blooming spices

Definition

The technique of briefly cooking spices in oil or fat to release their aromatic compounds and deepen flavors. It's the difference between sprinkled-on sadness and actual deliciousness, yet home cooks skip it constantly.

Example Usage

After I started blooming my spices, my curry went from 'edible I guess' to 'why have I been wasting my life cooking wrong?'

Source: Culinary techniques and spice preparation

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