Spice Up Your Winter

BY ERIKA RAVNSBORG

It’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!

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 need: 1 Tbs (15 mL) lemon juice, 1 teabag of ginger tea, 1 cup of boiled water, 1-3 tsp of (5-15 mL) honey, 3 Tbs (45 mL) whiskey, and 1 cinnamon stick. Mix all ingredients, serve, and enjoy.

Turmeric: from southeast Asia, 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.

Cloves: most often called for in meat 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.

Allspice: an important element in Caribbean cuisine, in meat dishes, stews, tomato sauces, and even in desserts. Allspice has flavours similar to cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, which is why it’s often a substitute for those spices. A simple but spicy green bean recipe with tomato sauce will add a little something special to your table. What you need is: 1 Tbs (15 mL) olive oil, 1 medium onion, diced, 4 cups green beans (fresh or frozen), 400 mL cans of diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and a small serving of allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg (the amount of each is up to you). In a skillet cook the onions until they are translucent (7-9 minutes), add the rest of your ingredients and mix well. Bring to the boil then reduce heat to low. Stir and wait for the beans to become tender (20-30 minutes).

Ginger: used for culinary purposes and folk medicines since the 14th century. Not just a popular flavour for teas and candies, ginger has a strong spicy flavour and is often described as warm but sweet. If you have access to young ginger, it has a more mellow tang to it than aged ginger. After finishing dinner, try a cocktail to ease your stomach, warm you up, and relax. Hot Toddy is a lovely ginger drink that does just that. You will

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a crucial part of many sweet and savoury dishes, with both a sweet and woody flavour. Monkey bread is an easy treat that can be made with this beautiful spice that is sure to bring joy to people of all ages. All you need are: 3 cans of refrigerated dough, 1 cup mixed white and brown sugar, ½ cup butter, 1 Tbs cinnamon. Cut the dough into quarters, mix the sugars and cinnamon in the melted butter. Put the biscuit pieces into a well-greased bundt pan, coat them with the cinnamon mixture, and bake in a preheated 350º F oven for 35-40 minutes.

So, you see, a little spice can help with a bland feeling winter. We Albertans know how to keep warm in the wintertime. Whether it is a sassy drink or a sweet dessert, our weather will never get us down. So, grab a hot toddy and a piece of monkey bread while you sit by the window watching the snowfall. Accompanied by a snuggly blanket and a pet, you can wait out the winter in comfort.