Nutmeg is one of those unicorn spices that you can use in all kinds of savory and sweet dishes. It can be sprinkled on top of eggnog, spiked in mac and cheese, freshly grated into a pumpkin pie custard, or mixed into a chicken rub.
What foods do you use nutmeg in?
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).
Where is nutmeg most commonly used?
Nutmeg, a pungent and a warm, slightly sweet tasting spice, is used to flavor many kinds of baked goods, confections, puddings, potatoes, meats, sausages, sauces, vegetables, and such beverages as eggnog.
What does nutmeg do in a recipe?
Ground nutmeg, a brown-colored spice, enhances many foods with its rich flavor. Countless recipes and dishes call for it in combination with other spices like cinnamon, cloves and ginger.
What is the traditional use of nutmeg?
In folkloric medicine, nutmeg has long been used as a remedy for gastrointestinal problems, such as flatulence, colic, indigestion and diarrhea. The traditional use of nutmeg to treat tumors and infectious diseases, such as parasites and plague, has also been reported.
What flavor does nutmeg give?
nutty flavor
A popular spice available in both ground and whole form, nutmeg is known for its warm, nutty flavor, making it the perfect addition to comforting sweet and savory dishes. Once ground, nutmeg spice takes on a warm and aromatic flavor with notes of clove.
Can you put nutmeg on meat?
Nutmeg is also frequently used in savory meat-based dishes, where it subtly enhances and rounds out the flavor. You’ll see it in sausage mixes, lasagnas, and ragus. Nutmeg also pairs very well with winter squash and dark leafy greens.
Does nutmeg have any health benefits?
Nutmeg is a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect against the signs of aging and serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and liver disease. Nutmeg oil is used in several dental products.
What does nutmeg smell like?
Nutmeg essential oil, like it’s kitchen spice counterpart, has a beautifully spicy, fragrant scent. It’s rich, woody, spicy, sweet, and very similar to the spice it’s derived from. Because it is a potent derivative of the spice, the essential oil tends to be richer and more fragrant.
Why was nutmeg so valuable?
So, why was nutmeg so valuable? Well, Krondl likens it to the iPhone of the 1600s. It was fashionable among the wealthy. It was exotic and potent enough to induce hallucinations — or at least a nutmeg bender, as detailed in this account from The Atlantic.
What does nutmeg do to a sauce?
Seasoning sauces
Nutmeg contributes a deep, nutty, and somewhat sweet flavor to anything it is added to. As such, it is fantastic in sauces, both savory and sweet! Some of the most common it enhances are cream sauces and include béarnaise and the base for stroganoff, but don’t stop there!
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.
Can I put nutmeg in my tea?
Nutmeg in Tea
Nutmeg is sometimes used as a masala chai spice. It’s not one of the essential ones, but you can find in in regional variations or custom blends. Nutmeg tends to go best with black teas, particularly black tea lattes. If you want to add a dash of eggnog spice to a tea latte, include some nutmeg.
Does nutmeg affect 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.
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.
Is nutmeg different than cinnamon?
Cinnamon is from the bark of a tree, and nutmeg is a seed. Cinnamon is the “hot” flavor in a lot of candies, e.g. “Hot Tamales”, as well as being used in apple pie and cinnamon rolls. Nutmeg is more subtle, often used with other spices, sometimes including cinnamon. Beyond this, let your taste buds decide.
What is similar to nutmeg?
8 Best Nutmeg Substitutes for Sweet and Savory Recipes
- Cinnamon. While it has a slightly different flavor (it’s more sweet and woody), this common spice is most likely to be in your cabinet and will work in a pinch.
- Allspice.
- Cardamom.
- Star Anise.
- Cloves.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice.
- Apple Pie Spice.
- Ginger.
What meat is good with nutmeg?
You might typically opt to season your meat with more savory spices like thyme, parsley or cumin, but adding the sweet hint of nutmeg to your meat-based dishes like roasted chicken or pork will make them taste a little more festive.
Is nutmeg savory or sweet?
While nutmeg is considered a sweet seasoning, it’s not your typical sugary sweet. It’s more of an earthy, nutty sweetness. That’s what makes it so versatile, and it’s why it can be added to savory dishes as well as sweet ones. Just know that a little goes a long way with the unique spice.
How is nutmeg used in Indian cooking?
Grated nutmeg can be used in various kinds of desserts like kheer, cheesecakes, phirni, puran poli etc. Sometimes a hint of grated nutmeg is used to perk up the taste of savoury dishes too. It can also be added to homemade garam masala and chai ka masala. Nutmeg, grated when fresh, is a tasty addition to cheese sauces.