zit is the season for pumpkin spice and all the other autumnal spices. Yes, they're wonderful in everything from muffins to frostings. However the traditional blends also can be use to highlight savory dishes too. They're an interesting addition to any dish, giving an earthy flavor to main courses and sides.
Cinnamon has long been used as a savory spice. Indian cooks have used it for century in their main courses.Think about Indian butter chicken that not only has cinnamon to give it some spice but also cumin, tumeric and coriander. For a different side try the Indian style basmati rice laced with the spice. Meats such as pork can benefit from a dash of cinnamon. Try a pork roast with a spicy mix of it, dried minced onion, rosemary, sage, and garlic powder. You can also try it on pork chops cooked with apples for a fall Sunday dinner. The Greeks also cook savory dishes using it . The famed dish patstitsio uses two teaspoons of ground cinnamon to this lasagna like dish. You would think it wouldn't work with the tomato added but it brings out the fruit's' flavor and also gives the ground beef an earthy flavor that sets the dish apart.Other fall spices such as allspice and nutmeg are also added , giving the dish a more complex flavor.
Allspice and nutmeg are the other fall spices liberally used in autumn baking. Yet allspice can be used also in a variety of dishes . Since it has a stronger taste it can easily be added in seafood dishes. It tempers other spices too such as cayenne. It also figures largely in Middle Eastern cooking.It gives lift to the traditional beef meatballs called kibbeh. You could also rub it on lamb shoulder or lamb chops for a different spin. Allspice is one of the ingredients in Caribbean jerk.This is an easily made spice mix that you can whip up in your kitchen. The spice is mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin and smoked paprika. Hot pepper flakes are added in for zing and bite.Nutmeg, the other and perhaps most subtle of all the fall spices, can also be used in main dishes and sides Think about using it in a seasoning for poultry, especially for turkey. It would make for a flavorful Thanksgiving bird. It''s also a great addition to creamed spinach. Keep in mind with nutmeg you can buy the nut and micro grate it yourself or buy the already grated kind.
Fall spices are essentially for all dishes. Try them in savory ones to lit up ordinary dishes, They add a subtlety and warmth making for memorable recipes.
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