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I love adding spices to my cooking. Aside from some of the touted health benefits, they just make eating more interesting. The same ingredients from one dish can magically be transformed into something completely different just based on the spice profile. It can differentiate the cuisine of one region or even one person from another. It separates, shall we say, East Coast cuisine from that of the West, as well as Corner Emma’s chili from your own preparation. Spices make the difference.
Well, to be honest, I’m more talking than acting. I have over 40 spices in my cupboard, carefully labeled and organized alphabetically, but honestly they only get touched maybe once or twice a week. Of course I like it idea of spices, but practically I’m not as involved as I think I am. I hope that will change soon, both for you and for me.
I recently had the privilege of traveling to India. Along with the wild colors, bold flavors, and beautiful antiques, the food is an attraction in itself. Oh the food. I wish I could put myself back there as I write this. The food was so rich, so colorful, so tasty and so fragrant. It engaged all of the senses. You feel that food is vital. It’s not an afterthought, but an important and well-planned part of the day. Alongside this, the use of spices to create unique flavor profiles is of paramount importance.
When I came back to Seattle after two weeks, I found that my own diet was actually pretty bland. While kale salad is healthy, it lacks flavor and color. Good old turkey sandwich on whole grain bread? Pretty bland all round unless you toss it up with some strong mustard and maybe some tangy arugula and heirloom tomatoes. Despite this, our food is generally just monotonous. No wonder many Indians keep much of their familiar way of cooking when they move here, and some have even opened Indian grocery stores to import traditional foods (for which we can all say we are very grateful!).
Besides taste and cultural norms, there are other reasons to appreciate spices in your life. As I mentioned earlier, there are many health benefits of adding more spices to your diet.
Number one is the anti-inflammatory benefit. Many spices have specific properties that allow them to act as powerful antioxidants. Turmeric is one of the most popular and studied examples right now. Countless research has shown that turmeric and its active ingredient, curcumin, have antioxidant properties. Other spices that shine as antioxidant stars, although far less well known, include oregano, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and mustard seed.
Number two is that many spices act as antimicrobial agents. In fact, spices used to be highly valued due to the lack of refrigeration. Heavy use of spices could kill disease-causing pathogens and keep food safe for consumption. These properties also work internally by killing unwanted bacteria and viruses. A good reason to increase spice consumption in winter!
Some spices also have other very specific health benefits, such as helping lower blood pressure, calming tense nerves, relieving nausea, or aiding in digestion. They can be used therapeutically in reasonable doses, but cooking with a wide variety ensures your body benefits from a wide range of these health-boosting spices.
Having returned from India and feeling quite depressed about my “boring” diet, I decided to practice what I preach. I’m no longer satisfied with a few squirts of chili powder here or a few squirts of Italian spice there. No, I want to recreate that depth and richness that I enjoyed so much abroad in my own kitchen at home. Armed with a bag of new spices (thanks to the Kerala Spice Store and US Customs for letting me cart all these goodies home!), I’ve found renewed determination to cook more interesting dishes and increased my intake of herbs and spices significantly increase.
are you on board with me If so, you may be wondering how do we start?
First we need some ideas. And by ideas I mean recipes. I have very little experience cooking this type of dish, so recipes and guides are my best friend. Believe me, I never get that stuff out of my head. I’m just not that talented in the culinary department.
What ideas do I have you ask? Curry, curry, curry… for starters. There are so many amazing curry options out there, and contrary to popular belief, they don’t have to be spicy. I make mild curries that my kids like, many of which contain a variety of vegetables and lean meats. You often get protein, veggies, and healthy fats in a single meal. Add a little rice or roti and you have a complete meal.
Other cuisines to look at are African and Middle Eastern cuisines. These also tend to rely heavily on many types of spices. Right now I’m eyeing my exotic Ethiopian cookbook on the shelf next to me, trying to prime my brain for diving one of these days. Prepare yourself with a variety of recipes, either from books, magazines, or the internet, and start cataloging the types of dishes you want to try.
Next we need ingredients, and by that I mean the actual spices. This is the tricky part! I’ve found that some spices are extremely hard to come by at local grocers. If you can, find ethnic markets near you and explore them. We are blessed with many international communities in and around Seattle, so I am planning some reconnaissance missions in the near future. Otherwise, search online if what you are looking for remains elusive.
Well, once you’ve acquired the spices you need, I highly recommend investing in some spice jars and maybe even a label maker to keep you organized. I have this part under control thanks to Ikea and Amazon. I love looking at my neat rows of labeled, alphabetical jars. I just have to start using them!
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