I am often asked what my most favourite spice is...
I am usually silent when this question is asked.
Or I duck the question and change the subject...
This is akin to asking a mother who her favourite child is..!
However; one day I decided to sit down and think and think and think some more until I had a definite answer to this question.
To arrive at a decision I made two major assumptions.
1. Chillies are fruit/ vegetable
2. Turmeric is more a herb than a spice and I add turmeric to all the food anyway [more for medicinal reasons]
So yes, to answer the question :
The two most favourite of all spices in my pantry are Cumin [Jeera] and Coriander.
But the top one is Cumin - for its carminative properties, special aroma and the flavour it imparts to the vegetable that is being cooked.
Yes I can cook many things which taste absolutely different by just using Cumin and Coriander seeds [in combination and separately].
Simple recipe using Cumin seeds
Finely shredded cabbage [can be English or Chinese cabbage] 2 cups
1 small finely chopped onion
1 or 2 chillies [optional]
2 tsp cooking oil
2 tsp cumin
a pinch or two of turmeric
salt to taste
heat oil in a pan, add cumin and wait for it to crackle
As soon as it crackles add chillies and onion and stir until onion turns transclucent.
add the finely shredded cabbage, salt and turmeric
give it a stir, cover and cook for 2 minutes
stir again cover and cook
and remove when the cabbage is wilted.
Tastes great with rice and or Rotis
This is only one of the many simple stir fries that get the taste and flavour of cumin.
Anyone who eats this - will love cabbage [some how cumin masks the sulphurous taste of cabbage]
What you have made now is a simple vegetable cooked Indian way
[non greasy,no cream, no sauce]
The same recipe works for a stir fry of grated carrots
Or finely shredded brussel sprouts - yes this is a fantastic way of cooking brussel sprouts and no one who has eaten burssel sprouts cooked this way can ever guess what it is.
[trust me I am one of those who are not particularly fond of boiled/steamed brussel sprouts but i can eat it if its cooked this way]
or a stir fry of french beans cut into small pieces
even potatoes can be cooked this way - aloo jeera is a fantastic dish
[potatoes to be cut into small cubes, with or without skin as per your taste preference]
So the recipe sheet should read
Finely shredded cabbage [can be English or Chinese cabbage] 2 cups
OR Finely shredded brussel sprouts - do not cover while cooking
OR finely Grated carrots - do not cover while cooking
OR small cubes of potaoes
OR French beans - cut in small pieces
1 small finely chopped onion
1 or 2 chillies [optional]
2 tsp cooking oil
2 tsp cumin
a pinch or two of turmeric
salt to taste
Procedure is the same as explained above
Do please tell me how the brussel sprouts tasted when cooked this way. I look forward to your feedback :)
So there you go everyone - my most favourite spice is cumin aka Jeera :)
I am usually silent when this question is asked.
Or I duck the question and change the subject...
This is akin to asking a mother who her favourite child is..!
However; one day I decided to sit down and think and think and think some more until I had a definite answer to this question.
To arrive at a decision I made two major assumptions.
1. Chillies are fruit/ vegetable
2. Turmeric is more a herb than a spice and I add turmeric to all the food anyway [more for medicinal reasons]
So yes, to answer the question :
The two most favourite of all spices in my pantry are Cumin [Jeera] and Coriander.
But the top one is Cumin - for its carminative properties, special aroma and the flavour it imparts to the vegetable that is being cooked.
Yes I can cook many things which taste absolutely different by just using Cumin and Coriander seeds [in combination and separately].
Simple recipe using Cumin seeds
Finely shredded cabbage [can be English or Chinese cabbage] 2 cups
1 small finely chopped onion
1 or 2 chillies [optional]
2 tsp cooking oil
2 tsp cumin
a pinch or two of turmeric
salt to taste
heat oil in a pan, add cumin and wait for it to crackle
As soon as it crackles add chillies and onion and stir until onion turns transclucent.
add the finely shredded cabbage, salt and turmeric
give it a stir, cover and cook for 2 minutes
stir again cover and cook
and remove when the cabbage is wilted.
Tastes great with rice and or Rotis
This is only one of the many simple stir fries that get the taste and flavour of cumin.
Anyone who eats this - will love cabbage [some how cumin masks the sulphurous taste of cabbage]
What you have made now is a simple vegetable cooked Indian way
[non greasy,no cream, no sauce]
The same recipe works for a stir fry of grated carrots
Or finely shredded brussel sprouts - yes this is a fantastic way of cooking brussel sprouts and no one who has eaten burssel sprouts cooked this way can ever guess what it is.
[trust me I am one of those who are not particularly fond of boiled/steamed brussel sprouts but i can eat it if its cooked this way]
or a stir fry of french beans cut into small pieces
even potatoes can be cooked this way - aloo jeera is a fantastic dish
[potatoes to be cut into small cubes, with or without skin as per your taste preference]
So the recipe sheet should read
Finely shredded cabbage [can be English or Chinese cabbage] 2 cups
OR Finely shredded brussel sprouts - do not cover while cooking
OR finely Grated carrots - do not cover while cooking
OR small cubes of potaoes
OR French beans - cut in small pieces
1 small finely chopped onion
1 or 2 chillies [optional]
2 tsp cooking oil
2 tsp cumin
a pinch or two of turmeric
salt to taste
Procedure is the same as explained above
Do please tell me how the brussel sprouts tasted when cooked this way. I look forward to your feedback :)
So there you go everyone - my most favourite spice is cumin aka Jeera :)
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