[Sca-cooks] Sassafras

[Carol Eskesen Smith]

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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
I know it as the "mitten tree" because of its oddly characteristic leaves - any tree will have a mitten, a single leaf, or a triple leaf (think "two-thumbed mitten").  Used in small quantities, it is probably safe, but the FDA has banned safrole, its main flavor constituent, for human consumption as a known carcinogen.  Most of you are probably not old enough to remember when the flavor of root beer changed drastically overnight.  That ban is the reason it did, and Dad's Root Beer was never the same afterwards.

Regards,
Brekke

----- Original Message -----
From: Phlip
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2003 9:33 AM
To: sca-cooks at ansteorra.org
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Sassafras


Ene bichizh ogsen baina shuu...

> A friend want make the "perfect gumbo". He want use sassafras, as told in
the
> recipe, but we don't have a clue what sassafras is. Another word for it?
It's
> possible to buy it in Europe? Is any other spice he can use instead?
Cinammon,
> par example?
>
> Ana

Sassafras is an American tree, generally found growing in the warmer parts
of the US, but which I have found without much difficulty in Ohio. For an
herbal description of it, go to:

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/sassaf20.html

We used to take the roots and boil them to make sassafras tea, which has the
interesting characteristic that the longer you boil the roots (and you boil
them several times, getting tea from each boiling) the darker (red) and
stronger the tea becomes.

The powdered leaves are used in gumbo, both as a flavor element and as a
thickener- I really can't think of anything you could substitute for it,
although you can make a gumbo without it- it just isn't authentic, any more
than it would be without okra.

The Gumbo File' powder is sold commercially, however- you can find it at
Hispanic markets. Also, Chef Paul Prudhomme markets it along with his
Blackening seasonings- you can look here:

https://secure.weblizards.net/magicseasonings.com/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=64
86187.7572*im4uq&next=5&product=blends

Not sure what all he puts in it, but knowing his seasoning blends, it likely
has some added flavoring elements ;-) You can also find it at most
reasonably upscale grocery stores- if it isn't in the spice section, look
around the seafood area, among their complementary spices and sauces.


Phlip

If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably not a
cat.

Never a horse that cain't be rode,
And never a rider who cain't be throwed....


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