Stock your Spice Cabinet
I couldn’t cook nearly as well as I do without my well-stocked spice cabinet. There are so many more flavors you can give food when you have the necessary tools. Just salt and pepper don’t cut it for me. I like my food to have complex flavors that give my taste buds something to think about.
One thing you should know about me is that I almost always cook according to taste. In high school Anatomy and Physiology we performed a taste bud lab and I found out that I am what is known as a “SuperTaster.”
Because I can experience certain flavors with more intensity than the average person, I’ve learned to taste as I go. When I’m following someone else’s recipe I’ll usually start with half the amount of hot spices, and add according to my tastes. Sometimes I’ll want more than the original, other times I might want less.
I find that I’m especially sensitive to cayenne. While I might want 3 dashes in the whole dish, Eric would be happy with 3 dashes just in his portion. But other “hot/spicy” flavors don’t bother me as much.
A few months ago I shared this post: Kitchen Tip: A Well Stocked Spice Cabinet and mentioned what my favorite holiday baking spices were. We’ll, we’re not in holiday baking mode anymore so I’ll share some of my other favorite spices.
Favorites from my Spice Cabinet
- Cardamom (Recipe: Cardamom Citrus Coffee Cake)
- Chili Powder (Recipe: Quinoa Taco Salad)
- Coriander (Recipe Orange Thai Beef Skewers)
- Garam Masala (Recipe: Indian Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice)
- Curry Powder (Recipe: Coconut Chicken Curry Soup)
- Ground Cumin (Recipe: Cumin-Lime Pork and Pineapple Quesasdillas)
- Nutmeg (Recipe: Muffins That Taste Like Donuts)
- Smoked Paprika (Recipe: Smoky Black Bean Soup)
I was able to try some of these and a few more from SpicesInc.com. I liked the spices so much that they’re offering a great giveaway for you too so you can get that spice cabinet of yours all stocked up.
If you have any doubts as to what you should have in your spice cabinet, be sure to check out my FREE PRINTABLE Spice Cabinet Inventory. You can download it HERE or by clicking on the above image.
Before you enter the giveaway PLEASE read the rules.
Giveaway Prize (1 winner):
Your very own customized spice set!
Value: $20 – 45, depending on your selection
Giveaway Requirements:
- Head over to SpicesInc.com and choose any 6 spices, herbs, seasonings, chiles or extracts, then name your spice set and tell me why you picked that selection.
- You may NOT enter using multiple email addresses. Automatic disqualification.
- Additional entries must leave a separate comment.
- Contest ends April 21, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
- Contest open to US States only.
- Winner will be chosen by Greg, the owner of SpicesInc.com based on creativity.
Giveaway provided by SpicesInc.com. I received a selection of spices to sample, but otherwise was not compensated for this post.
Don’t forget to leave me your worst kitchen disaster story here: Your Worst Kitchen Disaster – SPILL IT! for a chance to win a $115 Pampered Chef Pizza gift set. Your comment will help me with the Pampered Chef Blogger Blunders contest.
Adrienne says
I love this site! Picking only six is going to be hard! My must haves would be Sweet basil and Habanero flakes. My must trys would be the Organic Saigon Cinnamon, Bourbon Vanilla Beans, Hot Curry Powder and Manzanillo Mexican Seasoning Blend.
I hope I win.
Rachel M. says
Wow, so many wonderful choices! I would choose the following:
1. Chipotle Honey Rub–because I love Chipotle flavor and I love to grill.
2. Mediterranean Dry Rub–because Mediterranean is one of my favorite ways to cook and also the love of grilling again!
3. Organic Vanilla Beans–because I’ve been wanting to make vanilla bean homemade ice cream.
4. Organic Ceylon Cinnamon–because we use cinnamon almost daily in our house, and it sounds better than the typical cheap cinnamon I buy.
5. Himalayan Pink Salt–I had this once and it was delicious!
6. Mediterranean Cyprus Flake Salt–sounds fun and interesting to use in Mediterranean cooking.
Name for it: Rachel’s Creative Kitchen Moments Set
Lisa Tomberlin says
Thank you so much for turning me on to the
Spices Inc website.
If I were a spice I would be Turmeric. I would want to be mysterious. A spice that people recognized but aren’t sure how to use. Experimental
OR I would be Cumin: I mean, really does’t every spice wish they could be cumin? So THEY could be the bottle pulled out of the spice cabinet and loved on every day instead of once a month?
OR I would be Garlic Powder. I mean I NEED to be garlic powder so I don’t go into garlic withdraws.
Or I would be Italian Seasoning. Then I would be like that pair of PJ’s that you keep in the bottom of your PJ drawer. You know the pair you pull out whenever you’re starting to feel a little bit under the weather, just like the Italian seasoning bottle when it’s time to make some pasta!
Or I would be Cinnamon because sometimes you just HAVE to have something sweet. I mean WHEN are they going to turn cinnamon rolls into something I could live on and still fit into my jeans?
Or I would be The Deep South Dry Rub because….well because I’m from the Deep South and I’m sure there is some type of critter in my freezer right now that would be PERFECT to try this one on!!
Those would be my 6 picks if I were a spice! 🙂
Lisa
Caroline says
This is SO exciting!!! Let’s see, I would choose organic almond extract (b/c a splash taste so good in pancake mix!), organic red pepper flakes (b/c we like it hot!), organic flax seed (b/c we add it to most baked goods), organic chia seeds (b/c we like to sprout), organic cocoa powder (b/c well does this one need an explanation?!), and organic tumeric poweder (b/c I’m almost out!). I hope I win! 🙂
Emily S. says
Okay, this is where it does not help to be indecisive. I think I have it though…
My six spices and flavorings are, Vanilla Powder, Tuscany Bread Dipping Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Blackened Seasoning, Tunsian Five Spice, and Italian Seasoning Powder.
I’m a baker in training, so Vanilla is the essential in any well stocked kitchen, and high quality Vanilla Powder would be the perfect addition to any sweet creation. I just recently got back from a trip to Italy and I LOVED it, and miss it terribly. The food was delectable and I have tried to recreate it, so a Tuscany Bread Dipping Seasoning would be the perfect start! As much as I love my sweets, I have a weakness for Garlic, and there can never be too much for me! Garlic Powder is like water- it is needed to survive! (haha). I love the idea of several spices coming together to make the ideal blend of flavors. Blackened Seasoning embodies that very idea. I’ve never tried Tunsian Five Spice before, but I also never turn down a chance to try something new and I’m all about the spicy combinations! Italian Seasoning Powder is the be all, end all of spice combinations. I use it so often, that I can always use more in my kitchen!
This variety of spices would be called Eclectic Eats
jc says
i would choose organic cayenne, cinnamon, basil, cilantro, and rosemary!
i’d name it j’s spice spice
Kristin says
Oops – forgot to name mine. I’d just go with “Mish Mash Mix”
Kristin says
No rhyme or reason to my selections: Ancho powder – because my husband loves spicy food, and I found a great recipe for black bean soup that calls for it, but I had to substitute because I’m having trouble finding it locally. Chipotle Honey Rub – because I LOVE chipotle and this sounds fantastic! Greek Seasoning – also sounds amazing, and has me craving some gyros right now… Lemongrass – because I’ve never cooked with it, but I could be happy just smelling it all day. Organic chia seeds – because I’ve been hearing a lot lately about what a nutritional powerhouse they are, and if all else fails, I can try growing my own pet! And last but not least, Pizza Seasoning. Because why not?
Johanna says
I would love to have organic saigon cinnamon for my famous cinnamon rolls, pink and white peppercorns for my pepper grinder, sweet curry, garam masala, and caribbean spice rub. I’d call it “Around the World”…because it seems like a global mix of delicious spices!
Amanda N says
Easy! This one is called Mexican Chili:
Cumin
Onion
Garlic
Chile con Carne (interested to try this one!)
Chipotle chile (dried)
Erin H. says
I would choose organic fennel seed, organic vanilla beans, organic cardamom pods, saffron, juniper berries, and caraway seeds. I’d call it “Trip to the City” because it’s all things I’ve wanted but can’t find at the grocery store in my small town!
amber says
I would call my spice set SUNSHINE SPICE because I know a good spice can wake up any meal. My spice set would inclued… CItrus Seasoning (who doesn’t love a little Citrus in the summer), Garlic Herb Seasoning, Madagascar Vanilla Beans (why settle for extract when you can have the whole bean), Chipotle Flakes, Organic Italian Seasoning, and Apple Pie spice! YUM!
Angelica says
wow, the selection here is really great! I would pick the adobo lime rub, the 18 spice chicken rub, the fleur de sel, saigon cinnamon, sichuan peppercorns, and the hawaiian black salt. i would call it my “adventurous mix”!
MAJERAL says
I have chosen the Mediterranean Spices, I am Italian and cook mostly Mediterranean style. This set sound like a really nice way to be sure and have whatever I need at hand. And could branch out and experiment . (Even if I am just cooking for 1)
Thank You
aimee says
I think I could pick more than 6! My 6 would be: sweet paprika, sweet curry, cardamon, granulated honey, vanilla beans, and lemon peel. I would call it the Sweet Bunch!
Thanks!
Stephanie Phelps says
My 6 would be called “A Little Bit of Everything” and include Habanero Hot Salt,Memphis Style BBQ Rib Rub,Chinese Five Spice,Himalayan Pink Salt NEW!,Madagascar Vanilla Beans,Vanilla Extract. We all love to cook our specialties at home. I love to bake while my husband and son loves to try new spicy recipes.