Instructions: * Before roasting a chicken or ears of corn, rub with a mix of pounded raw cumin seeds, soft butter, some crushed garlic, and a pinch of cayenne.

* Add an earthy flavor to plain rice by adding some raw cumin along with the salt and water. Or sizzle some seeds along with some chopped onion in butter or oil and proceed as you would for a rice pilaf.

* Sprinkle coarsely ground toasted cumin seeds over boiled or roasted potatoes, along with cayenne and salt. Transform a simple dip of cucumbers and yogurt by adding some toasted, ground cumin.

* Sizzle whole cumin seeds along with a clove or two of chopped garlic and add this at the last minute to lentil soup.

* Season a sofrito-the sauteed mixture of chopped onions, green peppers, and garlic-for black beans generously with cumin.

* Add whole raw or toasted cumin seeds to cornbread or cheese straws.

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