It’s no secret that nutmeg is a versatile spice. But did you know that it can also be used in a variety of dishes? In this article, we’ll explore some of the different ways nutmeg can be used.
Nutmeg Mince Pie
The first dish is the Nutmeg Mince Pie. The recipe is as follows:
2 cups mincemeat
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp butter, rolled into small cubes
Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius (428 Farenheit). Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Transfer mixture to an oven safe dish and place the cubes of butter on top of the mixture. Cook for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top. Makes one pie. This is an easy recipe that requires only 4 ingredients! And with the addition of some whipped cream, it’s even more delicious! I like mine with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top – but you can experiment with different toppings to change the dish.
Nutmeg pancakes
The second dish is the Nutmeg Pancakes. Here’s what you’ll need:
1 cup flour
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
½ cup of milk
butter
Preheat griddle to medium heat. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until smooth. Pour batter by the tablespoon onto the hot griddle, spreading out slightly with the back of the spoon for thin pancakes – about 5″ across. Once bubbles appear on top, flip the pancake over and cook for another minute or two until golden brown on the bottom side. Makes about 15 pancakes (depending on size). You can serve these pancakes with maple syrup or honey! I prefer mine without any toppings – but free to experiment here as well.
Nutmeg risotto
The final dish is the Nutmeg Risotto. It’s an easy recipe with only 7 ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need:
1/2 cup dry white wine or vermouth
4 cups chicken broth (or veggie broth)
2 tbsp butter, divided use
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
Note: You can caramelize the onions before adding them to the risotto for extra flavor. To do this, simply melt one tablespoon of butter in a pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until browned. Add sugar halfway through cooking time to promote even coloring. If you wish to skip this step, simply all ingredients together at once instead of dividing the ingredients into two portions.
1 cup arborio rice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
In a saucepan, warm chicken broth over medium heat until it simmers. In a separate pan over medium heat, melt one tablespoon of butter and add the onion with a pinch of salt. Cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add half of the wine to the onion mixture and cook until most of the liquid is absorbed by the onions (about 2 minutes), then remove from heat and set aside in a bowl for later use. Turn down the heat on the saucepan to low to keep the hot broth at a simmering point – don’t let it boil or you’ll have tough broth! To make risotto: Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in the pan over medium heat. Add rice and stir until kernels are coated with butter and slightly translucent (about 3-5 minutes). Add remaining wine to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking or burning on the bottom of the pan. Ladle about 1/2 cup of broth into rice; stir constantly over low heat until most of the liquid is absorbed by rice kernels. Continue adding broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently as you go along – don’t let it all evaporate! It should take about 20-25 minutes from now for all broth to be used up – keep tasting as you go along so that risotto is never overcooked! When done, individual individual grains of rice should be al dente – firm in the middle, not mushy! Remove from heat and add onion mixture to risotto. Add nutmeg and stir well. Serve immediately (no need to let it sit like most risottos). Makes 4 servings (2 cup portions). Nutmeg is used herein all three dishes because of its fragrance and subtle flavor – a little goes a long way! I hope you’ll try these recipes out – Happy Cooking!
Conclusion
Nutmeg is a versatile spice that can be used in many different dishes. Today, we’ve shared some recipes in which nutmeg can be used to add flavor and complexity. Whether you’re cooking for a holiday feast or just looking for something new to try, these recipes are sure to please.
