Nutmeg

pala (Indonesian); nutmeg

Flavor and role: The seed of the nutmeg tree, with a sweet, warm aroma. Buy it whole and grate it fresh for a much better aroma.
Typical dishes and uses: Béchamel sauce, moussaka, lasagne, mashed potatoes, eggnog, pumpkin pie. In this book: moussaka and kale stamppot.
Substitutes: ¼ tsp nutmeg = ¼ tsp mace, or a pinch each of ground allspice and cinnamon.
Storage: Whole nutmeg: 3-4 years airtight at room temperature. Ground: use within 6 months.
Main countries: Indonesia · GD
Used in this book: Moussaka Boerenkool Stamppot (Kale Stamppot)Classic American Apple Pie Swiss Cheese Fondue (Moitié-Moitié)Croque Monsieur Jerk Chicken Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes)Käsespätzle Kelewele Lasagne alla Bolognese Pastitsio Quiche Lorraine Albóndigas in Saffron-Almond Sauce with Picada Brown Butter Walnut Banana Bread Lamb Bobotie with Geelrys Bobotie Lasagne Ragù alla Bolognese with Handmade Egg Tagliatelle Porcini Fondue (Fondue aux Bolets) with Rosemary Roast Potatoes Baked Fondue Bread Bowl with Garlic-Butter Dippers Potato-dough chicken thigh coxinha with a cream cheese heart Comté Mornay Croque Monsieur Croque Monsieur Roll-Ups Handmade Egg Fettuccine Alfredo Baked-Potato Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Pimento-Smoked Charcoal Jerk Chicken Lamb Kabsa with Toasted Spices and Daqqus Clarified-Butter Kartoffelpuffer with Smoked Salmon and Horseradish Cream Allgäu Three-Cheese Käsespätzle Toasted-Spice Kelewele with Roasted Groundnuts and Lime Chilli Salt Kelewele Caramel Sundae with Honey Peanut Crunch Lasagne Verdi with Homemade Spinach Pasta Gruyère and Aged Cheddar Mac with Crispy Panko Lamb Moussaka with Pecorino Béchamel Moussaka Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin)Pastitsio with Slow-Simmered Beef and Pork Ragù and Bay-Infused Béchamel Pastitsio Melt Toast with Cinnamon Beef and Béchamel Crust Brown Butter Bacon Pierogi Deep-Dish Quiche Lorraine with Homemade Pastry Quiche Lorraine Croissants Padang-style dry rendang Crisp Raw-Grated Rösti with Bacon, Shallot and Gruyère Tower-Roast Chicken Shawarma with Toum Red Wine Lamb Shepherd's Pie with a Duchess Potato Crown Spiral Spanakopita with Three Cheeses Brown Butter Stamppot with Onion Gravy Cheesy Stamppot Croquette Cakes Stracciatella Tteokguk

Updated 2026-10-10