Mace will make you scream... for ice cream!

It may come as news to you that mace is more than just pepper spray.  Or you might also know it as a weapon like this. 

The mace I’m talking about today has no relation to either of those, whatsoever.  This mace is actually a spice that comes from the nutmeg tree.  In this picture, the brown nut on the left is an example of nutmeg.  At the bottom, in the middle you can see an example of mace.  It is that red coating surrounding the nutmeg within.  When it is peeled off and dried, it turns more of an orange color.  It is then ground into a fine powder.    

I know, it doesn’t look like anything special, but trust me, it can turn store bought vanilla ice cream into a gourmet dessert. 

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Mace

Yep, just two ingredients.  The hardest part of this will be getting your hands on some mace.  If you don’t have a Penzeys near you, you can order it from their website.  Yes, it is a little on the expensive side, but even for just this one application, it’s worth every penny.  All you have to do is scoop some of your favorite vanilla ice cream into a bowl. 

And now for the really complicated part… sprinkle on some mace. 

You have now turned ordinary vanilla ice cream into spice cream!  I know it doesn’t look like much, but it truly is fabulous.  You could even serve it to guests, and they are guaranteed to rave. 

What’s your favorite brand of vanilla ice cream?

Let me Introduce my Friend, the Mason Jar.

As you know, quality is important to me.  Spending money unnecessarily, is not.  One of the categories to which this really applies, is spices.  There are few things better for cooking than good, fresh, quality spices.  (I love you Penzey’s)  I don’t mind, for a minute, paying a premium price for them.  Where I have the problem, is continuing to buy the bottles.  You’d be surprised just how much you’re paying for those little things.  Well, no more.  I have the perfect solution for you.  Mason jars. 

Or perhaps canning jars is the better term for them.  Whatever you call them, they are the perfect storage containers.  They come in all sorts of sizes ranging from ½ cup all the way up to a quart.  They have both regular and wide mouth of most sizes, and they also sell convenient plastic lids for them all.  Stick a label on top, and you’re good to go!  Ball has even started selling jars with shaker lids as “spice jars”.  I’m pretty sure they stole the idea from me.   

I’m talking about spices here, because that’s probably my favorite use for mason jars, (aside from canning, obviously) but don’t stop there.  They work great for storing dry pasta or beans, whole grain flours, that extra bit of smoothie that wouldn’t fit in your glass.  Really, just about anything.  They can hold things that are hot or cold, they’re, freezer, refrigerator, and dishwasher safe, and because they’re glass, they don’t hold onto any funky odors. 

This concludes another episode of Tuesday’s Tips, Tricks, and Treats.  As always, feel free to share your own tips or questions in the comments below.