Spices for Vegetarian and Vegan Cooking

By Rose Swartz March 31, 2023 17 mins read 172 Views

Spices are one of the most essential ingredients to have in your kitchen if you’re going vegan or vegetarian. They can enhance your recipes and provide a range of health benefits.

For instance, cinnamon is a sweet-woody flavor that pairs well with nutmeg and cloves. Turmeric adds a bright yellow color to dishes and is also anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a classic spice that adds flavor and texture to any dish. It can be used fresh, in a powder form or ground into a paste.

It comes from the bark of certain trees in the genus Cinnamomum, which are native to India and Sri Lanka. The bark is harvested and dried before being ground into a powder.

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, cinnamon is a must-have spice in your pantry. It adds a warm and sweet flavor to any dish and works well in both sweet and savory dishes.

Cinnamon has antioxidant properties that reduce free radical damage and slow the aging process. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that may help boost your skin health.

Turmeric

Turmeric, also called curcuma longa, is a spice that is popular in India and other countries of Southeast Asia. It has an impressive array of health benefits, and it is a favorite ingredient in curry powders.

It's also a great natural food coloring, and it is used in a variety of recipes. It is especially useful in gluten-free baking.

The primary component of turmeric is curcumin, which has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Research suggests that curcumin may help reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including breast, prostate and skin cancers.

Mustard

Mustard is a seed-based condiment that’s blended with vinegar or wine, salt, and other spices to add flavor. Often producers add honey, too.

Mustard seeds are a great source of many nutrients, including copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, selenium, and manganese. They also contain glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, which have health benefits.

Mustard seeds and leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and are a rich source of vitamins C and K, thiamin, riboflavin, and folic acid. They’re also a good source of fiber and polyunsaturated fats.

Black Salt

Black salt, also known as kala namak or Himalayan black salt, is a key ingredient in many vegan dishes. It’s a savory spice that gives foods a tangy and sulfurous flavor, reminiscent of eggs.

Unlike traditional salts, which are made from sodium chloride, black salt has a complex composition of minerals that can be beneficial to health. It contains traces of iron sulfide, sulfates, and acidic bisulfates.

It can be used for cooking as well as added to water to create a bath. However, it’s important to use black salt sparingly because it has a strong sulfur smell and taste.

Paprika

Paprika is a versatile spice that can be used in many different vegetarian and vegan dishes. It adds a rich, peppery flavor and a pop of color to soups, stews, rice dishes and more.

It is available in a variety of flavors such as sweet, hot, smoked and Spanish. It can also be produced in a range of heat levels, depending on the variety of peppers that are used to make it.

Smoked paprika is one of the most popular spices when it comes to plant-based cooking. It adds a hint of smokiness that complements everything from vegan chili to collard greens and even vegan mac and cheese!

It is also a great addition to tomato-based sauces and can be sprinkled over grilled corn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thai cooking made with garlic?

Thai cuisine uses garlic. Garlic is used often in Thai cuisine, such as soups, stir fries, curries, sauces, and salads.

Garlic is often fried in Thailand with ginger, shallots, and other spices. You can also eat it with sticky rice.

It is common to mince garlic and then mix it with chili paste, salt, fish sauce and lime juice. This mixture is called "Nam Phrik" (namphrik). Nam phrik can be served with grilled chicken and beef.

What are 7 Indian spices?

Indian spices refers to a variety of spices that are used in Indian cooking. They include coriander and turmeric as well as cardamom, cumin and coriander. Spices add flavour to dishes by blending natural ingredients like meats, vegetables and spices. The unique flavour profiles created by spices are what make Indian cooking special.

Cardamom has a pungent, sweet taste with hints o citrus and ginger. It is used to flavour curries, rice dishes such biryani, and other Asian cuisines. Cumin is a spice with an earthy smell and a rich, nuanced flavour. It is commonly added to curries and meat dishes, as well as dals. Coriander adds a delicate nuttiness and sweet citrus aroma to dishes. It is commonly used to season vegetables, lentils, and other foods.

Turmeric has an earthy flavour with mustard, spices, and pepper hints. This spice is commonly used in curries and other dishes and has a golden hue. Fenugreek is a spice with a rich aroma and earthy tones. It also has a bitter taste. Fenugreek is used to season meat dishes such as kebabs or curries. Ginger is spicy, pungent, and has hints of citrus. It adds the perfect kick to dishes such as curries, chutneys, and soups. Asafoetida, or hing, has a pungent aroma and strong flavor. It can be substituted for onion and garlic in some recipes.

These spices combine to create unique flavours that make Indian cuisine so distinctive.

What's the Difference Between Cooking With Whole vs. Ground Spices?

There is no difference in cooking with whole spices and cooked with ground spices. After harvesting, spices are ground. So there is no difference in quality.

But the price gap is significant. Whole spices can be more expensive due to the labor involved in their processing. However, the flavor is worth it.

When you buy bulk spices, you may get additional discounts. A whole bag of cinnamon sticks might be eligible for a discount.

The same applies to nutmeg and cloves, ginger or cardamom. If you purchase these spices in bulk, you may be able to save money.

Whole spices can also last longer than the ground spices. Because ground spices lose potency quickly from oxidation, this is why whole spices last longer than ground spices.

However, the main reason we recommend whole spices is because they add character to recipes.

You can make delicious curry using whole turmeric, instead of ground turmeric. Or you can grind whole coriander seeds to create a spice blend for chicken dishes.

The process of grinding spices takes a lot of time. It is sensible to purchase large quantities when buying whole spices. So you don't run short of spices.

What spices or herbs go best with potatoes?

A potato makes a great side dish with almost any meat. There are many ways to cook potatoes, other than just mashed.

From salads to casseroles, soups to pasta dishes, these versatile vegetables make tasty additions to most meals. But did you know that numerous spices and herbs go well with potatoes?

These delicious recipes will spice up your next potato recipe.

What are the primary Flavours in Thai cooking?

Thai cuisine includes several distinct regional cuisines. These include Northern, Central, Southern, Eastern, Western, and Northeastern Thai food. Each region has its unique flavour profile.

Thai food has many common flavors, including sweet, salty.

Sweetness is essential for Thais because it makes the dishes palatable. Sweet ingredients such as palm sugar (gula melaka) and coconut milk play a significant role in Thai cuisine.

Thailand is also a popular place for sourness. Sour foods are often served alongside hot dishes. This combination helps balance out the heat.

Thai food is not complete without spicy food. Thai dishes often use spices such as chili pepper, galangal or ginger root.

What is the importance of spices?

Spices are seasonings that enhance the flavour of food. Spices can take many forms such as powders (liquids), oils, pastes and seeds. They can also be called condiments or flavours.

A great way to spice up your meals is to add some variety. Numerous spices can be added to dishes for extra flavour 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. Perhaps you can add some cayenne peppers to your cup of rice.

You can experiment with spice recipes best if you use fresh ingredients. When you are buying dried herbs, make sure they are organic. Fresh herbs will last longer than dried.

Certain spices are essential in cooking. However, you may prefer to avoid some. If you have a history or liver disease, cinnamon sticks can be dangerous. Although ginger also contains coumarin it is much less concentrated. People who do not have any liver problems are safe.

What is the most popular ingredient in Thai cooking?

Thailand's two main ingredients form the heart of all Thai dishes. They are rice and curry. This is how you get an unforgettable flavor.

Combining these two basic foods into one dish is known as "Khaopad Krai" in Thailand.

It's the same for your life. If you combine hard work with perseverance, you can achieve great success.

As Khao Pad Krai did, passion and purpose can be combined to make you successful. Combining them will produce something special.

When you are craving Thai food, don't forget to add rice and curry! Experiment with other ingredients to see what fun it can be.

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 includes dried chillies (scallions, shallots), galangal root and lemongrass as well as kaffir lime leaves, garlic, shrimp pastes, sugar, salt and sometimes coconut milk. It is an important ingredient in Thai cuisine.

One of the most widely used condiments in Southeast Asia is curry paste. Curry paste adds a distinctive flavour to many dishes such as curries and soups, stir fries, stir-fries or rice dishes.

It's very simple to make this at home. Follow our step by step guide below.

Step1 - Prepare Ingredients

You need to prepare all ingredients before starting this recipe.
First, peel and chop shallots (2 cups). Next, cut galangal root into small chunks (about 3 inches) and put aside.
Next, slice four garlic cloves. The lemongrass stems should be roughly 1/2 inch thick.
You can then crush the red chilli bell peppers into small pieces (about 4 tablespoons), and then you can remove the seeds (optional).
Cut the kaffirlime leaves into small strips, approximately 5 inches in length. Take out the white part and place it in a bowl.
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 together until smooth.
The texture should be similar to that of peanut butter.
Take note: If you are looking to reduce oil in your dish you can add water to the mix.

Step3 - Add Coconut Milk

Mix the coconut milk into the mixture.
Add coconut milk slowly so that the paste does not become too sticky.
If you prefer less spicy, add fewer chillies and more galangal root.
You can make it more spicy by adding more chilies and less galangal root. The end result should be delicious.

Step4 – Serve