Salt,
pepper, and parsley, otherwise known as the “holy trinity,” were the
dominant spices found in the kitchen where I spent my formative years.
Fast forward from childhood to present day- I have traveled a bit of the
spice route and collected a number of new spice friends along the way. Although it will take me a lifetime to truly master the art of spice I want to share a
few facts and common uses for spices in food, starting with nutmeg and mace.
The Loss
My
mom and dad, born in the early 1940’s, were children of
first-generation Americans. My dad’s family were Polish and German and
made their living as coal miners in rural Pennsylvania. My mom’s family,
“fresh-off-the boat” from Italy, started in the Pennsylvania coal mines
and then migrated to Little Italy, Cleveland. My Italian grandmother
worked in cafeterias and factories and my Italian grandfather
participated in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects, which created the vital arterial roads and bridges which connect our great
cities.
My
grandparents worked hard, lived with very little money and dreamed of
better lives for their children. This submersion into the hard-working
American culture came with a price; traded were the ways of the “old
world” such as language, culture, and knowledge of food preparation.
When I tell friends that my mom is first-generation full blooded
Italian, they immediately assume my childhood was spent in the kitchen mastering risottos or creating homemade pastas, sauces and sausages. Truth be told,
my mom and dad also worked their derrieres off in order to provide my brother
and I the best opportunities suburban America has to offer- which
translated to less time spent in the kitchen.
Weekday
dinners in my house were relegated to one-pot meals greatly assisted
by corporate food giants. Weekends were a bit more relaxing for my tired
parents; we then feasted on a roast or spaghetti with meatballs. Even
these weekend meals, prepared with the best of love and intention,
seemed to be lacking in food artistry. Not much of the old-world charm
or creativity carried over through the arduous journey traveled by my
parents and grandparents alike. Spices were virtually unheard of, and
food was largely flavored with salt and pepper with an occasional
sprinkling of cinnamon.
The Gain
My
food experience with my husband’s family has been quite the opposite. The
first time I planned to meet my mother-in-law, dinner time was delayed
by two hours as the kofta (meatballs) were not quite ready to be eaten at the scheduled time. We sat down to
eat and I struggled to keep up in the conversation as my mother-in-law
described the cooking process and the 21 spices included into the
meatballs; I had never heard of most of the spices mentioned. My spice
cabinet and my knowledge of spice usages has since then multiplied, yet
I’m aware it will take me a lifetime to truly master all the spices
bestowed upon us- spices that carry with them stories and traditions
from my in-laws’ Pakistani, Indian, Iranian, and Maldivian roots.
Nutmeg and Mace
First up for discussion are nutmeg and mace. Nutmeg is the seed of the nutmeg tree and the reddish-orange lacy outer
covering around the seed is mace. Both nutmeg and mace are dried and
used in a variety of foods and are especially common in the South Asian
cuisine we cook in my household. The nutmeg is shaved or grated using a
grater or zester and the "blades" of mace are usually broken into
pieces and added into masalas. Of course, you can obtain both in their powdered forms from your grocery or local food coop. As for flavor, nutmeg is generally hailed as the sweeter
part of the nutmeg/mace duo. Mace is often used for its natural food
coloring properties as it will turn a dish yellowish-orange in color and is noted for its more nutty flavor.
Add grated nutmeg or mace into pumpkin bread, apple cider, butternut
squash, and sweet potatoes. Ground nutmeg and mace are often paired together and used as part of a common spice blend known as garam masala, which is commonly found in Pakistani dishes such as korma
and biryani. Using these two in conjunction is quite common in traditional Indian and Pakistani cooking. Nutmeg is also often used in bechamel, cream sauces and curries- creating a rich and savory high note while adding a new depth of flavor.
For more inspiration, here are some SGT recipes that contain nutmeg or mace:
Nutmeg's unique spice fact is that it contains myristicin, a psychoactive substance that has no known negative side effects in low doses. If consumed in very large doses it could lead to myristicin toxicity and could cause convulsions, nausea and induce delirium. Of course, when used in low doses outlined in food recipes, the only side effect will be a more enriched and flavorful dish and possibly a greater sense of well-being.
Next up- a look at cloves and a multi-spice Pakistani recipe that is sure to excite your taste buds!
Leigh Ann Ahmad was dragged kicking and screaming to the Cities by her husband; having been born and bred in Cleveland, Ohio, she just could not fathom how colder could be better. Now, five years and two kids later, she cannot imagine a better place to play and thrive. She’s a reformed carb-aholic, wannabe writer, social justice advocate, book-club geek, veggie grower and local foods connoisseur. Her last article for SGT was, Breaking Bread.
