Can you imagine an Indian dish without the aromatic flavors of spices? Certainly not! Similarly, culinary traditions across the globe have developed their own spices powder blends that are integral to their cuisine. And today, we’d like to explore some valuable tips and tricks for cooking with ground and whole spices that will enhance the flavors of your dishes.
Understanding the Role of Spices – Whole vs. Ground
Spices, as you know, come as whole spices and spices powder. But while both forms can add life to your recipes, knowing which one to choose can be a tad bit confusing. Fortunately, it just comes down to one question:
What does the recipe call for?
If your pantry is stocked with what your recipe needs, great! But if you need to swap whole spices for the powder or vice versa, things can get a bit complicated. So, here’s what you can do:
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Reduce Volume of Spices Powder
If you’re using ground spices instead of whole spices, you’ll only need a quarter of the quantity you need for whole spices. You should also keep in mind that adding spices powder can change the color of your dish. So don’t be alarmed if your curry turns slightly darker than expected.
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Use Whole Spices for the Crunch
Let’s say your dish needs the crunchy texture of spices or a subtle infusion of flavor without imparting any color. Then that’s when you go with whole spices.
Enhancing Flavors – Some Tips and Tricks
Alright, so now you know which form of spices should go were. Next, we’ll see what you can do to make the most of their flavors.
Assess the Freshness of Your Spices Powder
Store-bought spices powder can sometimes lose its potency before it reaches your kitchen. This is why you need to be sure that the supermarket you buy them from is careful about keeping their products fresh. If not, consider grinding whole spices at home. This way, you can be sure you’re experiencing their true essence and aroma.
Explore Various Spice Blends
If you’re following a recipe, it’s easy to know the right blend of spices you need. But if you’d rather, do it solo, explore combinations of coriander powder, turmeric powder, and chili powder to incorporate multiple flavors into your dishes. Additionally, a pinch of garam masala sprinkled in at the end can elevate the taste of your dishes to great heights. And, of course, be mindful of how much salt you add so that your recipe has all the vibrancy it needs!
Use Aromatics
Many dishes use aromatics like onions, garlic, green chilies, and ginger as their foundation. Sautéing these with spices powder can unlock their flavors and create a robust base for your dish.
Roast the Whole Spices
Dry roasting whole spices or frying them in oil can definitely enhance their flavors. This is especially true for ones like cumin and mustard seeds. However, if you’re using spices powder, you can let it bloom before you add in the remaining ingredients. But fair warning! Do not let your spices burn, or you’d be risking an awful bitter taste.
Know When to Add the Spices
Ground spices like turmeric and chili powders are often added along with your aromatics, which you’ll then let bloom. But sometimes spices and blends may need to go at the end or the beginning. So, consider researching the ground or whole spices you intend to use to know when to add them.
Get the Best Spices at Quoodo
Cooking with fresh and flavorful spices can open your kitchen up to a world of aromas. But with many places improperly storing their spices powder, this is easier said than done. So, what do you do then? Head to Quoodo, of course! Thanks to our carefully packaged products, you can now rest assured that your home will be filled with the smells of your delicious cooking.
So, visit our online grocery store today, and get the best of our spices collection!
