Spice Up Your Winter BY ERIKA RAVNSBORG
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t’s back - the frost slowly creeping up on your windowsill and once again, Old Man Winter is making his presence known, bringing on the ice and snow. We knew this day would come – when Halloween and pumpkin spice season is over. It is inevitable that we are going to be hit by winter because it’s Alberta. And in this province, we are sure to get some chilly weather. Spices make our foods flavourful as well as interesting with some special ingredients that will keep us going during the colder months. What would those spices be? What can I use them for? Well, here are some simple suggestions that would help make that feast fantastic.
does have a slight sugary taste to it as well. This easy Lemon Cumin Dip is the perfect recipe for when you want a healthy appetizer. You will need: 600 mL of plain Greek yogurt, 2-3 Tbs (30-45 mL) lemon juice, 1 tsp cumin powder, ½ a medium white onion (finely diced), and ½ cup of dill. Combine all ingredients and stir thoroughly. Serve with your favourite vegetables or chips. It’s delish!
Cloves: most often called for in meat Turmeric: from southeast Asia,
Cumin: a popular spice commonly used in Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, and India, though many other countries cook with it as well. It can be used in seed or ground form. Often used as a savoury alternative to cinnamon, cumin has an earthy flavour, however it 34 Culinaire November 2023
turmeric is often used in Ayurveda, Siddha, and traditional Chinese medicine, though it’s primarily a culinary ingredient. It has a strong, peppery taste, which is slightly deceiving due to its musky aroma. Here is a good salad dressing recipe that will make any salad shine and be a little bit healthier than the rest: ½ cup (120 mL) olive oil, ¼ cup (60 mL) apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbs finely chopped shallot, 2 tsp (10 mL) honey, 1 tsp turmeric, ½ tsp garlic salt. Mix ingredients in a dressing container, and serve on your favourite salad.
dishes such as baked ham, curries, and marinades, cloves have a robust, almost hot tang, to them as well as a pungent flavour that packs a punch. An easy but delicious baked ham recipe that can be used by itself, in sandwiches, or even in a soup will surely keep you warm. All you need is a ham, brown sugar, whole cloves, and water. In a large roasting pan press the cloves into the top at 3-5 cms apart, cover the top of the ham with brown sugar, pour water in the pan until 2-3 cms deep, and then tightly cover the pan with aluminum foil. Heat oven to 350º F and cook the ham for around 40-50 minutes per kilo. Let sit for 20 minutes before serving.
