LETS SPICE IT UP {K-N}
LETS SPICE IT UP {K-N}
KAFFIR LIME LEAVES
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| KAFFIR LIME LEAVES |
Kaffir Lime leaves belongs to the citrus family. It has a distinctive lime-lemon aroma and flavour. It has a strong citrus flavour. It is indispensable in Thai, Malaysian & Indonesian cooking. Both the fruit and leaves are edible.
Medicinal Uses :
- Ointments are made with essential oils.
- The rinds are used to make tonics.
- Kaffir lime leaves cleans the hair and invigorates the scalp.
- Used as a natural bleach to remove tough stains.
- Purify the blood.
- Digestive aid.
- Promotes gum health and is recommended for use in brushing teeth and gums.
Culinary Uses :
- Used in Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian dishes.
- Used in soups, curries and stir-fried dishes.
- Used along with lemon grass and lime juice in tom yam.
- Flavour broth or stew.
- Fresh leaves are used in salads or garnishes .
KALPASI/STONE FLOWER
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| KALPASI/STONE FLOWER |
Kalpasi/ Black Stone Flower is a species of lichen used as spice in India. One of the ingredients in East Indian cooking. this mystery flower is believed to be grown in some parts of Tamil Nadu and is an important ingredient in Chettinad food. Its upper surface is dark green or black and whiter inside, Kalpasi has a strong earthy aroma and dry texture.
Medicinal Uses :
- Relieves Pain.
- Heals wounds.
- Treat skin problems.
- Reduces inflammation.
- Improves digestion.
- Has antibacterial properties.
- Is effective against protozoa.
- Helps maintain body temperatue.
- Helps to tone up the Urinary tract.
- Suppresses respiratory disorders.
Culinary Uses:
- Kalpasi is used to cook meat dishes.
- It has a wild aromatic flavour, so it is used to add aroma to soups and curries.
- It is also used in dishes like nahari, Bombay biryani, Goan meat stews.
- Kalpasi is also used as food by many cultures around the world.
- It is an essential ingredient in Goda Masala or Kala Masala.
LEMON GRASS
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| LEMON GRASS |
Medicinal Uses:
- Tonic and stimulant
- Diuretic
- Relief of menstrual troubles and nause
- Fever
- Insect Repellent
- Oil is used to make perfumes
- Anti-microbial and anti-bacterial
- Detoxify the liver, kidney, bladder & pancreas
- Healthy skin
- Reduce acne and pimples
- Soothes the nervous tension and anxiety
Culinary Uses :
- Widely used in Indonesian, Malaysian, Sri Lankan and Indian cuisine
- Used in savoury dishes and meat, poultry, seafood and vegetable curries.
- It harmonizes well with coconut milk, especially with chicken or seafood.
- The stems are also used to make herbal teas.
- Used in pickles and in flavouring marinades.
LICORICE
Licorice is mainly cultivated for its medicinal properties. It is mainly used in indigenous medicines. The roots are sweet in taste and has a specific pleasant flavour.
Medicinal Uses:
- Coughs
- Flatulence
- Colon cleanser
- Sore throat
- Ulcers
- Weight Loss
- Help stop smoking
- Relieve the symptoms of hepatitis B and hepatitis C
Culinary Uses :
- Natural sweetener and may be used in place of sugar.
- Flavoring agent in tobacco products.
- To make herbal tea.
LONG PEPPER
Medicinal Uses :
- The fruits and roots are used as medicine for respiratory disease
- Uses as a counter irritant
- Analgesic for muscular pains and inflammation.
- Carminative
- Haematinic (including Iron, Vitamin B12 & Folic Acid)
- Anti-helminhic (destroys parasites and worms)
Culinary Uses :
- Used in Indian and Nepalese vegetable pickles and preserves.
- It is the main spice in Pakistani Nihari dish.
- It is also used in some North African spice mixtures.
- It is also used in Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine.
MACE
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| MACE |
Mace is the outer covering of the Nutmeg seed. It has a similar flavor to Nutmeg, but is more subtle and less intense.
Medicinal Uses:
- Digestive aid
- Flatulence
- Appetizer
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Carminative
- Astringent
- Aphrodisiac
Culinary Uses :
- Used as condiment in sweet foods.
- Used as a standard seasoning in many Dutch dishes.
- Used in the preparation of meat products, soups & sauces.
- Used in baked foods, confectioneries, puddings.
- The fruit is crystallized or pickled or made into jellies.
- Used in curries and masalas.
MARATHI MOGGU/KAPOK BUDS
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| MARATHI MOGGU/ KAPOK BUDS |
Marathi Moggu/ Kapok Bud is a spice used mostly in Karnataka Cuisine. Marathi Moggu yields no smell when it is raw, so it is usually fried in oil, so that its full flavour is released. It has a tase which is similar to that of a combination of mustard and black pepper.
Medicinal Uses:
- Is used in treating Asthma
- Kapok Buds are used to treat Fever
- It is also used to treat diarrhea.
- It helps to heal wounds.
- Kapok Buds serve as a diuretic and as a purgative.
Culinary Uses :
- It is used in dishes such as Bisi Bele Bath, Saagu, Karnataka style kootus.
- Several Andhra style dishes uses this as a specialty spice.
- This spice is widely used in preparing curry powders.
- It is one important spice which finds a special place in Chettinad Cuisine.
MINT
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| MINT LEAVES |
Mint is an aromatic herb. Mint is strong and sweet with a tangy flavor and a cool after taste.
Medicinal Uses:
- Appetizer
- Digestive aid
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
- Nausea and motion sickness
- Headache
- Carminative
- Mouth freshener
- Respiratory disorders, cough & asthma
Culinary Uses :
- To make herbal tea.
- Used to season meat.
- Used in making chutney and dips.
- Used to enhance flavours in pulaos & biriyanis.
- To make alcoholic beverages.
MUSTARD SEEDS
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| MUSTARD SEEDS |
Mustard plants produce bright yellow flowers that contain small round seeds; brown mustard is more pungent than white.It has a spicy flavour with a distinct aroma when mixed with water or tempered. Mustard leaves and seeds are both edible. Oil is extracted from the seed, which is used for both cooking and therapeutic purposes.
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| YELLOW MUSTARD SEEDS |
Culinary Uses :
- Used in pickling spice
- Spice mixtures for cooking meats and seafood
- Used in marinades.
- Flavouring barbecue sauces, baked beans and meat dishes.
- To flavour deviled eggs and beets.
- Mustard seeds are used for tempering many dishes
NUTMEG
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| NUTMEG |
Medicinal Uses :
- Diarrhea,
- Dyspepsia
- Colic
- Digestive aid
- Appetite loss
- Reduce flatulence
- Vomiting and nausea
Culinary Uses :
- Used in both sweet & spicy dishes
- To flavour pies, puddings, custards, cookies and spice cakes.
- It combines well with many cheese
- It is included in soufflés and cheese sauces.
- It is used to enhance flavours in soups.
- It flavours Italian mortadella sausages, Scottish haggis and Middle Eastern lamb dishes.
- Moroccan spice blend ras el hanout contains nutmeg.
- It is indispensable to eggnog.
- It is used in numerous mulled wines and punches.
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