Does your cooking seem a little on the bland side? Many of us have a least one spice rack from last Christmas, but how often do you really use it? Creating a well-seasoned dish does take a bit of practice, but you have to be willing to work on the basis of trial and error. Read on for a few tips that you can use when venturing into the world of herbs and spices. First, we will start out with using herbs. Below you'll find a list of herbs that are commonly found in store-bought spice racks, as well as examples of dishes that they compliment well. This is just a guide, so don't be afraid to experiment with the different herbs in your cupboard. With herbs, you can easily go by scent. Open up a jar—does it smell like it would go well with the dish you have in mind? Basil: tomato sauces, pesto, vinaigrette Bay Leaves: soups, marinades, sauces Cardamom: pickling, but sometimes used in pastries Celery Flakes: soups, salads, and dips Celery Salt: pickling, potato salad, cole slaw Coriander: pickling, meat, Oriental foods, curries Dill Weed: soups, potatoes, fish, sauces Italian seasoning: pizza sauce, spaghetti, lasagna Marjoram: chicken, sausage, stew, soups, meat, potato, pizza and spaghetti sauces Mint: lamb Onion Salt: Italian dishes, soups, sauces Oregano: Italian dishes, stew, soups, sauces Parsley: potato dishes, eggs, soups, sauces Rosemary: most roasted meat, stuffing Sage: chicken, pork, stuffing Thyme: meat dishes, sauces, clam chowder Spices can be a bit trickier, as their scents are not nearly as pronounced as herbs, so you may just have to familiarize yourself to the individual flavor of each spice. Allspice: Tastes like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Baking, roasts, soups, sauces Cayenne Pepper: meat, chili, Mexican and Louisiana-style foods, seafood (careful—a pinch or less is enough—this stuff is hot!) Chili Powder: chili, stews, beef (hot) Cinnamon: baking, hot drinks (cocoa, apple cider, chai) Cloves: baking, ham (baked), desserts, marinades Cumin: chili, meat Curry Powder: mixture of Indian spices (turmeric, garlic, coriander, cumin, ginger) curries, meat, poultry, seafood, Oriental and Indian dishes Garlic Salt: sauces, meat, poultry, pasta, soup Ginger: chutney, preserves, Oriental and Indian foods Lemon Pepper: salads, seafood, poultry, meat Paprika: eggs, seafood, salad dressing, sauces Red Pepper: sauces, meat (hot) Turmeric: curries, meat, eggs It seems like a lot to take in, but you'll get the hang of what each herb and spice can contribute to your dishes as you become familiar with the different flavor combinations. The best way to learn to use seasonings is to create a sauce or dish that you're familiar with. Once you've accomplished the "normal" flavor, mess around to create a particular flavor that suits you. For instance, try making spaghetti sauce from scratch rather than buying the ready-made stuff in a jar. You know what spaghetti SHOULD taste like, and this one is almost a fail-safe when learning to season from scratch. All you need is a few cans of tomato puree and your spice rack. You could use "Italian seasoning" if you have it, but it's kind of a cheat as far as seasoning goes. The basics for your spaghetti herbs should include basil, oregano or marjoram (or both, if you like, however oregano is simply wild marjoram), parsley, coriander (just a little), and thyme. From the spice shelf, just throw in a bit of garlic salt to taste and you're set! Don't be afraid to be adventurous in the kitchen; all great chefs have to start somewhere, and learning the basics of herbs and spices will give you a great foundation.
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