A properly selected seasoning can reveal the flavor bouquet of a dish and enhance its aroma. One of the most aromatic and versatile spices is cumin, or, as it is also called, cumin. Since ancient times, it has been used in the culinary arts of Asian, Latin American and Indian countries, and recently it has become popular in European cuisine as well.
Zira is the name given to the seeds of a spicy plant that belongs to the parsley family. In its appearance and taste, it resembles caraway seeds, but it has a more pungent taste with a faint resinous hue and a pronounced nutty aroma. In cooking, as a rule, ground cumin is used or in the form of dried seeds.
What dishes can you add cumin
The homeland of cumin is considered to be Egypt and the countries of the East - there this seasoning is especially popular and is used to prepare a variety of dishes and even drinks. Zira is almost always added to stews or baked meat, because it goes well with any poultry or lamb. And of course, without this seasoning it is impossible to imagine real pilaf, where it can be used together with no less fragrant barberry.
In India, cumin is an invariable ingredient in many vegetable dishes and bean stews. It is also used to flavor rice and some Dutch cheeses. In Turkish cuisine, zira is used to make various marinades such as cabbage or eggplant. It is also added to all meat and rice dishes. And in Central Asia, this seasoning is often included in sausages made from horse meat, samsa or meat gravies.
To reveal the full taste and aroma of cumin, it is recommended to lightly fry its seeds before adding to the dish.
In addition, zira is excellent for preparing various sauces for meat and fish dishes. It goes well with, for example, red peppers, coriander and fennel. Moreover, sauces with the addition of cumin can be made not only on the basis of tomato paste, but also on sour milk. Thus, this seasoning is used in Latin American countries and Mexico.
In European cuisine, cumin is usually added to fish and vegetable dishes, including soups. It is used to make homemade marinades and other canned foods, including apple or berry preserves. This seasoning is also suitable for baking potatoes or carrots.
A small amount of cumin can also be added to green or black tea. It will give the drink an interesting and richer taste.
Useful properties of cumin and contraindications for use
In ancient times, cumin was highly valued for its medicinal properties. It has a beneficial effect on digestion and prevents the development of certain diseases of the heart and respiratory tract. This spice is also able to reduce inflammation in the body and helps to normalize metabolism.
Meanwhile, cumin is not recommended to be taken in case of individual intolerance to this seasoning. It can also harm those who suffer from any inflammatory processes in the stomach, as well as from duodenal ulcers.
