Spices That Go Together, by Tamarind

When I do indian, i typically do garam masala + turmeric + red chili powder + cumin seeds + cumin + coriander, added to chopped onions sauteed in oil w garlic and ginger.

Li, Penzeys is a mail order brand with really good, CHEAP spices and blends. I hear they have really fun spice blends and it's easy to just sprinkle them on veggies or whatever you're making. They have physical stores too, but i don't know if there are any in the LA area

http://penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.htm

Spices That Go Together, by Pickelhead

Salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary: basic roast chicken seasoning. (add breadcrumbs to make nuggets or flour to make fried chicken)

Salt, pepper, thyme, basil: basic tomato sauce seasoning.

Salt, pepper, thyme, fennel, oregano: pizza sauce

Cayenne, chili powder, paprika: hot and warm - I throw some into meatloaf when I have a head cold, to give it a nice kick.

Bay leaves, cloves, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon: warm and sweet Indian

Cumin, coriander, ginger, cayenne, garlic: basic Indian masala

Spices That Go Together, by Verbal Remedy

Cumin & oregano & chile powder (Mexican)

Rosemary & garlic & lemon (Italian)

Star anise & garlic (Vietnamese)

Thyme, rosemary, oregano, garlic (good ol' fashioned meat seasoning)

Lavender, marjoram, rosemary, sage, tarragon (Provencal)

Sage & garlic (yum)

How to Harvest Pomegranate Seeds by Verbal Remedy

I learned the trick to harvesting these little suckers without looking like a murder happened in your kitchen when I was at the cooking school @ Rancho La Puerta last Nov. Fill large bowl with cold water. Slice pom in half. Pick up pom half, plunge into cold water and pull the seeds out with your fingers underwater. Easy as pie and they're just as pretty as can be.

Whatcha Got On Hand Salmon by PaganMama

Li, here's a quick 'n' easy fish dish you might like to try. It's very much a whatcha got on hand dish more than a recipe. But basically I take a couple of salmon filets and cut a slit almost all the way through the center, horizontally, to make a pocket. Then I chop up fresh spinach (or frozen would work just fine) and mix that with (here's the DYI part) garlic, chopped onion, chopped red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, maybe some feta, black olives, pine nuts -- whatever goodies you have on hand and think would taste good together. Stuff as much as you can into the "pockets" and put the rest under the filets in a pan. Roast until the fish flakes easily -- not long, probably 8-10 minutes. With some rice or couscous on the side, this makes a yummy and good-looking meal.

Spanish-style Salad by Bookseller

I had an incredible Spanish-style salad last week that would go really well with that. It was endive and watercress, thin slices of skin-on red apples, thin slices of manchego cheese, TOASTED walnuts (really important to toast them), and -- the best part -- a healthy sprinkling of pomegranate seeds. The seeds were beautiful and Valentines-y, like little red jewels, but they were also delicious, little pops of sweetness. The dressing was just a basic herb vinaigrette, maybe a little thyme -- no mustard, no balsamic. It was one of the best salads I've ever had. Subbing fresh goat cheese for the manchego would probably work well also.