Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and Other Celery Seed Recipes

By KC Kudra

Celery seed has been around for many years and different cultures use this delicious seasoning in a variety of ways. If you want to know how to use celery seed or you have bought some on a whim, you will be pleased to know that there are many uses for celery seed, such as homemade chicken noodle soup or even crockpot chicken noodle soup which will slowly cook while you are at work and be ready the minute you get home.

What is Celery Seed?

Celery seed is not found in the celery vegetable but in the plant apium graveolons. They look a lot like other small brown seeds but their smell is unique. They smell like celery and can be added to your recipes. They add flavor but not the crunchy celery texture.

What Can You Use Celery Seeds in?

Besides the fact that celery seed is used to flavor salad dressings, soups, and in pickling, you will find that celery seed has a long medicinal history as well. It has been used as a homeopathic remedy for gout, bronchitis, arthritis, and other inflammations.

Because celery seeds have a significant concentration of phtalides, you will see that it has some scientifically provable qualities as a sedative and a muscle-relaxant. Consumption of celery seeds also leads to an antioxidant effect.

How to Make a Great Celery Seed Dressing

As well as being an excellent ingredient in homemade chicken noodle soup, celery seeds are found in many types of salad dressing. You can make your own by combining a teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of celery seed and a teaspoon of dry mustard. Next, add a teaspoon of onion juice and trickle in a cup of salad oil and a third of a cup of vinegar slowly. The resulting dressing is mild yet tangy and is very tasty on vegetable or fruit salads. You might prefer to add sugar and pepper, depending on your taste.

What Foods Complement Celery Seeds?

The more you experiment with celery seed, the better you will be able to guess which recipes would go well with it. Try substituting celery seed for celery in dishes you like to make. Crockpot chicken noodle soup is a great dish, especially if you want to start it off in the morning, go to work and come home to a delicious smelling house and instant dinner! Chicken potpie is another dish, which is complemented by this versatile seasoning, as is coleslaw.

There are many reasons to use celery seed in your cooking, as you have read. Why not get yourself a small bottle? Celery seed keeps for up to 3 years. Experiment with various dishes to find out what is good. Once you start using celery seed in your recipes, whether you are making homemade chicken noodle soup or a chicken and ham potpie, you will want to add celery seed every time you make it! - 16955

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