Nutmeg covered in the flavour-filled membrane that some refer to as mace. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Most persons only come in contact with nutmeg in the occasional carrot or soursop juice or eggnog at Christmas time. But there are so many everyday dishes that a dash of nutmeg brings up a notch.

Culinary uses of nutmeg

Nutmeg works really well in puddings, cookies, sauce and cream-based soups. Nutmeg itself will last indefinitely if stored in an airtight container. However, it's important to note that nutmeg oil, which is used in medicine, is highly toxic and should only be consumed in very small quantities.

If too much is consumed, it can cause nausea, headaches, stomach pains and vomiting and an overdose can lead to death.

Nutmeg is predominantly used in baking sweet dishes, for example pies, milk custards, puddings, fruit dishes, biscuits, muffins, cakes and breads. Nutmeg has a warm, spicy and sweet flavour, which is sometimes described as a mixture of black pepper and cinnamon.

Nutmeg also partners cheese and egg dishes very well and can be added to omelettes, soufflés and cheese-based sauces.

Nutmeg and mace are excellent spices to use with any milk-based sweet dish. You can add nutmeg to milky drinks such as hot chocolate and eggnog.

Meat

For savoury meat dishes, nutmeg is often used as a substitute for black pepper, when a stronger and richer flavour is desired. You can add grated nutmeg to meat marinades, sausage mixtures, curries and stews and nutmeg goes particularly well with lamb, chicken and veal.

Medical uses

In small quantities nutmeg is useful in a variety of everyday ills.

Remedy a toothache

Scoop two fingers of petroleum jelly on to a clean cotton cloth. Cover with a generous amount of ground nutmeg. Hold against the jaw line at the point nearest the painful tooth.

Calm a chest cold

Prepare a nutmeg plaster by mixing equal parts of ground nutmeg and flour. Add an egg white and a small amount of water to form a paste. Cover a cotton cloth with the paste and apply to the chest.

Relieve diarrhoea

Mix 1/4 tsp of ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp of ground coffee and one cup of water. Pour through a strainer. Drink the filtered liquid. Repeat this remedy up to two more times until diarrhoea subsides.

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Sources

http://www.helpwithcooking.com/spice-guide/nutmeg-mace.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2121394_use-nutmeg-health.html

Nutmeg works really well in puddings, cookies, sauce and cream-based soups. Nutmeg itself will last indefinitely if stored in an airtight container. However, it's important to note that nutmeg oil, which is used in medicine, is highly toxic and should only be consumed in very small quantities.

If too much is consumed, it can cause nausea, headaches, stomach pains and vomiting and an overdose can lead to death.

Don't forget the nutmeg when serving the Aileen Bailey. - Barbara Ellington/Lifestyle Editor

1. A nutmeg tree with the ripe fruits.

Don't forget the nutmeg when serving the Aileen Bailey.

2. After baking in their skins, these bananas are peeled and then bathed in a sweet syrup flavoured with rum and nutmeg.

3. Egg custard made with eggs, cow's milk, brown sugar, nutmeg, vanilla and a dash of Appleton White Rum. It may not be grandma's recipe but the memories are precious.