MONOPOLY: DUTCH EDITION (NUTMEG)

The center of conflict and conquest, the Helen of Troy of Trees, the nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) tree has caused international incidents and revolutionized the flavors of cuisines world wide. We talk all about how this tree and the Spice Islands it grows on impacted the world. Then we get a delectable recipe and description of nutmeg that will simply make your mouth water.

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Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson

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Cover art by Jillian Barthold
Music by Aves and The Mini-Vandals
Episode cover photo by Schlawensko

Recipe for Kheer by Swati Katakkar:

A fragrant, creamy Indian-style rice pudding. Perfect as an everyday treat and on festive

occasions. The spices can be measured to your taste and use whatever toasted nuts you have

on hand. This is my favorite fall combination. Serve warm or chilled.

Ingredients:

1⁄4 cup Basmati rice

4 cups whole milk

1⁄4 cup sugar

1⁄4 cup toasted almonds

1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

1⁄4 teaspoon ground cardamom

1⁄4 tsp. rosewater

toasted almonds, to garnish

edible flowers and edible silver strips, to garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice under running water. Drain completely.

2. Put the rinsed rice and milk in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring

constantly.

3. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until rice is

soft and tender - about 15 - 25 minutes.

4. Mix in sugar, then the toasted nuts, nutmeg, and cardamom.

5. Remove from the heat. Stir in the rosewater.

6. Serve warm or chilled, garnished with the toasted almonds and, if using, the edible

flowers and/or edible silver strips.

Additional Reading:

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
My Nutmeg Bender
The Hidden History of the Nutmeg Island That Was Traded for Manhattan
A fun NPR Story and Recipe
An old site about the spice trade in Medieval Europe