The CookingBites Spice Challenge - Spice of the Month (February 2018): Sumac

[ElizabethB]

Wht the final spice challenge?

 

[Morning Glory]

Wht the final spice challenge?

Its been running for exactly 12 months and I think I've run out of spices to choose - obviously there are many more spices out there and me and @Herbie between us probably have most of them! But I know a lot of members either wouldn't have or couldn't get many of them.

I was thinking of doing a herb challenge - but the same might apply! And then there is seasonality with fresh herbs to consider... I'm open to suggestions.

 

[Morning Glory]

... I"ve tried to choose accessible popular spices rather than the more obscure, but we still don't get very many entries for some reason. Thoughts anyone?

 

[ElizabethB]

Herbs would be fun. You can probably get a year out of herbs.

 

[Morning Glory]

Herbs would be fun. You can probably get a year out of herbs.

Yes. I think you are right.

 

[Elawin]

Oven-roasted chicken with sumac, pomegranate molasses, chilli and sesame seeds.

https://www.cookingbites.com/thread...anate-molasses-chilli-and-sesame-seeds.12227/

 

[Herbie]

I'm not sure it is possible to pick something everyone can join in with every time. Esp. seasonal herbs. Maybe a mixture?

How about:
Chilli
Ginger
Salt!

Garlic and mint were done in the recipe challenge recently.

Why not do a poll? See what people have access to.

 

[pinkcherrychef]

I've put up for a drink using sumac

I got the picture off of goggle
https://www.cookingbites.com/threads/indian-lemonade-’sumac-and-spice-challenge.12233/

 

[Morning Glory]

I guess sumac isn’t in most people’s spice cupboards as not so many entries this time round. But every recipe was a delight! They were:

@Masticator's Iranian / Persian Kibudeh
A spicy kebab recipe plus a zingy salad. Its great to see Iranian/Persian dishes being posted. This recipe is on my 'to do' list.

@Frizz1974's Chicken marinated in lemon juice and za'atar.
A lovely simple way to use sumac.

@Herbie Za'atar and Cauliflower steaks
Za'atar is such a versatile spice mix and @Herbie shows us how to make our own. The cauliflower steak is impressive. I've tried to make cauliflower steak in the past and deleted my photos. @Herbie 's looks delicious and I can see how the citrus notes of sumac complement the earthy slightly sweet caramelised cauliflower!

@Elawin's Oven-Roasted Chicken with Sumac, Pomegranate Molasses, Chilli and Sesame Seeds
This is a great recipe which combines simplicity of execution with complex flavours: sumac has a citrus taste, pomegranate molasses is sweet and sour, chilli for the heat and sesame seeds to bring it all down to earth.

@pinkcherrychef 's Indian Lemonade
This recipe sounds refreshing and looks very pretty. Well done @pinkcherrychef for thinking of a drink made with sumac.

So - difficult as usual to make a choice. But here we go:

I was so impressed with the complexity of flavour and the simplicity of execution of @Elawin's Oven-Roasted Chicken with Sumac, Pomegranate Molasses, Chilli and Sesame Seeds that it stood out as the winner.

Congratulations @Elawin - please choose your prize from the list here and it will be posted!

This is the final of the current Spice Challenge. Its has been running for a year to date. It may well return in future. A big thank you to everyone who has participated. But watch this space - there will be a new Prize Challenge announced very soon.

 

[Frizz1974]

Well done @Elawin

I’ll try it soon.

 

[The Late Night Gourmet]

I guess sumac isn’t in most people’s spice cupboards as not so many entries this time round.

I couldn't find it at the supermarket, and I didn't have time to check specialty markets (I think I'll just go to Amazon for some, so I have it).

Congratulations @Elawin -

I loved this recipe...I'll likely try making it once I get my hands on some sumac!

 

[Elawin]

My mouth is watering just at the thought of hopefully cooking it again soon!

 

[Elawin]

The winner of this Spice Challenge will receive one of the following prizes:

• Salter big button kitchen timer.
• KitchenCraft Home Made Swedish Rosette Iron Set with Three Interchangeable Heads.
• Kabalo Electric Coffee Bean Grinder & Nut/Spice Grinder.
• E-PRANCE Pepper and Salt Grinder, Manual Salt or Pepper Mill
• The Palomar Cookbook (2016) (recipes from award-winning restaurant The Palomar)
• Feasts by Sabrina Ghayour (2017) (Persian food)
• Bowls of Goodness: Vibrant Vegetarian Recipes Full of Nourishment by Nina Olsson (2017)

Thank you for choosing my recipe! I think my prize will just have to be Feasts by Sabrina Ghayour

 

[Morning Glory]

Thank you for choosing my recipe! I think my prize will just have to be Feasts by Sabrina Ghayour

It will be with you as soon as possible.