Ingredients added to food to intensify or improve flavour are called seasonings. Some of the most commonly used ones include Herbs such as oregano, rosemary, coriander, parsley, & basil, Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger & all spice, & Condiments like tamari (Soy Sauce) , mustards & vinegars, lemon & of course salt & pepper.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a herb and a spice? Probably not, although perhaps if you only find yourself in the kitchen when absolute necessity strikes or you have takeaway on a regular basis, there may be a query or two if you were asked to define the difference!
In the simplest of terms… herbs are grown and used for their green parts, the leaves and stalks. Often people end up using them dried for convenience but when used fresh, they can really bring euphoric flavors and seductive aromas to a dish. By combining different herbs together, you can create many wonderful unique flavors.
Spices on the other hand are grown for the roots, bark, seeds, fruits and flowers. Spices are concentrated and have a powerful flavor profile which, when used properly, can electrify a dish and please the palate. However, there is such a thing as using too much which can overpower a dish and render it unrecognizable or unpalatable.
Feel free to use whatever fresh herbs you have in your kitchen or garden. The key is to mince them up… "mince well" and "cut pretty small" in a recipe means much the same thing… Make them the perfect size that tend to get stuck in your teeth giving you some “green bling bling” throughout the day if you don't have a friend to draw your attention to the fact!
Have you ever heard the saying " but veggies are so bland & boring?" Using Herbs & Spices & varying the seasonings add flair to food, so I would love to think you are willing to experiment with combinations you might not normally consider. There are dozens of ways to spice up your culinary life, be adventurous & have some fun, all that "love", "deliciousness" & "creativity" in your dishes adds an undeniable "something" that no other home chef can replicate!
Here are just a few ideas to try......( you can use a combination,but not all of them in the one recipe!)
Obviously this is only a tiny whif of the possibilities as the lists could be endless, taste as you go to save overdoing the combinations & to get the balance in your recipe just right.More is not necessarily best, so go easy to start with!
- With Apples- allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg
- With Avocado- cayenne, chili powder, chives, coriander, ginger, paprika
- With Asparagus- basil, savory, tarragon
- Home made Savory Breads- caraway seed, celery seed, ground coriander, dill, fennel, oregano, rosemary, sesame seeds
- Homemade Sweet Breads- allspice, cardamom,chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, ginger, nutmeg, poppy seeds
- Chocolate- allspice, cinnamon, cloves, mint, nutmeg, chili
- Carrots,Cabbage & many of the veggies- allspice, ginger, mint, mustard,basil, turmeric, chives, marjoram, paprika, sesame seeds, cumin, tarragon, curry powder, caraway seed, chili
- Mushrooms-cardamom, fine herbs like marjoram, oregano, thyme, parsley, nutmeg
- Spinach- allspice, basil, cardamom, nutmeg, cayenne, sesame seed, ground coriander
- Tomatoes- basil, allspice, cumin, dill, ginger, mint, nutmeg, oregano, poppy seed, sage
God's Garden is so abundant with every possible opportunity to explore, discover, create & include healthy, vibrant, life giving foods in our day to day diet; so many of these herbs & spices have medicinal properties to support our bodies, keeping them free from disease & aging ailments. It is well worth the effort in familiarising ourselves with at least some of the wonderful tastes & combinations of seasonings, herbs & spices that will not only enhance our own health & those we love & cook for, but "will have our friends crying out for more" at potlucks & get togethers.
May you have every success with your Creations!
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