Brooklyn Cooking School, With Recipes

Spice It Up!
Making a spice bag for Short-term Pickled Carrots is simple, quick process and uses spices you're likely to have on-hand. In a double-thick 6-inch square of 100% cotton cheesecloth place:

• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon celery seeds
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 star anise or 1/4 teaspoon whole cloves

Coriander seeds add a lemony-sage flavor, celery seeds have a pickle taste; caraway gives a nutty, anise note. Star anise has a slightly bitter edge to round out the punch from the peppers.