Someone once said: “My idea of a good herbalist isn’t someone who knows the uses of forty different herbs, but someone who knows how to use one herb in forty different ways.” Well, today we are going somewhere in between – we will use a bunch of spices that can actually fit perfectly to any Christmas dessert. Keep reading!
You must have had this strenuous pre-holiday mood that makes you feel pressed about preparing the perfect table for your guests, right? We know how it is to start making a dessert and getting lost among all the herbs that most Christmas sweets tend to have. And finally you end up with just one – cinnamon – simply because it’s the only one you can find right now…
Alright, Lesson Number 1: There’s hardly any holiday dessert that does not include cinnamon, so it’s good that you always have it handy!
Lesson Number 2: Some of the most common Christmas spices are also ginger, clove and orange zest.
To be honest, the holidays wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for the amazing flavors that all those herbs would spread in the air. Plus, having such a mixture at home is a huge advantage. First of all, it gives you the chance to (re)act quickly and, secondly, it gives your sweets a specific, deeper taste. So be prepared!
What we would suggest here is that you get all the Christmas herbs you need in advance. For example, the beginning of December is a nice time to go search for some holiday spices. Even the mixture that you prepare turns out to be too much for this Christmas, no need to throw it away! All you have to do is simply store it safely and it would last until the next Christmas holidays. Saves time and efforts!
Okay, here’s a closer look at what a typical Christmas herbal mixture consists of:
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Allspice
- Cardamom
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
- Anise
- Coriander
Doesn’t that sound like a flavorful explosion that you cannot wait to dive into?!
Good news is that you can combine this mixture with many other spices that are specific for a particular recipe. For instance, if a recipe requires vanilla and lemon zest, then you can feel free to add two or three tablespoons of your Christmas mixture. Even better – the taste will go beyond your expectations!
Basically, this mixture, which consists of just a few herbs and spices, can be implemented in almost any kind of holiday cookie or pie recipe. You can even make the very famous Greek Melomakarona or some other types of cookies.
Lesson Number 3: All you’ve got to have is a little bit of imagination, passion and love for the holidays!
Last but not least: Of course, don’t forget to have fun while cooking because Christmas is a happy time!
