Spices

Adding whole spice to your meals is not only healthy – it’s tasty, too. And what better way to spice things up than the festive season?

Many people have the assumption that spicy means hot. While it’s true that freshly ground chili and other hot spices make up quite a large portion of spicy food, there are many other ways that spices can be used to add flavour, depth and aroma to sweet and savoury foods. With the holidays around the corner, we share some easy ways to add more flavour to your Christmas meals with the help of whole spice.

Tasty Holiday Cooking with Whole Spice

Here in South Africa, we are blessed with a warm climate that is perfect for outdoor dining, braais, picnics and other fun dining options. Whether you are planning your festive dinner or lunch, or simply wanting to enjoy some holiday cooking that gets you into the spirit of things, here are some ways to add more spice to your life…

• Spiced Eggnog. Who says the northern hemisphere countries have to keep their delicious warm beverages to themselves? Even in sunny SA, warm, comforting eggnog will always go down like a treat. Adding sweet spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, clove and ginger will bring out the subtle blend of milk and custard, resulting in a perfect alternative to cocoa or coffee.
•  Spiced Chocolate Cake. The lovely Nigella Lawson offers her fans a recipe for Spiced Chocolate Cake – a dessert that is almost guaranteed to have everyone going back for seconds. You don’t have to save it for parties either… this cake is every bit as good for tea time or any other time.
•  Spicy Cookies. Gingerbread, Swedish spice biscuits and other spicy cookies are festive and delicious. Dig out that old recipe book, or ask your gran or mom for her favourite recipe, then whip up a batch of freshly baked cookies that you can keep all to yourself or even give as gifts. As whole spices are ground fresh, a lot more flavour is released compared to pre-ground spices, making your cookies even more scrumptious than ever.
•  Spicy Roast Duck. Jamie Oliver has a mouth-watering recipe for Roast Duck with Spicy Rub and Masala Gravy, which is sure to be a hit on any lunch or dinner menu. Served with Asian noodles and a crisp stir fry, this is a modern take on traditional roasts that is full of wholesome flavours thanks to the curry blend.
•  Spiced Salads and Veggies. There are many ways that you can introduce some flavour to your veggies or salads as well. A basic green salad can be given a spicy Thai dressing for example, or vegetables can be placed on skewers, marinated in a ginger and soy sauce and put onto the braai as kebabs. Even old favourites such as potato salad can be given a new twist with mustard seeds ground into the mayo and a dash of ground paprika.

You don’t have to add spice to every dish that you prepare of course – unless you love spice as much as we do. But even one dish that has been ramped up in taste is sure to add just the right touch of flavour to your festive meals. With your favourite whole spice and a trusty grinder from Global Grinders, you can be sure that you eat, drink and be merry during the holiday season.

While you may have thought that buying ready-ground spices will give you the same result as buying whole spices and herbs and grinding them yourself, there are many health benefits (not to mention flavour advantages) that are lost when you do not buy whole.

Herbs and spices are a great way to add flavour to a variety of dishes, and in almost every culture across the world, these ingredients have been used since the dawn of time. In addition to adding a whole new taste dimension to dishes, they also offer a number of unique health benefits that help reduce illness, strengthen immune system, clear skin and even reduce inflammation.

What herbs and whole spices should be grinding in your kitchen, and what are some of the amazing health benefits that they have to offer?

Healthiest Whole Spices and Herbs

Be sure to add these herbs and spices to your shopping list, to get the full benefit of their flavour and health power…

1.     Oregano

A herb in the greater family of origanum, this herb is a popular pizza garnish that packs a powerful antioxidant punch. So much in fact, that it is said to have the same level of antioxidant as three cups of broccoli! It is also extremely versatile, working well when used with pasta, salads, pizzas and even sandwiches. To get the full benefit, look for whole dried leaves that you can grind yourself, or use your grinder on store versions for a more intense flavour.

2.     Rosemary

Rosemary is said to contain compounds that help to reduce inflammation, which is a risk factor for a number of health concerns. This herb is being studied to determine how effective it is to enhance heart health. A favourite in chicken and roast vegetable dishes, you can also use this herb in tomato based sauces, other roasts, in marinades and in baked bread. You can use ground rosemary in cakes and sweeter dishes too if you want to try something different and delicious.

3.     Turmeric

With its bright yellow colour, turmeric is an often-overlooked spice that has a whole lot of goodness. It is often found in curry powder and used in curry dishes, and is believed to be good for heart health as well as the prevention of cognitive decline in the ageing. Look for whole turmeric in its natural form, which can be ground into food. Use it in your favourite curries, or add to stews, vegetable dishes, meats, egg salad, potato salad and even in homemade dips and salad dressings.

4.     Red Pepper Spices

There are a number of super spices found from dried red peppers – all of them excellent for your health and high in flavour. Cayenne pepper, paprika and crushed pepper are the most commonly found red pepper spices, each of which have their own unique taste and level of spiciness. Red pepper is known for its weight-loss benefits, helping to boost metabolism and reduce hunger pangs. These spices are also high in antioxidants too. Use these whole, and grind into your favourite dips, sauces, pasta, salads, seafood, marinades, chicken or even roasted chickpeas for a delicious snack.

5.     Black Pepper

The wonders of whole black peppercorns have long been celebrated, with many cultures embracing this spice for hundreds of years. It has been used to treat everything from digestion issues to colds, pain and even heart conditions. Today, science has proved the old healers right, after finding a number of essential compounds such as pipines that are excellent for health. Grind it fresh just before eating, and use on any and all of your favourite foods. You could even try it with fresh strawberries and whipped cream for an out-of-this-world dessert.

What are your favourite spices to grind, and how do you like to use freshly ground spice in your meals?