A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO USING SPICES EP1- Ndudu by Fafa

By Caroline Anderson March 19, 2023 14 mins read 258781 Views

Genuinely embracing global flavours, BelovedSaffron.com invites food lovers and passionate chefs to explore a world of spices and herbs, organic food, and good food. Our mission is simple; we want to bring you closer to the cooks and farmers worldwide who recognise the unique power of all-natural ingredients to create an unforgettable flavour. Undoubtedly, saffron holds a special place in our hearts, as its incredible aroma ignited our passion for cooking.

Our aim goes far beyond delving into recipes and teaching culinary techniques; we intend to promote sustainable eating as an essential part of preserving humans’ relationship with nature. As such, we invite anyone who shares this same conviction or has a secret family recipe they would like to share with the rest of us to visit us online or contact us at [email protected] for all collaborations and submissions. Let’s show appreciation for those that dedicate their lives using natural deliciousness to establish meaningful human bonds through cuisine!

For now, love yourself and enjoy this one ...

Frequently Asked Questions

Almond Flour and Almond Meal: What is the Difference?

An almond meal can be used as an alternative to almond flour. It can also be used in cooking and baking.

Almond flour may also contain gluten, making it difficult to digest. It's important to avoid gluten-free diets if your condition is celiac.

Almond flour may not be considered a "superfood", per se, but it contains healthy fats as well as fibre, protein and vitamin E.

The almond meal provides nutritional benefits such as magnesium, iron, zinc and manganese. It also contains vitamin A, B1 (thiamin), C, and folate.

Almond flour, made from almonds contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oil. Both can lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol.

Almond flour is also high in antioxidants, such as phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins. These compounds protect against free radical-induced oxidative harm.

In a study published in Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, almond flour was found to have an antioxidant activity comparable to blueberries, cranberries or pomegranates and red wine grapes juice.

Almond flour is usually sold alongside almond milk, fortified with additional nutrients.

What is the value of spices?

A spice is an ingredient that adds flavor to food. Spices can be powdered, liquids or oils. They can also be called condiments or flavours.

Spicing up dishes is a great way to add variety to meals. You can spice up dishes with many different spices for more flavor and excitement.

You may find that adding a few drops of hot pepper sauce to a bowl of soup will make it taste more delicious. Mixing a couple of cayenne peppers in a cup rice can make it even more delicious.

The best way to experiment with spicing recipes is to use fresh ingredients. If you buy dried herbs, look for those that are organic. Fresh herbs can last for longer than dried.

While some spices are essential for cooking, others might be better to avoid. Cinnamon sticks contain high amounts of coumarin, so they should not be eaten if you have a history of liver disease. Although ginger also contains coumarin it is much less concentrated. It is safe for people without a history or liver disease.

Can you add spice into a drink

I love the way spices add flavour to food. But how can you make them live when they're used in drinks.

Spices add a wonderful depth to any beverage. You can add a little cinnamon or nutmeg to any glass of wine, beer or coffee.

But most recipes call for ground spices, meaning you'll need fresh whole spices. While this makes sense, it is costly, takes time and requires storage space.

That's where the magic happens. You can transform your favourite spices into an easy-to-use powdered form with ingenuity. You can then mix the spices into your favorite beverages to make delicious spiced drinks.

Two ways can you make powders. The first involves the grinding of whole spices to make fine powder. Another method is to use a mortar & pestle to grind the spices until they are finely ground.

Whatever method you choose to use, you will find that powders are much easier than whole spices. Powder keeps well, so you will never run out.

You can even experiment with mixing different spices to create new flavours. Peppermint and spearmint can be combined to make minty water. Ginger and cardamom pods can be used to make spicy ginger Tea.

Once you are skilled in the production of powdered spices, it is possible to apply that technique to herbs. Basil, rosemary, thyme and sage are some of the most popular herbs.

There are many options. Use powdered spices to give your beverages extra flavour or to enhance the taste of dishes such as soups, salads, and pasta.

How to Store Spices

They should be kept out of direct sunlight and heat in an airtight container.

If you want to keep spices fresh for a long time, place them into a dark cupboard. This will help preserve the spices and prevent oxidation.

Keep spices away from direct sunlight in a dry, cool place. If the spice is placed near a heater or window, it may lose its flavour and aroma.

Spices can be best kept in an airtight container or tin. If storing in plastic containers, make sure there is no moisture inside the container.

Check the seal every time you open and reseal it. Heat can cause moisture to spoil your product.

You don't have to throw out leftover spices. Make sure to use leftover spices in other recipes. To prolong their shelf life you can freeze them.

Statistics

It has been estimated that around 1,000 tons of pepper and 1,000 tons of other common spices were imported into Western Europe each year during the Late Middle Ages. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to Healthline, pink Himalayan salt is estimated to contain up to 84 minerals and trace elements, which gives the salt its special pink color. (spicecravings.com)
Their 14 to 20 percent essential oil content means that cloves have the highest concentration of aroma compounds of any spice. (masterclass.com)

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How To

Do You Know How To Make Curry Paste?

Curry paste uses dried chillies, shallots, galangal root, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, garlic, shrimp paste, sugar, salt, and sometimes coconut milk. It's a common ingredient in Thai cuisine.

One of the most widely used condiments in Southeast Asia is curry paste. It adds a unique flavour to many dishes, such as curries, soups, stir-fries, salads, rice dishes, noodles, and desserts.

It's easy to make at-home! Follow our step-by–step guide below.

Step1 - Prepare Ingredients

Before starting the recipe, you will need to prepare all ingredients.
Begin by peeling and cutting shallots into small pieces (about 2 cups). Then, cut the galangal roots into small pieces (approximately 3 inches in length), and then set aside.
Next, you will need to peel and slice the garlic cloves (about 4 cloves). Finely chop the lemongrass stems to about 1/2 inch in thickness.
Crush the red chilli peppers with about four tablespoons of water and remove the seeds.
Next, cut the kaffir-lime leaves into thin strips (5 inches). Next, remove the white part from the stem and leave it alone.
Next, drain and wash the shrimp paste (6 ounces), and then coarsely mashing it.
Last, take out the salt and sugar.

Step2 - Grind Ingredients

Blend all ingredients until smooth
The texture should be similar to that of peanut butter.
You can replace some oil with water if you wish to reduce the oil content of your dish.

Step3 - Add Coconut Milk

Mix the coconut milk into the mixture.
Slowly add coconut milk to ensure that the paste doesn't become too sticky.
You can reduce the amount of chillies and increase the quantity of galangal root if you prefer it less spicy.
For a more spicy taste, increase the amount of chillies and reduce the use of galangal root. The final product should be tasty to you.

Step4 – Serve