Nutmeg’s popularity stems from its many uses in cooking. Its nutty and sweet flavor lends well to savory and sweet dishes alike, including casseroles, soups, eggnog, lattes, and pies. If you’re running low on this spice or don’t enjoy the flavor, you may wonder which other spices you can use in its place.
What can you use if you don’t have nutmeg?
8 Best Nutmeg Substitutes for Sweet and Savory Recipes
- Cinnamon. While it has a slightly different flavor (it’s more sweet and woody), this common spice is most likely to be in your cabinet and will work in a pinch.
- Allspice.
- Cardamom.
- Star Anise.
- Cloves.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice.
- Apple Pie Spice.
- Ginger.
Is nutmeg important in baking?
Nutmeg is the perfect way to finish a cheesecake, baked or unbaked, and works particularly well if there is orange present, as grated zest or orange-flower water. Nutmeg is a vital member of any mixed spice but especially good combined with cinnamon, the two of them creating an almost perfect welcoming, warming aroma.
What flavor does nutmeg give?
nutty flavor
What Does Nutmeg Taste Like? A popular spice available in both ground and whole form, nutmeg is known for its warm, nutty flavor, making it the perfect addition to comforting sweet and savory dishes. Once ground, nutmeg spice takes on a warm and aromatic flavor with notes of clove.
What is so special about nutmeg?
The spice has antibacterial properties that have proven particularly effective against oral pathogens that cause disease and bad breath. One study found that nutmeg acted as a potential antidepressant in male rats, and the spice has been used for its invigorating properties in folk medicine.
Can I leave nutmeg out of a recipe?
If you’re making a dish that calls for many different spices—such as nutmeg and cinnamon and cloves—you can probably leave nutmeg out entirely without substituting it for something else. However, if it’s the only spice in the recipe, it’s best to substitute nutmeg with another spice to avoid a bland-tasting dish.
Can I skip nutmeg in a recipe?
Due to its pungency, try using half the amount of nutmeg called for in your recipe. Cinnamon is a popular spice that most people have on hand. While it can easily replace nutmeg in most recipes, start by using only half the recommended amount of nutmeg called for due to its strong flavor.
How much nutmeg do I use for baking?
Slightly sweeter than mace, nutmeg is essential to bechamel sauce and also goes well with baked or stewed fruit, custards, eggnog, punches, curries, sauces (particularly onion-based and milk sauces), pasta, and vegetables (especially spinach). One whole nutmeg grated yields 2 to 3 teaspoons of ground nutmeg.
Does nutmeg taste like cinnamon?
They’re completely different. Cinnamon is warm, woody, hot, sweet, spicy, bark. Nutmeg is eggnog. If you want something to taste like Christmas, use it.
What does nutmeg do for a woman?
03/7Here’s why women must have a pinch of nutmeg everyday!
Even according to Ayurveda, this spice helps in calming the nervous system and improves blood circulation to the reproductive organs. This is the reason why it has been deemed as women’s viagra.
How much nutmeg do I add?
According to the case studies from the Illinois Poison Center, even 10 grams (approximately 2 teaspoons) of nutmeg is enough to cause symptoms of toxicity. At doses of 50 grams or more, those symptoms become more severe. Like any other drugs, the dangers of nutmeg overdose can occur no matter the method of delivery.
What foods go well with nutmeg?
Nutmeg Sweet, bitter cabbage, carrots, chicken, eggs, fish, lamb, onion, potato, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, ginger, thyme Nutmeg is best bought whole and ground as needed.
What is nutmeg commonly used in?
Common nutmeg
The spice has a distinctive pungent fragrance and a warm, slightly sweet taste; it is used to flavor many kinds of baked goods, confections, puddings, potatoes, meats, sausages, sauces, vegetables, and such beverages as eggnog.
Does nutmeg thin your blood?
Other spices similar to cinnamon may be risky to use if you’re taking a blood thinner. Cloves, ginger and nutmeg, for example, are all anti-coagulants, as they inhibit the platelet activity responsible for blood clotting, according to the California Pacific Medical Center.
Is nutmeg good for high blood pressure?
Lowers high blood pressure
Also, nutmeg spice is rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium which are the key nutrients to manage high blood pressure. In addition, the stress relieving properties of this spice helps in relaxing the blood vessels which in turn helps in the smooth functioning of the heart.
Why do you add nutmeg to lasagna?
Although nutmeg may be more commonly used in baked goods and sweet treats, it can also be used to give savory dishes like lasagna to enhance the flavor of the ricotta cheese.
Is nutmeg good for your health?
Aside from its many culinary uses, nutmeg contains powerful anti-inflammatory plant compounds that act as antioxidants. These may improve mood, blood sugar control, and heart health, though more research is needed on these effects in humans.
Is allspice the same as mixed spice?
Many people think that allspice is a mix of spices, but it isn’t. See what we mean? They’re two different products altogether. Mixed spice is sweet, and allspice is more earthy and spicy.
Can I use cloves instead of nutmeg?
Ground cloves have a very intense sweet, spicy, and peppery flavor to them, which is perfect for nutmeg replacement in a savory or sweet dish. Just use half as many cloves for nutmeg, and skip this substitute if the recipe already calls for clove.
Is pumpkin spice same as nutmeg?
Pumpkin pie spice is similar to the British and Commonwealth mixed spice. It is generally a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. It can also be used as a seasoning in general cooking.
Is nutmeg a strong spice?
It’s reminiscent of clove and tobacco and can even have subtle citrusy notes. As with most spices, you’ll get the best, most intense flavor if you buy the seeds whole and grate them fresh for the recipe; however, you’ll need a fine grater, nutmeg rasp, or pepper mill in order to do so.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.