Thread: Spices

I guess you need to try them to need how they tastes like. However, there are lots of cook books that suggest what spices should you use in a specific recipe. That will minimize your time in thinking of the right spices to use!

I don't use enough spices in my cooking, I have to try and be more adventurous

Try growing your own. I always have rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano and sage on hand. That usually does the trick.

A little bit of red peper, green peper a some black peper. Without these spices I don't really enjoy food. I m big spicy food lunatic. Anybody care to share their spicy food recipes.

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Where is the best place in the house to grow herbs over the winter months? I've found that I can't find a lot of fresh herbs in the stores and am considering growing my own. =)

I always move my herbs into the sunniest window in my house in the winter, after drying a bunch in case I run out.
Most herbs are annuals, make sure you don't let them go to seed if you want to bring them in. I winter indoors, Sage, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, and Chives.
I have not had much luck with keeping Basil over the winter indoors.

OK, first, best spices? There is only one. Penzeys.

As for herbs. I saw at my grocer the other day, small potted herb plants. The pot was actually a very thin plastic.

For me, I can grow Rosemary all year long. Outside spring till fall and inside all winter. I can't keep basil indoors through the winter. But I grow that in the warm months. That's all I need in terms of fresh herbs.

It's all trial and error. Some people have different tastes so it's best to just experiment and see what you like.

One more thing about spices. Granulated garlic is WAY better than garlic powder.

I was sent a bunch of samples of Amazing Taste Seasoning to try out and they were incredibly good. You can find them on their website at www.amazingtaste.com

Otherwise you are just going to have to try and see what you like.

I've check out the site and I found it very informative thanks.

Herbs and spices are a wonderful way to spice meals without adding calories and fat. There are many books on how to partner each with food. I found that using my own sense of taste brings good results. I don't keep a huge amount of cooking spices and herb on hand as they tend to lose their strength over time.

I most frequently use garlic (minced or granulated...never powdered!) Italian seasoning, chives, chili powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and dill.

These can be used in most dishes with good results. Add some zip to mashed potatoes by adding a little olive oil, a pinch of Italian season and a teaspoon of chives. For a spicier taste, add about two tablespoons of Horseradish sauce or 1 teaspoon chili powder (or to taste).

The most important thing is to let your imagination fly...don't be afraid to experiment. You juts never know what delicious tastes you'll create!

Penzeys is good , however they are limited still in what they carry. Another good idea for anyone looking to expand their knowledge and tastes is to go to any ethnic grocery store wherever your at. Like here by me I have an authentic Indian(India) grocery , Asian grocery stores are awesome also and then try out a Mexican grocer. If you have other grocers nearby go there. I am dying to try out Australian spices like lemon myrtle and others. And as most people here have said try, try, try....its the only way. I have a big rubbermaid tub about a foot and a half wide by 2 feet tall filled with bags of spices...probably 500 dollars worth its crazy but I use all of them. Experiment thats the fun part. Also if your really unsure about a spice or herb buy the smallest quantity you can so if you waste a couple dollars its no so bad as 10 dollars or more. And if you ask sometimes the grocer will open something on their shelf just so you can try it free. They do that by me here and its amazing...I tried jackfruit and apple bananas this way.

Originally Posted by Aimee'

Try growing your own. I always have rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano and sage on hand. That usually does the trick.

Me too Aimee. but I do have a lot of dried spices too. I use a lot of spices too my husband is diabetic and needs a lower sodium diet too. so I replace a lot of sodium with other seasonings.

Fresh garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, fresh and dried rosemary, fresh and dried thyme, fresh and dried onion, parsley, marjoram, lord too many to list. they all have there place in a dish. LOL

Yes, growing your own spices is great. Not only does it save you lots of money but it adds such great smells to the house. I personally think they are pretty too.
I prefer fresh herbs cilantro, mint, basil (italian or asian)

Just adding those as a garnish on ANYTHING gives it a exotic twist.
Although if you live alone or don't use to much I recommend the dry herbs or even the frozen kind. Some stores will sell ice cubes of cilantro, mint, even curry leaves and just defrost and it's like the real thing!

I wish I could grow my own spices. Guess not many do well in pots indoors in rental properties.

Anyway I get cheap ones at Big Lots and the $1 store....
I also get some really good Asian spices from the Ranch 99 store

I love spices and herbs incooking.....my mother doesn't use them much and my dad doesn't like them at all.....
I used to buy them and keep packets of them in the fridge in a container when I was living with my parents and I guess they've thrown them out now that I am not with them anymore

Originally Posted by saphy

I wish I could grow my own spices. Guess not many do well in pots indoors in rental properties.

Saphy, I used to grow my herbs in pots in my apts all the time. As I traveled around the US with my husband that is the only way I could grow them. I had curly leaf parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet basil, and thyme. they all grew fine. Just keep next to the window.

my kids don't like thyme, they said it made the food taste like soil (i do not know how they ever get to eat dirt!) but i do keep a lot of chili pepper on stock.

The spices which i use in my recipes includes black pepper, white pepper, red chili, cumin, coriander, hot mix spices, all these never give you any good taste whenever you taste them individually but when you cook some food like vegetables and meat with these spices, then they give awesome taste as their chemistry develops only during cooking when they mix in proper ratio and cook according to the right recipe.