LavenderThis floral scent is one of the greatest aromatic herbs known to lotion lovers and candle enthusiasts alike! Lavender, a member of the mint family, comes from the mediterranean. These fresh and dry leaves and buds are commonly grown in the fields of France. Lavender adds a floral hint to many many meals. Add it to a rub and your meat will have balance and flavor. Sprinkle it on grilled chicken, or your next roast! I like to compare it to rosemary. It is a simple herb that can easily be added to almost any meal. Most of all, add it to your sweet delights! Lavender is one of my favorite essentials in baking. Scones, toast, and shortbreads are perfect with a hint of lavender! Ground MustardDid you know that the mustard plant comes from the same family as broccoli and cabbage? This condiment was extremely popular during medieval times and known today, as a main essential to Polish hot dogs and deli sandwiches. Have you ever noticed the different varieties of mustard? Bright yellow, brown, and even black? Surprisingly, there are three central types of mustard plant. White mustard (yellow), brown mustard, and black mustard! All are sure to give you dish a unique, intense flavor. Use it as a marinate, or in a salad dressing. Glaze your carrots with it, or give your fish a buttery, mustard sauce! Whichever dish is your preference, mustard is an admired ingredient in many recipes! CinnamonThe warm, sweet scent of cinnamon is a favorite for the fall and winter seasons! What is cinnamon exactly? Evergreen bark! From the times of ancient Greece & Rome, cinnamon was being harvested and enjoyed by many. The harvest takes place in tropical regions during the rainy season. The bark is scraped, cut, and rolled into those familiar scrolls of cinnamon we often use in making our favorite seasonal cider and cinnamon delights! The rather intense aroma can warm any home in an instant! RosemaryI have two huge rosemary bushes in my backyard. These shrubs have an intense aroma, which can easily bring warmth to any kitchen. They give meats a hint of pine and mint flavor. Rosemary is commonly used to flavor lamb! Pair it with other mediterranean herbs including sage, thyme, and oregano, and you will have a classic, delicious marinate! Similar to lavender, rosemary can be used in your sweet delights as well. My favorite is rosemary shortbread! CayenneIt's an Asian and Indian delight! Cayenne chiles and powder are popular ingredients, which add a kick of spice to any meal. From Cajun sauces to fireball chicken, cayenne is an essential spice! Hot & spicy, this ingredient will add fire to any dish! Cajun seasoning recipe: cayenne, salt, thyme, paprika, oregano, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. ThymeThere's a unique story behind the history of thyme. It actually comes from the Greek word "thumbs", meaning courage. It is told that medieval knights wore thyme as a symbol of courage. Nonetheless, this fragrant herb can be turned into a many blends of seasoning. Mediterranean and French dishes often contain thyme. Thyme is a perfect flavor addition to vegetables, or meats! Garlic PowderGarlic powder is not an herb, or a spice, however, this intense cooking ingredient is no stranger to assisting in seasoning foods. Mix it into a butter and your morning toast will be a savory delight! Add it to meat rubs, or sprinkle it on pasta and pizza! Garlic is usually the secret ingredient behind all memorable dishes. Nutmeg'Tis the season! Cold fall and winter weather means warm drinks and delicious baked delights! Nutmeg is actually referred to as a tree nut, although it really comes from the seed of an evergreen tree fruit! The tropical fruit is similar to an apricot, or nectarine. Nutmeg provides a warm, rich flavor, but is bittersweet on it's own. My go-to is rice pudding with a hint of nutmeg! BasilIn my garden, I grow fresh basil year-round. The aroma immediately reminds me of Italian pasta and pizza! I recently enjoyed pesto sauce on my tomato, mozzarella pizza. There's nothing like basil to freshen a dish! A gelato shop I had visited in West Covina, California, who's owners immigrated from Italy to the U.S., offered basil gelato! Sure enough, basil can give ice-cream and sorbets a hint of freshness to compliment sweet, fruity flavors. PaprikaThere is a historical story behind the origin of paprika, that common powder added to our favorite dishes. Christopher Columbus and other explorers brought chile peppers back to Spain from Mexico. These peppers paved the way to what we know today as paprika! Although paprika originated in Spain, there are over five other producers worldwide! Tip: If you are looking for a sweet paprika find the brighter red version. If you are looking to add a spicy kick to your dish, look for the darker red paprika! DillWhat comes to mind when I think of dill is Greek tatziki, a side of peas, and delicious grilled salmon! Dill is native to Russia and the Mediterranean, as most herbs and spices are. This tangy herb is apart of the celery family. Use it to add a hint of citrus and sweetness to almost any dish! SageHave you ever been asked to identify fresh herbs? If so, you may have memorized the difference between these common cooking ingredients. Sage comes from it's botanical name "salvere", which means "to be saved". This healthy herb can be fresh, ground, or in powdered form though a process of rubbing. As you can tell from the photograph above, Sage has a cotton-like texture. This herb can add flavor and a fragrant aroma to omelets, caramelized mushrooms and onions, as well as other vegetable dishes! OreganoThis minty, bitter spice has lemony notes, perfect for mediterranean cuisine! Put it on chicken, in salad dressing, or sprinkle it on top of fresh feta drizzled in olive oil! This spice will add freshness to your next lunch, or dinner. ParsleyHave you ever had a bag of fresh parsley and fresh cilantro in your refrigerator? Did you spend minutes trying to guess which is which? Don't worry, I've been there. Parsley leaves are softer and lighter (both in color and weight). Parsley is very mild. Thus, it is more commonly used as a garnish! Other Herbs & SpicesMint
Ginger Bay Leaves Cumin Rosebuds Poppy Seeds Hyssop Chives Cloves
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AuthorHi guys! My passion is anything and everything SWEET! I am a graduate from Los Angeles, California with a hospitality degree. I have experienced many inspiring delights of the world as I have traveled here & there. Whatever the future may bring, I will always observe with my eyes & enjoy with my heart. Love Always, MARIA CEKO (Mia) Always #HEARTInspired Archives
April 2017
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