A Pinch Of Homepage cooking with herbs and spices

Q: I live near Pasadena, California in the 91107 area code and I can’t for the life of me replace this wonderful jar of Colman’s of Norwich Classic Mint Sauce that I purchased locally 2-3 yrs ago. I’ve checked & called likely stores that would carry this British grown mint, can’t locate a website containing info to contact for locations where this product is sold. The 250ml jar says produced in Great Britain by Colman’s of Norwich for Unilever UK. Would so appreciate any ideas I have overlooked, being a grandma my computer skills aren’t what I need, to explore & locate another nearby grocery store. I thank you in advance for any suggestions to finding this wonderful mint sauce locally. GG

A: I couldn't find a store in your area but I did notice it is available on Amazon.com. Here's a link: Colman's Classic Mint Sauce 250 ml

Q: Why is garlic sweet sometimes, and sometimes bitter? AH

A: If you are talking just about a fresh clove then I would suspect age. The older the garlic, the less sweet it would be. Some people say that the green sprout that garlic cloves sometimes have is bitter and should be removed but it would also indicate a clove that is less than fresh. Garlic can also become bitter by overcooking. Once it is browned, it's pretty much burnt.

Q: Hello. I have a question about a rosemary plant. We transplanted a small rosemary plant to the front of our yard last fall. It has grown a bit, to over two feet tall. Today I noticed that the tops of its branches are curling down into a 90 degree angle. Is this normal growth, or a problem? Could it be due to over-watering or crowded roots? I have never trimmed the plant, should I start to do so now, at the start of the spring? This is a very special plant to us, planted to commemorate the passing of our dog, who loved to walk through rosemary bushes. Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, ER

A: After you wrote I noticed some of the new growth on my own plant was doing the same thing. I also noticed that these branches were probably getting knocked against the barbeque grill by the wind. Perhaps yours are also getting a bit of abuse by the weather. I don't think it indicates any big problems but you certainly couldn't go wrong by giving the plant a trim.

Q: Hi, Can I substitute juniper berries for ground sumac? Or is there another substitution for ground sumac I could use? I am making a dressing for a Middle Eastern dish. Thanks, PV

I suppose juniper berries might provide the sour taste that sumac presents. In her book Spices, Manisha Gambhir Harkins suggests using caraway instead of sumac. Although the flavors are different, she points out, caraway is also a classic Middle Eastern spice. She suggests adding the seeds to the oil when beginning a recipe.

Q: Where can I purchase Lawry’s Chicken and Poultry Rub in the 21215 area? Thanks ACL

A: Looks like Sam's Club carries the "Perfect Blend" seasoning. You can also order it from Amazon.

Q: Thomas Keller's Roquefort and Leek quiche calls for 6 gratings of nutmeg. I live overseas and can't find whole nutmeg; what would be a safe estimate of six gratings? Thank you. PK

A: Interesting way to list an ingredient in a recipe. I got out my nutmeg grater and discovered six gratings is equal to 1/8 of a teaspoon.

Q: How do I substitute Agar power for Agar flakes in a recipe? MC

A: I am not well-versed in using this vegetarian gelatin substitute so I did some research. I'm going to give it a try soon. As with most subjects, two different sources that I found listed two different measurements for using flakes or powder. One said 1 Tablespoon of flakes is equal to 1 teaspoon of powder. The other said 1 Tablespoon would be equal to 2 teaspoons. In light of this, I think I would start with using 1 1/2 teaspoons to equal 1 Tablespoon. In other words, half as much powder to flakes.

Q: Where can I buy McCormick Hot Shot in local supermarkets in Massachusetts? JA

A: If you can't find this product among the other spices at the supermarket, you might ask them to order it for you. I notice that Walmart is selling it online so they may also carry it on the shelves.

Q: Hello, I began growing a small rosemary plant at the end of the summer. It lives on the front porch in a medium sized pot (about 10"), and gets good sunlight. I have used a few sprigs here and there, but it is not growing back and is beginning to look a little thin. What can I do to help it grow back? Thanks! SRS

A: You don't say where you live so it could be that your plant has gone into a slow growing phase because the weather is cool or cold. If your temperatures are low I suspect your plant will resume growing again once it warms up a bit. If you are in a warm climate, you might consider adding a bit of lime to the soil or giving the plant a light dose of fertilizer. Pay attention to watering--not too much but not too little either. Find more tips on the Rosemary Q&A Page.

Q: Online I purchased a large chile ristra from a vendor in Hatch, NM. I had it sprayed so it would be ornamental and not to be consumed. It has hung in my kitchen and I love it. When I dust it seeds fall from it and I worry about my grandkids finding a stray one. Do you know the best way to wash or clean this beautiful ristra? Thank you. JW

A: We have covered cleaning ristras on the Chiles Q&A page. If you can't hold the ristra over a sink, perhaps before you begin cleaning it you could spread out some newspaper or a torn-open paper bag to catch any seeds that might fall.

See all Questions Find questions by subject