Seasonings
Seasonings are spices or herbs that are added to food to enhance or improve flavor. The amount or type of seasonings can identify a culture and its people’s palate. It is not uncommon for someone to travel to foreign countries and strange places just to taste the food. Cities like New Orleans and Paris attract large numbers of tourists who come to these cities just to experience the food.
Salts are rubbed into certain meets such as beef and chicken in order to tenderize the meat and improve its’ flavor. Other seasonings, such as pepper and basil transfer some of the flavor to the food. A well designed dish will combine seasonings that complement each other.
In addition to the types of seasonings, the amounts and timing of when they are added will affect the flavor of the food being cooked. Ground seasonings should be added at the beginning of cooking; while fresh seasonings should be added towards the end of cooking. If you are using fresh seasonings, you will want to use a smaller amount than when you use ground seasonings because fresh seasonings have a stronger taste.
Seasoning can take on different forms in different cultures. Sometimes, meat is seasoned by pouring a sauce over it. This is a popular method for seasoning steaks in the United States. In the Mediterranean infused oils such as olive oil is poured over breads and pasta to add flavor.
Seasonings can be brought either fresh or ground. You can experiment with your own blends or follow those in recipes. Some blends are trademarked, such as “old Bay” seafood seasoning. Which ever way you choose to use seasonings, it is a great way to experiment and have fun adding flavor to your favorite recipes.
