Cooking lessons
TOAST SPICES
AND NUTS
This activates
their flavors,
adding depth
to your dishes,
Segnit says.
Toast them in
a skillet over
moderate
heat, stirring
frequently.befood smartStrawberries
Make a dressing with
them, Segnit suggests.
“They’re the perfect
combination of sour and
sweet.” She blends them
with olive oil and sun-
flower oil and serves the
dressing over avocado
slices. The avocado’s rich-
ness balances the sauce.Cloves
Put a pinch of them in
pesto. While researching
her book, Segnit dis-
covered that home cooks
in Liguria, Italy, do this,
and it’s delicious. Cloves
and basil have the same
main flavor compound,
so they enhance the taste
of each other, she says.Nutmeg
It wakes food up, add-
ing a note of citrus
and a burst of freshness,
Segnit says. Try it on
eggplant, mixed into
ricotta, and even sprin-
kled on milk chocolate.