i Lead Recipes

It is believed Angelica originated in northern Europe and was not used until the fifteenth century. It was associated with early Nordic magic as protection against plagues and evil. It was used in many pagan and Christian festivals. All parts of Angelica are used, roots, seeds stems and leaves. The roots and stems contain an essential oil that has a licorice flavour used to flavour Benedictine, Chartreuse and Vermouth. The oil is also used in perfumery. The leafstalks which resemble celery are sometimes used as a vegetable. The seeds are used in biscuits and sweets.

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Cassia is an aromatic bark, similar to cinnamon, but differing in strength and quality. Cassia bark is darker, thicker and coarser, and the corky outer bark is often left on. Where cinnamon and cassia are differentiated, cinnamon is used for sweet dishes, or ones requiring a subtle flavour, and cassia for strong, spicy, main dishes. In many countries the two spices are used interchangeably and in North America the more robust cassia is usually used, though generally sold as cinnamon. Cassia is often used in stewed fruits, especially apples and with mixed spices for pudding spice, pastry spice and mulling spices. In main dishes it is used in curries, pilaus and spicy meat dishes.

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Nigella has been used since antiquity by Asian herbalists and pharmacists and was used for culinary purposes by the Romans. The seeds are known to repel certain insects and can be used like moth balls. Nigella is used in India and the Middle East as a spice and condiment and occasionally in Europe as both a pepper substitute and a spice. It is widely used in Indian cuisines, particularly in mildly braised lamb dishes such as korma. It is also added to vegetable and dhal dishes as well as in chutneys. The seeds are sprinkled on to naan bread before baking.

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Melegueta pepper is native to tropical West Africa and grows mainly in Ghana. The spice is practically unknown in modern Western cuisine, although it was used in Europe in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It was a flavouring for the old wine ‘Hippocras” and is still used for the production of beer, wine and spirits, and the flavouring of vinegar. Meleguetta pepper was generally known as ‘Grains of Paradise’. In fact there are two spices, meleguetta pepper and the true Grains of Paradise, Aframomum granum paradisi, referred to by this name. Melegueta pepper may be used for culinary purposes and as a substitute for pepper in centres of local production. Its use is generally confined to West African cookery, though it may also find its way into Moroccan ras el hanout combinations. Some ancient European recipes may call for it, but pepper mixed with a little ginger may be substituted.

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Next to saffron and cardamom, vanilla is the worlds next most expensive spice. Growers are known to “brand” their beans with pin pricks before they can be harvested, to identify the owner and prevent theft. Vanilla is native to Mexico, where it is still grown commercially. Vanilla’s mellow fragrance enhances a variety of sweet dishes: puddings, cakes, custards, creams, soufflés and, of course, ice cream. Classic examples include crème caramel, peach Melba and apple Charlotte. Vanilla flavour is detectable in many chocolate and confectionery items and several liqueurs such as Crème de Cacao and Galliano.

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