Poppy seeds are dried seeds that originate from a plant called Papaver somniferum. Poppy seeds are tiny, slate-blue seeds that can be used to flavor breads, cakes and rolls. They can also be used to make poppy seed oil, which is useful when you're making soap or cooking. Some of the foods you eat contain poppy seeds. You can check the nutrition and ingredient labels on the products you buy to see if poppy seeds are an ingredient in your food.
Baked Goods
Poppy seeds can be sprinkled on or added to baked goods. Their addition to these goods adds a sweet and nutty flavor. Specific foods that may contain poppy seeds include muffins, cakes, pies, rolls, breads, crackers, bagels and buns. Poppy seeds can also be toasted prior to baking; this will enhance their flavor.
Salad Dressings
Poppy seeds can be combined with oil, vinegar, juice and spices to make a variety of salad dressings. You can prepare these dressings at home or buy some commercially. A recipe on the Food Reference website describes a grapefruit-poppy seed dressing that can be prepared at home. This dressing combines honey, grapefruit peel, grapefruit juice, nutmeg, salt and poppy seeds.
Cooked Dishes
Poppy seeds can be added to cooked foods as well. Dishes such as stir-fries, chilis and stews can all contain poppy seeds. Recipes on the Food Reference website indicate that poppy seeds can be added to vegetarian dishes such as vegetable curry or poppy seed potato salad. Non-vegetarian cooked dishes include a turkey, mandarin and poppy seed salad. In these dishes, the poppy seeds can be ground to a finer consistency.
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