Twelve Common Spices
Spices make the difference between an okay meal and simply delicious dinner.
There is a whole world of spices to flavor food and they can be confusing. You see a recipe, buy the special spice and very likely never use it again. Let's review the twelve common spices you may want to keep on hand.
Bay Leaf -- primarily for fish dishes, meats, veggies, soups, stews, marinades and sauces, even custards Basil -- for sauces, particularly tomato based Black Pepper or Peppercorns -- Use fresh peppercorns and a good pepper mill over already ground black pepper. There is no comparison. Cayenne Pepper -- ground chili pepper; adds some heat when needed; adds a sparkling of piquancy Cumin -- common in Mexican, Tex-Mex and Indian dishes Curry Powder -- Indian/Asian blend of spices; used for flavoring soups, rice salads, tacos and certain meat dishes Dill -- better fresh, but the dried version can be substituted when handy; potato salads, cream sauces, fish dishes Nutmeg -- versatile basic from stews to baking cakes, cookies, pies Oregano -- pungent, spicy flavor perfect for tomato based sauces, eggplant, seafood and grilled meats Rosemary -- for marinating fish or meat; sprinkle on roasted chicken or lamb and in stews Sage -- for stuffings, roasts, vegetables Thyme -- very basic; brings an earthy flavor to meat, poultry, veggies; also used in sauces, soups, stuffings and seafood All spices (herbs) should be stored in small airtight jars in a cool, dark place as heat, moisture and sunlight reduce their flavor. For instance, do not keep them on top or on the side of the stove. Fresh herbs should be stored in the refrigerator. Spices should be kept in tightly closed jars to preserve freshness, and use dried spices with a light touch. You always can add more, but you can't take it away.
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