How to Add Flavor Using Herbs and Spices Video
Discover a world of flavor that exists outside the salt shaker. Fresh herbs, spices, vinegars and other flavorings can really jazz up any food.
完美的搭配
You may find it difficult to know which herbs and spices to pair with certain foods. There are no wrong combinations – just experiment with one herb and a simple food – sprinkle basil over eggs or fresh cilantro over corn. 以下是一些建议:
- 使用精致的草药, 叶子嫩嫩的, with delicate veggies – such as basil and mint with zucchini or tomatoes.
- 尝试更健康的草药, 哪些叶子更厚更结实, with heartier vegetables – such as thyme, 迷迭香或鼠尾草配土豆, 芜菁甘蓝或胡萝卜.
使用柑橘汁和醋
If you taste a dish and it seems like it needs something more – reach for an acid. Acids like vinegars and citrus juices – orange, lemon or lime -- are known to add ‘sparkle’ to food. Add the zip of red wine vinegar to cooked beans. A tablespoon of lemon juice is delicious with almost any vegetable and fresh herb – and especially over any type of fish.
如何储存新鲜香草和香料
It can be frustrating for fresh herbs to go bad before you use them. Try storing mint, cilantro and parsley in a bouquet. Right after you bring them home from the store, snip the ends of the herbs and place them in a jar or glass with about two inches of water. Then store in the refrigerator covered with a plastic bag – snip a few holes in the bag to allow some moisture to escape.
- Fresh basil is too delicate for the cold, so it can sit in the middle of your table as a centerpiece or on your kitchen counter without a plastic bag. Be sure to change the water every other day in your counter or refrigerator herb bouquets.
- Woodier herbs with sturdy woody stalks, 比如迷迭香, 百里香鼠尾草, should be wrapped loosely in paper towels and placed in a zip-top plastic bag, then stored in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. If stored properly, fresh herbs can last more than a week.
- If you won’t use fresh herbs within a week, roughly chop and place about a tablespoon in each slot of an ice cube tray. Cover with water and put in your freezer. Freeze until firm and then empty the cubes into a zip-top freezer bag. 当你做饭的时候, add a couple herb ice cubes to pasta sauces, soups or cooked vegetables for an extra flavor burst.
如何储存干香草和香料
How do you use and store dried herbs and spices? They're great to use in dishes that cook 30 minutes or longer, 像汤, 炖菜或砂锅菜, because they need to be cooked longer than fresh herbs to bring out their fullest flavor. Another great way to swap out the salt in recipes.
Dried herbs and spices can lose their flavor over time, so store them in a cool dark place away from heat and humidity so the flavor and aroma are maintained longer. Mark the date on the bottom of the spice container using masking tape.
- Store spices together according to the global cuisine in which they are used; for example, 商店香菜, cumin and chili powder together so you remember to add them to tacos, chili and Mexican-flavored scrambled eggs. 储存咖喱粉, turmeric and fennel together to add to Indian-spiced roasted potatoes, 胡萝卜和鸡肉. Oregano, garlic powder and mint make a Greek spice rub for lean beef or roasted zucchini.
- Make sure you store all dried herbs and spices in a dark, 干燥,远离热源, 比如炉灶或电器. Don't keep a spice rack close to the stove.