entrée and the chef wanted to use spices indigenous
to that region. Curry powder would never do. He had to get some Ras
el Hanout, an ancient blend of as many as 20 spices (including aromatics
and aphrodisiacs) much prized in the Maghreb. Where to find it?
He asked himself. Call LAcademie, he concluded. Well, as
the story goes, the master teacher at LAcademie, Chef Pascal Dionot, said
that he would be honored to mix up a fresh batch if someone from the White
House would drive out to Gaithersburg to pick it up. A black sedan with
a guy in a dark suit arrived shortly thereafter.
Ras el Hanout is not to be found in the U.S. The Spice
House people in Milwaukee say that if it doesn’t include aphrodisiacs (Spanish
fly, ash berries and monk’s pepper) its not authentic, so they won’t make
it. If you want to try, consult Wolfert
where a detailed recipe of a Moroccan variety is found along with two less
exotic versions.
All the above is but prelude to the high value to be placed on spice
combinations. You are all familiar with curry powder, Italian seasoning,
pickling spice and the like. There are many, many others. From
the aforementioned Spice House, I have Baharat, an eastern Mediterranean
spice used with lamb and couscous. I’m on my second bag of their
Jamaican-Style Jerk Seasoning, which I use as a dry rub on ribs and make
into a marinade for chicken, pork and fish. Also in Wisconsin, and
related somehow to the people at the Spice House, is an outfit called Penseys
Spices (www.penseys.com). These folks put out a very informative
catalogso good I save a copy now and then. From them, I get another
rub, called Barbecue of the Americas, top quality peppercorns, vanilla
beans and herbes de Provence. I buy in small quantities and vacuum
pack the stuff to retard fading.
By the way, we have of late preferred dry rubbing our ribs and grilling
them over a slow fire for about three hours, drizzled with a little olive
oil during the last hour. They are then served with a side of warm
barbecue sauce. Spice and pork taste comes through dry rubbed.
Barbecue sauce is messy and drowns out all but its own taste, which is
never all that good. Try it you’ll like it.
