Spices and Herbs as Food Enhancements - Day 3, UBC

Time is zipping by already in the February 2021 Ultimate Blog Challenge (UBC). Can you believe we are already on day 3? I can't. Time needs to sit still for a bit and just chill. Are you sitting still today? Are you breathing? I sure hope so...anyway. 

Have you enjoyed the last two days of my UBC blogs? Have you figured out my theme yet? Today's topic might give you another clue. Remember, these were random statements I posted on my Facebook wall a month or so ago to engage others in dialogue and conversation. Not only do these random questions cause a grown person to think and reflect on what they have daily at their disposal, but sometimes we also take the small things we have for granted. What happens if these small things are no longer accessible? Would you survive without them? Could you survive without them? Would you be able to adjust to survive? These adjustments might impact, eating, shelter, transportation, survival, employment, and anything else we humans need to survive this thing we call LIFE. 

The random statements I posted could easily become assignments for people who homeschool their children. After all, they are the future generations. Would they know how to cook in a cast-iron skillet? Pre-season it, clean it, and store it? If not, check out my day one post called, Cast Iron Skillet/Dutch Oven Cooking. What about survival? Would they know how to provide shelter or food in the event they needed to adjust a few things? If not, check out my day two post called, Eating or Having a Roof Over Your Head. 

Without further ado, let's talk about today's random statement.

"I am cooking, there are no spices in our cabinets for food enhancements, what could I use"?

 

How many of you cook daily? I'm sure there are a few chefs among us, right? When you are cooking, tasting, and preparing your food - do you keep it bland, or do you throw a pinch of this in there and a pinch of that? What does the pinch of this and the pinch of that consist of? 

The comments and dialog that many were engaged with on this random question were remarkably interesting. One of my friends mentioned, "collecting salt from the rocks and that local plants could be used. Knowing which plants are edible versus poisonous would be vital". 

Have you ever tasted a rock by chance? Did you know salt came from rocks? I vaguely recall as a little girl tasting rocks. I don't know why I tasted rocks, but I do have that memory. We also made mud pies back in the day. Thinking back to those memories grosses me out today, just knowing what happens in our yards and such with the nightly varmints that troll the streets, i.e., skunks, possums, rabbits, dogs peeing, etc. or even the pesticides used to kill the weeds and makes our grass grow. Mud Pies...yum, yum! NOT!!!  I think I will pass on the mud pies today. LOL

I have always wanted to visit a salt mine. Have you ever been to one? One of my friends and cousins (still trying to figure out how we connect with my 3rd great grandfather) posted photos of a trip they took recently. Can you guess where they went? You got it. They visited a Salt Cave. It was called Sol Himalayan Salt Cave and Spa.  When I saw the pictures she shared, I had to check out the website. I always thought salt was just for seasoning and food enhancements. I didn't realize it was therapeutic for our bodies...

I use Himalayan Salt in one of my grinders!  Do you use Himalayan Salt in your cooking? Have you ever been to a salt cave or spa? If you have been following my blogs for any length of time, you will know, I enjoy road trips, weekend adventures, and getaways. I have made note of the Himalayan Salt Cave and Spa for a future trip. 

There are many types of salt products available to use in food preparation, canning, preserving, and now I suppose therapy, according to the previous website I mentioned above. 

When mom and dad made homemade ice cream, they would use rock salt. I used to snag little chunks of that and put it in my mouth. I miss the days of making homemade ice cream.  Rock Salt is not much different than iodized salt. Rock salt has more minerals compared to table salt. That's because, during the refining process of table salt, it loses calcium, potassium, etc. Table Salt comes from Rock Salt. It could also have more iodine in it than Rock Salt. 

There are so many different varieties of Rock Salt. Pink, Himalayan, Sea Salt, Himalayan Black Salt, and, Ice cream Salt, just to name a few. What is your favorite to use? I've used a variety of different salts in the past. Salt is one way to enhance our food. Please use it in moderation though. A lot of salt is not good for our health. Choose wisely...

Do you know which plants are edible versus poisonous out in the timber or walking along the street?

Another memory I have as a little girl is traveling to visit my great grandparents in Mineral Wells, Texas. Down the street from my great grannie's house, was an old Cemetery. There were trees there too. High up in the trees, was Mistletoe. If we ever visited during the holidays, mom would always send dad over to snip her some fresh Mistletoe to take home with us. 

Did you know Mistletoe can cause blurriness, drowsiness, vomiting, and even seizures?  I didn't. I always thought it was poisonous, but not necessarily for humans. To animals, yes. When I see trees that have Mistletoe in them, I always smile and think about the memories of mom taking some home with us from great grannie's house. I did see her and dad kiss under it a few times, too!   What I'm saying here...do not eat Mistletoe. It wouldn't be one of my choices of plants to cook with...

One of my followers asked my friend who posted the statement about collecting salt from rocks and using local plants 'how they would know what to look for'? A suggestion given was to find a book on Herbs and research your yard and the around where you live to see what is available. I thought that was a good idea. My dad used to have all sorts of books. He liked to read. I'm sure he had books on Herbs...now whatever happened to them, I couldn't tell you. I do, however, have his books on Roses. :-)

Some of the dialog and conversations to the prompt I gave brought many chuckles to those who were engaged. Someone said, "be my luck I'd find poison ivy". Another comment made was, "my yard is full of weeds and stickers” which brings me to my next thought. Do you know the difference between Poison Ivy? My husband is a hunter...I cannot tell you the number of times he has come home covered in Poison Ivy. He always says', "if it has leaves of three, let it be...". 

If you are going to venture out into the wilderness or the timber, one needs to know what they are looking at and what to look for. Here is a picture of Poison Ivy. 

I don't want any Poison Ivy to cook with...and I'm sure you don't either. That's why it is important to know your plants and Herbs. Many are extremely useful and have many wonderful attributes, but many are harmful. There are many wonderful books available to learn about the different plants and Herbs. 

Thinking about the leaves, the plants, and such, we need to also keep in mind the textures of each one we see. Some might be very hairy. Some may be bitter and like I mentioned before, some might even be poisonous. Know your plants...

This brings me to my next thought...how many of you have bought a bunch of Cilantro only to get home and realize it's Parsley? I cannot tell you how many times I have sent my husband to the store to purchase ingredients for homemade salsa, only to find instead of Cilantro he has mistakingly brought home a bunch of Parsley. 

I did this very same thing on Tuesday when I went to the store for a few items. I saw the sign, I reached for the container, dropped it in my basket, and went on my merry way.  When I began preparing the egg omelets for breakfast later in the day, I reached for the container I had picked up earlier in the day...oh my gosh! Fresh Oregano instead of Basil....guess what, I used it anyway in our omelets and it actually tasted pretty good. Although I still wanted the basil, I had to adjust my thinking and my taste buds. Anyway, I'm sure none of you have had any little snafus like this, have you? If you have, tell me about them...I'd love to hear your stories. 

One Herb I enjoy cooking with is Rosemary. My husband always calls them sticks. I like to grind my own, use it in the original form, and the powder form as well. He doesn't like me using Rosemary much, especially in the stick form as he calls it! 

Have you ever seen a Rosemary bush? If you have, did you rub your hand across it? The aroma it lets off is tantalizing. When I worked at Terrell State Hospital here in Texas, just outside of the main door to the building I worked in, were two exceptionally large Rosemary bushes. They smelled so good, especially when I would stroke my hand through the tops of them on my way in the door. Did you know that Rosemary is also used to repel insects? Just another little tidbit I have learned through the years. That's why these two large Rosemary bushes were planted outside of the entryway...to help deter insects. 

I always have a Rosemary bush at our house throughout the summer. I have thought about planting a large one like the ones I walked past every day for eight years straight...maybe I will this year. 

Rosemary in any form is another great Herb to enhance food. 

Getting back to our yards...how many of you have Dandelions growing? You know, those little yellow flowers we see from time to time in our yards. Did you know that these weeds as I call them are edible? They can be used to make herbs and tea.  The entire plant is edible, but you would want to avoid the stem if possible as there is latex in it. This could result in having a 'laxative' effect on you. I have read that Dandelions resemble a spicey Arugula. I love eating Spring mix greens. I'm sure at one time or another I have eaten a Dandelion. 

If you like drinking tea, here is a recipe for you to try using Dandelions. 

1. place about two cups of clean dandelion in a saucepan.
2. cover with 4 cups of water.
3. bring water to a boil.
4. strain out the dandelion and reserve the liquid for your tea.
5. dilute the tea with water if the flavor is too strong.

You can add honey, lemons, limes, etc. if you need to enhance the flavor of your tea. 

Another comment I received with regards to food enhancements was, "I grew wild garlic". When Ronnie and I lived in Illinois, we also had wild garlic. The aroma they put out was strong at times. I always had him cut me a few stalks (if that's what it is called) everyone few days. 

Today, where we live, our neighbor has wild garlic growing in the back of his place. From time to time if the wind is blowing right, I get a whiff of it blowing across my face. I smile...

Something else I use to enhance the flavor of food is lemons and limes. I also use jalapeno's, sweet peppers, and other Herbs such as garlic cloves, oregano, basil, and mint. Did you know you can make a tea out of mint, too? In fact, one of my dad's sister had a mint bush in front of her yard...when I would visit her, she would always pinch off a piece and stick it in her mouth. She would tell me it was good for the soul. This same aunt always had clove in her mouth too. I remember as a small girl, her breath smelling so good. I guess it was from the mint and cloves she would swish around in her mouth. 

Here's a quick recipe for Mint Tea - the mint can be crumbled by hand or through a screen when it's dry. The leaves can also be left whole, too. Steep about one tsp of dried mint leaves in hot water for three minutes to make a soothing mug of Mint tea. Enjoy! 

Something else I do is keep the peels of oranges after I eat the insides. I make tea out of them, too. Have you ever made yourself a cup of Orange tea? If not, try the same steps as making the Mint tea, only there won't be any leaves, but peels instead. Bring your water to a boil, add the peels and let them seep for a few minutes. Once you have seeped them to your liking, add a splash of milk, or honey and enjoy. Be careful though, as it will be hot!

I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the different things we can use for spices to enhance our foods. What are some of the items you use? 

Until tomorrow, 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations
H2hsc2020

Facebook: H2hsc2020 
Twitter: H2hsc2020 
Instagram: Heart to Heart Soul Creations 
Pinterest: Heart to Heart Soul Creations (H2hsc2020)

#Ultimateblogchallenge, #UBC, #blogboost, #inthekitchen, #spices, #herbs, #foodenhancements, #thinkingoutloud, #memories, #inthegarden, #creativethinking, #blogging, #homeschoolactivities, #homeschoollearning, #homeschoollessons, #homeschoolmoms, #homeschooling2021, #homeschoolingTexas

Disclaimer: In this post are my affiliate links if you click on the links and make a purchase, I will make a small percentage of the items you purchase.