If you looked in my cupboard you would find 2 spices that are used most: black pepper and season salt. Now I do have about 10 spices that keep the pepper and salt company in that cupboard but they were only purchased and used once or twice as an ingredient in a new recipe I was trying.
And don’t forget the 12 spices that sit beautifully un-opened as decor on my counter-top. I just have no clue what to do with them.
My older brother, you know the one that can cook the most delicious red potatoes with just some simple spices and butter gave me a few tips to try.
His suggestions start with some basic spices then add maybe one new one at a time. He gave me an article called “Spice Up Your Palate” by Kathryn can Roosendaal that list some basic herbs and spices no kitchen should be without:
Giving Meals Made Easy Some Flavor
- Ginger: hot-spicy flavor used in Chinese and Thai dishes. Also good in sweet breads and cakes or can add a new flavor to chicken and meat dishes.
- Rosemary: sharp taste that’s best with lamb and pork. Also great with potatoes and makes a good herb butter for vegetables.
- Cayenne: slightly sweet yet very spicy taste used most in Mexican dishes. Can replace black pepper for more taste in a dish but will need to cut the amount in half.
- Thyme: woodsy almost pungent taste, goes well with any fatty food, especially those that cook for a long time like a roast. Also good in broths, sauces, marinades and stuffing.
- Tarragon: warm almost licorice taste goes great with egg dishes, poultry and fish dishes and works well with mustard and pickles.
- Basil: rich flavor compliments garlic and enhances the taste of cheese. Good on salads and is the main ingredient in pesto.
- Sage: deep, earthy taste essential for poultry dishes. Also blends well with cheese and is good in some sweet dishes like baked apples.
- Cinnamon: warm, spicy taste traditionally used for sweet dishes but is also good with chicken and pork.
- Oregano/Marjoram: vital for Italian dishes and anything else made with tomatoes. Also good with eggs and cheese and anything made with garlic.
Guess what? Those unopened spices sitting on my counter as decor include every one of the herbs and spices listed above. And when I looked at the 10 spices in the cupboard keeping my 2 favorites company yep they were there too! So even the most basic recipes call for spices from the list above. To sum it up you can create inexpensive family menus that are easy to prepare and with a little love from you spice rack, full of flavor.
As you experiment with new spices I recommend keeping my article : KITCHEN TIPS AND RECIPE RESCUES on hand just in case!!
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