Author Description

The word seasoning in all its meaning implies that something special has been added, be it the acquired wisdom and spice that seasons a spare old man, the rich mellow patina which gives depth to well-seasoned wood, or the relish of a salty speech seasoned with wit. Well-seasoned food is no different: the basic character stands out, smooth but imbued with quality, with spirit....Some of the truly great seasonings -- lemon juice, ginger, vanilla, for instance -- have an extraordinary quality to pull together a variety of flavors into a fused oneness while adding little or no flavor of their own, rather like the unique effect of musk and ambergris on perfumes, blending odors and fixing them in fragrant permanence.The objective here is to make seasoning less baffling to amateur cooks, to bring a few of the findings of science into the ordinary household kitchen, working towards that harmonious blending of foods and condiments which causes an agreeable sensation in the palate.