Spices and Herbs (Paprika)

Paprika (Capsicum annuum)
Paprika is a spice that is often overlooked and the only time we think of paprika is when we make potato salad or using it with chicken to make drab dishes look more appealing. Paprika is a red powder that is made from grinding the dried pods of mild varieties of the pepper plant. The pepper plants used to make this spice range from the sweet Bell pepper to the milder chili peppers. In Hungary there are six classes or types of paprika ranging from delicate to hot. The peppers also range in size and shape depending on where they are grown. The most commonly produced paprika is made from the sweet red pepper also called the tomato pepper. Paprika peppers have seven times as much Vitamin C as oranges.
Paprika has been traditionally associated with Hungary, where much of the best paprika is produced today. Not surprisingly, paprika is strongly associated with Hungarian cuisine. It is used in dishes such as chicken paprikash and goulash. It is also used in many spiced meat products like Spanish chorizos. Many Spanish, Portuguese and Turkish recipes use paprika for soups, stews and casseroles and in India it is sometimes used in tandoori chicken to give it the red color. It is often used as a garnish for salad, appetizers and eggs. In Spain paprika is used to flavor shell fish dishes, rice, and season tomato and green pepper salads.

Paprika releases its color and flavor when heated. So when you sprinkle it over colorless dishes it improves the food’s appearance not its flavor. This is why it is often used as a garnish, not a flavoring. However it can be used as a flavoring by stirring the powder into some oil before adding it to a recipe. You can brush the paprika on meats, poultry, or fish. Its important to remember when using paprika in sauces that it has a high sugar content and burns easily. Add it only when liquid ingredients are present and do not cook it over high heat for too long, else it will become bitter to the taste.
Sprinkle it on potatoes or homemade fries or on barbecue meat for a change of seasonings. Use it liberally on poultry ,meat, and fish when cooking or use it to liven up some soups with color and flavor.

spice paprika