Poppy Seed

This is perhaps my favorite way to eat pound cake! The fresh light flavor of lemon blends beautifully with the buttery flavor of pound cake. The lemon syrup tenderizes, adds tartness, and helps to keep the cake fresh for a few days longer than usual. Poppy seeds add a delightful crunch. Lemon blossoms and lemon leaves make a lovely and appropriate garnish.

Posto, cardamom pods, and whole dried red chiles are available at Penzeys (800-741-7787; penzeys.com) and Kalustyan's (800-352-3451; kalustyans.com).

Though similar in texture to a flourless chocolate cake, the addition of poppy seeds makes this torte delightfully different.

Just a sprinkle of this hot, warm, and sweet spice blend will enhance any dish—especially when you take a few minutes to make it yourself. 

Keep a log stashed in your freezer AT ALL TIMES.

Considered to be one of the thickest flatbreads in the world, the key to making barbari at home is to preheat a pizza stone in a very hot oven.

Some of the seed mixture will inevitably fall off as you shape and bake the grissini; don’t stress it.

Honey and sugar mellow the natural bitterness of poppy seeds. For the hamantaschen recipe, see here.

If you have leftover "everything" spice, stir it into Greek yogurt drizzled with olive oil for a savory breakfast.