THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO SPICE & FLAVOR

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO INDIA SOUTHERN EUROPE One of the first spices to be traded, black SPICE & FLAVOR Oregano was popularized in the U.S. after WWII, as soldiers returned pepper was also discovered in the mummified body of pharaoh Ramses II. home from Italian battlefields. BLACK PEPPER OREGANO FLORAL, SPICY Throughout history, spices have been a driver of trade, war, superstition and ultimately cuisine. Once a symbol of wealth and power, spices from around the world now bring depth and interest to everyday cooking. These 15 essential spices should be staples in your pantry. EARTHY, PEPPERY Gingerbread & Black Pepper: Give your favorite gingerbread recipe a kick by adding 4 tsp. black pepper to the spices. Oregano & Salad Dressing: Stir 2 tsp. dried oregano into ½ cup of any non-creamy salad dressing. Turn Colorful Oven Fries into salt and pepper fries X with a good sprinkling of black pepper. Add 1 tsp. dried oregano to the Quinoa Medley with Beans & Corn when you add the chili powder. Origin History Surprising Pairing * VT Recipe in this issue & vegetariantimes.com SRI LANKA | VIETNAM ASIA MEDITERRANEAN SRI LANKA In the 3rd century BCE, a Chinese leader in the Han Dynastry required those who addressed him to Used by humans for over 7,000 years, garlic Myrcene, part of the essential oils of One of the world's oldest spices (2800 BC), cinnamon was once so many perfumes, can be extracted from bay leaves. was believed to ward valued that it was off demons, werewolves & vampires in Central Europe. CINNAMON traded as currency. GARLIC POWDER BAY LEAF EARTHY, FLORAL chew cloves to freshen their breath, GENTLE, SAVORY CLOVES SAVORY, AROMATIC Cinnamon & Oranges: Peel oranges and slice into wheels. Sprinkle with cinnamon for a classic light dessert from Morocco. EARTHY, SWWEET Garlic Powder & Popcorn: Sprinkle 1 tsp. garlic powder over popcorn. Bay Leaf & Oil: Place 2 or 3 bay leaves in a jar, and cover with vegetable oil. The bay will lightly season the oil. Cloves & Asian Curries: Add a pinch of dried cloves to any Asian curry recipe. Add 4 tsp. cinnamon to Tuscan Kale & Carrot Soup X for a Sicilian take on the Italian favorite that tames the bitterness of the greens. Sprinkle bread slices in Broccoli-Edamame Soup with Jumbo Goat Cheese Croutons with garlic Add 1 bay leaf to the cooking water for the Toasted Quinoa Tabbouleh. Add a pinch of ground cloves to the French-Style Apple Butter. powder before baking. INDIA Turmeric was once used as a treatment for cobra bites in CAYENNE PEPPER SPICY, CLEAN TURMERIC Thailand. EARTHY, PEPPERY INDIA Turmeric & Tea: Add 4 teaspoon to your favorite hot tea, then sweeten with honey. Used the world over, cayenne is the go-to for adding "clean," or non-aromatic, heat to dishes. Add 2 tsp. when cooking lentils and rice in Warm Lentil & Rice Salad over Wilted Mesclun Cayenne & Eggs: Add a pinch of cayenne to scrambled eggs, or lightly dust the yolks of fried eggs with cayenne. Add a pinch of cayenne to the Cantaloupe-Cava Sorbet or the Mellow Melon Smoothie. SOUTHERN CHINA/PERU MIDDLE EAST In Medieval England, powdered ginger was commonly sprinkled over beer. The ancient Greeks used cumin seed as a table condiment, much like we use pepper today. CUMIN Ginger & Chocolate: Stir 8 to 4 tsp. ground ginger into your favorite hot cocoa or hot chocolate mix. EARTHY, SMOKY GINGER PEPPERY, SWEET simply Organic. Cumin & Cheese: Sprinkle the cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich with ground cumin before cooking. Add 1 tsp. cumin to Crispy Kale Leaves X when tossing with olive oil. Season Rosemary Whole-Wheat Stuffing with Figs & Hazelnuts with 4 tsp. ground ginger. Designed & illustrations by Santosh Kushwaha www.SIMPLYORGANIC.COM (Steep it with the figs and cranberries.)