Spicing Things Up

My Penzey's order arrived while I was on vacation. I had forgotten what I had ordered, so it was like getting a present to open it up. Now I feel inspired to make all kinds of things. I got coriander and fennel, two ingredients I've been missing in some Moroccan dishes, and some dried spearmint for lamb dishes and tabbouleh. I ordered poppy seeds for lemon-poppy seed bread, although I might look for an even more-intense use, and three thick, beautiful, virile vanilla beans. I also ordered some star anise "pieces" and was pleasantly surprised to find they're mostly whole.

Round it out with some chicken stock base and a freebie Italian seasoning and I'm ready to start cooking.