Spice Rack Challenge - Cardamom

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This month's challenge almost caused me to drop out of the challenge.  Believe it or not, I have NEVER used Cardamom!  Really!  I have looked at many recipes that call for it and almost bought it for a recipe one of my girls wanted to take to school but the cost prevented me from taking that leap.  Enter the Spice Rack Challenge!  Do I buy something that is really not in my budget for one recipe and maybe never use it again?  I checked my local grocer and only found it in the prepackaged spice jars for about $10 so thought I might pass.  My one chance was if we had enough time to stop by Whole Foods today.  Surely they would have it in their bulk section.  Not only did we have time but they had it in pod form which was my preference.  I grabbed a few pods and after wandering around the store and picking up a number of items we didn't need but wanted, we proceeded to checkout.  The weight of my pods were too small to register so the checkout lady gave them to me - GAVE them to me.  This is why I shop at Whole Foods, not for free stuff but because the people are so nice.  Of course I did only pick up about 10 pods but it is the idea.  For reasons like this I never hesitate to donate when they have some sort of drive going on.  Sorry for the long winded story but this challenge is doing more than getting people to use up what is in their pantry but to step out of their box and try new things.  So now that I have my Cardomom, what to make.  I searched online and found the perfect item.

Cold Strawberry Soup - serves 4

1 1/2 lb strawberries
14 oz sour cream
4 oz sugar
4 oz cold water
4 oz orange juice
Pinch of ground cardamom

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth and pureed.  Chill until ready to serve.

Results?  I thought it was nice and refreshing and would be good on a hot day as a starter with a salad.  Woodman and my eldest did not really like it, they felt it had a medicinal taste.  I'm glad I tried and will have it again, just may not make enough for the whole family

 



Comments

  1. Nicole PearceMarch 18, 2011 at 1:53 AM

    Too bad your family didn't like it. Does sound really good for a warm summer day. Strawberries and cardamom sound like a good pairing. Glad to see you didn't drop out! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. ShayneMarch 30, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    I go to the Indan market and get my cardamom, very reasonable there

    ReplyDelete

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