Creams and savoury sauces: an explosion of flavour from around the world
Mayonnaise is one of the most popular condiments in the world today. It is prepared with oil, eggs, salt and lemon juice, and can be flavoured with herbs or spices. It is high in fat and calories, but also in proteins and vitamins. In Italy it is used to season or accompany sandwiches, meat and fish, or to prepare special salads. It is thought that mayonnaise was born in France, given its first appearance in a French cookbook in 1751. In reality its name derives from Mahón , a city on the island of Minorca , where in 1756 the Spanish soldiers, besieged by the English and short of food, began to blend together the ingredients to create a sauce to accompany the bread.
It was an immediate success and quickly spread throughout Europe.
Ketchup is, after mayonnaise, one of the most well-known sauces, especially because of the very famous hotdogs served on the streets of America. The recipe we know today is based on tomatoes , vinegar , sugar and spices . It has a sweet and sour and almost spicy flavor, and is rich in lycopene , an antioxidant beneficial for health, thanks to the tomato. It is used to accompany fried, grilled and fast food. The origins of ketchup are actually Asian, in fact its name derives from the Chinese kê-tsiap , which means "fish sauce". This involved the use of fermented fish, vinegar, sugar, spices and salt, very similar to garum , which was already prepared by the Romans. With the arrival in Europe and the expansion of the tomato trade, the recipe underwent many variations to adapt to Western tastes. The curious thing is that ketchup was originally considered a medicine , with healing properties for many ailments, including digestive problems, colds and flu.
Hummus , from the Arabic "chickpeas", is a smooth and homogeneous cream made from chickpeas, dried or pre-cooked, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and spices, typical of Middle Eastern cuisine. Hummus is a nutritious food , rich in fiber, proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats. For this reason it is among the favorite sauces in vegan cuisine and protein diets , ideal for accompanying vegetables or filling sandwiches or even as a base for preparing falafel , tasty meatballs made from chickpeas and spices.A fun fact about hummus is that it was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 2016, as a food that represents the culture and tradition of the Middle East, capable of promoting social cohesion and peace.
In addition to these three sauces, there are many other savory spreads and creams that deserve to be discovered and tasted. For example, mustard , made from the homonymous ground seeds and with a strong and pungent flavor, is rich in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial substances. Guacamole , a cream of avocado, onion, tomato and lime, typical of Mexican cuisine or tzatziki prepared with yogurt, cucumber, garlic and mint, typical of Greece. These creams are light and nutritious, and can be spread on bread, croutons or breadsticks, or used as sauces for raw or cooked vegetables.
Savory spreads and creams are truly versatile and delicious preparations that can make your dishes tastier and more interesting. There are many variations and recipes that you can customize. Try making them at home, or discover new ones, and let yourself be surprised by the flavors of the world !
