44 CommentsShare: |
Subscribe
Try whole nutmeg! It’s easy to grate nutmeg and the taste and fragrance of ground vs whole can’t be compared. Nutmeg is inexpensive and is sold whole in most grocery stores as well as bulk food outlets.
I found this vintage spice jar with a “Nutmeg” label, just perfect for storing my whole nutmeg.
Nutmeg, which is the seed from the nutmeg tree, loses its flavor quickly once ground, which is why grinding your own adds such a special touch to your favorite recipes.
It helps if you have a special nutmeg grater. It’s a spiky grater with fine holes. If you don’t have a nutmeg grater, you can get away with using the finest blades on your regular kitchen grater–but a nutmeg grater is inexpensive (you can get one at Wal-Mart) and is useful for other things such as zesting oranges or lemons or grating chocolate and garlic, so get one!
This one has a tray attachment, with measurements, to hold the nutmeg as it’s grated.
One whole nutmeg will grate into approximately two to three teaspoons. Freshly ground nutmeg is stronger than store-bought–use half of the recipe’s requirement when using fresh. (Did you know that nutmeg is actually toxic? Don’t go crazy with it.)
Store whole nutmeg in an airtight spice jar, away from heat. Whole nutmeg will keep for a long time, and it’s fun to grate your own! It’s one more little step to being closer to your food, and it’s just the kind of cheap thrill I’m into.
I love nutmeg!
Not THAT Nutmeg! (I mean, I love you, too, Nutmeg, but I wasn’t talking about you. This is a post about food!)
I mean THIS nutmeg.
Pictured: Drunken Rum Cookie Logs.
What do you think? Have you ever grated your own nutmeg? Wanna try it?
Posted by Suzanne McMinn | Permalink
