Author: Mark S. Harris

fenugreek-msg - 10/22/14

Period and modern uses of fenugreek.

NOTE: See also the files: herbs-msg, herb-uses-msg, herb-mixes-msg, A-Med-Garden-art, p-herbals-msg, poppyseeds-msg, seeds-msg, spices-msg.

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This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org

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    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous
                                          Stefan at florilegium.org
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Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2014 20:58:05 -0700
From: Wanda Pease <wandap at hevanet.com>
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: [Sca-cooks] Fenugreek

Some 30 years ago I bought some Fenugreek for use in a forgotten recipe.  About a third of the bottle came with me from Germany to South Carolina to Oregon to my spice/herb collection.   On a wild moment of madness I decided to check dates and replace or toss old stuff.

The seeds sat there looking ancient and harmless so I filled the bottle up with water and let it stand for a few days before throwing it on some newly weeded ground.

Now I have many little fenugreek seedlings and no idea what you use it for!

Ideas?

Regina Romsey

Date: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 22:07:24 -0600
From: James Prescott <prescotj at telusplanet.net>
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Fenugreek

The leaves have a strong flavour and colour and are used in East Indian 
cooking.  See also 'methi'.  Also used in Turkish and Greek cooking, and 
presumably other cuisines.

Thorvald

Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 00:07:38 -0400
From: Johnna Holloway <johnnae at mac.com>
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Fenugreek

http://theherbgardener.blogspot.com/2009/02/growing-fenugreek.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/fenugreek 

might help.

Johnnae

Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 01:18:24 -0300
From: Ana Valdes <agora158 at gmail.com>
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Fenugreek

The Armenian kitchen uses it and I assume the old Persian food used it to, since Armenian and Persia share many influences and had great cultural exchanges.

Ana

Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2014 00:22:26 -0400
From: Sharon Palmer <ranvaig at columbus.rr.com>
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Fenugreek

Use them any way you would use spinach or other greens.  It's a 
different flavor but very good.  Try mixing a little into some cooked 
potatoes, or use in bread.  Or use them as microgreens in salad.  I 
think it might be very interesting in fresh cheese.

If you know any nursing mothers, tea from the seeds is said to be a 
good galactagogue.

Ranvaig

Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2014 23:47:26 -0500
From: "Terry Decker" <t.d.decker at att.net>
To: "Cooks within the SCA" <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Fenugreek

Check out Katzers spice page on fenugreek. 
http://gernot-katzers-spice-pages.com/engl/Trig_foe.html?spicenames=nl#top

Bear

Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2014 13:02:05 +0000
From: Gretchen R Beck <cmupythia at cmu.edu>
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Fenugreek

Any Indian recipe that calls for Methi! (mixed with potatoes and spice is particularly tasty!)

margaret

Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2014 11:24:49 -0700
From: Wanda Pease <wandap at hevanet.com>
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Fenugreek

Fascinating!  Sounds like I can gather the too many baby plants and use them.

I wish I'd known about the lactation bit since my Daughter-in-law is still nursing the twins.  I suspect that will stop soon since the little Darlin's are developing shark like teeth.

Regina

Date: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 00:44:35 -0700
From: David Friedman <ddfr at daviddfriedman.com>
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Fenugreek

According to al-Warraq, Fenugreek "is hot and causes bloating and 
headaches."

Be warned.

The only recipe he gives using it is a medicinal recommended for asthma, 
labored breathing, and coughs.

According to the notes, Ibn al-Baytar says that "The fresh herb ... used 
to cure back complaints, kidney ailments, and pain caused by a cold 
womb. It is also believed to increase blood."
-- 
David Friedman
www.daviddfriedman.com
http://daviddfriedman.blogspot.com/

Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2014 15:40:35 -0600
From: Susan Lin <susanrlin at gmail.com>
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Fenugreek

I learned that if you add water to ground fenugreek it becomes a thick past
as the powder absorbs the water.  It was surprising since I hadn't used it
before.  Oh, and I found a little goes a long way.

Shoshanah

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