Do you have a favorite spice or is there one you would like to cook with more often than you do? I get asked what spice I enjoy using and I will say the answer is pretty easy, Cumin – August Featured Ingredient. Wanna know why? It’s all in the flavor this spice adds to sauces, marinades, meat and seafood rubs, dressings, chili’s, soups, stews, nut snacks, and just about anything else you can think of.
Cumin – August Featured Ingredient
Consider cumin “the comfort spice” because the flavor is warm and toasty. Everyone’s palate is different so for me I can tell when cumin has been added to a dish. The more cumin is used in your cooking the easier it will be to recognize when the spice is used. I use cumin year around and keep a large container to ensure I don’t ever run out. Notice the brownish-green color of the powder and its somewhat pungent bouquet.
Cumin – August Featured Ingredient
Visit any spice aisle and cumin is available whole seed and ground yet each can be toasted to enhance its flavor profile which I highly recommend. Place powder or seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until you start to smell its scent. Remove from heat to cool and grind seeds in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
Cumin is part of the parsley family and one of the main ingredients in curry powder. The plant flowers and omits the pods that contain the seeds used in cooking. You’ll find cumin used in numerous cultures all over the world especially when foods and dishes are highly seasoned.
Cumin – August Featured Ingredient
Mexican dishes using cumin are enchiladas, chili con carne, and pork entrees. In Europe, cumin is used in sausages and to smoke cheeses while in the Middle East, cumin can be found in fish dishes, stews, and couscous. Click here for more information on health benefits cumin may offer as the article makes for some interesting reading. Use cumin when you get the chance and don’t shy away from using it. The flavor is distinctive and as I said earlier enhances foods and recipes with big flavors. I love it and you will, too. Happy Cooking!
Cumin – August Featured Ingredient
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