Kitchen Monkey

07 March 2008

The Spice of life!!!

Here is one for you, recently while listening to a BBC broadcasting they threw out one of those listener trivia questions as they do, the question was:

What’s the difference between a herb and a spice??

You know what, I knew the answer. But I have to say I was amazed by the numerous calls to the radio station and what the listeners actually thought the answer was. One caller even stated that this was a question on trivial pursuit the board game.

So guess what, here is another one of those little glossaries of knowledge to impress your foodie friends with.


Herbs come from non-woody, leafy plants, while spices are dried parts of aromatic plants – like the seeds, bark, roots and leaves – and are mainly tropical.

Do you know how you should store spices, so that they do not lose their flavour?

Well another bit for you is: Spices do not like daylight, so store them in the dark, airtight containers in a cool, dark cupboard. Buy them in small quantities, so you use them up at their best, rather than hoarding them in bulk.

Here’s another which people manage to muddle up.

Mixed spice and allspice what’s the difference?

Mixed spice is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, cassia, coriander and caraway seeds.
Allspice is the berry from the pimento plant.


Which spices for which foods?

Heres just a few suggestions for you.

Cayenne pepper
Use with: chicken, beef, turkey,lamb,white fish & seafood
just a dash spices up chutney
Characteristic is hot & firey


Ground coriander
lamb, beef, chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower & roast parsnips
adds a twist to salad dressing
characteristic are sweet-sharp & aromatice


Ground cumin
chicken,lamb,carrots ,aubergines,roast potatoes & parsnips
great in home-made houmous
characteristic are hot, sweetish & nutty

Ground nutmeg
veal,fish,chicken,spinach,baked apples, cheeses,whipped cream,custard and frothy hot chocolate
sprinkle over rice pudding before cooking
charactistic warm,aromatic & sweet


Saffron
Chicken,seafood,stews,carrots,risottos,paellas, cakes & breads
infuse in milk& use the liquid in your cooking
charactistic unique, honey-like flavour