Grating Whole Nutmeg You do not need to peel, cut or toast whole nutmeg seeds before preparing them. Grate the nutmeg with a microplaner, the smallest holes of a standard cheese grater or a specialized nutmeg grinder.
Do you grate nutmeg with shell?
Peel away the shell completely from the nutmeg. Hold your grater at about a forty-five degree angle. Slide the nutmeg seed down along the grater in a smooth motion. Grate only what you need for the freshest, ground nutmeg.
Which part of the nutmeg Do you grate?
Which part of the nutmeg do you use – its center or just the hard outer shell? The nutmeg to which you’re referring is the nutmeg seed as a whole. All of this seed can be used once grated, both the outer and inner parts.
Can you use the entire nutmeg?
Cooking With Nutmeg
It can be used whole and grated directly into a recipe or measured or shaken from a canister of pre-ground nutmeg. To use whole nutmeg, you will need a microplane or nutmeg grater to shave off a small portion of the seed.
Do you have to crack open a nutmeg?
I would crack open the hard shell and extract the kernel from inside and use it (grate it). Leaving the shell on will extend the shelf life of the kernel though it will last pretty well even without it. Edited to add: I buy whole nutmeg from Penzey’s and it is the dull-looking nut, not the shiny shell.
Which part of nutmeg is used for cooking?
seed
Nutmeg is a spice made from the inner portion of the seed contained inside the plant’s apricot-sized fruit. It’s derived from the seed of the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans), an evergreen tree native to the Maluku Islands (aka Indonesia’s spice islands).
What is nutmeg Shell good for?
The outer shell, the seed and the mace are all known for its incredible medicinal properties. It is a store house of anti oxidants and is added in dishes and gravies to enhance its flavor and aroma. The nutmeg essence is extracted from the mace and the seed as well. The mace is used to make spicy pickles.
Is grated nutmeg the same as ground nutmeg?
Scientifically known as myristica fragrans, these are the only trees to bear two distinct spices, nutmeg, the seed, and mace, a spice that comes from its dried shell. After our trip, I began making small batches of freshly ground nutmeg. Grated and ground nutmeg are the same thing.
Is whole nutmeg better than ground?
For the best tasting, nutmeg-spiced dishes, skip the pre-ground stuff and stick with using fresh, whole nutmeg! It has a reliable, super fragrant flavor and can be grated as needed.
How much nutmeg is in a whole nutmeg?
2 teaspoons
1 whole nutmeg yields 2 teaspoons of grated nutmeg.
How do you use nutmeg in cooking?
Slightly sweeter than mace, nutmeg is essential to bechamel sauce and also goes well with baked or stewed fruit, custards, eggnog, punches, curries, sauces (particularly onion-based and milk sauces), pasta, and vegetables (especially spinach). One whole nutmeg grated yields 2 to 3 teaspoons of ground nutmeg.
Does nutmeg lower blood pressure?
Nutmeg is packed with antioxidants and has a slew of anti-inflammatory properties, which have been shown to help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.
How long does whole nutmeg last?
about 4 years
Generally, you can assume that well stored whole nutmeg seeds will keep freshness for about 4 years, while ground nutmeg for about two years. That’s, of course, for the best quality. Provided that water won’t get to the spice, it should last well beyond that period, and in reasonably good shape.
Is nutmeg good for you in coffee?
A little nutmeg added to your coffee is a health benefit. Nutmeg is used to treat many health conditions. It’s anti-inflammatory properties help to relieve pain. Nutmeg has been used to treat digestive disorders from time immemorial.
Do nutmegs have a shell?
Common nutmeg
The seeds are dried gradually in the sun over a period of six to eight weeks. During this time the nutmeg shrinks away from its hard seed coat until the kernels rattle in their shells when shaken. The shell is then broken with a wooden club and the nutmegs are picked out.
Does nutmeg taste soapy?
Nutmeg is a warm spice with slightly nutty, sweet, woody flavors. It’s quite aromatic and can is generally best used in small amounts—usually no more than one teaspoon. If you use too much nutmeg, the dish, drink, or baked good may taste soapy or bitter.
Does nutmeg taste bitter?
The high oil content ensures the flavour is easily retained in all forms, so just a sprinkle of ground nutmeg can give a real kick to your cooking. It’s highly aromatic, with woody undertones, and can taste slightly bitter to some.
What foods go well with nutmeg?
Nutmeg Sweet, bitter cabbage, carrots, chicken, eggs, fish, lamb, onion, potato, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, ginger, thyme Nutmeg is best bought whole and ground as needed.
Does nutmeg taste like cinnamon?
Nutmeg is a top substitute for cinnamon because of its pleasing taste and versatility. It has a warming, slightly nutty flavor and is sometimes combined with cinnamon in recipes, like in pumpkin pie.
Does nutmeg go well with cheese?
Nutmeg is a tasty add-on for any creamy dish, from mac and cheese to potato gratin to creamed spinach. It’s delicious with buttered vegetables like broccoli, sweet potatoes and carrots, too.
Why does nutmeg make you sleepy?
A natural chemical called trimyristin found in nutmeg is responsible for inducing sleep, relaxing your tired muscles and nerves and set in a sense of calm.