The Magic of Cumin
May 15, 2009 by Marye Audet
Filed under Tutorials and Basics
Cumin comes in a close second to chipotle on my top ten list of ingredients. If you are just using cumin in Mexican and Indian main dishes you are really missing out.
Believe it or not cumin is fantabulous with…of all things…vanilla. And chocolate. And citrus.
That beautiful golden color is an indication of the flavor because the flavor of cumin is warm, and caressing. The flavor of cumin is the flavor of a summer day in the country…endlessly long and lazy.
Ground cumin is much more intense that the seed, but getting the seed and grinding your own is the best way to get the most intense flavor. Here are some ways I like to use cumin:
- Mix with salt and butter and keep in the fridge. This is fantastic on fresh corn on the cob.
- Add to corn chowder.
- Add to cooked carrots
- Add to mashed potatoes and sprinkle with cheese
- Use as a flavoring in vinaigrette
- Add a pinch to a yellow cake batter
- Add a pinch of cumin and a pinch of chile to a tropical fruit salad
- Add to hot chocolate or fudge frosting
I know, using cumin in such a variety of ways is a stretch for most people but once you start playing with this flavor you will be hooked. Yeah, it is fantastic in main courses like enchiladas and mac and cheese but….try it in a variety of ways. It is just that good!
images:maryeaudet (c) 2009
These are great ideas! Thanks! I think cumin tastes delicious on chickpeas.
MMM Hillary! Yep it does
I love cumin, for me it ranks right up there with fresh cilantro:-) …and fresh cilantro and cumin together in a dish? Heaven.
I totally agree, Linette!
Yes to all! I add it to oven roasted potatoes as well, together with onions and lemon slices. Never used it with hot chocolate or frosting.. interesting!
Baking Soda, I never tried it with oven roasted potatoes..
I just recently bought cumin to try on some of my food. Thanks for the suggestions, it’s a start.
just use a little at first …the flavor is hard to describe but in small amounts it tastes just like….sunlight.
MMMMMM. I love cumin. There are so many wonderful spices and herbs out there, that were never used in my house growing up. DH’s either. In fact HIS mom thought catsup was a spice. . . (grin)
catsup? Spice? wow. sigh….I am going to contemplate that now…