sf wrote:
The Penzeys maharajah curry powder is strong, I use it sparingly,
about half what Penzeys recommends. Saffron is one of those spices
that less is more... add a very litte too much and the dish develops a
moldiness about it. I wouldn't buy any of what's termed "double
strength" vanilla. Like saffron vanilla is another flavoring where
less is more... add very little too much and a bitterness develops.
And anyway, for some 25 years now modern chemistry has created vanilla
flavoring that is impossible for humans to differenciate from natural
vanilla (dogs can be trained to differenciate). It's really very
silly to spend money on natural vanilla extract anymore, and buying
vanilla beans is the height of stupidity... you're just making those
drug dealers rich. Also, heating natural vanilla alters its flavor so
using it in anything you heat (like baked goods) is really dumb...
modern vanilla flavoring is not altered nearly so much by heating. If
you're one of those diehards living in the past at least reserve your
natural vanilla for uses where it does not get heated, like whipped
cream and ice cream... remember, if you're heating vanilla beans to
extract the flavor you wasted your money.