Onion seeds for cooking?

[shirlthegirl43]

I am making nan bread to go with curry for dinner tonight. The recipe calls for onion seeds. Just wondered, do I have to buy special ones for cooking with or can I use the leftovers from my onion sowing?

[shirlthegirl43]

No worries, made them without onion seeds.

[Novice Gardener]

*wonders if my invite got lost in the post*

[quark1]

If I am not mistaken the onion seeds often referred to in Indian recipes are nothing to do with onions but are in fact Nigella seeds.

I wouldn't like to say if they are one and the same as the Nigella flower plant - but its name would suggest it is closely related!

[rustylady]

Seeds for sowing would probably be named varieties, thus more expensive. If you need them for cooking (also mustard seeds) try your local health food or ethnic shops.

[shirlthegirl43]

*wonders if my invite got lost in the post*

Blooming long drive for a curry

Thanks for the advice folks, will ask my friendly local Indian restaurant owner if I can have a spoonful. Shouldn't be a problem as he gets most of my chilli production in the summer!

[Flummery]

Yes, the 'onion seeds' you use in your naan bread etc ARE nigella. To my mind they don't bear any relatonships - they aren't an allium - but the seeds have a lovely smoky aroma. They do look like onion seeds though! You can get them on supermarket spice shelves.

[Two_Sheds]

don't put sowing seeds in your cooking - in case they are treated with fungicides etc

[Nicos]

don't put sowing seeds in your cooking - in case they are treated with fungicides etc

Yes- exactly my thoughts!!!! - (or germination inhibitors)

[Headfry]

Are the Nigella seeds same as love-in-a-mist?
anyone ever used leek or onion seeds in cooking? just a thought really, as I wondered if they tasted of onion?

[Birdie Wife]

I've used them - they don't taste of onions but have a lovely aromatic smell as Flummery says. I don't know if they are the same as love-in-a-mist, but the culinary ones are also known as kalonji as well as nigella and onion seed.

[Flummery]

Yes, they are love in a mist. However, I'd only cook with the ones from the spice counter - unless I saved my own. You never know what the seed companies are treating them with.

[jennybb]

For those of you who make chutney, they are a tasty addition.