Using spices in the kitchen is one of the easiest ways to add a splash of flavour to your dishes. You can never go wrong with a little more spices to add layers of flavour or even bring out the naturally existing flavours in food. Besides this wonderful benefit of spices, most are really good for you, your gut, skin, nails, eyesight, brain- you name it!
Whether you're cooking with spices for the powerful flavour manipulation or their health benefits, here is a beginner's guide on how to how to cook with them:
- Dried herbs
Herbs can be used in drinks, salads, roasts, bakes- in everything! Maybe a mixed one like 'mixed Italian herbs (usually contains parsley, origanum, basil etc) or a single favourite of yours, mine is thyme...and rosemary, ouuu and origanum too, okay maybe I don't have a favorite 😅; anyways, dried herbs are another way to add a healthy touch of flavour to your dishes. Herbs are always great to have on hand, and they're even more potent when they're dried which makes them a good keep in your pantry, not only because of their versatility, but also because they're goood for your body from the array of health benefits.
Generally, fresh herbs are delicately flavoured, so if adding them to your cooking, do so in the last few minutes. Tasting your dish as you go along will also help you tell if you’ve added enough.
2. Black pepper & white pepper
While salt is a mineral that enhances the flavour of food, black pepper changes the flavour of food, adding depth and some spice.
Tip: Invest in whole black peppercorns and a good pepper mill. Fresh cracked black pepper is more pungent and tastier than pre-ground pepper.
3. Cinnamon
Besides salt and black pepper, cinnamon is a staple that is used globally. It's warm, sweet and woody flavour, is often likened to nutmeg, cloves and allspice; which are wonderful pairing partners too. It works well in desserts like cinnamon buns and savoury dishes like a curry or fragrant spicy rice too.
4. Garlic powder
Although fresh garlic is ideal, to be honest, we don't always live in ideal times so having garlic powder is a great alternative to add some garlic to a delicious marinade, sauce or dish. As a side note, I personally prefer garlic granules because they can rehydrate as you cook and give more of a garlic bite than powder but, I must say, the powder is good if you want to make a smooth sauce or add it to a marinade or even salad dressing when you want more of an equal distribution.
Spice blends are a wonderful way to add a variety and wonderful selection of spices to suit your needs without having to spend time choosing– very convenient, am I right? (Yes, I am 😌)
6. Smoked Paprika
Second lastly, but not least, I present: smoked paprika. Now, I had to write this one in bold because the flavour is exactly that: BOLD. It's especially good when you're cooking vegetarian or vegan meals and want to add that sort of smoky flavour that often reminds us of well cooked meat. Even if you eat meat, that smokiness enhances that meaty flavour that is already there. No matter what I'm cooking, whether for my vegan self or my meat-eating family, adding smoked paprika always adds some depth and umaminess to the meal. It's just divine. In fact, Gould said:
"Now that I know about it I use it all the time. It adds a little rich smokiness to a dish. It's in the same family as cayenne, but it's very mild. It really carries that smoke flavor really well. Like when you leave a bonfire and your clothes smell."
5. Curry powder (cumin + turmeric + coriander + chilli powder & cinnamon)
It's a 5 in 1 😉 really, and who doesn't like a good deal? curry powder is a spice blend that makes it easy to make a tasty savoury dish.
Whether you are a beginner are very minimalist when it comes to your cooking, having these 5 basic spices (or spice blends) are essential in any kitchen. I love my whole spices and spice blends, especially when I get to mix them myself; don't know how? stay tuned for an article on what the basic and handy spiceblends to have in your kitchen are!
