How to Use Native Seasoning in Everyday Cooking

Australia’s culinary scene has seen an exciting shift in recent years, with more people discovering the unique flavours of native Australian herbs and spices. Native seasoning offers bold, aromatic, and often unexpected flavours that transform ordinary meals into something special. If you’re looking to bring more Australian flair to your kitchen, incorporating native seasoning in everyday cooking is the perfect place to start. Here’s a comprehensive guide to getting started with native seasonings and how you can seamlessly add them to your favourite dishes.

What is Native Seasoning?

Native seasonings are spices, herbs, and plant extracts sourced from Australian flora. These seasonings often have deep, earthy flavours with complex undertones, as well as distinct aromas that set them apart from traditional spices. Common native seasonings include lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepperberry, aniseed myrtle, and saltbush. Each of these ingredients brings something unique to the table, whether it’s a zesty citrus aroma, a peppery punch, or a touch of sweetness.

Using native seasonings in everyday cooking can add new dimensions to your meals, supporting sustainable practices and encouraging a connection to Australian land and culture.

The Benefits of Native Seasoning in Everyday Cooking

Incorporating native seasonings offers a range of benefits beyond taste. Here are a few reasons to make them a staple in your cooking:

Rich in Nutrients: Many native herbs and spices are nutrient-dense, offering antioxidants, essential oils, and vitamins.

Environmentally Friendly: Using native Australian ingredients helps support local agriculture and reduces the demand for imported spices.

Versatile and Distinctive Flavours: Native seasonings add variety to your spice cabinet, providing a unique taste profile you won’t find in conventional herbs.

How to Choose the Right Native Seasoning for Each Dish

Using the right native seasoning in everyday cooking can make all the difference. Here’s how to decide which one to use based on the flavour profile of your dish:

Lemon Myrtle: Adds a citrusy note, perfect for seafood, chicken, and desserts.

Tasmanian Pepperberry: Offers a hot, peppery taste with subtle sweetness, ideal for sauces and grilled meats.

Aniseed Myrtle: Has a mild, sweet anise flavour, great for sweets, pork, or darker fish.

Saltbush: A salty, earthy seasoning, well-suited for chips, roasted vegetables, and red meats.

Each of these seasonings can replace or complement traditional spices in your recipes, creating exciting new layers of flavour.

Using Native Seasoning in Meat Dishes

If you’re a fan of BBQ, roasts, or grilled meats, native seasonings are an easy way to add complexity to your meats. For beef or lamb, try rubbing saltbush or Tasmanian pepperberry directly onto the meat before cooking. These spices enhance the meat’s natural flavour while adding a spicy, earthy finish. For chicken or fish, lemon myrtle works wonderfully, especially when used as a dry rub or marinade.

You can also incorporate native seasonings into sauces or glazes. Aniseed myrtle, with its subtle sweetness, pairs well with honey glazes for pork. Native seasonings can turn an everyday meat dish into a memorable meal, all while supporting local Australian flavours.

Enhancing Vegetables with Native Seasoning

Vegetables gain a whole new life when seasoned with native spices. Sprinkle saltbush over roasted potatoes or use it to season pumpkin before baking. The earthy saltbush taste complements starchy vegetables, giving them an extra kick of flavour.

Tasmanian pepperberry can add a unique spice to vegetable soups and stews. This seasoning works well in both hot and cold dishes and can even be sprinkled over salads for a mild, peppery bite. Aniseed myrtle adds depth to roasted carrots or beets and pairs well with earthy root vegetables.

Native Seasoning in Sauces and Dressings

Another way to incorporate native seasoning in everyday cooking is by adding them to sauces and dressings. Tasmanian pepperberry can be ground and mixed into vinaigrettes for a spicy, aromatic dressing that works perfectly on salads or roasted vegetables. Lemon myrtle is ideal for creamy sauces, giving them a fresh, zesty lift that complements dishes like pasta and grilled chicken.

For a classic Australian twist, try creating a bush tomato ketchup using saltbush and Tasmanian pepperberry. This type of sauce is perfect for burgers, chips, or as a dip, delivering a local flavour that elevates simple dishes.

Native Seasoning in Baking and Desserts

Surprisingly, native seasoning can add beautiful flavour layers to baked goods and desserts. Lemon myrtle is popular in cakes, biscuits, and even cheesecakes due to its delicate, lemony taste. It pairs well with vanilla and berries, making it versatile for many sweet recipes.

Aniseed myrtle can add a subtle, herbal sweetness to pastries, breads, or desserts like panna cotta. Sprinkle a small amount over scones or mix it into shortbread dough for a unique twist on classic baked goods. When used sparingly, native seasonings can give baked treats a memorable aroma and taste.

Creating Unique Spice Blends

Creating custom spice blends with native seasonings can be a great way to experiment in the kitchen. Mix saltbush with garlic, rosemary, and thyme for a homemade bush seasoning that works well with roasted meats and vegetables. For a spicy blend, try combining Tasmanian pepperberry with smoked paprika and cumin. These blends can be made in small batches and stored in jars for quick use.

Experimenting with native seasonings in everyday cooking can lead to new recipes and flavours you’ll love. By creating your own blends, you get full control over the flavour profile and can tailor it to match the dish you’re preparing.

Incorporating Native Seasoning in Snacks

Native seasonings can elevate simple snacks into flavourful treats. Saltbush is ideal for sprinkling over popcorn, crisps, or roasted nuts, adding a savoury touch. Tasmanian pepperberry can be added to trail mix for a slight kick that enhances the other ingredients. If you’re making homemade crackers, try adding lemon myrtle or aniseed myrtle to the dough for a surprising hint of spice.

These spices are perfect for experimenting with snacks since they require minimal ingredients and preparation. A pinch of native seasoning can transform even the simplest snacks, making them more flavourful and satisfying.

Marinating with Native Seasonings

Marinating is an excellent way to bring out the full flavour of native seasonings in everyday cooking. For fish, mix lemon myrtle with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice to create a citrusy marinade that enhances the natural flavours of seafood. Tasmanian pepperberry and saltbush can be used to marinate beef or lamb, infusing the meat with robust, earthy flavours that only grow richer during cooking.

Marinating with native seasonings also allows the herbs to penetrate the meat more thoroughly, resulting in deeper, more complex flavours. Experiment with different combinations of native spices, herbs, and oils to create the ideal marinade for each protein.

Infused Oils and Vinegars

Creating infused oils and vinegars with native seasonings is a simple way to add flavour to any meal. Use lemon myrtle to make a light, citrusy olive oil that pairs well with salads or roasted vegetables. Tasmanian pepperberry-infused oil can add a spicy, aromatic kick to pasta dishes or soups. To make infused vinegar, add saltbush to white wine or apple cider vinegar and let it sit for a few days.

Infused oils and vinegars are a creative way to enjoy native seasonings in everyday cooking. They can also be bottled as gifts or used to add flavour when cooking.

Conclusion

Native seasoning is a versatile and exciting addition to any kitchen, offering a rich taste of Australia’s unique flora. By incorporating native seasoning in everyday cooking, you’ll add complexity, depth, and a true sense of local flavour to your meals. Whether you’re using it for meats, vegetables, snacks, or desserts, native seasoning can bring new life to your recipes while supporting local Australian producers. Embrace the adventure of native seasonings and let them transform the way you cook and enjoy food.

Further Info

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Additionally, for more information about Australian Native Foods and recipes check out the below links.

Additional Information
Saltbush Spaghetti: A Uniquely Australian Twist on Pasta
Uses for Tasmanian Pepperberry
Lemon Myrtle Roast Chicken: A Taste of Australia
How to Use a BBQ Rub! With Burnt Ridge Native BBQ Rub
Australian Natives Spices
The Useful Native Plants of Australia: (including Tasmania)

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