La cooking with spices It is one of the most wonderful things in this world. If you like to travel and eat… I am sure you cannot conceive of cooking without spices. Its taste and smell transport us to the most exotic and wonderful places that we can imagine, its people, its cultures, its environments, its charms… it is like being in a dream.
And if you are starting out in the most exotic culinary world, this article will surely interest you. Many times we see recipes that use a lot of strange names, that we do not know, that we do not know what they are or what they are used for. Well, generally, those are spices. There are regions like the Southeast Asia and also Middle East in which spices cannot be missing, therefore, their dishes, without spices, would not be their dishes, they would not have that characteristic and so particular touch that makes them a truly unique delicacy.
So with this article, we want to show you the 5 basic spices that can not be missing in any kitchen and that will allow you to prepare many dishes. Of course, these 5 spices should be added a few more (such as cinnamon, ras-al-hanout, 5 Chinese spices, chili, turmeric ...), but to get started in the world of spices is undoubtedly a good start.
At the end of each spice, we leave you some recipes so that you can get the most out of it !!
1. Paprika
It is perhaps one of the most popular spices in Spain, and probably in almost every kitchen there will be a little pot of paprika. Of course there are dishes that could not exist without this spice, such as Galician octopus or a humble chorizo. There are two varieties: sweet paprika and hot paprika. And, sure, almost all of you will have heard of its most well-known version "the pimentón de la Vera".
To obtain the paprika, the red peppers of the corresponding variety (ñoras, paprikas ...) are subjected to a drying, curing and smoking process, and then crushed so that these peppers are turned into powder.
Properties
Although paprika is better known at the food level, it has many properties. For example, did you know that paprika contains more Vitamin C than citrus? And did you know that it is an ideal food to increase the iron? What if I tell you that it does not have any fat? And if we delve into its vitamins and minerals, it has others such as E, A, B1, B2, B3, B6, in addition to phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and calcium.
And other interesting curiosities at the level of properties is that it is a great antioxidant, it favors the growth of hair and nails, it favors the sense of sight, it favors the formation of collagen, it is perfect for rheumatism or arthritis and, in its variety spicy, helps burn fat.
Recipes
Sautéed broad beans with our paprika
2. Cumin
Cumin, native to the Mediterranean, is a plant about 60-90cm tall, with long, thin leaves and small white and pink flowers. From it, the seeds are extracted, which is the "cumin" spice that we know today.
Today cumin is used in almost all the most famous kitchens in the world, and of course, its consumption in Spain is not new. In fact, many of the traditional dishes of southeastern Spanish and the Islands contain this ingredient (Andalusian cuisine, La Mancha cuisine, Canarian cuisine, garlic mash ...).
You will find it in grain or powder and can be consumed raw or roasted. Its flavor is intense and it is tremendously aromatic.
Properties
The medicinal use of cumin is ancient since its properties and benefits are numerous. One of its great benefits is that favors digestion and the elimination of gases, hence it is used in many vegetable stews.
In addition, its high iron content makes it ideal for fighting anemia. But we must not forget that it is also a good relaxant, sedative and bactericide.
Recipes
Roasted pepper and tuna salad with cumin dressing
Chickpea cream glasses with cod and spinach
Stewed lentils with cauliflower
3. curry
Curry refers, on the one hand, to the spice mix and on the other to the recipe of the dish whose preparation incorporates this mixture of spices and which is so well known in Southeast Asia and India.
If we focus on the mixture of spices we can say that no two curries are the same since it is a magnificent mixture of spices that will vary depending on the spices that are used and the use that we are going to give those spices. The most frequent are: chili, basil, caraway, celery, saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, onion, coriander, cloves, cumin, turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, mustard, nutmeg, pepper, tamarind ...
There are curries of different colors (yellow, red, green ...) and flavors depending on the spices that have been used, whether for meat, vegetables or fish. They are super aromatic and with a very intense and characteristic flavor as well as spicy.
Properties
Its properties are numerous due to the amount of spices it contains: immunological, it accelerates the metabolism so it helps burn fat and reduce fluid retention, reduces cholesterol and fights heartburn and heartburn, among others. In addition, due to its turmeric content, it has curcumin which is a very powerful antioxidant.
Recipes
En Thermorecetas We love spices, and of course, curry couldn't be missing:
Carrot, pumpkin and curry cream
Chickpea salad with curry vinaigrette
Chickpea hummus with curry aroma
4. Ginger
Ginger is a root from the Far East, very popular in countries such as China, Thailand, India or Japan, although today it is widespread in the kitchen around the world. It comes in the form of a fresh root, either powdered or pickled.
Its flavor is really characteristic, with a spicy and citric touch, which has the magnificent ability to flavor those dishes in which it is used such as rice, noodles, fish, sauces, desserts or drinks.
Properties
In addition, ginger is well known for its therapeutic properties to relieve digestive problems, as an anti-inflammatory or antiseptic.
Today it is so popular that it can be purchased in any greengrocer or supermarket, both fresh and powdered.
Recipes
Infusion of ginger and honey to care for the throat
Pumpkin and cocoa pie with mandarin and ginger icing
5. Pepper
Piper Nigrum, that's the name of the plant where the pepper comes from. There are different varieties: black, white, green, pink and red, all of them spicy and very aromatic.
It is tremendously versatile. Black pepper is usually used for meats, white for fish and for soups or creams, green for sauces and pink and red for sauces, desserts or drinks.
To get all its aroma and potential, the ideal is to grind it at the same time as using it with a grinder. You can even buy grinders with several varieties of peppers.
Properties
Although pepper is known primarily for its culinary use, like other spices, it also has important beneficial properties. It has vitamins such as A, C or K, in addition to minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium.
In addition, it promotes digestion, relieves intestinal gas, increases metabolic rate and helps relieve flu symptoms.
Recipes
Warm potato and pink pepper salad
Noodles with prawns and spicy sauce