All About Nutmeg
Mary Ellen Wilcox – The Important Natural Jan/Feb 2014
Nutmeg shouldn’t be solely a aromatic and scrumptious spice, nevertheless it comes from a really versatile evergreen tree. The nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrens) can attain heights as much as 60 ft, and at maturity (roughly 25 years) a wholesome tree can yield about 1500 nuts every year. No a part of the nutmeg harvest is wasted. In Grenada, W.I., the place 40% of the world’s nutmeg is grown, the nutmeg producers use all elements of the plant. The outer peach-like fruit is used for making jams and syrups. Inside this fruit is a tough outer shell which holds the nut. This shell is encased in a lacy scarlet internet. This internet is nutmeg’s sister spice, mace. The nutmeg and mace are prepared to reap when the outer fruit is ripe and splits. Subsequent the mace is eliminated and the exhausting shell is cracked, exposing the nut. These cracked casings are used as mulch in gardens or added to driveways. The aroma is nice when walked upon, and is enhanced by comfortable rains. The inside nut is lastly reached and dried. That is how nutmeg involves us.
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| picture by way of Pixabay |
The fantastic scent of nutmeg could also be what started its recognition. In 1190 when Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI visited Rome, this little identified spice was used to fumigate the streets.
Earlier than Magellan found the Spice Islands in 1521 meals in Europe was bland, even for the rich. Together with the spice commerce got here new methods of flavoring meals, and the concept of one thing that got here from an unique far-away place was intriguing. Modern Girls would carry nutmeg sachets, or put on the entire nutmegs caged in fancy silver items round their necks. This was a wise reply to coping with an age of poor private hygiene, and odors attributable to open-air operations equivalent to tanneries.
The competitors for the spice commerce was critical. Smugglers of the unique nutmeg might be put to loss of life. The Portugese monopoly within the sixteenth century was so protected that it’s stated that they’d distribute phony charts of the seas surrounding the Spice Islands, hoping that opponents would sail into harmful waters.
Into the seventeenth and 18th century nutmeg’s use continued to realize recognition. In golf equipment and taverns well-dressed gents would carry nutmegs and graters. A bit might be grated into beers and grogs to reinforce the drinks. In America the nutmeg rage was additionally on. Early cookbooks included extra recipes containing nutmeg than every other spice.
Nutmeg is out there to us as a floor spice or as the entire nut. Grating your personal recent nutmeg is much superior to utilizing floor nutmeg. Nutmeg graters are available, and it’s undoubtedly price having one!
Valentine’s Day Nutmeg Sugar Cookies
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter, or one in every of your favorites.
3 cups sifted flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. freshly floor nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. butter or margarine, softened
6 tbsp. sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla
Preheat oven to 375 levels. Grease cookie sheets. Sift collectively the flour, soda, nutmeg and salt. Put aside. In a big bowl, cream butter properly and regularly add the sugar, beating till gentle and fluffy. Combine within the egg, honey and vanilla. Stir within the dry elements. Chill the dough totally.
Roll the dough out to 1/4″ thickness and minimize out with the guts cookie cutter. Bake for 10 minutes, or simply till golden. Cool and retailer in an hermetic container.
Observe: The honey offers these cookies holding high quality.
Nutmeg Pound Cake
1-1/2 cups unsalted butter
3 cups sugar
2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
5 eggs
3 cups unbleached flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 levels. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Cream butter and sugar in a mixer. Add the nutmeg. Scrape the edges of the bowl.
Add one egg at a time, mixing after every.
Combine flour, baking powder and salt in one other bowl.
Alternate, including the flour combination and the milk till all is integrated. Don’t over combine.
Bake at 350 levels for 55 minutes to 1 hour. Check for doneness in heart with toothpick.
A bundt pan can be utilized as an alternative of the loaf pans. Enhance baking time to 1 hour and quarter-hour. Check for doneness. Cool cake, then loosen sides with a knife to take away.
Pumpkin Soup
5 cups pumpkin
8 cups “chicken-apple” inventory
(3 cups chopped apples +9 cups rooster broth – simmer for quarter-hour, then pressure.)
1-1/2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp. freshly floor nutmeg
1/2 tsp. floor cinnamon
1/2 tsp floor allspice
Ginger snaps (elective)
Put together the “chicken-apple” inventory. Mix the pumpkin, inventory, heavy cream and spices. Warmth for about 15-20 till fairly heat, however don’t let boil.
Spoon into bowls and high every serving with crumbled ginger snaps, if desired