Spices are so familiar that much of the time we ignore their provenance, but they carry within them an unparalleled magic - one that inspires greed, lust, romance, nostalgia and perhaps most importantly of all, the power to enthral cooks and consumers alike. This fascinating book opens the cupboard to reveal not just their culinary prowess, in the form of over 90 delicious recipes for spiced dishes from all over the world, but also their stories - for every spice has its own unique story, just as it has its own particular scent and magic. In this intriguing and practical guide, each spice has a dedicated entry, exploring its origins and voyages, its various culinary forms, and offering a selection of tempting recipes that exploit its unique aroma and flavour. In addition, there is a compendium of spice blends, ranging from the familiar to more exotic spice mixes. Beautiful and informative photographs by award-winning photographer David Loftus enhance the appeal of this exceptional book.

Author Biography

Sophie Grigson was born and bred into the world of cookery, with her famous food-writer mother, Jane Grigson. Sophie quickly assimilated Jane's talent and passion for food and she published her first cookery article in 1983. Sophie is a natural at teaching cookery in an informal and friendly manner, and her first TV series in 1993, Grow Your Greens, Eat Your Greens, won the Caroline Walker Prize (Media Category). Sophie has made numerous TV series for Channel 4 and the BBC. She has also written regular food articles for newspapers and magazines, including a monthly column with Waitrose Food Illustrated, and has featured on many radio programmes. Sophie was awarded the Guild of Food Writers Cookery Journalist Award in 2001. Having published a phenomenal 21 cookery books, Sophie Grigson's name is synonymous with great food and she continues to teach, write for magazines and cook at press and local events.