Celery Seed's Origin

• Celery seed is harvested from a plant known as smallage or wild celery. This herb is a close relation to both stem celery and celeriac or celery root. It is sometimes found in herb gardens under the name leaf celery or cutting celery. It grows in a manner similar to parsley and its leaves can be used culinarily as well. When it flowers, it produces masses of small white blooms similar to Queen Anne's lace.

Celery Salt

• Ground celery seed combines with fine-grained salt to make celery salt. This is one of the few cases where celery seed is used in any form other than whole. You can make your own blend by using 2 parts salt to 1 part ground celery seed. Celery salt can be used in many contexts where simple celery seed is called for; of course, the result will be saltier and you may need to adjust your recipe accordingly.

Pickles, Brines and Rubs

• Celery seed is an important component of pickling spice mixes; it's also a common addition to chicken and pork brines and dry rubs. Add a small amount of celery seed to your favorite pickling spice blend and use it to pickle cucumbers, garlic, carrots, onions and other vegetables; or include it when making homemade corned beef. When using celery seed in marinades, brines or dry rubs, try combining it with mustard seeds, thyme, sage, rosemary and/or black pepper.

Spice Up Your Soups

• A dash or two of celery seed enlivens a wide variety of soups and stews, from potato soup to chicken noodle. Use it in any soup where you might utilize celery as a flavor base. Celery seed also enhances bean soups and tomato soups -- and tomato sauce too.

A Sprinkle for Salads

• Use celery seed in your favorite mayonnaise-based salad for a flavorful pick-me-up. Potato salads and chicken salads particularly benefit from this treatment; try it in egg salad, tuna salad and coleslaw, too. Celery seeds also enhance creamy salad dressings, providing a sharp clean taste to cut through the creaminess of ranch, green goddess and similar dressings.

Season Your Seafood

• Celery seed is an important component in Old Bay Seasoning, the famous Baltimore-based flavoring for crab and other shellfish. Brighten the flavor of crabcakes with a pinch of celery seed, or add it to the water for a crab boil or other seafood boil. One of the best uses for celery seed is to enliven a tomato-based fish soup such as bouillabaisse. You can also simply sprinkle it over broiled, grilled or pan-sauteed whitefish fillets.

Spice Up a Bloody Mary

• A small amount of celery seed is highly effective in bringing out the vegetal flavors of a Bloody Mary cocktail -- much more than the stalk of celery garnish alone. Some recipes call for celery salt instead. Feel free to use either to perfect your Bloody Mary mix.