Monday 15 August 2016

Good Seasoning Enhances the Taste of Dishes

Did you know that the proper use of good spices and seasoning can enhance the flavor of the dishes you make at home without adding unnecessary fat, sugar, sat, or tons of calories? So tickle your taste buds with spices and herbs that lend a savory taste, sensational colors, and irresistible aroma to every day meals. To get the most of your seasonings, be sure to following these tips:

You might ruin a dish by overwhelming it with too many seasonings. As a general rule, two extremely strong herbs should never be used together. Instead, you can season with one strong spice and another milder flavor for a complementary effect.

Add dried herbs early in the cooking process. Fresh herbs are typically addedtowards the end for optimum flavor.

If you are serving cold dishes, add spices and herbs several hours before you serve them. This will allow the flavors to beautifully blend together.

If you are using fresh leaves, make sure to chop them very finely. Your aim should be to expose more surface cuts to allow your dish to absorb more of the flavors of the herb.

Dry spices and herbs are usually stronger in terms of flavor compared to fresh herbs. Use this simple guide: ¼ tsp. powder = ¾ tsp. dried = 2 tsps.fresh.

If the recipe calls for powered herbs and you only have dried herbs, don’t worry—you can use a basic mortar and pestle to powder the dry herbs.

If you want to double a recipe, there is no need to double the herbs. Try using just 50% more and taste as you go along so you can adjust as necessary.

You should also store your seasonings properly to ensure that they don’t lose their flavor. Dried spices and herbs are best kept in a cool, dark, and dry, place. Try not to store them next to the stove. Though this is the most convenient position for cooking, it’s not the optimal location because the heat and moisture in that area may destroy flavor. Also make sure to put dry spices and herbs in tightly covered containers.