by KC Kudra

If you have simply bought yourself some celery seed on a whim, or you are simply interested in finding out what it can do for you, there is some information that you should know about the seasoning celery seed. This seasoning has been around for quite some time in a wide variety of cultures, and you will find that with a little bit of work, it can be easily integrated into your diet. Take some time to look around and see what celery seed can do for you!

What is Celery Seed?

Celery seed comes from a plant called apium graveolons, not the celery vegetable. There are a lot of other small, brown seeds, which are similar in appearance, but the unique smell of celery seed gives it away. They smell just like celery. When you use celery seeds in your recipe, whether you are making crockpot chicken noodle soup, a salad dressing, or a vegetarian casserole, you will find these seeds impart the flavor of celery without having to add stalks of celery to the recipe.

What is celery seed good for?

Celery seed is a popular ingredient in soups such as chicken noodle soup, salad dressings and in pickling. It also has a medicinal history, including being a homeopathic remedy for arthritis, gout, bronchitis and a variety of inflammations.

There is a high concentration of phtalides in celery seeds, which means they have scientifically proven qualities as a muscle relaxant and sedative. Celery seeds also have an antioxidant effect, which helps the body to fight dangerous free radicals.

How to Make a Great Celery Seed Dressing

You might have noticed that a lot of salad dressings contain celery seed. You can even make your own with this simple recipe. Just combine a teaspoon of celery seed, a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of dry mustard. Add a teaspoon of onion juice. Pour in a third of a cup of vinegar and a cup of salad oil slowly. You might want to add pepper or sugar to taste. This celery seed salad dressing is quite mild but deliciously tangy and nice with vegetable or fruit salads.

What Foods Complement Celery Seeds?

The more you experiment with celery seed, the better you will be able to guess which recipes would go well with it. Try substituting celery seed for celery in dishes you like to make. Crockpot chicken noodle soup is a great dish, especially if you want to start it off in the morning, go to work and come home to a delicious smelling house and instant dinner! Chicken potpie is another dish, which is complemented by this versatile seasoning, as is coleslaw.

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!

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: