Cumin is another essential spice, which should have pride of place in everyone's kitchen.
Made from the dried seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, Cumin is related three other well-known culinary stars: fennel, caraway & parsley
The warm & nutty earthy tones of this super spice, which is sometimes referred to as Jeera or Roman Caraway, is adored by chefs & cooks the world over.
It not only magically transforms Indian curries, tamales, soups & chilli, with its award-winning magnificent, distinct flavor, it also empowers our health by boosting our digestion, encouraging weight loss, & ameliorating our cholesterol & blood sugar levels [1]
Fun Facts About Cumin
Did you know that evidence from the Egyptian pyramids indicates that just like salt, Cumin was used for seasoning, some 5,000 years ago?
Since then, the use of cumin has spread throughout the world via, and today, India holds the crown for being the largest consumer and producer of this fantastic spice.
In fact, Cumin is used in all Indian curries, and a huge proportion of other dishes!
The Carrot-Cumin Connection
Strange as it may seem, carrots and cumin derive from the same family.
This explains why cumin is perfect for delicious carrot soup, using as a fabulous rub for roasting carrots, and adding to the enormously popular, honey and harissa roasted veg.
Food For Thought: Cumin-Infused Veggies & Chickpeas with Quinoa
Try out this feel-good dish which includes super veggies, zucchini, eggplant, and cauliflower, infused in sensual cumin. It only takes 20 minutes to prepare, and just half an hour to cook!
Ingredients to Serve 4
1 can of rinsed and drained Chickpeas (15-ounce)
2 cups filled with cauliflower florets
1 chopped (medium sized) onion
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 eggplant (small sized) cut into half inch cubes
Half a cup of raisins
1 can of diced tomatoes in juice (16-ounce)
1 to 2 teaspoons of ground cumin (according to your preference)
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
Half a teaspoon of turmeric
A quarter of a teaspoon of ground cardamom
One eighth to a quarter of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (according to your preference)
Quinoa
One and a half cups of quinoa
One and a half cups of veggie broth
Harissa or hot chili sauce for each person to add from the table.
Note: Harissa is a Moroccan hot chilli pepper paste. It comprises a brilliant mix of Baklouti peppers, roasted red peppers, herbs and spices including: cumin, coriander and caraway seeds; and garlic paste, all in rich olive oil, which brings out the stupendous taste of the exotic oil-soluble flavors.
Instructions
Put a large skillet on a medium-high heat and sauté the onion for a couple of minutes. After this, sprinkle in the cumin, cayenne, cardamom, paprika, turmeric and garlic, and continue cooking for a further couple of minutes while frequently stirring.
Once this is done, add half a cup of water, and stir in the raisins, tomatoes, chickpeas, eggplant, and cauliflower; then turn down the heat to medium, and place a cover on the pan. Let it all cook for 10 minutes and be sure to stir regularly. After this, put in the zucchini, and replace the lid, then leave for a further 10 minutes until it starts to look tender.
During this cooking time, organize the quinoa. Heat it up (after it is rinsed and drained), in a big saucepan. The idea is to make it almost dry, by toasting it, and continually stirring. Once it is virtually dry, add in the garlic and veggie broth, bring to a roaring boil, and if desired, add a dash of
salt. Now change the heat to very low, and keeping the lid on, cook for a quarter of an hour or so, until there is no remaining liquid.
Now get your fork out, and fluff up your offering, before placing it in serving bowls. Arrange a melange of appetising vegetables in the middle of the quinoa, and be sure to give the jar of Harissa, or other hot sauce you have chosen, pride of place in the middle of the table.
Revving Up Your Health with Delicious Seasoning
"You can get some of Cumin’s benefits just by using small amounts to season food.
These quantities will provide antioxidants, iron & potential benefits for controlling blood sugar" [1]
Scientific studies have shown that Cumin:
- Is an excellent source of the mineral, iron
- Contains highly beneficial plant components
- May aid digestion
- Could help with diabetes
- Might improve cholesterol levels
- Could encourage fat reduction and boost weight loss [1].
Source
[1]. Thorpe, M. (2017). "9 Powerful Health Benefits of Cumin." Healthline.