Fennel
fen-l
Origin: Fennel originated in
Southern Europe and Mediterranean but is widely available now in the sea-coast
shores. Fennel is a green seed
that looks very much like an anise or cumin seed but greener. It is both an
herb and a spice.
Fresh fennel bulbs are a
flowering plant and have a highly aromatic licorice type smell. Fennel is
enjoyed in many cuisines around the world especially in Italian, Indian, and Middle Eastern cooking.
As an
herb, you can use the entire fennel bulb, stalk and leaves in cooking by simply
chopping the bulb and using it in salads, soups or roasted.
As a spice, fennel seeds is definitely one of those bottles that get very
little use from my spice rack.
Fennel seeds can be used
in many recipes such as to make a delicious chicken with lemon and fennel seeds.
The
refreshing taste of fennel seeds can simply be sprinkled to a light cucumber salad, also known as raita - to be
enjoyed as a side dish or on its own with some pita or chips.
Fennel
adds a great flavor to many dishes and its also good for you!
Cures: In Indian restaurants, you
may have noticed a dish of fennel seeds at the exit.
What is this and why is it
here?
Because of their licorice
flavor, fennel seeds make for a great mouth refresher and also help with
digestion especially after eating a spicy Indian meal. The colorful
candy-coated fennel seeds add a bit of sweetness. Um, why don’t I have one of
these bowls in my house?
According to WebMD, fennel has some
great benefits. It can help with heartburn, digestive problems, intestinal gas,
flatulence, relieve stomach cramps and bloating.
It is rich in potassium,
sodium, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, Vitamin B 6 and magnesium.
It is also known to reduce
appetite, increase iron absorption, increase flow of breast milk and known to
be used for fertility.
Fennel can be enjoyed as a
tea, in a tablet form or an essential oil. This spice/ herb serves as a great
detox, aid digestion and can help clear mucus and sinuses. Fennel can also help
improve eyes, skin and hair health.
Do you have a little bottle of fennel seeds in your spice
rack?
Now you can pull it off
the rack and use it for any of these exciting purposes.
Sources
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