Spice Up Your Holiday Season

What do pumpkin pie, gingerbread, mulled wine, and apple pie have in common? Yes, they are comforting and very popular, especially during the holiday season that has officially started. Each is made with its own unique ingredients, with very distinct aromas, thanks to the predominant spices in each. Herbs and spices are not the same. Herbs are from the leaves and stems of plants, while spices come from the bark, seeds, buds, berries, or roots of plants. Most are grown in tropical regions and dried. The use of spices goes back thousands of years, with the Egyptian and Middle Eastern nations not only cooking with them but trading them. These are 5 of my favorite powerfully aromatic spices, along with some serving tips.

Cloves have the distinction of being one of the most pungent spices. They are slightly sweet and mildly astringent. Cloves are the unopened buds from evergreen trees in tropical regions. When they dry, a natural prong is formed, making them easy to push into soft foods like meat, fruit, and onions. I love to stick them in peeled whole pears and poach them in red wine. A bonus tip... You can reduce the poaching liquid to make a silky syrup to serve with the pear or enjoy unreduced as a comforting pear-infused mulled wine later.

Star anise has no botanical relationship with anise. They are somewhat similar in that they each have a slight licorice flavor. However, star anise is much stronger in its overall profile. It originates from the buds of magnolia trees in China and Vietnam Nam. These star-shaped gems are an essential ingredient to many Asian cuisines. They are perfect for braising and glazing poultry dishes. Chicken braised in broth with tangerines and star anise is simple to make and satisfying. For the football game, give your wings a boost with a honey and star anise glaze. Touchdown!!!!

Nutmeg is one of the most popular spices in the world. Its flavor is strong yet sweet. Nutmeg comes from a plum-like fruit from evergreen trees. Recently it has become popular to purchase the whole seed and grate it fresh into recipes. Nutmeg will lose its aroma very quickly, and using this technique helps solve that problem. For most, sprinkling nutmeg on eggnog is essential, but this spice has countless uses worldwide. In Europe, it's all about the pastries, the Caribbean countries use it in rum-based drinks, and in Southeast Asia, it's used in soup dishes. I love to add it to cream-based meals. Lightly sprinkle it on your next batch of scalloped potatoes or Fettuccine Alfredo.

Cinnamon is the old man of spices. It is one of the oldest spices, dating back to 2500 B.C. It comes from the bark of several species of evergreen trees. It has one of the most fragrant aromas. If you have a whiny baby, put a dab of sugar on their tongue, or have them smell cinnamon. Smiles are usually the result. Its uses are unlimited, but practically every recipe I researched was some type of cinnamon roll. Cinnabon anyone? Lamb dishes pair perfectly when cinnamon is added. Cinnamon also pairs well with citrus fruits. Try making a cinnamon orange beef stew. The next time you have pork ribs, feature cinnamon in your dry rub.

Ginger is the only spice on this list that is used fresh. It can be dried and pickled, but I prefer to use my favorite spice fresh when the recipe allows. It is the root of a flowering tropical plant found throughout Asia. It has a pleasant citrus aroma blended with a horseradish-like tang. The heat and lemony flavor are great in many Asian inspired stir fry meals. Ginger has become very popular in the beverage industry as well. Sales of ginger ale and ginger beer have increased tremendously over the last decade. Try this for a delicious appetizer. Layer three thin slices of cucumber and pickled ginger, top with thinly sliced raw shrimp and enjoy.

The use of spices has been extremely important throughout history and in our own kitchens. The surge of cooking foods from different ethnicity right in our own homes is due mostly to these wondrous natural food products. Retail stores are opening up nationwide selling only spices. Spices contribute to better health. Modern science has shown they can lower blood sugar, improve memory, boost immunity, and prevent cancer. The benefits list is long, just like the number of spice choices available for the consumer. You will be surprised at the number of recipes you can make with each one or a blend of several. Get cooking and add some spice to your life!