Spice of Life: Cardamon

I love cooking with rare spices and exotic ingredients.  We have to cook to eat, but there is no reason for the food we create to be boring or everyday.  Gaining access to spices is easier now than ever before.  Ships once sailed far and wide to fill there bays with the rich spices of foriegn lands now all we have to do is visit our local specialty store or better yet visit MarketSpice.com to have it delivered to our front door. 

This months Spice of Life is Cardamom.  I remember dining at an Ethiopian restaraunt here in the US and I wish I could describe the excitement caused by the flavor .  You'll simply have to try the spice on your own. 

Cardamom is used mainly in the Near and Far East and is one of the world’s very ancient spices.  Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. It is often adulterated and there are many inferior substitutes from cardamom-related plants, such as Siam cardamom.  Cardamom comes from the seeds of a ginger-like plant, the flavor is warm and eucalyptine with camphorous and lemony undertones. 

The pods can be used whole or split when cooked in Indian substantial meals — such as pulses. Otherwise, the seeds can be bruised and fried before adding main ingredients to the pan, or pounded with other spices as required. Keep the pods whole until use. The pod itself is neutral in flavour and not generally used, imparting an unpleasant bitter flavour when left in dishes.

I love the very unique and exotic flavor of this spice.  I think the moment you taste it, particularly in rice dishes, you'll immediately become a fan just as much as I. 

This smoothie of blueberries or (blackberries) & honey mixed with a few spoonfuls of honey make for the perfect breakfast kick-start. A dash of ground cardamom adds interests and rounds out the sweetness. 

Ingredients

Serves 4; makes 4 cups

• 12 ounces blueberries or blackberries (3 cups)
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 pinch ground cardamom

Blend ingredients in a blender on high speed until smooth, and serve.

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Deborah

Old Dominion Concierge

"We Run Your Errands"