Indian As Apple Pie

Chaat Masala is one of those spices that if you know it, you can't get enough of it. But, what is it? Chaat in Hindi literally means to 'lick'. The thought is that something is so delicious that you want to lick your fingers clean. It's used in most North Indian street foods. Most vendors create their own unique blends, but most blends have a few common ingredients including kala namak (black salt), black pepper, and dried mango powder. The citrus taste element from dried mango powder gives you a lemony base and profile that pairs perfectly with corn. So, Get your...

No doubt, the hottest spice these days is Turmeric. Warm, earthy, bold in flavor. Healthy for you. But how do you actually eat it? And why should you really?  Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory. In the most basic sense, think of how you feel when you wake up with a sore throat. It hurts to swallow. The tissue in your throat is swollen.  The curcumin in turmeric helps fight the infection and inflammation.  A very easy way to get fresh turmeric into your day? Pickle it!  You can find fresh turmeric now in many specialty grocers. In Chicago, I head to...