Are You a Spice Girl? Part Two

So do you know which Spice Girl you are?

Many spices have been used in the healing arts for centuries.  As technology increased, the use of spices narrowed more to the culinary world.  These days, more people are looking for less artificial and more natural means of improving their health and even treating minor ailments, and it’s great to consider the possibilities spices/herbs have to offer.

Note: The use of spices/herbs for medicinal purposes should be taken only with the advice of your physician.  Some spices/herb can affect the efficacy of prescription medication.  Moderation is key – so please consult your physician!

For now – let’s continue with our little journey into Spice World and look at a few more spices/herbs you may want to incorporate into your cooking:

• Nutmeg.  This is a fun spice, in my opinion.  It is used in a lot of  holiday recipes, and adds a nice complement to cinnamon and other spices.  It can be bought ground or whole, and is the seed kernel of a fruit tree.  It is said to help a variety of digestive issues, and is even said to help relieve nausea.  This is one spice that must be used lightly – it also has a reputation for its hallucinogenic effects!
• Onion.  Being a vegetable, it also falls into the category of spices.  Minced, chopped, sliced – sauteéd, braised, grilled – onion is a versatile addition to any dish, and can add heat or sweetness, depending on the onion used.  Easy to grow, easy to find – it’s a simple spice for every kitchen!   This article at Ehow offers a couple of suggestions to help stop the crying while you’re chopping, dicing, or slicing onions.
• Pepper.  Another common spice with a wide range of flavors, peppercorns were once called the King of  Spices.  Black, white, green, or pink – freshly ground pepper adds a kick to so many dishes.  Does it make you sneeze the way it makes me sneeze???
• Rosemary.  With a strong, woodsy flavor, rosemary is a good example of a “scary spice” because it only takes a little bit to go a long way.  Easy to grow, rosemary has been used in teas and medicinal applications for many centuries.  It is said to help with memory (“Rosemary for remembrance”) and is a great ingredient in natural hair and skin care.
• Sage.  This has become a staple in my kitchen.  Sage complements poultry so well, it is the only spice I use (with salt and pepper) to season my Thanksgiving turkey.  It has a reputation for imparting wisdom (sage = wise person), and for prediction the success of business practice according to its growth in the garden!   Sage tea is great for your digestive system, and has a healing effect on mouth sores.
• Thyme.  This Mediterranean herb has been associated with inspiring courage, and reportedly has a beneficial effect on one’s nerves.  A bed of thyme is said to house fairies, and its antiseptic properties make it a useful ingredient for a variety of medicinal applications.
• Vanilla.  Do you know anyone who doesn’t like vanilla?  Despite its regular appearance in kitchen pantries, it is in fact, one of the world’s most expensive spices.  Europeans prefer to use the bean, while North Americans mostly use  its extract form.  With a reputation as an aphrodisiac, vanilla is a flavor most people are familiar with, and lends its distinctive flavor to hundreds of baked goods.  Here is a recipe for making your own vanilla extract.

So did you figure out which spice girl you are?

In my kitchen, I tend to be Baby Spice (vanilla!) with the occasional Scary Spice thrown in.  I use a few simple spices regularly, but every once in awhile add a kick of something new just because I can.  Spices can change the flavor of almost any dish, and are a great way to add new life to your recipes!

For your own kitchen, a hands-on reference might make it easier to introduce more spices into your favorite dishes.  Herbs & Spices: The Cooks Reference might just be your ticket to moving into new tastes and food experiences!

photo credit: Bludgeoner86