I am glad to announce this month’s theme for Think Spice as Nigella Seeds a.k.a kalonji in Hindi. Thank you dear sunita for giving me this wonderful opportunity. The event starts on 1st April ‘2009 and the last date for entries is 30th April 2009.
Nigella seeds are commonly known as roman coriander or black onion seeds and are also mostly mistaken for black sesame, black cumin or onion seeds.
It is aromatic in taste and has a distinct flavor when ground . They are used as a pickling spice. The flavor is said to be nutty and acrid with a faint flavor of oregano. The seeds are said to benefit digestion and are usually dry roasted to enhance the flavor and aroma. They are commonly added to vegetable curries, pulse dishes and sprinkled over rice pilafs and naan breads. Also a common spice in Africa and the Middle east.
Here are the rules for the event :
Post a recipe of any kind, using kalonji, also, in any form you desire (seeds, powder etc.) … it would be really nice if the spice could hold it’s ground in the dish and is not overpowered by many others….after all, the post is supposed to be dedicated specially to them….other spices will have their turn in due course. Feel free to share all your thoughts and information on the chosen spice.
- Include a link back to this post for the benefit of your readers and future references.
- Email me your entry with your name, a picture,if any (250 pixels wide, height does not matter) of your dish and the permalink of your recipe by or before the announced deadline to ammaluskitchen(at) gmail(dot)com with the subject -Think Spice…think Kalonji.
- Non -Bloggers are also welcome to participate. Just e-mail me your entry with a picture to me
- The round ups will be posted during the first week of the following month.
- Feel free to use the logo.
I am looking forward to seeing all the interesting entries!
March 31st, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Thats an amazing theme. I’ll try my best to squeeze in some time to post a recipe.
March 31st, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Will send in something!
March 31st, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Kalonji is one of my favorite spices, will try to send something.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:26 am
I have not used this spice that much, i do have a pack waiting for beeing used, if i make something, i will sure send you.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:02 am
Lovely! I do have Kalonji fortunately, will send you something!
Is that the Logo for this event? Copied it to post anyway with the dish.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:21 am
hmm think kalonji and i could only think about Mango pickle…loads oif kalonji goes into that tangy pickle…since mangoes are in season let me grab some now for pickling
April 1st, 2009 at 9:01 am
Beautiful pic of the seeds Dee. I bought a pack of these a few months back for making panch phoron, but never really experimented with them. Will try to use this as an excuse to get started.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Hey Dee, Long time. Glad to see you back. I don’t really cook with nigella seeds and this seems like a great excuse to start. Count me in.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Very aromatic spice! I will think about sending something
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:26 am
Thanks for hosting, dear Dee
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:22 am
I have never used Kalonji before.. Will try them out for the event.
April 5th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
i just threw away my two-year old packet of kalonji.
but i have an old draft of something with panch phoron, which has kalonji.
April 8th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Love kalonji. It is very much used in the bengali cooking, so i should not have trouble at all!
April 9th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Just mailed you my entry.
April 9th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Nice choice of spice. Will search out for recipes.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Hi Dee,
I have sent my entry to you through e-mail..Thanks for jhosting the event. I came to know what kalonji is through this event.
Priya.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:47 am
hi, is it the same as subza seeds which as used in falooda? love the theme..
April 24th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I never used this seeds.but I bought it few weeks back to try some recipes with it.your event makes me to use them soon.
April 26th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Hi,
If I’ve used it in a dish with panch phoron… where kalonji is one of the ingredients… would it be OK to send?
April 27th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Hi, I made feta rolls topped with kalonji - they were delicious! I have mailed you a link to your email address. Thank you
October 31st, 2009 at 12:08 pm
i need to buy some kalonji black seeds. are they the same as the ones used in faluda. i thought it was like onion seeds. i am confused. can any one clear it up thanks. dhanu
December 12th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Kalonji is known as “black seed” in the Middle East, and it’s prized in Islamic medicine, where the oil is often used. It must be used in ayurveda, too, for that matter.
I’ve also seen the seeds on Russian rye bread. In that context, it’s often called black caraway, probably because of the resemblance in taste to caraway seed. I think kalonji is somewhat more bitter, though.