There are many ingredients that we can use to create tasty dishes and baked goods. There are classic and timeless combinations, such as sweet and sour, a combo that tingle and dances on the taste buds. Licorice is also an ingredient that can be used in dishes.
What kind of licorice candy can be used when cooking or baking?
Opt for high-quality black licorice candy as this will contain a high amount of licorice extract. Licorice is made by combining extract with sugar and water. In commercially produced products, there will be other ingredients too, all with the aim of making it taste better and to lengthen its shelf life.
Good quality licorice can breathe new life into a dish, both savoury and sweet. But how?
Savoury dishes with licorice
Licorice root has a pungent taste, adding a heady flavoursome note to savoury dishes. With this in mind, making your own licorice syrup for use in savoury dishes is perfect.
All you need is 1 cup of your favourite black licorice candy and 2 cups of cold water. Place both in a heavy-bottomed pan over a medium heat. The licorice will slowly melt into the water, creating a thick, tasty syrup. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a little more water. And don’t leave the pot, keep stirring it all the time!
When all the licorice has melted, allow the syrup to cool slightly before you pour it into a warm and sterilised jar with a tight-fitting lid.
What flavours work best with licorice syrup?
With an anise flavour to licorice, it works well in any dish that has a spicy undertone and especially those with strong Asian flavours.
For example, pan fry seasoned duck breasts until cooked through but still slightly pink in the centre. Allow to rest on a warm plate for a few minutes whilst you heat a small amount of licorice syrup in a pan with a sprinkling of salt and star anise. Watch the bottom of the pan doesn’t ‘catch’ or the syrup will taste burnt.
When ready, drizzle over the duck breasts and serve with warm green vegetables and sautéed potatoes. For an extra flavorsome twist, add a spoonful of tamarind paste to the syrup as it warms.
Licorice syrup in cakes and confectionery
In its syrup form, licorice can be used in cakes and other baked sweet treats too.
Use in recipes that call for maple syrup, for example, to give the dish a surprising but tasty twist.
You can also use licorice when baking treats such as flapjack or the ever-popular Rocky Road. Simple replace the candy mentioned in the recipe, such as marshmallows, with your favourite licorice candy. For example, chop licorice allsorts into small cubes and stir through the mixture before baking. Or, you can add coloured licorice chopped into small strands and stir through the mixture before baking.
A versatile ingredient
As a syrup, licorice is sweet and highly flavoured but using chopped licorice also gives a great flavour and appearance to dishes, cakes and biscuits.