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.
Katie says
I am much more into baking than cooking, but so many of these spices can be used in both!
Organic Saigon Cinnamon- I have never tried the Saigon, but I have heard it is amazing, and I think cinnamon is fabulous in just about anything!
Organic Vanilla Beans- I love the flavor that vanilla adds and vanilla beans contain so much flavor, they are so great!
Organic Almond Extract- I love almond flavor, it adds such a great taste to so many baked goods, I would probably add it to everything 🙂
Organic Cacao Nibs- because who doesn’t love a hint of dark chocolate in any baked good!
Nutmeg Powder-goes so well with my other spices for baking but can be used in cooking too, I love when one spice can be used in so many ways
Cayenne Powder- to add a little extra kick when I do decide to cook!
Nutmeg Nanny says
What a fun and spicy (hehe) giveaway 🙂
My mix would be named “Flavors for the Nutmeg”
– Organic Chia Seeds
– Organic Cacao Nibs
– Organic Cardamom Pods
– Organic Lavender
– Organic Saigon Cinnamon Powder
– Himalayan Pink Salt
Coco and Isa says
Organic Sweets
Organic vanilla beans
Organic lavender
Organic cocoa nibs
Organic rosemary
Organic cinnamon sticks
Sondra Ives says
I would love some of these spices. I have chosen Adobo Lime Rub; Cumin; Chipolte Chili Powder; Italian Spice Blend; Salt Free Steak Rub; and Vanilla Extract. The first 3 I chose because I live in Texas where Mexican food is a #1 choice. My husband loves to dip bread in the Italian Spices & Olive oil. The Salt Free Steak Rub because it sounded good. And Vanilla because I also love to bake. Really it was hard to narrow down my choices. Sondra
Heather S says
What a great site!
My spice set would be name: A Little bit of this and a little bit of that
and it includes:
1. Madagascar Vanilla Beans
2. Crystallized Ginger
3. Green Peppercorns
4. Pacific Sea Smoked Salt
5. Sweet Basil
6. Smoked Paprika
Jessica says
I love spice in my food and lots of flavor in my baking so I would choose : Red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, chili powder, nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla extract.
I would name my set Spiciest Spices.
Elizabeth says
This is fun! Berbere (love middle eastern food), Cardamom pods (great in tea), hickory salt (lovely flavor), Madras Curry (yum), Saffron (so rare), sweet curry powder (so I can adjust the spice).
Paradai says
Organic saigon cinnamon powder, Nutmeg powder, Madagascar vanilla beans, garlic flakes, Fleur de Sel, and Coarse sea salt.
Most the spices I have chose are excellent for baking which I love, love, love to do. About 75% of my baking involves cinnamon in some way. I chose Fleur de Sel because I heard it was excellent for making caramels.
The garlic flakes is a staple with my family. We love to make garlic chicken or pork chops. And sea salt is always just necessary for a pantry
Gwen~healthymamma says
Oooo-La-La! What a nice splurge some new spices would be.
I would love:
1. Berbere- for African stews and lamb rubs
2. Manzanillo Mexican Seasoning to kick up my boring tacos and for whole roasted Chicken
3. Mulato Chile- for Mole and Mexican iced coffee, both of which I’ve been dying to make
4. Guajillo Chile- because Mamma likes it spicey but the kids are wimps
5. Zahtar- because now I have to try the Roasted Carrots with Zahtar and Feta!
6. Paella Seasoning- For EMERGENCY Paella cravings!
Damn. Was that 6 already?!
PICK ME! MAMMA NEEDS SOME SPICE IN HER LIFE! 😉
Heather Lindberg says
If I won, I’d get the Garam Marsala, because I’ve never had a recipe that called for Garam Marsala that didn’t turn out AMAZING, but making my own is a hassle.
I’d get the 18 spice Chicken rub because we eat a lot of chicken and I’m always looking for ways to make it interesting, and it looks like a great mix.
The Tunisian Five Spice looks incredible and I love how it is supposed to pair with some of our favorite vegetables (squash) and also chickpeas which we love.
I would buy the habanero flakes because I bought a Costco sized container of Red Pepper Flakes about 2 years ago and I don’t have the heart to throw them out even though we’re only about 1/4 through and they are losing flavor.
I would also get Habanero Hot Salt because I’ve heard good things about spicy salts and have been wanting to try them.
Lastly, I would get Cinnamon because we love to bake and make homemade applesauce.
Jennifer says
“Mother Earth’s Palette:” Korintje Cinnamon, Cardamom Seed, Nutmeg, Spanish Paprika, Garam Masala, Chinese Five Spice
Lara says
As a college student, I fantasize about what all kinds of delicious, exotic, “expensive” (for my tiny budget) spices I would love to have in my pantry one day to make fancier meals than sandwiches and cereal! Thus, I think I’d have to call mine the “Good-bye Ramen” blend:
– Mediterranean Cyprus Flake Salt
– Saffron
– Dried Rose Petals
– Ras El Hanout
– Madagascar Vanilla Beans
I’m a big fan of world cuisine. 🙂
Lara says
Oops, I forgot a sixth… Grains of Paradise sound delightful!
kate@ahealthypassion says
I would do a baking theme!
definitely vanilla beans
lavender
cinnamon
apple pie spice
ahhh anything else sweet 🙂
Michelle Thomas says
I call this spice set “Something New” because I’ve never used these spices before, but have always wanted to.
1) Saffron – I always see this spice in recipes or sometimes at specialty store, but as a poor college student, I can’t afford to spend that much on a spice.
2) Madagascar Vanilla Beans – I’ve always used extract, but I’ve heard these are much better.
3) Siagon Cinnamon – I have only heard good things about Siagon Cinnamon, but I’ve only ever used the regular kind.
4) Chipotle Powder – I loooove the flavor of chipotle, but I’ve never seen the powder anywhere!
5) Cilantro – I’ve been trying to find dried cilantro for ages now.
6) Smoked Paprika (sweet) – An old roommate of mine used paprika in everything. I was only able to try it once before she moved out, and I loved it.
natalie (the sweets life) says
I’d create a “random faves” spice collection:
saffron
lemongrass
greek seasoning
spanish paprika
burger blast
buffalo wing rub 🙂
Carly says
I would pick
curry powder (medium)
garam masala
ginger crystallized
lemongrass
saffron
turmeric powder
and call it “asian spice collection”
YUM!