Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: keiramax on February 24, 2012, 03:46:39 am
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A question - I've never really used fresh nutmeg grated except in banana smoothies. So my question is, when a recipe calls for say 1 teaspoon of nutmeg do you use the same amount of fresh grated nutmeg as you would with the nutmeg you buy in jars.
Thanks
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Hi Keiramax
As fresh is more flavourful I usually use a 1/4 less
fresh nutmeg in recipes that call for the dried spice.
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Most spices that you purchase that are ground have an anti -caking substance added. If you compare the spices that you grind in the TMX, the colour is much paler. So is the flavor. I always grind my own spices if I can purchase the whole spice. To me this is one of the REAL benefits of have a TMX. As a bonus it is much cheaper.
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...................and there is nothing like fresh nutmeg.
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I agree the smell of fresh grated nutmeg ...mmmm. My mum always put a bit of it in mashed potato (which I also do), and must admit, when eating mash pot without it, it's just not the same. Mashed Potato = salt, pepper, grated nutmeg, butter, and a bit of milk or cream (which ever you prefer) Yummm.
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I agree that smaller amounts of the freshly grated is advisable.
One caveat - don't feed leftovers or scraps of foods seasoned with nutmeg to small dogs (cats usually will not eat it) the freshly grated nutmeg contains myristicin, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which in quite small amounts can cause convulsions in small dogs.
My vet unsuccessfully treated a Jack Russell terrier this past Christmas who had been given some pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream flavored with freshly grated nutmeg.
Apparently the processing of pre-ground nutmeg destroys this component but still, it is better to avoid giving it to dogs.
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I agree that smaller amounts of the freshly grated is advisable.
One caveat - don't feed leftovers or scraps of foods seasoned with nutmeg to small dogs (cats usually will not eat it) the freshly grated nutmeg contains myristicin, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which in quite small amounts can cause convulsions in small dogs.
My vet unsuccessfully treated a Jack Russell terrier this past Christmas who had been given some pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream flavored with freshly grated nutmeg.
Apparently the processing of pre-ground nutmeg destroys this component but still, it is better to avoid giving it to dogs.
Thanks for that information Andie,I never knew that about nutmeg :)
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Thanks Andie - we have two small(ish) terriers that really love their tidbits from time to time. Always careful with chocolate (although they did manage to demolish a friend's Easter gift a few years back - but luckily with no consequences) and onion etc. - but had no idea about the nutmeg . . .
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Here's a site that lists the various foods that can cause problems for dogs.
Dog First Aid 101 (http://www.dog-first-aid-101.com/toxic-foods.html)
Many years ago I had a basenji that dug up some freshly planted garlic and developed anemia - he recovered because he only ate a few cloves - the vet said that double the amount could have killed him.
I only noticed it because when I brushed his teeth, prior to a show, his gums were very pale, grayish and he seemed to tire easily.
Only later did I notice that the plantings along the edge of the garden had been disturbed.
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Andie -a few on that list I wouldn't have guessed . . . have subscribed to the site. Many thanks once again!
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Thanks for the replies. I didn't know that about dogs and nutmeg. Also surprised about the apples etc, will need to be careful as the inlaws have an apple orchard where the dogs run free.