Fenugreek seeds are a unique spice widely used in Indian cuisine. They have been using this flavorful ingredient for thousands of years.
How to use fenugreek seeds
Most recipes call the whole seed. You may sizzle it in cooking oil along with mustard before adding. This is bitter, so be cautious in deciding the recipe before you add it.
If you want to use fenugreek seeds in other than Indian recipes. You may use ground fenugreek seeds. These seeds are bitter, so a small quantity, say a quarter teaspoon, will be good for a dish for two people. The generous amount can turn the food bitter and spoil the taste.
How to grind fenugreek seeds
This task is simple if you have a spice grinder, mortar, and pestle. The first step is dry roasting. For this, fry them in low to medium flame until they slightly change their color and become aromatic. Secondly, allow it to cool. Finally, grind it in the spice grinder or the mortar and pestle.
Where to get fenugreek seeds
These are available in any Indian or Asian stores. Alternatively, you may get them in specialty stores like Wegmans or Whole Foods. On the other hand, you can get it in online stores.
Substitutions for fenugreek
Many readers ask for substitutes, but unfortunately, I cannot find any closer replacements. Finding an alternative is hard for a specific spice known for its uniqueness and distinctive flavor.
So I incapable to recommend any other closely related spices as a substitute, as every spice has its own medicinal and nutritional values which is highly complicated to find the substitution.
So if you do not have fenugreek for the particular recipe, skip using it rather than substituting it with another ingredient, which you may end up making a whole new, different dish when comparing the original.