Spices, Balsamic and Soap, Oh My!

Some women shop for shoes. Me? I shop for spices. It might even be fair to say that I collect them. While there's not a single pair of Manolo's or Louboutin's in my closet - my spice cabinet runneth over with all manner of sexy seasonings. You can keep your strappy sandals, this Diva prefers Penzey's!

Knowing that to be the case, the husband filled my stocking this year with all sorts of yummy, spicy treats. And that's good new for all of us. In the days and weeks to come, I'll be experimenting with these seasonings and creating some dishes that are sure to please.

Let's take a look at my newest editions, shall we?

• Penzey's Herbes de Provence: a magical combination of rosemary, fennel, thyme, savory, basil, tarragon, dill, oregano, lavender, chervil and marjoram. This blend is magnificent, some might even say essential, for roasting a chicken. I'm also planning to use it in combination with that lavender syrup to create an unusual brioche. Stay tuned.

• Penzey's Bavarian Seasoning: a fine companion for any meat or fowl, this intriguing mix combines crushed brown mustard seeds, rosemary, garlic, thyme, bay and sage. I used it in my Savory Chicken Burgers and will soon be paring it with pork of some sort.

• Penzey's Chili 9000: not your average chili powder, this one packs a spicy, yet slightly sweet, punch with its mix of ancho chili, cumin, garlic, cilantro, onion, paprika, cayenne, lemon peel, Mexican oregano, black pepper, cocoa powder, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, fenugreek, cloves, fennel, nutmeg, white pepper, anise seed, jalapeno, star anise and cardamom. Its complex to say the least! Obviously, it would be great in any kind of chili, but its also really, really good on popcorn.

• Penzey's BBQ 3000: I actually put this one on my Christmas list. Why? One word: popcorn. If you've never had BBQ popcorn, you're really missing out. Its addictive! This particular blend contains: salt, paprika, black pepper, nutmeg, mustard, allspice, citric acid, garlic powder, ginger, sage, thyme, white pepper, cinnamon and some natural smoke flavor. I can't wait to try it on grilled shrimp.

In addition to the spices, my stocking also contained a lovely bottle of Carter & Cavero Fig Balsamic Vinegar. Carter & Cavero is a relatively new company, specializing in imported olive oils and vinegars. Located in Red Bank, New Jersey - with an out post in Long Branch as well - they offer a wide array of unique, handcrafted, gourmet items as well as tableware and even cosmetics (i.e. olive oil soaps).

I fell in love with C & C when I came across their wares while shopping at the Bryant Park Holiday Market this year. And the husband, wise as he is, made a return trip to Bryant Park to pick up a bottle of this delicious elixir for me. Infused with fig, this vinegar is outstanding when drizzled over some sharp cheese, such as aged Gouda or Pecorino Romano and would make, I'm sure, a lovely addition to any salad dressing recipe. I used it to glaze the Chicken Burgers and I'm sure it would be equally good as a marinade for some roast or broiled chicken. Its delicious!

Knowing how much time I spend in the kitchen, my darling sister in law K., slipped a lovely bar of Chef's Soap (pictured top left) from Connecticut Natural Soapworks into my stocking. Made from goat's milk and loaded with espresso beans and almond oil, among other things, this delicately fragranced soap is formulated to remove odors while keeping one's hands soft and smooth. Like it, I do!

Trust me, I'm not doing a commercial for Penzey's (or any other company) here - merely giving you a glimpse into my stocking and pointing the way to some wonderful kitchen products. The point? Spices are your friends - especially if you're either watching your weight, or stuck in a cooking rut. Spices are a wonderful low, and often no, calorie way to add flavor and interest to a dish. They're also really fun! Experimenting with a new spice or seasoning can go a long way towards easing the day-to-day cooking blahs.

So, what are some of your favorite spices and seasonings? Anything unusual that you'd like experiment with? Curious Diva wants to know.

Bon appetit!