Cardamom is native to India and a prominent feature in the local cuisine as well as in many dishes of the Middle East.The spice is known to ward off inflammation, improve digestion, freshen breath, fight cancer and even act as an aphrodisiac. Because of these health perks, it has long played a role in Ayurvedic medicine. Better yet, it has a deliciously sweet and floral aroma that adds a bit of oomph to many a dish. The following 3 cardamom recipes feature the spice in unmistakably game-changing ways.
Despite what we may know about cardamom, the spice is grossly under-appreciated in Western cuisine. It’s time for that to change and for all of us to add more cardamom recipes to our kitchen arsenal.
These cardamom recipes are a great start!
Cardamom tea cookies are basic butter cookies with just a touch of this exotic spice, but a decisive one at that. Cardamom coffee pairs well with the cookies, but can easily become your new morning joe. Lastly, there is the cardamom honey chicken recipe, which uses cardamom to play off the sweetness of the honey, resulting in a wonderfully aromatic and deliciously sweet and savory meal. Try out these cardamom recipes and then experiment with the spice in new ways!
1. Cardamom Tea Cookies
Makes about 45 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup sugar, room temperature
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
Directions
Beat the butter on high speed with an electric mixer. After a few minutes, add the 2/3 cup sugar and continue beating until fluffy. Add the egg yolk, cardamom, baking soda and salt. Beat in as much as the flour as you can and then fold in the rest with a spatula. Once evenly combined, form the dough into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator to chill for about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Shape 1-inch balls out of the dough and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, making sure to keep an eye on them so they do not burn. You want to achieve a lightly-browned top. Transfer to a rack to cool. Once cool, dip into sugar to coat all side evenly. Serve aside tea or coffee!
2. Cardamom Coffee
Servings vary
Ingredients
- Ground coffee beans
- 1 cardamom pod (cracked) per cup of coffee
- Pinch of salt
Directions
In a espresso coffee maker or French brew, add a cracked cardamom pod and pinch of salt to the ground coffee before brewing. Brew as usual and enjoy! Cardamom in coffee is a popular Middle Eastern delight, adding a floral punch to a morning and afternoon mainstay.
3. Cardamom Honey Chicken
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons sherry
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 6 chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In a small pot over the stove, warm the honey and add the sherry, cardamom and pepper. Stir. Pour into a bowl and add the chicken. Coat the chicken evenly with the marinade. Cover the top of the bowl and let the chicken sit at room temperature, in the marinade, for up to an hour. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, sear the chicken on each side until lightly browned. In a roasting pan, line the bottom with lemon slices. Place the chicken pieces on top of the lemon slices and brush with extra marinade. Season with salt and pepper and place into the oven. Bake for 15 minutes. When finished, remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
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Photo Credit: Chichacha
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