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What's the nutmeg for?
I made a couple of lasagnas last week, and I noticed that in most of the recipes I looked at, nutmeg was an ingredient. Usually it was called for to be mixed in with the ricotta. I also see that alot of people use it in alfredo sauces.
My question is: what does the nutmeg do? I decided that it was such a small amount -- that any of the recipes called for -- to just forego it. I've never used it in my alfredo recipes, and I think my lasagnas tasted great without it. In fact, the only time I've ever used nutmeg before was when I baked pumpkin pies at Thanksgiving. What exactly the flavor or purpose of the nutmeg?
5 Answers
- Brutally HonestLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
First, the amount called for is so small because nutmeg is a VERY potent spice.
As for the use, it's to give the food (typically the creamy foods - as you pointed out Alfredo and Ricotta) a bit of a nutty flavor or a slightly spicy flavor.
Not being a big fan of nutmeg personally, I always leave it out.
- 1 decade ago
As the previous poster stated, nutmeg does add a bit of "nuttiness" to a dish. I use a pinch of nutmeg when I wilt spinach in a pan with a bit of olive oil and garlic. Just really makes the flavor...pop. I tend to leave it out of alfredos as well, because it CAN really overpower because it's such a strong flavor. My basic use is in pumpkin pie or sweet potato casserole, etc.
- Leslie DLv 41 decade ago
Speaking as a big huge gigantic fan of nutmeg (especially in any recipe that also uses spinach, in case you haven't tried it!) let me say that if your dishes taste just right to you without it, you don't miss it, and it would seem a little bit odd to you to put it in....don't use it! And be unashamed!
When I eat at a friend's house, I'm actively looking forward to tasting their own interpretation of a dish. That's what sets dinner at a friend's house apart from dinner at Denny's, after all. Just trust yourself, as if you needed me to say so.
(P.S: pears and tarragon...great combination I've just started playing around with...fantastic ice cream...try it out. Or not! :)
- Lola PLv 61 decade ago
it adds a very slight hint of nutty flavor. its actually really good in creamy sauces like alfredo....but to be honest, if you skip that part, its not really that big a deal.
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- Anonymous5 years ago
nuts are a very dangerous thing, some are even on the dangerous explosives list!! FACT
