Herb & Spice Companion

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

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ExOTIC HERBS

• 125 –

Soil: Moist, well drained

Plant: Cuttings or transplants

Water: Regularly, when top inch of soil feels dry,

between 1 and 3 inches per week

Harvest: When the plant reaches about 2 feet tall, it’s

ready for harvest.

Care: If growing in a container, every two to three years, transplant in early spring to

a larger container that accommodates the growing roots.

Keep It Fresh

Pandan leaves are often sold frozen and

will hold up well in the freezer. They can

also be dried, but they won’t be as fla-

vorful (see directions on for drying on

page 20 and freezing on page 19).

In the Kitchen

Dishes: Rice, curries, desserts

Prep: Pandan leaves are best used

bruised or slightly wilted and dried for

about two days after harvest, which

releases the flavor. After crushing, bruis-

ing, or scratching a leaf with a fork, tie

it in a knot and toss into a pot of rice,

curry, or soup to cook. To make pandan

extract, chop the leaves and combine

with water in a food processor, then

blend. Strain the liquid, which should

be bright green, and use as you would

vanilla extract.

Serve: Pandan is a beloved flavoring for

rice, curries, and a traditional Southeast

Asian sponge cake that’s green thanks

to the leaves. Wrapped around chicken,

pork, or fish, the leaves are steamed,

roasted, fried, or grilled to impart flavor.

SUBSTITUTION

• Vanilla

PAIRINGS

Fruits and Vegetables:

apple, avocado, carrots, coconut,

mangoes, mushrooms, oranges,

peas, pineapple, potatoes,

spinach, tomatoes

Proteins: almonds, beef,

chicken, eggs, pecans, pine nuts

Seasonings: anise, basil, bay

leaf, cayenne, chili peppers,

cinnamon, cloves, coriander

seeds, cumin, curry powder, fish

sauce, galangal, garlic, ginger,

honey, lemongrass, lemon juice

and zest, lime juice and zest,

lemon myrtle, mint, paprika, star

anise, turmeric

Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
Dtp:VIVIAN Page:124

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

Dtp:VIVIAN Page:125

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