Cardamom: What it is and how to use it

The typical grocer sells some 50,000 different products. The typical shopper buys the same 264 over and over again.

The point of this column? To persuade you to take a second look at some of the 49,736 foods that don't usually land in your cart.

Cardamom, for example. This spice aisle resident is a master of blurring the sweet-savory line. Yet most people know it only (if at all) for the rather dull cookies named after it. But cardamom is way more than a cookie, and it belongs on the dinner table as much as in desserts.

First, the basics. Cardamom is a seed that is related to ginger and originated in India (both of which explain why it makes frequent appearances in Indian sauces, chutneys and rubs). The taste is citrusy and floral, as well as warm and peppery.

Cardamom is sold whole (black seeds in a greyish-green pod) and ground (a fine greyish-blue powder). While the flavor is best when you get whole pods and grind them as needed, raise your hand if you can admit that's too much trouble.

To demo how easy it is to use an overlooked ingredient like cardamom to overhaul your weeknight cooking, I created this simple roasted chicken and potatoes. Don't want to do thighs? Use breasts, or even the whole bird.

The point? Getting big flavor from everyday cooking can be easy. And the secret ingredient often is right in front of you.

For more ideas for using cardamom, check out the Off the Beaten Aisle column over on Food Network: http://bit.ly/fsCMUx

Cardamom-Honey Chicken Thighs with New Potatoes

1/3 cup honey

Zest of 1 orange

2 tablespoons olive or canola oil, divided

Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1-1/2 pounds new potatoes

1-1/2 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs

DIRECTIONS: Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, orange zest, 1 tablespoon of the oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, the garlic powder, cardamom and pepper. Set aside. In a 9-by-9-inch metal roasting or baking pan, toss the potatoes with the remaining tablespoon of oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Arrange the potatoes in an even layer. Use a pastry brush to coat the chicken thighs with the honey mixture under and over the skin. Arrange the chicken pieces over the potatoes. Cover with foil and roast for 35 minutes. Uncover and roast for another 15 minutes. Transfer the meat and potatoes to a plate, cover with foil and set aside. Set the roasting pan over a stovetop burner on medium-high heat. Bring the liquid in the pan to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve the chicken and potatoes drizzled with the pan sauce.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 655 calories; 297 calories from fat (45 percent of total calories); 33 g fat (8 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 143 mg cholesterol; 53 g carbohydrate; 33 g protein; 2 g fiber; 199 mg sodium.

NOTE: Substitute any root vegetables you like for the potatoes in this recipe. Sweet potatoes, carrots and parsnips are fine choices. You also could skip the vegetables entirely and serve the chicken over egg noodles tossed with the pan sauce made at the end of this recipe.