Basic Handling Of Herbs & Spices
BINOD BARAL
Tourism & Business Advisor | Honorary Goodwill Ambassador | Chief Judge | Visiting Faculty | Food Columnist | PhD Candidate
It is all about common sense, cooking is not rocket science, just need of passion.
Spices and herbs are a great way to enhance the natural flavors of your food. It's important to be selective with your combinations and avoid using too many at once, as you want to bring out the best in your ingredients.
To ensure the most potent flavour, use a dry spoon to measure out your spices and crush your leaf herbs by hand to release their flavour.
When cooking, consider the timing of when to add your herbs for the best result. Adding herbs at the end of cooking will bring out their distinct flavors, while adding them at the beginning will blend the flavors together. For ground spices, add them towards the end of cooking to preserve their flavor, while whole spices and bay leaves are better suited for longer cooking times and should be added at the beginning.
Experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs to find the flavours that you enjoy the most.
Keep in mind that some spices are stronger than others, so it's best to start with a small amount and adjust as needed. When storing your spices and herbs, keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place to maintain their potency and freshness. For fresh herbs, chop them finely to release their maximum flavor.
Enjoy your experiment.