Favorite Places: World Spice Merchants
I have walked by World Spice Merchants a million times, and even been in a couple times. But I didn't really discover it until this week, and Yancey was rolling his eyes by the end of the day at my constant chatter about it.
The highlight of my week was a canceled meeting. You know how that is. I was downtown and it so happened that Yancey and Loretta were at Pike Place Market, all bundled up in the rain, so I got to join them instead. When I rounded the corner into Post Alley, Loretta started jumping up and down. Remind me of that when she's a sullen 15 and doesn't want to have anything to do with me.
We did our usual things--fruit, watching the lightning-quick crumpet maker and the Beecher's cheese-making. Then we went down to Western Ave. and Loretta played outside with Yancey while I dawdled in the spice shop. Oh, bliss. They have the usual suspects--different salts, dried oregano, peppercorns. But it's their blends that are most intoxicating. You fill out a little order pad, and they scoop from bins and grind them right in front of you. I got harissa, an ancho chile concoction, unbelievable garam masala, five-spice Chinese, and a bag of these beautiful, pliable California bay leaves. The staff was delightful, too. Even though I know a lot about food, I have a twinge of insecurity every time I walk into a specialty food shop. I feel novice and dumb. Now I know YOU are rolling your eyes at this point, but that's my confession. I think it's because I know how much I DON'T know. I love to think about all the food discoveries still waiting for me in my lifetime. Yesterday, on the phone with my mom, she said, "My biggest fear is that I'm going to die before I have a chance to make everything I want to make." Clearly, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
No recipe for you today--I've had a kind of break-neck pace this week, and I'm not sure why. New Year's energy? But I have a few more things for you. First, the ham update! I went on and on here about the Smithfield ham we got from Bob's Quality Meats, and never told you how it turned out. I'm positive there are at least a couple of you that have had some sleepless nights as a result. After two nights of soaking it in a cooler and baking it without glaze in the oven for about 3 hours (we decided it didn't need glaze), I'm here to report that there aren't enough exclamations in my vocabulary to do it justice. When it came out of the oven, my Mom, Wyatt, and I couldn't keep our hands off it--those little crackly bits, the thin layer of crispy fat, and the salty, striated meat that tasted like no ham I've ever encountered. It's going to be a tradition, for sure.
And one more thing--Seattle sunset from Seward Park, on a walk with my family after we picked Wyatt up from the bus stop. Yancey's had five days off this week (part of the firefighting life that I adore). Standing on the Seward Park trail with my camera;, fingers cold and light fading; those three precious figures ahead of me; I felt with Julian of Norwich, again, that "All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well."
January 7, 2010
Reader Comments (14)
Nice post. You're right in so many ways about "the apple not falling far from the tree", and I love the sunset photo.
Oh, I love World Spice, too! I didn't discover World Spice until more recently on a trip with my mom (I'm now in Portland, OR) & we were there in for a long time sniffing everything. I love that you can get all those blends in bulk - it ended up being pretty affordable to get a fun variety of things -- I think I got garam masala, too, and candied ginger and Vietnamese cinnamon and some others. I really want to make it back there next time I'm in Seattle.
I love the whole Pike Place experience, too. It reminds me of going there on summer trips as a kid (I grew up in a small town in SW Wash) and how amazing it was to be in the big city. I loved seeing all the flower bouquets, produce merchants, the humbao place, the pierogi place, and so on. One of my favorite places to be in Seattle, even if it's a little touristy. I love how all the little shops are poked in various hallways of the building.
Loved this post! I love Smithfield Ham as well - even my non-eating daughter couldn't keep taking bits and pieces every time she walked by it as it was resting!
Do I see a foot in the ham picture? :D
Gorgeous picture - you have much to be thankful for!
drool, drool, drool...especially over the ham. thank you for reminding us of the julian of norwich quote. it speaks to me too.
I was delighted when I discovered Market Spice last year; are you saying that World Spice is even better? I must go there then.
I, too, love that Julian of Norwich quote, and I look forward the the quiet moments when I get to read your blog. Thank you.
Elaine, do you recongnize the roaster the ham is in? You Gayle and Raeanne gave it to me one of the 1st yrs I worked at the Greenhouse. It has has alot of things roasted in it, but this takes the prize by far, for the most tasty. This ham was the star of the show on Christmas Eve, and again New Years Eve in New Orleans gumbo. We have used it in a dozen things,that have made every dish it was in outstanding, and am still doing the leftover thing. It doesn't get any better than this for a leftoverist. Darnit, I'm ready to move on and I still have ham hanging out in my fridge.
Love the shot of Seward Park, I can so picture the kids running ahead of you as you daydream about what dish to make with your garam marsala, and your freshly ground harissa blend.
Did you know the definition of eternity is "Two people and a ham?!" Also--mission accomplished on the biscuit cutter. Thank you, mfm!
Wait, bay leaves aren't supposed to be crumbly little dried up things that remind me of the remnants of my 7th grade leaf collecting project? My world has shifted.
Nice, Sarah. I envy (in the good way) your unexpected amble in the market. The bay leaves got me wondering-- have you ever thought of getting a bay tree? I had a neighbor who had one in a pot in Vancouver, and your post made me want one of my own.
Also, I am pretty convinced that Heaven is an extension of the Good and the Real, so you and your dear mom will have an eternity to create and discover and taste everything thoroughly and with leisure (and discuss it!), and I am planning to drop in on you and enjoy your creations, if you don't mind.
I've probably commented this before, but I love how you write about your love for your family. You don't pretend you don't like them which I really appreciate. You don't take them for granted and you don't pretend it's easy. I would be really disappointed if you bitched about your family all the time.
Loretta kissed me today!!!!!!!! Yeah, I'm pretty awesome.
ditto, emily (x1000)
i spent about 2 hours in world spice merchants last time i was there. i can't get enough of that place!! though, after seeing your dulce de leche cookies, i really can't get enough of them. dulce de leche is a weakness of mine. i'm bookmarking your recipe pronto.