posted on October 30, 2005 01:44:20 PM new
Anise
Pimpinella anisum
Fam: Umbelliferae
Anise bears a strong family resemblance to the members of the carrot family, that includes dill, fennel, coriander, cumin and caraway. Many of these relatives have been described as having a licorice flavour, to some extent, but anise is the true taste of licorice— its oils are distilled into the flavouring for licorice candy (not from the herb licorice, which has a different taste). Anise is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, the Levant, and Egypt. The early Arabic name was anysum from which was derived the Greek anison and the Latin anisun. It is one of the oldest known spice plants used both for culinary and medicinal purposes since ancient times. There is evidence that anise was used in Egypt as early as 1500 B.C. To aid digestion the Romans enjoyed anise-spiced cakes after heavy meals and it was spread throughout Europe by Roman legions. In the Bible there is mention of paying tithe with anise in the book of Matthew. In 1305, anise was listed by King Edward I as a taxable drug and merchants bringing it into London paid a toll to help raise moneys to maintain and repair London bridge. Of the any of the qualities attributed to anise we like what one writer warned: “it stirreth up bodily lust”. This accredited to the same spice that could ward off the Evil Eye or keep away nightmares if placed under one’s pillow. Anise is used in the manufacture of many commercial cough syrups and sore throat medications, used to flavour other medicines and to scent soaps and perfumes. It is also claimed that anise is an effective bait for rats and mice and the distilled oil dabbed onto a fishing lure will improve a fisherman’s chances. Dogs are also attracted by anise — it is often an ingredient in dog food and the seeds may be used to lay drag hunt trails and also by anti-blood sport movements to put hounds off the scent.
Spice Description
Though the roots and leaves are also edible, it is the seeds that we will concern ourselves her. The seeds are grey-green to brownish, ribbed and ovate, measuring 2 -4 mm (.08 -.16 in) long. Some seeds retain the fine stalk that passes through the centre of the fruit.
Bouquet: sweet and fragrant
Flavour: similar to fennel with a mild licorice taste
Hotness Scale: 1
Preparation and Storage
The seeds quickly lose flavour, so buy seeds whole and grind as required, and keep out of light in an airtight container. If to be used as a breath sweetener, roast lightly before chewing the seeds.
Culinary Uses
Not to be confused with star anise, which is generally used in Chinese dishes, anise is primarily associated with cakes, biscuits and confectionery, as well as rye breads. It is used in much the same way as fennel to flavour fish, poultry, soups and root vegetable dishes. Numerous alcoholic drinks and cordials are flavoured with aniseed, particularly French pastis, Pernod and Ricard, Greek ouzo, Spanish ojen, Turkish raki, Italian anesone, Arab arrak and Egyptian kibib.
Attributed Medicinal Properties
Called “Tut-te See-Hau” by American Indians, meaning “it expels the wind”, anise’s carminative properties have been known since antiquity. It helps with digestion and sweetens the breath, so it is chewed after meals in parts of Europe, the Middle East and India. It is a mild expectorant, anise often being used in cough mixtures and lozenges. It is also antiseptic, antispasmodic, soporific and a few seeds taken with water will often cure hiccups.
Plant Description and Cultivation
An erect, tender annual on thin roots, growing up to 60 cm (2 ft) tall. The lower leaves are broad, toothed and triangular with upper leaves that are smaller, divided and narrow. The flowers are small and whitish, numerous in open thin, compound umbrels, followed by the fruit, the anise seed. It is propagated by seed in early spring in a sunny, sheltered area in light , dry loam. It should does not like pot growing or to be transplanted. It will not produce ripe seeds in northern climates without a long, hot summer. Anise is harvested as the seeds change colour to grey-green. Flower stems are cut and hung upside down in a dry place and seeds are collected as they fall onto paper below.
Star Anise
Illicium verum
syn: I. anisatum
Fam: Magnoliaceae
Native to China and Vietnam, star anise is today grown almost exclusively in southern China, Indo-China, and Japan. It was first introduced into Europe in the seventeenth century. The oil, produced by a process of steam extraction, is substituted for European aniseed in commercial drinks.
Spice Description
Star anise is the unusual fruit of a small oriental tree. It is, as the name suggests, star shaped, radiating between five and ten pointed boat-shaped sections, about eight on average. These hard sections are seed pods. Tough skinned and rust coloured, they measure up to 3cm (1-1/4”) long. The fruit is picked before it can ripen, and dried. The stars are available whole, or ground to a red-brown powder.
Bouquet: Powerful and liquorice-like, more pungent and stronger than anise.
Flavour: Evocative of a bitter aniseed, of which flavour star anise is a harsher version. Nervertheless, the use of star anise ensures an authentic touch in the preparation of certain Chinese dishes.
Hotness Scale: 3
Preparation and Storage
The whole stars can be added directly to the cooking pot; pieces are variously referred to as segments, points and sections. Otherwise, grind the whole stars as required. Small amounts are used, as the spice is powerful. Stored whole in airtight containers, it keeps for well over a year.
Culinary Uses
Star anise is used in the East as aniseed is in the West. Apart from its use in sweetmeats and confectionery, where sweeteners must be added, it contributes to meat and poultry dishes, combining especially well with pork and duck. In Chinese red cooking, where the ingredients are simmered for a lengthy period in dark soy sauce, star anise is nearly always added to beef and chicken dishes. Chinese stocks and soups very often contain the spice.. It flavours marbled eggs, a decorative Chinese hors d’oeuvre or snack. Mandarins with jaded palates chew the whole dried fruit habitually as a post-prandial digestant and breath sweetener - an oriental comfit. In the West, star anise is added in fruit compotes and jams, and in the manufacture of anise-flavoured liqueurs, the best known being anisette. It is an ingredient of the mixture known as “Chinese Five Spices”.
Attributed Medicinal Properties
Like anise, star anise has carminative, stomachic, stimulant and diuretic properties. In the East it is used to combat colic and rheumatism. It is a common flavouring for medicinal teas, cough mixtures and pastilles.
Plant Description and Cultivation
A small to medium evergreen tree of the magnolia family, reaching up to 8m (26ft). The leaves are lanceolate and the axillary flowers are yellow. The tree is propagated by seed and mainly cultivated in China and Japan for export and home markets. the fruits are harvested before they ripen, then sun dried.
Other names
Anise Stars, Badain, Badiana, Chinese Anise
French: anis de la Chine, anise étoilé, badiane
German: Sternanis
Italian: anice stellato
Spanish: anis estrllado,badian
Chinese: ba chio, ba(ht) g(h)ok, bart gok, pa-chiao, pak kok, peh kah
Indonesian: bunga lawang
Malay: bunga lawang
Recipes using Star Anise
Try Marbled Eggs, Red Cooked Beef and Braised Chicken in Potato Mould
Ron
posted on October 30, 2005 02:39:25 PM new
Mags - not sure what the black things you are referring to but it's not anise. The cookies in the recipe have a really nice subtle flavor. If you like licorice you will love them. They are great when you want just a touch of sweet.
Buy the anise from an alternate site. Wiccan sites sell it because of the "magik" uses for warding off nightmares for a fraction of store costs. The recipe will use and entire $8 bottle that you buy at a grocery store but a lb from one of the sites or ebay will cost you about the same amount but will give enough to make the same recipe 6 or 7 times. I gring them in one of the little coffee grinders, I like them a little courser than others but I like the little extra flavor when you bite into the seed. DON"T use Anise Stars.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on October 30, 2005 02:42:52 PM new
Well..I'll be...Ms.Fenix.. all these years I thought anise was little black rice looking seeds in those cookies I ate...and found so bad tasting...now, I suspect they may have been mouse droppings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted on October 30, 2005 03:18:54 PM new
So some think the CIA is paranoid, daft and other things because it asked the Department of Justice to investigate the leak of one of their agents names. ....an act of treason.
Obviously some in here don't believe that compromising the security of the United States is as important as diddling a willing intern.
AND this isn't just about outing Plame...there is a long winding story that leads back to the proven fact that bushy LIED about the reasons for going to war...it's not over yet....
AND don't forget that the Delay problem and the Frist problem have NOT gone away...there just waiting in line.
And cookie recipes are a kinda weak answer to corruption in high places ... but they are the BEST defense I've heard for these scumsuckers in high places
Ya, but ALL THESE various charges are just a big Democratic conspiracy...nothing ever happened..it was all ...what?...smoke and mirrors ?
posted on October 30, 2005 03:26:54 PM new
Well, Fitzgerald Had to Indict Somebody for Something!
Written by J. B. Williams
Friday, October 28, 2005
Well, Fitzgerald Had to Indict Somebody for Something!
Twenty-two months and millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars later, the Valerie Plame CIA leak case ends with not the roar of a lion and the speculated ten indictments against Bush administration officials for their “culture of corruption,” nor with charges against Democratic National Committee's public enemy #1 Karl Rove, or the pipe-dream resignation of Dick Cheney, but with the squeak of a mouse and the indictment of one chief of staff for VP Dick Cheney, “Scooter” Libby.
It appears that he is not being indicted for “outing” a CIA NOC, the original basis for the entire investigation. But the indictment is apparently for telling the Grand Jury that he originally learned Valerie Plame’s name from a reporter, when it is alleged that he instead learned it first from the vice president himself.
Two White House officials with security clearance discussing secure information is not exactly a unique event, let alone a crime. It also goes without saying that nobody could have leaked anything had someone in the CIA itself not leaked it first. Surely it wasn’t Tenet himself. After all, he was a Clinton appointee, not a member of the “culture of corruption.”
It would have helped if the CIA employee at the center of the investigation had actually been under cover at the time of the alleged outing. It also would have helped if the investigation had been able to find any credible witnesses instead of working a case entirely dependent upon the word of one Joe Wilson, a man with literally no credibility at all in the real world.
But stay tuned. Fewer than thirty days into the investigation, Prosecutor Fitzgerald requested authority to expand the investigation beyond its initial intent. Twenty-two months later, with one half-baked indictment for an alleged secondary infraction of a crime there is no evidence ever existed, the prosecutor is once again requesting authority to expand the investigation even further.
In case you haven’t been paying attention, all roads lead to the relentless pursuit of Bush administration officials who liberals have repeatedly accused of “lying” us into a war in Iraq. Hence, the second request in the 22-month investigation to expand the depth and breadth of the investigation once more.
Yet after 22 months, it is pretty clear that if any reasonable evidence existed to support the original purpose of the investigation, it surely would have been uncovered by now. I mean, they took every opportunity up until the eleventh hour here, and this is what they have?
Frankly, any prosecution team that couldn’t uncover the evidence of a real crime by now either ain’t much of a prosecution team, or they ain’t working with much of a crime. Take your pick!
Well, let’s face it. After 22 months and millions of dollars, somebody was going to be charged with something.
Instead of appearing to be the massive “culture of corruption” that Democrat fund-raisers made it out to be, (with the help of their friends in the press, of course, thank you Chris Mathews), this one has the appearance of an eleventh hour indictment aimed at justifying a 22-month investigation going nowhere.
The liberal so-called mainstream press has spent all day, every day for the last two weeks building this case into a crescendo based on the “culture of corruption” drummed into the hearts and minds of liberal Bush-hating Democrat minions. For what? One indictment for a secondary allegation in a crime that apparently never happened? You must be kidding me.
Of course, when Clinton “crony” and Kerry National Security Advisor Sandy Berger was “convicted” of stealing top secret documents stuffed in his shorts from the National Archives, the main-stream press didn’t give it a second’s notice, even on the back page.
But just watch how fast they convict, draw and quarter, and tar and feather Scooter Libby over the coming days and weeks.
Liberals better start pricing flights to Canada again. Culture of corruption? Right!
posted on October 30, 2005 05:06:20 PM new
""Twenty-two months and millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars later, the Valerie Plame CIA leak case ends ""
OOOooo nooo, it's hasn't ended...it's just starting....
Taxpayers had to spend 40 million on someones's private sex life so I guess a few more million to ferret out treason in the White House which jeoparized national security is worth it!
posted on October 31, 2005 05:05:56 AM new
What I find amusing about all of this is how the left is actually supporting the CIA, now who would of thought.
posted on October 31, 2005 06:30:13 AM new
Ron - I don't think it is a matter of "supporting the CIA" so much as it is respecting a rule of law and respecting the fact that no individual, no matter what their job is, has the right to ruin another persons career just to save their own reputation.
That said, as far as these indictments go, I find it hilarious that conservatives that over the past 6 years have found it nearly impossible to go a whole week without pointing out the fact that Clinton lied in his initial testimony on the Monica affair and have used that as foodder for their "Clinton is the worst human being ever to walk the earth" attacks are now saying that these indictments are meanial, trivial, and acts of final desperation.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on October 31, 2005 06:59:47 AM new
Where exactly does the left "support" the CIA ?
I couldn't find that anywhere??
Just stating FACTS that the CIA requested the Department of Justice to investigate the leak.....where is that "supporting" the CIA?
And, even if it was, I would think that everyone would supprot finding out who is compromising national security....unless they have no morals or common sense whatsoever.
posted on October 31, 2005 07:16:05 AM new
Yes, it IS funny isn't it Ron.
But more importantly...what fenix said WASN'T what Libby was charged with. The dems REFUSE to acknowledge that FACT and keep repeating this nonsense that he [Libby and others] outed Plame.
Which we ALL know he wasn't charged with doing. So...therefore he's ruined NO ONES career...not then....not now.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on October 31, 2005 07:17:10 AM new
SO the left doesn't support the CIA? They just want some sort of retribution for President Bush getting reelected and actually care nothing about where it could of come from?
The idea that the left actually is supporting the law is ludicrous, considering how many laws they attempt to disregard everyday.
Ron
posted on October 31, 2005 08:36:12 AM new...no matter what their job is, has the right to ruin another persons career just to save their own reputation...
Oh snort! That statement must make somebody's titty real itchy! eyeroll...
So then why isnt anybody blaming the NY Times or the media in general for being so irresponsible for 'publishing' this classified information? If she was outed to the public, and at risk, and her career ruined, it was the newppaper article that bears the final responsiblity for making that happen.
posted on October 31, 2005 10:28:33 AM new
Robert Novak doesn't work for the NY Times
____________________
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -- George W. Bush
posted on October 31, 2005 10:45:06 AM new
::But more importantly...what fenix said WASN'T what Libby was charged with. The dems REFUSE to acknowledge that FACT and keep repeating this nonsense that he [Libby and others] outed Plame.::
Linda please show me where I have said that? I have REPEATEDLY said in this forum that he was indicted for LYING and never implied anything else. I believe that I have also pointed out the exact lies that were told.
Are you trying to say that telling lies to the grand jury and the FBI is perfectly OK now? What the conservative seem to refuse to understand is that it is still crime, even if it was committed by a republican.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on October 31, 2005 10:49:32 AM new
::The idea that the left actually is supporting the law is ludicrous, considering how many laws they attempt to disregard everyday.::
Uh... wow. You guys are really getting desperate to justify perjury and obstruction of justice if THIS is the best you can come up with. It's the grown up equivalent of the "Well Johnny threw a rock too" defense given by 7 years old across the country to mommy.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on October 31, 2005 11:00:48 AM new
LOL nothing desperate about it, when anyone can see this really has nothing to do with "law" but an opportunity to get at President Bush.
I want to see this through and to see the person guilty of discussing an under cover CIA operative with the media punished. I could care less how it affects President Bush, to me he is a non issue.
If you don't support the CIA and what they stand for, why should this even bother you?
She was a "spy" and who knows what good or evil she did, out of country. She should of not been "outed" but then again I support most of what the CIA does and stands for.
posted on October 31, 2005 11:29:57 AM new
I have not expressed any opinion one way or another on the CIA
PLease clarify this for me. Are you asking why it should bother me that a high ranking government official got up in front of a grand jury and lied or why does it bother me that conservatives seem to think that should not be a crime?
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on October 31, 2005 11:39:35 AM new
Yes, Linda, answer the question
""The dems REFUSE to acknowledge that FACT and keep repeating this nonsense that he [Libby and others] outed Plame.:: ""
Show me where I said Scooty outed anyone and I will correct it because I never would say that.....it isn't true and that's not what he's accused of...Show me where I said that
????
Show me
Show me
Show me
Higher ups outed Plame and don't you want to see justice done by finding the perpetrator....or is justice one of those things you reserve for Democrats
posted on October 31, 2005 11:41:59 AM new
LOL...to a LOT of dems/liberals HERE....it certainly appears that when they SUSPECT lies have been told....it ALL depends on who the liar was, what party they are in and CERTAINLY doesn't apply to THEIR president...his wife...his cabinet...all those indicted AND convicted during his administration.
Nope...a lie is only a lie when it's actually been PROVEN. THAT has NOT happened yet.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on October 31, 2005 11:53:10 AM new
OK LInda - So are you saying that Libby did not lie but the half dozen government employees that testified to conversations with Libby regarding PLame prior to the date of the Russert conversation and that LIbby's own noted DID lie?
Or are you going with the "there were so many things going on at the time that it's perfectly understandable that I have confused Dick Cheney and Tim Russert" excuse?
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on October 31, 2005 12:21:20 PM new
So Ron - Can you take a side on this one or are you going to join Linda and Bear on the Waffle Train? Is it OK to lie to a grand jury and the FBI?
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on October 31, 2005 04:30:41 PM new
Do I think there should of been an indictment for the alleged perjury? No.
If he is aquitted what will that mean to you fenix?
I'll put this in perspective for myself, When I was in the military my unit had two scroungers, me and someone else.
I would lie and steal to make sure my unit had what they needed. It was for the good of the unit. My CO was well aware of what was going on, if I had been caught I would of lied and said I did this all on my own and take my medicine.
You see when people are part of a true team, people will do things for the whole not just the one.
Ron
[ edited by WashingtoneBayer on Oct 31, 2005 04:34 PM ]
posted on October 31, 2005 04:58:56 PM new
1) I don't believe that one should lie to a grand jury, especially not badly . I think that there has been a long established history in White House politics that would teach one that lying to a grand jury is just plain stupid. Why did Nixon get busted? Because he lied. Why did Clinton get busted? Because he lied. Why did not Reagan not get busted? Because he told the truth, even though he did something wrong. If Libby truly did nothing wrong, there was no need to lie so why do it unless you are attempting to cover up a more serious crime and impede justice. Yes, when that happens, I believe that the perpetrator should be indicted. Stupidity should be prosecutable
What will it mean if he is acquitted? It will not only send a signal to our leaders that it's ok to THINK that they are above the law, but there will be no repercussions if they decide to ACT as if if they are as well.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
but they are the BEST defense I've heard for these scumsuckers in high places