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.
Tracy says
Great giveaway! I’d name my set “The Extravagant Baker’s Pantry.”
Dried Rose Petals
Fleur de Sel
Himalayan Pink Salt
Organic Cacao Nibs
Organic Ceylon Cinnamon
Organic Lavender
I picked these spices because I don’t own any of them yet but can only imagine all of the lovely gourmet treats I could bake up using them, such as for elegant brunches, showers, and other special occasions!
chloe says
creole seasoning, southwest seasoning, lime pepper, espresso rub, smoked paprika, grains of paradise! “southern lovin”
Sara says
“Picky Eaters Spice Set”
1. Apple Pie Spice
2. Chili Powder, Hill Country HOT
3. Course Sea Salt
4. Cumin Seed, Ground
5. Bay Leaf
6. Oregano, Mediterranean
I chose these 6 spices as I cook for a picky eater. With these 6 spices I can make which ever dish I am preparing flavorful. My picky eater always says my cooking tastes better then eating out. That is the best compliment a home-chef can get =) Even though my dishes are limited to Pizza, Burritos, Hamburgers, Pasta and dessert…these 6 spices are my best friend.
Kristy says
Umm, just 6? They have lots of great ones!
Organic Flax Seed
Organic Rosemary
Organic WHole cloves
Organic Garam Masala
ORganic Ginger Root
Organic Italian Seasoning
ANd then I stopped because I was at 6 after only looking seriously at one page!
Amy says
Thanks for turning me onto Spices Inc! I had not come across them before but I will be placing an order soon! My main claim to fame is baking so most of the products will be baking related. I am anxious to try their Bourbon Vanilla Extract, the Madagascar Vanilla Beans & the vanilla powder/flavor. The powder is hard to find with good quality so I am excited to try theirs! I like to mix the powder with confectioners’ sugar when I am rolling candies or cookies in it. It gives them an unique flavor that plain conf sugar is lacking! I think I will also get their Korintje Cinnamon Powder, some Crystallized Ginger that I am always using in something that I am baking up & maybe some Arrowroot powder which I only use on rare occasions but it is hard to find! I see that they have some very neat sets of spices so I may just order one of the sets that are for baking to try out some of their other items as well as replenishing my spice rack!
Jenn says
Org Saigon Cinnamon Powder
Org Ceylon Cinnamon
Org Almond Extract
Org Garlic Pepper
Org Garlic Salt
Deep South Dry Rub
I love spices, but I’m not very experienced with using them yet, so I usually stick to the basics.
SalBug says
My spice set would be “Anything Goes”, to include:
Thyme
Oregano
Cumin
Ancho Chile Powder
Paprika
PK Riley says
“The Griller’s Paradise”
1. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
2. Chipotle Rub
3. Moroccan Chicken Spice Rub
4. Adobo Lime Rub
5. Orgamic Saigon Cinnamon Powder
6. Australian Flake Salt
I picked these because we LOVE to grill, and I have been getting pretty tired of the same ol’ same ol’ …. These will definitely spice up (ha!) our family dinners and make entertaining guests this summer new and fresh 🙂 I usually keep a well stocked pantry, and the selection from Spices Inc. is out of this world …. we will definitely be ordering soon! <3 thanks so much for sharing Katie!
Selena says
Organic Cocoa
Organic Ground Cumin
Organic Smoked Black Peppercorns
Fleur de Sel
Himalayan Pink Salt
Organic Saigon Cinnamon Powder
These are spices (especially organic) that I can’t find in my local stores because of where I live!
me says
Ooooo spices. I love them
Because they’re exotic, and I can’t find them locally:
Garam marsala
Baharat
Tusian five spice
(I may get these anyway…)
Because they’re basics that need to be fresh and I don’t have them in my garden:
Sage
Basil
Because why not?
Pacific Sea Smoked Sea Salt
April W. says
I’d like to have:
1. organic cacoa nibs (for cookies)
2. Chipotle chili powder (burritos, tacos)
3. Vanilla extract (baking)
4. Adobo Lime rub (fish)
5. NC barbecue rub ( pork)
6. Blackened seasoning (for fish or meats)
StealthandAces says
I have a great spice cake recipe and in honor of that, my six choices are below. I always prefer to use whole spices when possible and grind them in my coffee grinder.
Baked with Love Spice Mixture
Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks 3″
Whole Nutmeg
Madagascar Vanilla Beans
Organic Whole Cloves
Cardamom Seeds
Jamaican Allspice Berries (okay, I haven’t tried this spice in my cake, but I have a hunch it would be fantastic)
Amy Bravo says
I would pick vanilla extract, adobo seasoning, hot cayenne pepper, kansas city BBQ rub, fleur de sel, and taco seasoning. I would call it “Amy’s really random seasoning set” 🙂
Mikki says
What a great site!! Love it.
I love how they had tons of great organic spices too.
I’m a huge chicken lover so I’d put together some organic spices that would make a rotisserie chicken taste yummy..
I’d name it Yummylicious..
Garlic powder, thyme, oregano, basil, and some more garlic.. I love garlic 🙂
Shari @ Chicago Cuisine Critique says
The spices are picked are the ones that immediately caught my eye. Saffron, Taco Seasoning, Adobo Lime Rub, Chipotle Honey Rub, Nutmeg Powder, and Onion Granulates. I would call this my Spanish Style Mix, as many of the spices are seasonings often found in Spanish dishes. What a fun giveaway!!!
face.847 says
There were so many wonderful spices to chose from! But I think I’d go with this mix, which could make something really delicious and fun! :0)
1. Chinese Cinnamon
2. Amchur
3. Crystalized Ginger
4. Colombo Powder
5. Spanish Saffron
face.847 says
oops! the last one got cut off-
6. Pink Peppercorns
It’s the “convince my brother to eat something new for once” spice set