Six Sumptuous Seeds You Need
These tiny packages contain the essence of life and promise a gift of unparalleled flavor. But, these miraculous morsels can also often provide significant health benefits. After all, they do contain the essence of life.
These robust, flavor-packed gems can take your recipes to the next level. Understanding their versatility and peculiar traits will open a new world of possibilities. Family and guests alike will rave about your unique skills and ask for your secret every time.
So, now that your mouth is watering; let’s check out our seeds.
Caraway Seeds
Hints of pepper, anise, and citrus underpin the nutty, bittersweet sharpness of caraway. A great match for everything from apples and root vegetables to cabbage and duck, caraway seed is a traditional ingredient in rye bread and sauerkraut. And, as with most seeds, a quick roast will release essential oils and create unique and intense flavors. t
Cardamom Seeds
Green cardamom possesses intense, bright, camphor-like flavors with a citrus intensity. It is an essential ingredient in Garam Masala, indispensable to many desserts and pastries, and imparts its unique characteristics to savory dishes as well.
Black cardamom is more savory and smoky, making it popular in savory dishes and sauces.
Coriander Seeds
The spicy, sweet, and woody fragrance with its peppery, floral notes deliver a warm, mellow, sweet flavor with the unmistakable hint of citrus. Use on poultry, pork, citrus fruit, mushrooms, and potatoes, and pair other spices like cinnamon and cloves. Or any of the seeds on this list.
Cumin Seeds
This ancient spice is fundamental to Indian, Middle Eastern, Tex-Max cuisine and taco seasoning with its unmistakable pungent, sharp aroma and earthy flavors, not to mention BBQ rubs.
Cumin will enhance almost any savory dish, from breads and beans to lamb, eggplant, and sauerkraut. But, don’t stop there; think out of the recipe box, but use this pungent seed sparingly.
Black Cumin Seed with a sweeter, more complex flavor is common in Middle Eastern and North African cuisine and preferable for Indian kormas.
Fennel Seeds
A key ingredient in Chinese Five Spice and several liqueurs like gin and absinthe, fennel seed imparts a slightly sweet, warm, anise-licorice aroma and flavor with a hint of camphor.
Gently roast your seeds to release the essential oils and expand the flavor profile. Use with seafood, pork, leaks, and lentils. Fennel seed plays well with chervil, cinnamon, cumin, fenugreek, and many of your favorite spices.
Fenugreek Seeds
Originating from India, this aromatic seed is a staple in curry recipes. With its bitter, celery-like flavor and flour-like texture, you want to use this spice sparingly and in combination with spices like cinnamon, cloves, garlic, and many of its companions on this page. Besides curries, green vegetables, lamb, and rice are excellent candidates for using fenugreek.
There you are, six great seeds that will enhance your recipes and probably even your health.
With these six ancient seeds in your spice cabinet, the possibilities are endless; roast them, use them whole, grind them, and enjoy them.
