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Spice Guide - Notes:
- Keep all spice in tightly covered containers, in a cool dark place.
- Spices lose their flavour after a year 'on the shelf', and will need to be replaced at that time.
- Spices should enhance, but not overpower, the flavour of your dish. Use moderation, start by adding only half of the spice called for and taste before adding more. Spicing is not absolute, but should be done 'to taste'.
- Spices turn bitter if/when overheated. During lengthy cooking add the spice during the last 1/2 hour of cooking. This will keep your spice spicey.
- In most cases 1 teaspoon of dried spice equals 1 tablespoon of fresh.
The Spices - Allspice:
- Flavour: blend of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
- Uses: meat dishes, egg dishes, fish, gravies, pickles, relishes, tomato sauce, fruit preserves, cakes, cookies, pastries.
- Anise:
- Flavour: licoricelike.
- Uses: meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits, cakes, cookies, candies.
- Basil:
- Flavour: pungent, sweet aroma.
- Uses: Broiled and roasted meat and poultry, fish, egg dishes, soups, vegetables, tomato dishes, pasta, dressings, stuffings, sauces.
- Bay Leaf:
- Flavour: strong.
- Uses: stews, soups, vegetables, pickles, gravies, sauces, marinades.
- Note: Remove from dish before serving.
- Caraway:
- Flavour: sweet, slightly sharp.
- Uses: meat loaves and stews, bread, pot roasts, vegetables, salads, cheese spreads, dips, sauces.
- Cardamom:
- Flavour: pungent, aromatic seed.
- Uses: bread, pastries, cookies, fruits, meats, poultry, fish.
- Cayenne:
- Flavour: red pepper, very hot.
- Uses: meats, seafood, egg and cheese dishes, soups, sauces, dips, spreads, French dressing.
- Note: use carefully, do not add large amounts at once.
- Celery Salt/Seed:
- Flavour: tangy, celery taste.
- Uses: meat, fish, stews, cheese dishes, egg dishes, sauces, spreads, dressings, stuffings.
- Chili Powder:
- Flavour: hot, peppery blend of herbs and spices.
- Uses: Spanish or Mexican dishes, been and rice dishes, barbeque and cocktail sauces, speads, dressings, dips, egg dishes, vegetables.
- Note: another spice that must be employed with caution. Remember that your definition of 'mild' might be
- Chives:
- Flavour: sweet, delicate, onion-like.
- Uses: fish, poultry, egg or cheese dishes, vegetables, soups, salads, dressings.
- Cinnamon:
- Flavour: sweet, spicy aroma.
- Uses: breads, cookies, cakes, desserts, pastries, beverages, sauces, vegetables.
- Cloves:
- Flavour: strong, spicy-sweet aroma.
- Uses: pork, lamb, barbeque sauces, pickles, relishes, fruits, breads, cakes, cookies, desserts.
- Coriander:
- Flavour: sage and lemon rind.
- Uses: curries, stews, pickles, bean and rice dishes, breads, cookies, gingerbread, cakes.
- Cumin:
- Flavour: strong, slightly bitter, lemon flavour.
- Uses: Spanish, Mexican, and Eastern dishes, stews, pickles, tomato dishes.
- Note: another 'Lethal Weapon', use with caution.
- Curry Powder:
- Flavour: a blend of many spices. Warm and sharp through hot and spicy. Exact flavour depends on brand.
- Uses: meat, poultry, seafood, egg dishes, cheese dishes, soups, sauces, seafood salads, dips, cheese spreads, rice dishes.
- Dill Weed or Seed:
- Flavour: mild, slight caraway aroma.
- Uses: meat, poultry, fish, seafood, stews, soups, salads, sauces, dressings, dips, pickles, breads, egg dishes.
- Ginger:
- Flavour: pleasant odour, pungent taste.
- Uses: Oriental dishes, meats, poultry, vegetables, fruits, dressings, pickles, jams, marinades, breads, cookies, pies, cakes, desserts.
- Mace:
- Flavour: similar to nutmeg.
- Uses: veal, fish, stews, egg, cheese and vegetable dishes, soups, sauces, cakes, cookies.
- Marjoram:
- Flavour: spicy and sweet.
- Uses: Roasts (meat and poultry), fish, seafood, eggs, stews, casseroles, soups, vegetables, salads, gravies, sauces.
- Mint:
- Flavour: spicy and cool.
- Uses: Roast lamb and beef, vegetables, sauces, relishes, jellies, salads, fruits, beverages.
- Mustard:
- Flavour: pungent taste.
- Uses: pickles, relishes, dressings, sauces, dips, egg dishes, marinades, pork, ham, corned beef.
- Nutmeg:
- Flavour: warm, sweet and spicy.
- Uses: vegetables, egg dishes, beverages, breads, cookies, cakes, desserts, sauces.
- Oregano:
- Flavour: strong and aromatic.
- Uses: Italian dishes, pizza, pasta, meats, poultry, fish, seafood, stews, casseroles, egg dishes, tomato sauces, soups, vegetables, salads, dressings.
- Paprika:
- Flavour: varies - mild & slightly sweet to hot.
- Uses: meat, poultry, dressings, dips, vegetables, soups, salads.
- Note: Used to add colour to dishes.
- Parsley:
- Flavour: mild.
- Uses: Brings out the flavour of most non-sweet foods. Garnish.
- Poultry Seasoning:
- Flavour: like sage, but milder.
- Uses: poultry, stuffings, biscuits.
- Rosemary:
- Flavour: sweet, spicy, pinelike fragrance.
- Uses: roasts, meat, poultry, fish, stew, casseroles, stuffings, salads, bread, egg dishes.
- Saffron:
- Flavour: stron aroma, slightly bitter.
- Uses: poultry, fish, seafood, rice, bread, cakes. Can also be used as a tea.
- Sage:
- Flavour: strong, slightly bitter.
- Uses: roasts, meat, poultry, fish, stuffing, vegetables, cheese dishes, salads, gravies, sauces.
- Savory:
- Flavour: pleasant, peppery aroma.
- Uses: meat, poultry, egg dishes, fish, stuffing, salads, soups, gravies, sauces.
- Sesame Seed:
- Flavour: mild, nutlike.
- Uses: As a garnish on bread, rolls, cookies, salads.
- Tarragon:
- Flavour: mild, licoricelike.
- Uses: meats, poultry, fish, stews, vegetables, salads, sauces.
- Thyme:
- Flavour: strong, pungent.
- Uses: roat meat, roast poultry, fish, stews, vegetables, salads, sauces.
- Note:
- Tumeric:
- Flavour: aromatic, slightly bitter, pepperlike.
- Uses: curry dishes, pickles, relishes, dressings, dips.
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