Wednesday, December 24, 2008

What You Can Do With Celery Seed

By KC Kudra

Celery seed has been around for many years and different cultures use this delicious seasoning in a variety of ways. If you want to know how to use celery seed or you have bought some on a whim, you will be pleased to know that there are many uses for celery seed, such as homemade chicken noodle soup or even crockpot chicken noodle soup which will slowly cook while you are at work and be ready the minute you get home.

What is Celery Seed?

Celery seed is not found in the celery vegetable but in the plant apium graveolons. They look a lot like other small brown seeds but their smell is unique. They smell like celery and can be added to your recipes. They add flavor but not the crunchy celery texture.

How Can You Use Celery Seed?

Besides the fact that celery seed is used to flavor salad dressings, soups, and in pickling, you will find that celery seed has a long medicinal history as well. It has been used as a homeopathic remedy for gout, bronchitis, arthritis, and other inflammations.

Celery seeds are high in phtalides, which means they can be used as a muscle relaxant and sedative. Celery seeds are also high in antioxidants, which are beneficial for the whole body in their fight against the aging effects of free radicals.

How to Make a Great Celery Seed Dressing

It is not for nothing that you will find celery seeds in so many salad dressings! To make your own, by mixing a teaspoon of dry mustard, a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of celery seed. Then add a teaspoon of onion juice. Slowly trickle in 1/3 a cup of vinegar and a cup of salad oil. This will make a wonderfully tangy yet fairly mild dressing that can be used on fruit or vegetable salads. You can also add pepper and sugar to taste.

What Foods are Good with Celery Seeds?

Celery should be added when you feel the recipe would suit it. With a bit of experimentation, trial and error you might even be able to come up with some fabulous new recipes. Homemade chicken noodle soup is known for being extra tasty with added celery seed, or crockpot chicken noodle soup if you are at work all day and want to come home to a ready meal. If you normally add celery to a certain recipe, try celery seed instead for a change in texture. Coleslaw and chicken potpie are other recipes, which suit a celery seed flavor.

There are many reasons to use celery seed in your cooking, as you have read. Why not get yourself a small bottle? Celery seed keeps for up to 3 years. Experiment with various dishes to find out what is good. Once you start using celery seed in your recipes, whether you are making homemade chicken noodle soup or a chicken and ham potpie, you will want to add celery seed every time you make it! - 15266

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