Spices and seeds offer a multitude of health benefits, while enhancing the taste of your meal. One of my friends shared with me this delicious and easy-to-make seasoning that can be used in salads, soups, and vegetable dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hazelnuts
• ½ cup sesame seeds
• ½ cup flax seeds
• 4 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 4 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 1 tsp Himalayan sea salt.
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes. Rub the nuts between a kitchen towel to remove some of the skins.

Coarsely grind the hazelnuts in a coffee grinder or a food processor. Place the ground up nuts in a large bowl.

Heat a large cast iron frying pan over medium heat. Add the sesame and flax seeds to the pan and stir them continuously for 3-4 minutes until the sesame seeds are golden brown. Place the seeds in the bowl with the ground hazelnuts.

Place the coriander seeds and cumin seeds in the heated frying pan and stir continuously for 3-4 minutes, or until the seeds begin to pop. Transfer the seeds to a coffee grinder and coarsely grind the seeds.  Add the seeds to the bowl with the other ingredients.

Add the salt and pepper and mix well.

Place the ingredients in a glass container and store in the refrigerator.  You can experiment with the seasoning by adding it to an assortment of dishes.

Enjoy!

Below are some photos to help you fall in love with your cooking ingredients.

Coriander Seeds

Coriander seeds come from the plant, Coriandrum sativum. The herb, cilantro, refers to the leaves of the plant. The flowers on the plant eventually turn into the coriander seeds.

 

Cumin Seeds

Cumin is an aromatic spice that originated in Egypt and has been used in cuisines worldwide for millennia. It was even mentioned in the Bible as seasoning for breads and soups. Many of us know about cumin because it is one of the main ingredients in curry powder and chili powder.

 

Flax Seeds

Flax, Linum usitatissimum, is both a food and fiber crop. The textiles made from flax are known as linen and the oil is known as linseed. The seeds come in two varieties, brown and golden.

 

 Sesame Seeds

The sesame plant, Sesamum indicum, is cultivated in tropical regions throughout the world. Ihe plant was domesticated for culinary use over 3000 years ago. There are many different varieties. Sesame has one of the highest oil contents of any seed.

 

 Hazelnuts 

Hazelnuts, also known as filberts, are a sweet-flavored nut that can be enjoyed in baked recipes, as snacks and at meals. Hazelnuts add a nutty and rich flavor to baked desserts. They can also boost the nutritional profile of a salad. According to the Hazelnut Council, hazelnuts provide many health benefits and are a good inclusion in the daily diet.

Here’s to your good health!