Dill seeds: nutrient composition and calorie content, health benefits and value in cooking, possible harm and contraindications, gourmet recipes. So, dill seeds help to cope with colds, facilitating sputum discharge, with thrush and candidiasis, cystitis, conjunctivitis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including fighting parasites.
Women often use dill seeds to care for their appearance and lose weight. After all, they not only improve digestion, simulate body cleansing, remove excess fluid, but also reduce appetite if they are consumed in pure form on an empty stomach. A bath with a decoction of dill fruits will not only calm the nervous system, but also reduce the appearance of cellulite.
The method of use - externally or internally - is determined depending on the existing problems. The most active, of course, dill seeds act when they enter the gastrointestinal tract. However, there are exceptions when external use is required - for eye diseases and to eliminate skin diseases.
Harm and contraindications to the use of dill seeds
Any food product is safe under certain conditions. To protect yourself from negative consequences, you should familiarize yourself with the possible restrictions on the use of dill seeds. Incorrect intake or neglect of the recommendations of specialists can lead to the development of allergic reactions, loss of strength, loss of consciousness, increased bleeding, some digestive problems, and decreased visual function.
The main contraindications for dill seeds are as follows:
- Allergy to any of the components of the dill fruit;
- Hypotension, i.e. low blood pressure;
- Blood clotting disorders, bleeding, including critical days in women;
- Decreased stomach acidity.
Dill Seed Recipes
In modern cooking, there are many recipes that use dill seeds. The widespread prevalence of this spice all over the world and its low cost, combined with its taste characteristics, provide it with immense popularity. In recipes, dill seeds are found no less often than the greens of this plant. Moreover, they are also used both fresh and dried. They not only give an exquisite pleasant aroma, but also significantly improve the taste of any dish and product. The application is relevant in the preparation of soups, sauces, salads, many second courses, as well as in the preservation of vegetables, in the manufacture of dough and filling for confectionery. Dill fruits are best combined with beef, pork, chicken, legumes, cabbage, eggs, cottage cheese, cheese, fish.
We offer you to prepare some great dishes using dill fruits:
- Trout with spices … This dish is amazing and easy to prepare. Main ingredients: trout (4 pcs.), Olive oil (60 ml), lemon (1 pc.), Bay leaf (3 pcs.), Coriander seeds (7 pcs.), Dill seeds (3 g), thyme (1 stem), salt, black pepper to taste. Cooking starts with processing the fish. It needs to be rinsed and dried. Next, combine coriander seeds, dill, thyme and bay leaf and crush them in a mortar. Sprinkle the trout on all sides with olive oil and sprinkle with spices, salt and pepper. Marinating time - 1 hour. Preheat the oven. After that, wrap the fish in foil and send it to the oven for 20 minutes. The finished dish is garnished with lemon wedges and served with white wine.
- Pork with wine and cherry sauce … The exquisite taste of this dish is provided not only by cherries and wine, but also by spices, among which there are dill fruits. The complete list of ingredients is as follows: pork tenderloin (1-1, 2 kg), olive oil (40 ml), shallots (6-7 pcs.), Dry red wine (700 ml), dried cherries (200 g), sugar (120 g), dill seeds (10 g), salt (2 tsp), black peppercorns (8-12 pcs.), fresh rosemary (1-2 pcs.). Divide the pork tenderloin into two pieces and grate them with a mixture of crushed dill seeds, crushed black pepper and salt. While the meat is marinating, halve the shallots. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add the onions and meat. The fire should be moderately intense. Fry for about half an hour. The temperature inside a piece of pork should reach 68-70 degrees. You can determine readiness using a kitchen thermometer. Put the finished meat on a cutting board and cover it with foil, leave to cool completely. During this time, add wine to the onion mass remaining in the pan after frying the meat and boil with vigorous stirring. After 1 minute, transfer the mixture from the pan to a saucepan with a capacity of at least 2 liters and with a thick bottom. Add dried cherries, rosemary, sugar and boil again. Cooking time after boiling - up to 20 minutes. During this time, the mass will decrease to a volume of about 500 ml. Remove rosemary and remove from heat. Next, use a food processor to grind the mixture thoroughly. This cherry-wine dressing is added hot to a dish with chilled meat, previously cut into slices. There is another serving option: the meat is divided into thin slices, from which horns are formed and held together by rosemary stalks, the resulting cone is filled with cherry, wine and onion dressing and served on a large platter as a cold snack.
- Greek salmon with tzatziki sauce … The extraordinarily beautiful presentation of the dish undoubtedly evokes the appetite, and the ingredients used ensure the enjoyment of exquisite taste. Main ingredients: salmon fillet (800 g), natural yogurt (200 ml), lemon juice (40 ml), cucumbers (1 pc.), Olive oil (100 ml), dill seeds (1/4 tsp), salt and pepper mixture, chopped to taste. It will take about 40 minutes to cook. Set the oven to preheat to 230 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with foil and brush with a little oil. Put the rest of the olive oil on the salmon fillet, add the pepper mixture and place on a baking sheet. Baking time - up to 15 minutes. To make the sauce, combine the remaining ingredients (yogurt, lemon juice, chopped cucumber, dill seeds and salt), whisk, and chill. Finished fish is served with tzatziki sauce on a pad of rice.
- Garlic beef … Ingredients: beef steak (4 pcs.), Tomato juice (200 ml), Roman tomatoes (1 pc.), Garlic (4 cloves), lime (1 pc.), Onions (1 pc.), Brown sugar (5 d), dill seeds (5 g), chopped almonds (30 g). Salt the meat, fry it for 7 minutes in olive oil on all sides. Add the chopped garlic and dill fruit. Lightly add salt, pour in tomato juice. Simmer over low heat for up to 15 minutes. At this time, cut the tomato into cubes, chop the onion, combine them with the prepared lime zest, squeezed juice, almonds, salt and sugar. This dressing is served along with ready-made meat.
- Fried masala crab … Ingredients: crab (2 pcs.), Vegetable oil (3 tablespoons), onions (240 g), cumin seeds (10 g), coriander seeds (20 g), coriander or cilantro leaves (2 tablespoons).), dried red pepper (1 pc.), black peppercorns (6 pcs.), grated ginger (20 g), cloves (2 pcs.), minced garlic (3 cloves), tomato puree (180 g), dill seeds (5 g), turmeric (5 g), salt to taste. First, heat a spoonful of oil in a skillet until it sizzles. Add chopped onion (1 tablespoon), coriander, cumin, dried peppers, garlic, ginger, cloves and black peppercorns. Saute for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the dill seeds. Then grind in a blender. Pour oil into a clean pan, heat, add onion. Stir for 6 minutes over medium heat. Add tomato puree, boil and simmer over low heat for 5-6 minutes. Stir in the turmeric and seasoning paste you previously made. Stir and cook until the butter separates on top of the mixture. To avoid sticking of the paste, add water as needed. Then place the crabs on top and salt. Place a small amount of sauce on top of them, cover with a lid for 5 minutes. Stir and cook for another 10 minutes. Don't forget to pour the sauce over the crabs. Finally, sprinkle with coriander leaves on top. The best side dish is tortillas or rice.
Interesting facts about dill seeds
Dill seeds are a multifunctional product. It is used not only to improve health, maintain the body, as a spice in many dishes. In addition to their culinary significance, popularity in medicine and cosmetology, they are also appreciated in everyday life, because in many countries, in particular these are the states of Europe, the fruits of dill are used as a remedy for flies and moths.
If the Greeks included the seed of dill in medicinal infusions, then for the ancient Romans the umbrellas and greens of this plant were of aesthetic value, so they used them to decorate their homes.
In ancient times, dill wreaths with seed inflorescences were worn on their heads as a sign of honor and victory.
Dill was considered an exotic plant in ancient Rome, therefore, umbrellas with seeds were even added to flower bouquets presented to beloved women.
Watch a video about dill seeds:
Dill seeds remain one of the most popular spices to this day. Many people only use them as an additive to homemade meals. But, as you can see, the range of applications is wider than cooking. Therefore, every day more and more people are paying attention to other attractive beneficial properties and functions of this food product.
