A household necessity, COMPLETE GUIDE TO HERBS & SPICES offers everything you need to know about how herbs and spices can enhance your cooking and improve your life. Learn to use lavender to soothe headaches, plant your own mint for a refreshing addition to any tea, or whip up a batch of Dutch cinnamon cookies. Whether you harvest from your own garden or stock up at the grocery store, this robust guide is your go-to for recipes, natural remedies, preventative therapies, and more. This book combines scientific information, like the physical effects of herbal aromas, with practical advice, like how to dry flowers and herbs for a fragrant potpourri—all with elegant and vibrant photography of all herbs and spices included. Covering more than 100 herbs, spices, and seasonings, this useful compendium is one is one to turn to again and again.
Nancy J. Hajeski is the real name of author Nancy Butler.
Nancy Butler had been—more or less—living in the 19th century since the publication of her first Signet Regency romance in 1998. Twelve novels and three novellas later, she found herself rudely back in the 21st century when the Regency romance genre faded (yet not, oddly, Austen-mania). Fortunately, in 2009 Marvel offered her a chance to adapt Pride and Prejudice for their illustrated classics line, putting her firmly back in the era she adored. The hardcover compilation became a New York Times bestseller in the graphic novel category, and when it reached No. 2 on the list there was great rejoicing.
Butler also writes nonfiction for middle-schoolers under her real name, Nancy J. Hajeski, and is the author of The Hammond Book of Presidents and of three Hammond Undercover titles: Rocks & Minerals, Princesses, and Sharks.
She has won two RITAs from the Romance Writers of America, two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from Romantic Times magazine, and was retired to their Hall of Fame by the New Jersey Romance Writers. Butler lives in the Catskills with two mellow cats and a temperamental Jackabee.
This book had been sitting on my cookbook shelf since I got it, as I intended on just using it for reference (which I haven’t done). So I decided to pull it down and read it through. So glad I did! I feel so enlightened about each of these herbs and spices’ uses in areas of cooking, medicine, aromatherapy/perfume, nutrition, history, and cultural relevance. So many interesting and useful tidbits that I was taking notes! There’s even a whose section at the end with advice on growing these in the garden.
This book is excellent for anyone who wants to start an herb or cottage garden. It is even great for someone, like me, who already has a garden but wants to add more color, whimsy, or magic to their garden. I am excited to add some of these herbs, spices, and seasonings to my garden and my cooking regimen.
This book also has a grow guide in the back which will be super helpful when starting some new plants I have never planted before. I would definitely recommend this book to beginners and experts alike.
Most interesting, but not comprehensive. For example, I was surprised that Rosemary was not included.
Still for the items that are included, the information provided is very good, but this is produced by National Geographic, so it's kind of expected. There are pictures, historical info, culinary info, health benefits and more!
Sometimes there are recipes and at the end is a Grower's Guide -- tips for growing each herb or spice. There is also a comprehensive glossary and index at the end.