Favorite herbs, spices, condiments?

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I'm looking for new ideas on how to keep my food interesting. What are your favorite herbs, spices or condiments to use? My favorite new thing right now is smoked salt, but I'm looking to broaden my culinary horizons a bit more. Thanks!

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  • TravelDog14
    TravelDog14 Posts: 317 Member
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    Sriracha chili sauce.

    The elixir of life.
  • soulshine23
    soulshine23 Posts: 28 Member
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    lemon zest, orange zest.

    all fresh herbs, added at the end of cooking or used fresh.

    dried dill

    nutritional yeast (high in protein too!)

    mustard

    aged balsamic vinegar

    white balsamic vinegar

    white miso (don't cook it, a little goes a long salty way)

    chili garlic paste

    tomato paste

    fennel seed

    ...to name just a few!
  • cidalia73
    cidalia73 Posts: 107 Member
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    Cinnamon - And it has the added benefit of regulating blood sugars, so that means less cravings.

    Hot sauces / hot peppers

    Curry and Turmeric for Indian-inspired dishes

    Lemon / vinegars (balsamic is really yummy)

    Cilantro (fresh) ... love it in Asian- and South American-inspired soups and other dishes

    Sesame seed oil for Asian-style dishes

    Mustard (yellow or Dijon) - great on mayo-free sandwiches
  • Hbazzell
    Hbazzell Posts: 899 Member
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    Cumin, Taragon, Fresh herbs, rosemary, garlic, and LOTS of BASIL :)
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
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    Fresh basil and coriander (cilantro), chilli, lime, ginger, garlic, cumin, paprika, cinamon, tumeric, nutmeg, cracked black pepper, salt, olive oil

    I do a lot of Thai and Indian cooking
  • CatMcCheesey
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    Some great ideas - thanks!
  • dixieracer27
    dixieracer27 Posts: 79 Member
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    Fresh lemon juice/zest
    Garlic
    Lemon pepper
    Basil
  • WVprankster
    WVprankster Posts: 430 Member
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    Favorite herbs/spices: cumin, rosemary, basil, chili powder (homemade- no salt),
    Favorite condiments, AKA Bring The Heat: Sirrachi (idk how you spell it, it's more polite than typing **** Sauce), Cholula hot sauce, horseradish mustard- homemade first, store-bought if I have to

    But really, my favorite flavoring isn't either: it's pepper. pepper chicken boob, pepper asparagus, pepper broccoli...it's addition to the taste of food is something I find addictive.
  • Burtmas
    Burtmas Posts: 4 Member
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    Cayenne Pepper helps with Metabolism as well. I also heard of a spice called Harissa Spice which also jump starts your metabolism and adds flavor. Here is a link to a website that offers great spices like these.

    http://www.savoryspiceshop.com/blends/harissa.html
  • TheDevastator
    TheDevastator Posts: 1,626 Member
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    I'd have to go with kimchi as my favorite.
  • Mock_Turtle
    Mock_Turtle Posts: 354 Member
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    just off the top of my head:

    cinnamon, basil, ginger, lemongrass, thai chili peppers, cilantro, chinese five spice, smoked paprika, nutmeg, allspice, rosemary, thyme, garlic, parsley, fresh dill !


    there really is an endless supply of herb and spice goodness

    codiments - invest the extra couple of bucks in a high quality mustard, so worth it. Same goes for honey and olive oil.
  • CatMcCheesey
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    I'd have to go with kimchi as my favorite.

    I bought a package of "kimchi" seasoning at World Market last week and I'm looking forward to trying it.

    So many good ideas - thanks to everyone for their input!
  • nikb1983
    nikb1983 Posts: 44 Member
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    Tapatio...buy it by the jug, put it on EVERYTHING!