need ideas for grains of paradise
Ok folks, I finally took the plunge and ordered some grains of paradise from an online spice dealer, they are set to be delivered tomorrow along with some lovely salts. I am so ready to try anything, I've heard so much about this wonderful spice, and I'd love some ideas of ways to use it. I am going to use some to flavor a bottle of vodka, and also make a type of steak pouiver any other suggestions would be gratefully accepted!
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14 Comments:
I have some too and don't know what to do with them. My mom just uses them as a substitute for pepper, but I think they'd be lovely in a more delicate use. I'm eager to see responses as well.
laurelie at 2:15PM on 05/27/09
I've used them when brewing Belgian style ales.
derosa at 2:31PM on 05/27/09
When in doubt, ask Alton Brown. I was surprised at what he used it in.
Grumpy Old Man at 2:48PM on 05/27/09
FYI - they clogged my pepper grinder completely. I think they're a fair bit moister than pepper and jammed up the works. But until that happened, I loved it as a pepper substitute.
tatianak at 2:49PM on 05/27/09
@ tatianak - you can get a special grinder for 'wet' stuff like sea salt and that should do the trick.
laurelie at 2:57PM on 05/27/09
alton brown used it to make apple pie the other day... and in a Grill It with Bobby Flay I saw over the weekend someone used it to season fish or the salsa they ate with the fish... look it up in the foodnetwork site.
i am curious to the taste of this spice.
MadelynRodriguez at 2:59PM on 05/27/09
Can anyone describe the taste of this spice??
therealchiffonade at 4:40PM on 05/27/09
It's a very mild peppery taste, not really spicy or sharp, almost like a nutmeg - sort of nutty. It's delicate yet distinct. I can see how it might be good in apple pie.
laurelie at 4:54PM on 05/27/09
Oh fabulous. Another thing I have to try! :D
therealchiffonade at 4:59PM on 05/27/09
this spice is truly amazing. besides its heavenly taste, the grains of paradise has tremendous health properties. one of my everyday favorite is to pour an extra virgin olive oil into a plate, sprinkle it with gourmet salt (i love real salt by redmond) and grind grains of paradise from the pepper-mill very fine over it. i use crusty artisan bread (although any bred will do) and dip it in the plate in small pieces. mmmmm. there are interesting information with articles on it at www.grainsofparadise.com
Kirsten Olsen at 5:07PM on 05/27/09
i use it all the time. it has its own grinder and i just add it along with the regular pepper. it's wonderful on roasted veggies.
cybercita at 9:19PM on 05/27/09
I was inspired, so I used it last night on some whole wheat couscous to which I also added some cut-up dried apricots and toasted almonds. It gave it a nice mysterious flavor. This morning I used it on my omelette, and the flavor was good, but the shards were too crunchy and I felt like I was eating sand. I may need a different grinder.
laurelie at 12:56PM on 05/28/09
Ok I just got my shipment in and the first thing I did was open the grains of paradise. at first I thought i got ripped off, they seemed bland and tasteless, then the spice hit and wow! they arent as hot as standard black pepper, but they are alot more complex, if anyone else has tried these, did you almost smell citrus? not full on, almost as an afteraffect. I'm impressed and wish I could eat the steak I'm going to fix SO lol. This is going to be fun experimenting.
huneybumper at 3:44PM on 05/28/09
@laurelie - Thanks! I still have a fair amount of them left.
tatianak at 3:24PM on 05/29/09