Spices and How to Use Them
Using Spices
Using more spices in your food is generally a great way to experiment with new flavors.
The best advice I can give for using more spices is to organize them! Get a nice spice rack that works for you.
Being able to see all your spices at once allows you to quickly choose the spices you want or need and promotes experimentation - instead of only hunting for once spice, you can see all of what you have, and maybe try tossing in something as an experiment.
Use more spice - taste as you go - and use the spices that you like.
Penzeys - The Spice Hookup
Local with stores in many states across the country, they continually have great deals, cheap shipping (free shipping over $40) and quality ingredients.
A much better option than gambling through Amazon, the rule in our house is "If you put it in your body, don't get it from Amazon".
Table of Contents
Sea Salt & Pepper
Not much to say here, salt & pepper are your go-to minimum spices.
What's the difference between table salt and sea salt? Sea Salt is produced by evaporating seawater. As a result, Sea Salt contains other types of sodium that make a difference in taste and texture.
The main component is still sodium chloride, but can contain between 0.2 to 10% of other salts. These are mostly calcium, potassium, and magnesium salts of chloride and sulfate, along with tiny amounts of trace elements found in natural seawater.
Savory:
Smoked Paprika
A little spice, mostly a nice umami smoke flavor without using something like liquid smoke. Typically it has no "heat".
Add to most savory dishes - grilled vegetables, baked veggies, seafood, meat, stews, beans, and more.
Tajin
Tajin is a Mexican style spice that a dear friend from Mexico keyed me into. Certainly a unique blend, I add it to anything with beans and grilled veggies.
Sweet:
Cinnamon, Nutmeg
Any baked dessert in my house is typically is going to get cinnamon and nutmeg - apple pie, coffee cake, muffins, and more.
Clove, Cardamom
A little lesser known, Clove is a strong, aromatic flowery scent, so use sparingly. Cardamom is kind of the opposite, but works especially well in tandem with clove; it's made from plant seeds, and gives a light, refreshing flowery flavor to baked goods and pastries. Particularly popular in Finland.
Cinnamon Sticks, Whole Cloves
For mulled wine, or wintery spice cocktails, whole cinnamon sticks and cloves are a perfect addition to have :)
Penzeys Spice Blends I love:
Arizona Dreaming
A savory, southwest-style spice mix that I add to everything beans, seafood, stir fries, and more.
Pie Spice
A perfect blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and more, add to anything baked and dessert-y.