Herb & Spice Companion

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Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion

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ExOTIC SPICES

• 223 –

warmth in order to germinate, and the growing plants

need consistently warm, wet conditions to thrive.

Size: 4 to 5 feet tall

Container: Start seedlings in 4-inch pots, and increase

size as the rhizomes grow; up to 10-gallon containers

or half barrels

Light: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, rich, well drained. Mix compost into the soil for added nutrients and

improved drainage.

Plant: Seeds or divided rhizomes

Water: Regularly, to keep soil consis-

tently moist. Mist regularly with water

using a spray bottle to simulate the

humidity in the tropics.

Harvest: Once the seedpods turn from

green to red-brown, about 9 to 11

months after planting, they are ready for

harvest. Dry in the sun until the pods are

hard, wrinkled, and brown; then open

and dry the seeds before storing.

In the Kitchen

Dishes: Stews, sauces, marinades,

dressings, rice, beer, mulled wine

Prep: Grind seeds to unleash their fla-

vors and add to any dish toward the end

of cooking or just before serving.

Serve: Grains of paradise can be used

with any foods normally seasoned with

black pepper—and that’s just about

everything! Add them to marinades and

sauces for meats like lamb, beef, and

chicken, as well as for fish and shellfish

and fleshy veggies like squash, pumpkin,

potatoes, and eggplant.

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Black pepper


• Cardamom

PAIRINGS

Vegetables: carrots, celery,

eggplant, mushrooms, okra,

onions, potatoes, pumpkin,

shallots, spinach, tomatoes

Proteins: beans, beef, cheeses,

chicken, eggs, fish and seafood,

game, lamb, lentils, nuts, pork

Seasonings: allspice,

cardamom, chili peppers,

cinnamon, cloves, coriander

seeds, cumin, garlic, ginger,

lemon juice and zest, mustard,

nutmeg, oregano, parsley, pepper,

rosemary, sage, thyme

Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
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Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion

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