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 Cajun Beef Salad

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Herbs & Spices Tips
On this page you will find a collection of information and useful hints and tips on herbs and spices.


Wet Herbs

Herb & Spice Guides:
Print this handy Herb & Spice guide. This quick reference chart can help you bring out the flavours in any dish.

The History of Herbs and Spices
Herb Frequently Asked Questions
MASTERFOODS Herbs and Spices






Herbs
Are the leafy part of plants, which are gathered and dried. Examples are basil, chives, mint and parsley. When herbs are properly dried most of the moisture is removed, leaving shrivelled leaves. These dried leaves however still retain the essential oils which give the herbs their flavour.

Recipe Name Preparation time Cooking time Serves
Herb and Parmesan Crumbed... 30 mins 20 mins 2
BBQ Mushroom and Asparagu... 5 mins 8 mins 8
Roasted Lemon Chicken and... 10 mins 20 mins 6





Spices
Refer to buds, barks, roots, berries and aromatic seeds that are gathered from various plants and dried. Examples of spices and the part of the plants they come from are: cinnamon (bark), ginger (root), peppercorn (berry) and cumin (seed). Spices are higher in essential oils than herbs and generally the flavours are stronger.


Recipe Name Preparation time Cooking time Serves
Individual Sticky Date Pu... 10 mins 30 mins 4
Baked Vanilla and Blueber... 10 mins 50 mins 8
Baked Peaches with Crumbl... 5 mins 15 mins 4





Blends
Are made from combinations of herbs and spices and sometimes salt, blended in varying proportions, so as to complement each other and impart a well-balanced flavour. They are generally designed for use with specific foods (chicken, seafood, steak) or to use with certain cooking styles (barbecue, Indian, Mexican). Blends are a convenient way to get the benefits of a number of herbs and spices without having to mix them yourself.

Recipe Name Preparation time Cooking time Serves
Tuscan Beef with Pasta & ... 15 mins 15 mins 4
Last Minute Lemon Pepper ... 15 mins 5 mins 4
Kumara Wedges With Mustar... 5 mins 30 mins 2





Storage
Because herbs and spices rely on their essential oils for aroma and flavour, it is very important that they are stored in airtight, screw-top glass jars. Tests conducted by the Spices Council in India have determined that the loss of volatile oils from spices packed in cellophane or PVC sachets is over 50% within six months. The loss of volatile oils was less than 10% when stored in screw-top glass jars.






Herbs & Spices:
Many consumers who are familiar with only a few herbs and spices have the perception that using them is quite complicated.

Once people understand the flavour of a herb or spice and the kinds of foods it complements then they should be encouraged to experiment.

For instance Oregano and Basil go well with tomato dishes and are synonymous with Italian Cooking. Therefore these herbs can be sprinkled on tomatoes before grilling, added to tomato paste to be used on pizza or cheese on toast. Next time you heat a can of tomato soup put in a teaspoon of Oregano and half a teaspoon of Basil and taste the difference.





 Cajun Beef Salad

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