Best Used Spices In Cooking!

brwneyedirish813

I'm making a large healthy grocery list and I know the key to healthy eatting is good flavoring. Can you tell me the most spices or rubs that you like so i can try. Still kind of new at this. Thank you so much! HAPPY MEMORIAL WEEKEND!

scapez

Garlic!

camelothosting

I like Original Essence from Emril

Jugie12

Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning (the best, i even put it on eggs!)
Garlic powder
Lemon Pepper
Fresh lime juice
Cilantro
Cocoa/Chile powder blend (amazing on steaks)
light italian dressing
cinnamon
cayenne pepper (great on pasta and acts as a major thermogenic you'll sweat just sitting there!)


that's pretty much my go-to.

Bridge_CG

Cinnamon, garlic, turmeric, curry, spicy things, cajun seasoning, pepper, anis, spicy things... Man... There are SO MANY!!!!

JaceyMarieS

Crushed red pepper, chilpotle, pepper, lemon pepper (see a trend?), paprika, cumin, parsley(fresh is better but dried will do), cilantro(fresh is better but dried will do), cinnamon, nutmeg (delicious on greens), garlic powder, onion powder. These are my mainstays.

It's also nice to have chervil, dill weed, garam masala, chinese 5 spice, herbes de provence, marjoram (fresh is better but dried will do), rosemary (fresh is better but dried will do), and thyme (fresh is better but dried will do).

butilovechocolate

Chile pepper, garlic powder, red pepper, onion powder, Weber grill makes an awesome chipotle marinade powder packet...Just about anything has its place, and can really make things flavorful!

brwneyedirish813

Thank you so much everyone that has helped me tremdously!!

nofatpants4me

Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning (the best, i even put it on eggs!)
Garlic powder
Lemon Pepper
Fresh lime juice
Cilantro
Cocoa/Chile powder blend (amazing on steaks)
light italian dressing
cinnamon
cayenne pepper (great on pasta and acts as a major thermogenic you'll sweat just sitting there!)




that's pretty much my go-to.

itgeekwoman

basil, thyme, oregano, curry, 5 spice powder, dill, pepper, garlic.. that's a start, use your imagination, have some salt but really watch those mixes with lots of sodium.

Avoid the sauces as they can have lots of sugars too. Tobasco is great if you want heat. Pepper flakes and other dried or fresh peppers are awesome. Feta cheese can be a great way to add flavor also.

Fresh celery is always a great way to add flavor to a salad.

nofatpants4me

can you give more information on the cocoa/chile powder blend, please??

taunto

My family have taught me almost every Indian and Arabic spice there is and there are 2 spices that stand out in terms of their versatile use

Summac (Arabic spice). This has a bit of a tangy taste. This is THE spice to use to replace for many sauces. Use it in salads (look up a recipe for Fatoosh salad). I also use it on top of burgers right before I take them off the grill. Same for steaks and most bbq meats.

Chaat Masala (Indian spice). This also is a bit of a tangy taste but this spice is a whole different thing. I use this on really hearty soups or on top of a chick peas salad. I use it on top of a fruit salad. chop up 1 banana, 1 apple, 1 orange and put some of this stuff on it. You will want to make your fruit salad your main meal!

There are a bunch of other spices that I consider essential for my cooking but in general, I consider these 2 great for versatility and how they can be standalone spices compared to most other spices which compliment other spices and rarely are standalone spices


Edit: OP, if you provide us with what kind of cuisine you like to eat or what type of cuisine is your primary cooking, then I think it'll be easier to point out. I cook Arabic, Indian, Afghani, Pakistani, Italian cuisines so my list of spices is completely different than somebody who likes European or Chinese cuisines

patricia909

bump

vivianahm

I love celery salt

InvidiaXII

Garlic!
Black pepper!
Red pepper!
These are my ultimate trio.

MizzDoc

I would also add non-spices such as minced garlic, capers, roasted peppers, chilli sauce, and olives.

As for spices, I love sea salt, Cajun seasoning, roasted pepper seasoning, and Italian seasoning. Specific spices like cumin, Rosemary, thyme, basil, curry, garlic powder, and lemon pepper seasonings all are great additions to your kitchen.

Happy shopping!

meshashesha2012

i grew up in a family where the kitchens of every family member had at least 2 shelves of their cabinet jam packed with spices.

my favorite spices are :

pink peppercorns, cumin, curry, herbs de provence, nutmeg, chili powder, cinnamon, basil, thyme, sage, ginger, thai basil, taragon, lemongrass, flavored sea salts, grated lemon peel, oregano, chives, dill, tumeric (or saffron if you can afford good quality), parsley, mustard seed, star anise, cardamom, cilantro....


also whenever possible i use fresh herbs too. if you live near a trader joe's check there because they will very often have small herb plants. i have thyme, basil and parsley and fresh herb is SUCH a good thing to throw in towards the end of the cook cycle.


dont be afraid to try a new spice. if you aren't used to spices and want to learn, then find a nearby spice shop near you, go in and they can suggest somethings for you to try

0lightasair

Bay leaves.
Cloves.

Fat_2_Fit_Mommy

Bump

heyghoge

smoked paprika is the BEST. *superlatives*

AmyRhubarb

Gotta have garlic!

Fresh herbs - parsley, basil, rosemary, thyme.

Dried herbs - Herbs de Provence - excellent blend of various herbs, so good on grilled or roasted veggies, meats, fish, I use it all the time.

brwneyedirish813

Thank you so much everyone. Im going to stock up!! they all sound amazing!

ladytinkerbell99

Garlic!

Totally agree with this!

MMarvelous

Cinnamon, cumin, paprika, nutmeg, chili powder, cinnamon, basil, sage, ginger,bay leaf, oregano, pepper, parsley, garlic, lemon pepper and sage...salt too.

kuregisto

Garlic - I use it in easily half (probably a lot more than that) of every dish that I cook.
Basil
Black pepper - kinda basic, but it really does make such a huge taste difference. I've drastically cut my salt usage down as my pepper usage has increased.
Onion

And above all else, my personal kitchen wouldn't be complete without cayenne pepper. Seriously, I love this stuff. I tried to set my Facebook relationship status as "In a relationship with Cayenne Pepper" ... but it wouldn't let me.

rudegyal_b

its all about THYME! also i love mrs dash table blend, so yummy

tammyc226

agree with everything said here. would also give a shout out to 2 favs: mint & ginger. Freshly grated ginger in chicken soup and Mint with lamb roast immediately come to mind. Really anything listed in this thread are going to make your meals much tastier

camila_scl

the ones I used most people have already said, garlic (not the powder, buy the real ones, much better) and pepper.

Tabasco also, is great, one drop and it gives a nice spicy flavour

PunkyRachel

Depends on what ya cooking. Since I've been with my hubby, I never use just salt and pepper cooking, anymore. He introduced me to a spice rack. McCormick perfect pinch blends are just awesome, but Garlic goes in everything. For the best fries ever, after you cut up the potatoes, toss the fries in a bowl with some olive oil, paprika, onion powder, and garlic. Then bake them, it's oh so delicious!

bunny1006

bump

MMarvelous

Old Bay Seasoning too for seafood!