A Modest Digression

Donkey blog purists will perhaps raise an eyebrow or give a slight shake of the head when they see this post has no connection whatsoever to donkeys.  None.

But let me explain.

Recently I finished reading "The Hundred Foot Journey" -- perhaps you saw the movie with Helen Mirren -- in which an Indian boy's family moves to France and eventually opens an Indian restaurant. He speaks fondly of the aromas and spices of his birth country's meals.

And then I watched "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel".  Situated in India.

A few days later as I was thinking about the evening's meal preparation, I remembered having purchased a spice of Indian origin.  And I had done nothing with it.  Well, of course, with India on the brain, I had to dig that spice packet out and test its properties.

 

   Garam Masala

While sauteing carrots I added a gentle shake of the finely ground brown powder.  It added just a touch of sweetness and perhaps smokiness.  Definitely a yes.

Should I delve further into "exotic" spices?

With what spices have you experimented?