Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> Oh pshaw, on Thu 23 Nov 2006 06:19:34p, sandi meant to say...
>
> > "Sheldon" > wrote in
> > ups.com:
> >
> >>
> >> sandi wrote:
> >>> "merryb" wrote:
> >>> > sandi wrote:
> >>> >>
> >>> >> I have a recipe that calls for 1 tsp. of Cardmom.
> >>> >> Went to the store and lo & behold, NO cardamom. What can
> >>> >> I use as a substitute?
> >>> >
> >>> > Nothing I can think of- what are you making?
> >>>
> >>> Pfeffernusses, German cookies.
> >>
> >> Most Pfeffernuesse recipes don't contain cardamom, and
> >> cardemom is a very *potent* spice, 1 tsp is a tremendous amout
> >> for one typical recipe of those cookies, usually a small pinch
> >> will do. If you can't find cardamom don't try to substitute
> >> or you're liable to screw up the entire batch, just leave it out.
> >>
> >> Meanwhile buy some whole cardamom pods from Penzeys and store
> >> them in your freezer, frozen they will keep well practically
> >> forever. Don't buy powdered cardmom, not even from Penzeys, once
> >> ground its potency diminishes rather rapidly, and with ground you
> >> never know what/who is in it.
> >>
> >> http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/870/0.shtml
> >>
> >> Sheldon
> >
> > Thank you Sheldon.
> >
> > I may try 2 batches of recipe. One without and one with a
> > substitute. I'm curous now. :-)
> >
>
> Pfefferneusse is meant to be a *very* spicy cookie.
> One teaspoon of ground cardamon is not at all too much for the recipe.

The spiciness of pfefferneusse comes from pepper, in German pfeffer is
pepper. Cardamon adds a unique flavor but is not a spicy (hot)
spice... cardamon is more for perfuming food and beverages (coffee)
than to add spiciness... and like good perfume a little cardamom goes a
long way. Using too much cardamom in pfefferneusse its aroma will
overpower the other spices... with cardamom less is more. When using
cardamom it's a good idea to use less than the recipe calls for until
you learn your personal tolerance, and keep in mind that it's an
acquired taste, many people don't particularly like it. Cardamom is
considered the third most expensive spice, after saffron and vanilla.
You can probably just omit it, most pfefferneusse recipes don't include
cardamom.

Sheldon