How To ConCCondense Spices At Home
Condense spices not only savor the intense flavors of spices in cooking but also can be stored for a long time. A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark or vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food additive for the purpose of flavoring.
Condense spices at home:
Spices are defined as aromatic substance of vegetable origin, obtained from tropical plants, commonly sold as a condiment. In ancient times, spices were as precious as gold and has significant role to play in medicine field, preservatives and perfumes are other derivation of spices.
The history of spices dates back to 14th century. India is referred to as Land of spices and attracted many seafarers to Indian soil. It is said that Indian spices and farm products were the main reason for crusade and expeditions to the shores of India.
How to condense spices?
Condensed spices are available at almost all grocery stores, to have them stored fresh without losing potency, condensing spices at home is the best technique.
1) Collect fresh herbs from the plants by pinching off at the base of the leaf
2) Stick the leaves with help of wax on to a paper and let in dry under sun.
3) Fold the wax paper carefully ensuring no open ends of the wax. Let the leaves remain inside the paper.
4) With help of a rolling pin, roll over the top of the folded wax paper to crush the dried herbs.
5) Once the leaves are crushed to a fine powder, carefully unfold the wax paper and store the condensed herbs into airtight containers.
Spices paired with food:
Tips on matching food with the spices:
1) Cardamom - Apples, bananas, citrus, coffee
2) Chilies - beans, cheese, coconut, corn
3) Coriander - beans, cumin, cured meats, curry, mint
4) Fenugreek - Allspice, beans, chilies, curry
5) Pepper - Allspice, beef, cheese, eggs
6) Vanilla - Apples, bananas, caramel, chocolate
7) Saffron - Basil, cloves, coriander, curry, garlic
8) Clove - Apples, beets, cinnamon, citrus
Nutritional Value:
Spices and herbs are good not only for taste but also for health. They are rich in calcium, iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, carotene and other antioxidants.
Parsley plays a major role in cancer prevention due to its antioxidant content
Spicy foods have no fat component.
Spices Trivia:
- Most of the herbs and spices used in kitchen come from plants
- Garlic and sesame seeds are two of the oldest food seasonings.
Condense spices are the key ingredients of any cooking and it adds strong aroma and flavor making it a healthy and mouth watering dish.
Image credits: poorandwhite.blogspot.com
