Since I wrote about giving cookbooks as gifts last week, I thought I’d mention that one of my other favorite holiday treats to present to friends are spices from Penzeys Spices.
I just ordered a new supply to get me through the plethora of holiday dinners I’ll be cooking over the next four weeks. (Have I mentioned that I have two sets of divorced and remarried parents and that we have them all here for four separate Christmases?!) I added Parsley, Pure Vanilla Extract, Chicago Steak Rub, and English Prime Rib (this makes the world’s best prime rib crust, I swear) to my online shopping basket with a smile. For some reason, I love to receive these heavy glass jars of spices in the mail.
While I was printing the receipt, I started the think about how spices – their smells and textures – carry memories. Some remind us of people (the ginger Grandma used in her homemade pie) or occasions (the nutmeg used in your favorite Christmas cookies).
Have you ever thought of yourself as a spice?
I did a Google search to see if a quiz existed in which you could identify your spice. Sure enough, there is one.
Click here to take the quiz. I’m basil. Not bad. I go with spaghetti sauce and am supposedly easygoing and caring.
I think the blogger who wrote about my friend Heather’s book is probably a jar of mace or a mouthful of cloves, but what spice are you?
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I’m Oriental Curry Powder. I was hoping for Cinnamon or Ginger, but I put curry in about every dish that I can, and I’ve always been one to go for a mix of things.
Great post!
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I’m Basil too. I’m ok with that, kind of like being stable and having some things (not my house though) in order.
by Lynn
on December 1st, 2007 at 10:50 am
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I’m basil, too. I had to LOL at some of the options. Too funny! And I’m with you on the mace or cloves. 
And thanks for the reminder–I need vanilla extract!
by Heather
on December 1st, 2007 at 12:23 pm
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Diana - Curry powder…who hoo! You go, you exotic woman, you.
The rest of the basils: let’s start a club!
by JB
on December 1st, 2007 at 11:31 pm
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I’m Basil. Perfect for me since it flowers in July and August since my birthday is July 31.
by Traci
on December 2nd, 2007 at 4:27 am
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Bay Leaves. Quiet and slightly mysterious!!! I have my doubts as to whether any of my fifth graders would agree on that account…
by Rudolf
on December 2nd, 2007 at 8:23 am
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I got Saffron, elusive and mysterious.
by Marissa
on December 2nd, 2007 at 10:14 am
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Marissa - one of my favorite shades. You should read Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther.
by JB
on December 2nd, 2007 at 9:59 pm
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I love cinnamon and all the marvelous memories and images it invokes. Yum.
by Maggie
on December 3rd, 2007 at 11:54 am
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It was basil for me too. Our basil club is growing!
by Linda
on December 4th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
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Hey, Marissa! I got saffron as well! Elusive and mysterious…don’t forget intoxicating!
by Karen
on December 5th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
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Rudolph, I can “see” the bay leaves in you. Just think about the extra kick you bring to life - just like a bay leaf simmering in a pot of sauce. Subtle, but impressive.
Looks like the basil club and the saffron club need to play a game of kickball!
by JB
on December 5th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
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Should I start a website for “The Basil Club”?
by Traci
on December 6th, 2007 at 2:12 am
