Sugar and spice and everything nice? While many people coin the common phrase: “The spice of life,” I want to emphasize “Spice for life!”
This season, leave sugar in the cupboard and opt for spice. Aside from infusing the air with comforting, mouthwatering scents, accentuating flavor, and stimulating the pallet; spice has been medically linked to numerous health benefits.
Fitness Magazine reported that scientific studies have proven spices to contain more “disease-fighting antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables.” So, the next time you debate adding a few spices to your meal, do not hesitate. The health benefits researchers now link to spices far surpass the extra work it takes to grab the seasoning jar out of the cupboard.
Side Bar: Unlike herbs, spices stem from barks, berries, fruits, roots and actual stems of plants.
Side Bar: Slice and Dice? No need. Spices are stronger as dried powders and can be purchased ready to sprinkle into your favorite recipes. Be sure to change out these seasonings every nine to 12 months to preserve all the benefits, including taste. Also, never store them in the refrigerator since the moisture allows bacteria to grow.
Along with being dense with antioxidants, spices increase heart health, serve as digestive aides, protect against cancer, help lessen pain, and can even reduce swelling associated with arthritis, lower blood sugar levels, and naturally contain organic compounds that accelerate metabolic function. And that's barely a taste of the benefits.
As observed by researchers at Oxford Polytechnic Institute in England, persons who consumed one teaspoon of mustard and one teaspoon of hot-pepper sauce with every meal saw a 25 percent increase in their metabolic rate.
Since we are all looking to add some spice to our lives, let's first start in the kitchen. These are some succulent, spice-savvy recipes bound to excite your taste buds while benefiting your health.
Savory, Spice-Stacked Supper:
Puerco Pibil (Slow Roasted Pork)
Recipe compliments of Executive Pastry Chef Ryan Velilla of Pinot Provence
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds pork shoulder
- 5 tablespoons annatto seed (can substitute with paprika, hot or sweet, and a pinch of turmeric)
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Allspice
- 2 ½ teaspoons salt
- 8 cloves of garlic finely chopped
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup white vinegar
- Juice of 5 lemons
- Zest of 1 whole orange
- Zest of 1 whole lime
- Banana leaves (enough to line casserole dish and cover filling)
Banana leaves can be found at most Asian, ethnic, or natural grocery stores (fresh and frozen). This ingredient is not necessary. However, it adds a subtle, earthy undertone that greatly enhances the dish's flavor profile.
Method:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cut pork into 3-inch cubes and set aside. Combine all other ingredients into a blender. Beat on low until well mixed.
Take oven-friendly casserole dish and line with banana leaves. Add pork on top of banana leaves and pour juice marinade on top. Cover with another row of banana leaves and wrap the top in foil. Bake for 4 to 5 hours. Serve over rice or cut up and use as a tender taco filling!
Side Bar: After snacking on spice, cleanse your pallet and freshen up with parsley. Adding a sprig of parsley to the meal purifies breath. Tea using parsley provides even more benefits, such as reducing bloating and water retention, and speeding the excretion of toxins. Use 1-2 tsp. of chopped dried parsley or 1 tbsp. of fresh leaves. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over parsley and let simmer for 15 minutes; add a dash of garlic. Drink up to three cups per day.
Succulent, Spice-Enriched Side:
Simple Mango Salsa
“A Cook's Guide to Chicago” by Marilyn Pocious; thespicehouse.com
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
- 2 mangos, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 jalapenos, minced
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped fine
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt to taste
Method:
Mix all ingredients together, adjust seasoning, and allow the flavor to mingle for at least 30 minutes. Taste again and adjust seasonings before serving.
Side Bar: Adding salsa or hot sauce to any meal greatly enhances flavor and contains natural metabolic enhancers.
Side Bar: Serve the spicy Puerco Pibil on savory rice and top with this delicious salsa, which also acts as a wonderful chip dip!
A spicy form of healing
Annatto Seed - Once used to control fevers and kidney disease. The pulp was used as insect repellant.
Cumin - Antioxidant to guard against aging.
Allspice - Antioxidant to guard against aging. Used to treat flatulence and relieve indigestion.
Black Pepper - Stimulates digestion, circulation and detoxification. Also helps relieve congestion and fever.
