Oregano in cooking is used fresh or dried. Spice is a mandatory component of the mixture of “Provencal herbs”, which also includes:
-rosemary;
-thyme;
-basil;
-sage;
-peppermint;
-marjoram;
-savory.
Oregano goes well with these herbs, together they give the dishes a unique taste and aroma.
What Dishes are Oregano Added to?
Oregano is used in the preparation of meat and chicken dishes, fish and seafood, vegetables and mushrooms, tomato and meat soups. In Italy, chefs often use oregano seasoning for pizza: its delicate aroma and delicate taste perfectly complements tomatoes and cheese.
It is impossible to imagine Italian pasta, lasagna, Greek salad without spices. It is added to casseroles, omelets, drinks (beer, kvass, wine, tea). Oregano can be found in various spicy mixtures designed to improve the taste of sauces, mayonnaise.
When and How Much to Add?
Oregano seasoning should be added to dishes in minimal quantities so as not to drown out the natural taste of products or the aroma of other spices.
When cooking according to the recipe, it should be borne in mind that a tablespoon of fresh oregano contains as much as dried in a teaspoon — about 4 g.
Dry seasoning, like fresh oregano leaves, is advised by professional chefs to add 5-10 minutes before the end of cooking.
Sauces and dressings for salads and desserts with spices are prepared in advance (at least 2 hours in advance) so that they have time to brew.
How to Replace Oregano?
Oregano has an original taste and aroma that is not inherent in other spices. However, if there was no spice at home, it can be replaced in a dish:
-majorana;
-with a mixture of “Provencal herbs”;
-green basil;
-thyme.
Why “cold fermentation”? Yes, this is a more professional method and is not often used in home kitchens. But it has several advantages. First-the taste of the dough itself. For a day or two in the refrigerator, the dough matures and the taste improves.
Chicken thighs and shins are so versatile that they are ideal for a New Year’s holiday. I suggest baking chicken thighs with a mustard crust. it turns out very tasty!
During the Fast, you should definitely include legumes in your diet. They are a source of protein, they saturate. I offer you a version of the bean salad with wild cherry and spicy dressing.
Despite the fact that chili con carne is associated with Mexico, it actually originated in the southwestern United States, where a mixture of cultures gave rise to a new cuisine called “Tex-Mex” (in other words, Texan-Mexican). But even these two countries are not limited. Initially (before joining the United States) Texas was influenced by the Spanish. It was then that a mix of Spanish and Mexican dishes laid the foundations of Tex-Mex. And much later, affordable American products joined it. As for Chile con carne itself, it is possible to trace the influence of all three cultures. Pepper stews trace their history back to the Aztecs themselves. The Spanish colonizers added meat as the main ingredient. Well, the American land gradually modernized all the ingredients.