Seasonings and Flavorings

Adding spice to your life!

Seasonings and Flavorings

Seasonings – enhancing the natural flavor of the food without significantly changing its flavor.

Flavoring – adding new flavor to a food.

Seasonings and Flavorings

Main ingredients = main sources of flavor Spices, herbs and flavorings enhance the

natural flavor, not replace or recover it.

When to Season and FlavorSeasoning Most often done at the end of the cooking

process. “adjust the seasoning” Salt and Pepper are often added at the

beginning. Some herbs and spices are added in the

beginning to impart a specific flavor profile. Be aware of the concentration factor.

When to Season and FlavorFlavor Added at any time depending on the cooking

time, process and ingredient At the end, usually fresh herbs, brandy or

condiments. Flavorings need heat to release Ground spice release more flavor Flavors are “volatile”

Common Seasonings and Flavoring Ingredients

Salt – the most widely used to “enhance” flavor. You can always add more!

Pepper – add the “heat”. Whole, crushed or ground black pepper (DR) White pepper –when color matters Green peppercorns used in multi-mixes

Common Seasonings and Flavoring Ingredients Red or cayenne pepper – different family same

result. Lemon Juice – adds acid Fresh herbs – variety and intensity Mirepoix

Onion, (garlic, shallots) carrots, and celery Trinity – Cajun cuisine

Prepared mustard Grated rind – orange, lemon MSG – caution may have “ill” effect.

Herbs and Spices

Herbs- leaves of certain plants that usually grow in temperate climates

Spices – buds, fruits, flowers, bark, seeds and roots of plants and trees – many tropical

Use of Herbs and Spices

Know the products Store dried in a cool

place Buy in small

containers Don’t skimp Ground enhance

more quickly

Use a sachet for flavoring liquids

Add a little and taste, you can always add more.

Enhance not dominate If uncooked, it takes

more time to flavor Always taste before

serving

Spice & Herb Chart

Get one! Use it as a guide Get to know the spices and herbs you

commonly use. Understand the difference between fresh, dry

and freeze dried. Uses spices and herbs that are culturally

appropriate – authentic cuisine.