A Closer Look at Paprika
A Closer Look at Paprika
When cooking there are certain seasonings we tend to reach for more often than others. We use different seasoning blends which are quite popular these days, as well as different seasoned salts. Whatever those are, and then there’s our old faithful; salt and pepper. The majority of the time we may not be sure exactly what the seasoning’s actual ingredients are or how they should be used. Here, we will discuss paprika spice. This seasoning is used often but what should we be using it for exactly? Can we add it to everything? Let’s discuss this.
What is it? Paprika is Hungarian for pepper. It’s a versatile, brightly colored red-orange spice that comes from a variety of chili, bell, sweet and tomato peppers. The color comes from carotene which is rich in vitamin C. Assortments of peppers are sun-dried or smoked and ground or milled into a fine and tasty powder.
Types and Varieties
Varieties of paprika spice vary in color and taste. Some are sweeter in flavor while others have more of a spicy taste and are darker and richer in flavor. Commonly used varieties are Hungarian, Spanish which can be smoked or non-smoked.
Hungarian Paprika Spice- This version is non-smoked and carefully cured for several weeks in the sun until dried then finely ground by experienced spice millers.
Spanish varieties – Can be smoked or non-smoked. Peppers are smoked over oak logs for two weeks with the best Spanish varieties being slowly turned by hand in some cases. This more in-depth process will make for a more deep and richer flavor. Very impressive.
Reasons To Use
If you’re not convinced by now to go out and get your best version of this flavorful spice, here are more reasons you may want to consider:
1. It contains vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B and iron
2. May improve vision being filled with carotenoids
3. Is said to help reduce inflammation
4. May help control blood sugar levels
5. Promotes healthy blood flow because of natural vitamin E and iron
This versatile spice is used to add depth and smokiness to any savory dish. It’s also used frequently to add color and richness to different sauces, soups, and gravies, and also makes an amazing garnish when sprinkled over potato salads and soups. You’ll want to be sure to store it in a cool and dry place for freshness and prevent discoloration.
Paprika adds versatility to your meals and is an excellent addition to your spice cabinet. Read more articles here! Also, there are a lot of amazing recipes and suggested uses available for you to check out here to learn more.
How To Keep Spices Fresh
Using the right spices is a good way to elevate your cooking to a whole new level. Of course, to make the most of the spices that you use, it’s important to keep them nice and fresh. After all, although spices can last for quite some time without going “bad,” they are always going to taste their best when they are kept as fresh as possible. These are a few tips that can help you enjoy your spices as much as possible.
How to Keep Spices Fresh: Avoid Buying Too Much at One Time
It’s definitely a good idea to keep a well-stocked spice cabinet. However, when purchasing spices that you don’t use in large quantities, you might want to purchase them in smaller containers. When purchasing spices that you use a lot of, however, buying in bigger containers can help you get the best deal.
Buy Whole Spices
It might seem easier to purchase spices that are ready for you to use, but spices that are pre-ground will not stay fresh as long as whole spices. Another good option is to purchase whole spices and keep your spices whole until you are ready to use them. You’ll need to purchase a spice grinder, but you’ll probably find that it’s worth it. This is a particularly good idea for spices that you might not use very often but that you want to keep on hand.
Keep Your Spices Sealed Up
It’s best to keep most spices well-sealed when they are not in use. If you purchase them in containers that seal well when they are closed, then they should be fine for storage. Otherwise, you may want to transfer your spices over to a sealed jar or bag for storage.
How to Keep Spices Fresh: Store Them in the Right Place
One thing that you should know if you’re wondering how to keep all of your spices fresh is that they should be kept in a cool, dark and dry place. Many people keep their spices over their stoves, but this is a mistake; after all, this area of your kitchen can become quite hot and humid, which can cause your spices to clump up or lose some of their freshness.
Keeping spices fresh will allow you to enjoy them a lot more. Fortunately, if you follow the tips above, you should be able to keep your spices nice and fresh until you are ready to use them.
What’s the Difference Between Coriander and Cilantro?
What’s the Difference Between Coriander and Cilantro?
Many home cooks and kitchen novices often reach a point where they scratch their head and wonder what the difference between coriander and cilantro is. A very large number of people seem to think that they are a completely different plant or herb, however, this is not the case at all. Cilantro and coriander, both officially known as the Coriandrum Sativum species, are exactly the same plant and species, however, there is a regional difference in how the various plant parts are named.
The International Standard
Outside of the North American continent, the international standard is that coriander is the name given to the leaves and stalks of the Coriandrum Sativum plant. The other commonly used coriander derivative, the dried seeds, are also referred to as coriander outside of North America. In other words, the word cilantro is not used outside of North America to define anything involving the coriander plant, regardless of how it is processed or prepared.
North America
The North American region of the world is the only place that uses the word cilantro. The root origin of the word “Cilantro” is Spanish, a name given by early Spaniards to the coriander leaves. North Americans do not refer to the coriander stalk or dried seeds as cilantro, rather, they refer to it as coriander. Referring to “cilantro leaves” as “coriander” in places like Mexico or the US might cause confusion.
The Reasons For The Distinction
The difference between coriander and cilantro boils down to how they are used in language and nothing more. Linguists and other language experts believe that there is a reason behind the distinction. Mexican cuisine uses fresh coriander leaves within recipes much more than any other region on the planet. With that fact considered it makes much more sense that there would be such a stark linguistic distinction between different parts of the plant.
The International Linguistic Rules Are Changing
Over the last decade, linguists have noticed that the word “cilantro” is being used much more frequently outside of North America. International language speakers are finding that it is much more convenient and logical to use a different word to mark the distinction between the very different parts of the coriander plant.
Garden to table
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VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there. VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there.
VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there.
VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there. VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there. VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there.We travel with him to Roswell.
Weekly meal plans
[dropcaps type=’normal’ font_size=’32’ color=’#97c240′ background_color=” border_color=”]M[/dropcaps]emeets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to RoswelNon the called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there.VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there.
VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there. VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there.
VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there.
VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there. VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there. VICE meets up with Joe Nickell, a longtime paranormal investigator who’s been called the real-life Scully. We travel with him to Roswell, NM on the anniversary of the 1947 UFO Crash to talk to believers, skeptics and UFO witnesses alike to see if the truth is really out there.We travel with him to Roswell.
Saffron Extract
Saffron Extract is an easy way to get the most out of this precious and expensive spice. Since it can take from 10-15 minutes for saffron threads to infuse into hot water, making an extract beforehand is both a time-saver and helps to distribute the flavor better.
Three Indian Delights
Think beyond curry. These unexpected spice blends from India are exciting and totally different from the average Indian fare. They also make wild ingredients in fusion food.
Panch Pooran Potatoes
This authentic East Indian recipe uses Panch Pooran, a classic blend of five savory spices. The whole seeds pop during cooking, releasing a delicious aroma and adding great flavor and texture to an otherwise simple dish.
Tomato-Cucumber Salad with Chaat Masala
Here is a tasty, simple salad that becomes instantly exotic and unique with Chaat Masala, a zesty, little-known spice mix from India.