Unexpected Knowledge

by Rebecca Einstein Schorr on 22 June 2012 @ 10:49 am

It is no secret that I am new to the culinary world. And by new I mean very new and, really, not so very knowledgeable. Yet.

For much of my adult life, my go-to spice has be Lawry’s Seasoned Salt — with garlic a close second. Due to my childlike simple palate, I was hesitant to use other spices. But I have become more adventurous in my cooking since The Big Move and have started to incorporate other spices so frequently that I have actually finished a few jars. Never before had I replaced a spice for any reason other than it had been sitting, unused, for much too long and it got tossed during Passover cleaning.

With all that said, I am still a novice at all of this.

Which is why I was taken by surprise when, after sampling Warren’s gazpacho last night, I declared, “I detect some caraway.”

Eyeing this obvious stranger who had taken over his wife’s body with understandable suspicion, Warren took a spponful. “I think it’s the aftertaste of the cucumber.”

I took another mouthful. And even another.

“Nope. I taste the cucumber as well. But I am definitely tasting caraway.”

Our server happened by a few moments later and Warren asked her to check with the kitchen. And, much to his amazement, I was right! I was overjoyed to be right. But not surprised. Not because my newly-acquired cooking skills had provided me with this knowledge.

Oh no. I’ve never actually cooked with caraway.

But seriously…what Ashkenazic Jewess wouldn’t recognize the primary flavour of rye bread???

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Steve 22 June 2012 @ 10:59 am at 10:59 am

Since I’m fond of saying that I’ve been married to three women (all with the same name), I suppose Warren can now legitimately talk about his second wife!

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2 Phyllis 22 June 2012 @ 11:00 am at 11:00 am

Ha…that is not where I imagined this was going! Good for you and your palate!!!! In related news, did you ever read that book 97 Orchard Street? It’s a culinary history of the lower east side. Very good and also made me hungry….I know it was a recommendation from you in some way, so thanks!

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3 Laurie 22 June 2012 @ 11:53 am at 11:53 am

This is great awareness for a newbie culinarian (oh, and making up words is ok, too!), so congratulations. And when you go out to someone’s home and you recognize how they have seasoned the food, it is a nice conversation starter.

Just wait until you start cooking Indian:) You want to talk spices…?!!

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