Culinary Tutorials by Chef Andy - HERBS AND SPICES

By Cherry Crawford April 25, 2023 13 mins read 2986 Views

At Belovedsaffron.com, we believe that the key to good food and healthy eating is the proper use of spices, herbs, and other fresh ingredients. We strive to bring awareness of sustainable, organic farming and a wide range of flavors worldwide to our readers.

Our mission also includes recognizing the many wonderful chefs and home cooks who dedicate themselves to creating delicious meals for their families or acclaimed restaurants worldwide.

We treasure any contributions you would like to make to our blog, or if you have a family recipe you'd like to share with our community, please reach out at [email protected]. You are amazing, and so should your tasty cooking!

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make Thai food at home using Thai spices?

To make authentic Thai food at home, you'll need to master five essential spices: black pepper, cayenne, coriander seeds, turmeric, and cinnamon. Each ingredient has a unique flavor profile and plays an essential role in creating delicious dishes.

Black pepper adds savoury flavours, while cinnamon adds sweetness. Curry powder is given its characteristic yellow colour by turmeric and coriander seed. Cayenne peppers provide heat and cilantro provides freshness. Cinnamon adds complexity and depth to any dish.

You can buy each of these spices in your local grocery shop, or you can order them online.

What is the significance of spices?

Spices are seasonings that enhance the flavour of food. Spices can come in many forms: powders or liquids, oils, pastes or seeds, as well as liquids and gums. They are also called condiments and flavours.

Spice up your meals with a variety of spices. To add more flavour and excitement to dishes, many spices can be used.

It may be that adding a few drops to your bowl of soup makes it more flavorful. You could also add a few cayenne peppers to a cup of rice.

Fresh ingredients are best for experimenting with spicing. When you are buying dried herbs, make sure they are organic. Fresh herbs can last for longer than dried.

Although some spices are essential to cooking, there are others that you might prefer not to use. If you have a history liver disease, cinnamon sticks should be avoided. Ginger also contains coumarin, but it's much less concentrated. It is safe for those who have not had liver problems in the past.

What spices can be used in Thai cooking

Thai cuisine is famous for its complex flavor profiles. These flavours come from unique and flavorful spices that create various delicious dishes.

Common ingredients for Thai cooking are galangal, lemongrass, kaffirlim leaves, chillies and garlic.

Each of these spices is integral to Thai cuisine's unique flavour profile. It is used often in soups and curries; galangal lends a slightly peppery taste to dishes; chillies add a spicy kick; garlic gives dishes an umami depth; shrimp paste adds a subtle, but fragrant, aroma to dishes; coriander brings out a mild, yet pleasant aroma to dishes; cumin adds a smoky flavor to dishes; and turmeric gives food a vivid yellow color.

Combining these spices together creates complex flavour profiles, which are unique to Thai food. By using a combination of spices, chefs can create dishes that are both flavorful and aromatic. If you're looking to bring the flavours of Thailand into your kitchen, be sure to stock up on these spices!

What is the use of garlic in Thai cooking?

Thai cuisine uses garlic. Garlic is used in Thai cuisine as an ingredient in salads, soups and stir-fries.

In Thailand, garlic is chopped and fried with shallots, ginger, and spices. It is also often eaten with sticky rice.

Chilli paste, salt and lime juice are the most popular ways to eat garlic. This is "Nam Phrik" or "namphrik". Nam phrik can be served with grilled chicken and beef.

Almond Flour vs. Almond Meal: What's the Difference?

An almond meal, which can be used as an almond flour substitute, is more versatile than other almond flours because it can be used for baking and cooking, as well as making nut free dishes.

Almond flour can also contain gluten which makes it more difficult to digest. If you have celiac disease or another digestive disorder, it's essential to avoid gluten-free foods.

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

Almond meal has many nutritional benefits, including magnesium, copper and zinc as well as manganese and potassium.

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

In addition, almond flour is rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids, phenolics, and proanthocyanidins. These compounds protect against oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

A study published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry found that almond flour had antioxidant activity equivalent to that of blueberries, cranberries, pomegranates, and red wine grape juice.

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

Statistics

Their 14 to 20 percent essential oil content means that cloves have the highest concentration of aroma compounds of any spice. (masterclass.com)
According to the McCormick Science Institute, indigenous Indian spices were cultivated as early as the 8th century BC in the gardens of Babylon. (spicecravings.com)
According to a recent survey, professional chefs and many home cooks use spices; usage has only continued to grow from 2011 to now. (hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu)

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How To

How to store spices for cooking?

This article will show you how to store cooking spice for optimal performance. First, it is important to understand the science behind how foodstuffs are stored.

Because spices lose their flavour when exposed to the sun, they are best kept out of reach from light. This is caused by oxidation, which happens when oxygen and organic compounds combine like spices.

Spices should be kept in the dark cupboards and sealed tightly in airtight containers to prevent oxidation. These conditions can cause spices to quickly lose their flavor.

It is the best way to preserve spices' flavours by keeping them out of direct sunlight.

You can flavor water by adding herbs and spices. Mix two teaspoons of ground cinnamon and 1/2 cup warm water. Stir well. Add a squeezed lemon juice and serve immediately.

Dry herbs and spices can also be used in soups, stews or casseroles. Spread the spice mixture evenly onto the dish. Allow it to sit for between 5-10 minutes before serving.

As snacks, leftover cooked vegetables and fruits can be added into your favourite recipes.

If you want to take advantage of the flavours of fresh herbs and spices, chop or tear them up and add them to foods while they're still hot. You can freeze herbs or spices by placing them on ice cube tray or muffin cups. Once frozen, place them in freezer bags or zip-top bags.