One of the main reasons why people don't use a lot of different seasonings is because they aren't quite sure what works with particular types of foods. There are ten essential herbs and seasonings, besides salt and pepper that you should have in your kitchen that will go with almost anything.
#1-Basil: One of the staples in pasta sauces and pesto. Also good for salads, this herb is best used fresh. Many cooks keep a potted basil plant in their kitchen for ease of access and freshness.
#2-Thyme: This is one of the most common herbs used with meat dishes, but it's also great in soups, stews, and casseroles. It's a pretty potent herb, though, so add it carefully, as it can overpower a dish easily.
#3-Rosemary: Its fragrance is its strong point. Also strong, use this with caution as it could easily overpower any dish. It is best used for removing the gamey taste of lamb and is perfect for potato dishes.
#4-Garlic: This should be a staple in your kitchen. Even if you don't much care for the taste of garlic, it can add so much to your favorite dishes. You can find garlic in many different forms including garlic paste but buying it fresh will give your dish a full, intense flavor.
#5-Oregano: This is a very versatile herb, commonly used in soups, pasta sauces, vegetable dishes, pizzas, and roast meats. Its wonder aroma can liven even the most boring recipes.
#6-Red Pepper: If you like your food hot and spicy, you need not look any further. Red peppers not only add heat, used correctly, they can intensify the taste of many dishes. Mexican dishes and chillies are the perfect grounds for honing your cooking skills with this wonderful spice. Just put in a little at first. You can always add more later.
#7-Dill: This imparts a subtle grassy essence to your dish. Try to use it in egg dishes, light soups, garden salads, and sandwiches to make full use of its flavor. Light dishes benefit best from this herb. Remember to add this in the end of the cooking process as intense heat destroys it.
#8- Sage: This very versatile herb is great with chicken, pork and lamb dishes, but also great with vegetables, such as potatoes. Sage also works well with mild cheeses and is often used in breakfast sausages.
#9-Chives: Similar in flavor to onions, it is most commonly used in preparing potato and egg dishes. It has interesting color and makes a great garnish as well.
#10-Mint: This herb not only smells good, it tastes just as nice. Commonly used in combination with chocolate, it also has uses for vegetables like peas and fruits. The bigger supermarkets and specialty stores should have several varieties you can choose from.
That's the list! Ten herbs and spices that no self-respecting cook should be caught without. There are still a lot of other, more exotic varieties but for those just venturing out into serious cooking, these are the foundations that you should build on. Don't worry too much on mixing different combinations and experimenting with different flavors - it's part of the learning process. Go ahead, visit your favorite supermarket's spice section today. Enjoy!
#1-Basil: One of the staples in pasta sauces and pesto. Also good for salads, this herb is best used fresh. Many cooks keep a potted basil plant in their kitchen for ease of access and freshness.
#2-Thyme: This is one of the most common herbs used with meat dishes, but it's also great in soups, stews, and casseroles. It's a pretty potent herb, though, so add it carefully, as it can overpower a dish easily.
#3-Rosemary: Its fragrance is its strong point. Also strong, use this with caution as it could easily overpower any dish. It is best used for removing the gamey taste of lamb and is perfect for potato dishes.
#4-Garlic: This should be a staple in your kitchen. Even if you don't much care for the taste of garlic, it can add so much to your favorite dishes. You can find garlic in many different forms including garlic paste but buying it fresh will give your dish a full, intense flavor.
#5-Oregano: This is a very versatile herb, commonly used in soups, pasta sauces, vegetable dishes, pizzas, and roast meats. Its wonder aroma can liven even the most boring recipes.
#6-Red Pepper: If you like your food hot and spicy, you need not look any further. Red peppers not only add heat, used correctly, they can intensify the taste of many dishes. Mexican dishes and chillies are the perfect grounds for honing your cooking skills with this wonderful spice. Just put in a little at first. You can always add more later.
#7-Dill: This imparts a subtle grassy essence to your dish. Try to use it in egg dishes, light soups, garden salads, and sandwiches to make full use of its flavor. Light dishes benefit best from this herb. Remember to add this in the end of the cooking process as intense heat destroys it.
#8- Sage: This very versatile herb is great with chicken, pork and lamb dishes, but also great with vegetables, such as potatoes. Sage also works well with mild cheeses and is often used in breakfast sausages.
#9-Chives: Similar in flavor to onions, it is most commonly used in preparing potato and egg dishes. It has interesting color and makes a great garnish as well.
#10-Mint: This herb not only smells good, it tastes just as nice. Commonly used in combination with chocolate, it also has uses for vegetables like peas and fruits. The bigger supermarkets and specialty stores should have several varieties you can choose from.
That's the list! Ten herbs and spices that no self-respecting cook should be caught without. There are still a lot of other, more exotic varieties but for those just venturing out into serious cooking, these are the foundations that you should build on. Don't worry too much on mixing different combinations and experimenting with different flavors - it's part of the learning process. Go ahead, visit your favorite supermarket's spice section today. Enjoy!
About the Author:
Michelle is an accomplished season article writer about family food preparation. She really relishes sharing with us her creative ideas and tips about preparing crockpot or possibly crock pot pot roast.
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