Chev Kev tells us how to activate spices to make our sauces more tasty.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Hey, Chef Kev here with quick tips for healthy cooking.
Today I’m going to tell you about a technique that can make your recipes taste fantastic. It’s called blooming. No, not planting and watching flowers bloom.
Nor is it worshiping the actor Orlando, although you could do worse.
Blooming is heating spices gently in oil to release and amplify their flavor.
When you pick spices, they immediately lose their flavor. Especially dry spices because once you open the package, the air creates moisture, this dilutes the natural oils of the spice, which is where the entire flavor is.
So, what you want to do is heat up oil to a low temperature, add your spices, and let them fry a bit.
This activates spices slowly and subtly in a way that just dumping them in a sauce cannot.
It doesn’t take long. Just listen for a little sizzle. You really use your ears when you are cooking. By listening, that is.
“Can you hear that sizzle?”
Then you add the sauce. So the oil is the base for your sauce.
You can bloom ahead of time and store the sauce in the fridge or an ice cube tray in the freezer. It could save you time if you’re in a hurry.
Spices can be a healthy addition to your recipes, and blooming them can create flavors that make you look like an expert.
I’m Chef Kev, making healthy cooking simple and sweet.