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.
Christi says
I call my mix “rub a dub dub”
– 18 Spice Chicken
– Chipotle Honey
– Cocoa Chile
– Manzanillo Mexican Seasoning
– Pork Stank
– Tropical Caribbean Turkey Rub
Lori says
Travel with me for my Around the world dinner:
As an appetizer I could whip up some roasted vegetables flavored with zahtar and tossed with feta. (zahtar)
Next, a little bowl of Madras Curry Soup. (madras curry).
Followed by the main course; Ras elhanout Rubbed Chicken (ras el hanout).
And a side of Moroccan Mashed Potatoes
And some green beans with some smoky citrus salt. (smoky citrus salt).
For dessert, some raspberry cocoa nib coffee cake. (cocoa nibs).
Now those are some serious flavors!
Marlis says
I just wanted to leave a comment about this spices giveaway from spices inc. but please DO NOT include me in the drawing. A few months ago I was privileged to win such a give-away at mykitchenaddiction.com and received a customized spice set from Spices.inc. The spices are truly amazing and i enjoy cooking with them. This is from someone who already has so many spices stored in many locations in the house because i have too many and ran out of space. LOL I am very impressed with Greg, the owner and CEO of the company and his entire team and can’t recommend them enough. Good luck to the lucky winner ! You have an amazing treat awaiting you!
Isabelle says
Hot. Shot
Habanero Hot Salt
Chipotle salt
Birdseye Chile
California chiles
Red Pepper Flakes
Emily says
smoked paprika
Zahtar
Fleur de sel
Hickory salt
adobo lime rub
citrus steak rub
Lynda says
orange zest (for baking). garlic salt (for garlic bread yum!) jamaican jerk (for manly meats). espresso rub (to try). oregano & cinnamon (staples)
Kadee says
My six would be… Saigon Cinnamon, Fleur de Sel, Hawaiian Black Salt, Cardamom, Grains of Paradise and Lavender. I’d call it “A Little Something Special” because these are all ingredients that have come up in recipes that supposedly just make the outcome that much better! And I can never find them in my small town, so they would be a lovely specialty. 🙂
Anja says
“Wake Up, Mouth”
Sichuan Peppercorns
Organic Cacao Nibs
Organic Saigon Cinnamon Powder
Birdseye Chiles
Cubeb
Pacific Sea Smoked Sea Salt
Each of these has a flavor which is like a surprise in your mouth – numbing, complexly bitter-sweet, spicy, or smoky. Each of them combines very well with at least another in the set, and they are a culturally diverse group.
Chriseda Crow says
Chipotle Powder – I just ran out
Saffron – For saffron rice
Smoked Paprika – want to try your recipe
Hickory Salt – love smokey burgers and chicken
Chipotle Honey Rub – want to try it on salmon
Thai Spice – something new!
Renee says
“Around The World”
Saffron, Thai Spice, Pizza Seasoning, Ancho Chile Powder, Hungarian Paprika, Saigon Cinnamon.
Karen says
My spice selection would be:
Basil
Oregano
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Rosemary
Bay Leaf
I would call it “The Basics”!
Katie says
I would get Basil, Oregano, Ginger, Nutmeg, Rosemary, and sea salt.
Ashley says
Mmmm, I would choose sage, nutmeg, Jamaican jerk, orange zest, cumin, and saffron: “Zest and Zing”
Sage because it’s distinctive and unique, and I really like it paired with squash.
Nutmeg because to me it’s classic, Christmastime, and delicious.
Jamaican jerk because it’s the husband’s favorite.
Orange zest because I always wish I had some on hand but never do.
Cumin because we love it and use it a TON!
Saffron because I’ve never had it because I can’t afford it. I hear it’s awesome.
Lynn says
Organic Cacao Nibs- because I would like to experiment with what I could do with it including baking and tea
Organic Garam Masala-because I want to experiment with indian food
Organic Cardamom Pods-I would like to try it with indian food
Organic Ground Coriander-I haven’t really used it before and I would like to try it.
Zahta-it looks awesome, mediterannian food
Ras El Hanout- very interesting, want to see what I can make with ith
Amelia says
1. Coriander Seed Powder: I love white ales and coriander is one of my favorite flavors to find in a white beer. I would love to try cooking with it! My father-in-law has put it in pancakes before (yum!) but has not shared his precious stash.
2. Madagascar Vanilla Beans: Who dosen’t want high quality vanilla beans in their pantry to whip out the most amazing dessert that would knock your mother-in-law’s socks off! (She always has a from scratch baked good when we visit – which is monthly!)
3. Pizza seasoning blend: I usually make my own salt-free blends (taco, pumpkin pie & cajun) but I would love to add pizza seasoning blend to a variety of soups and italian food…and homemade pizza (with fontina – not motz) of course!
4. Wasabi Powder: for those nights when the budget doesn’t allow for sushi – this would hit the spot for my imitation crab stuffed peppers.
5. Organic Cocoa Powder: I promise to throw away my Nestle Special Dark cocoa powder if I win this.
6. Organic Garam Masala: I have never cooked with garam masala and I had to pick one adventurous spice to try!
jacquie says
i’m much more a baker so what i woudl choose would be more in that line – and it is plain regular stuff that is hard for me to find so i’m sure i’m not going to win based on that criteris 🙂
kaonnitje, saigon and chinese cinamon because i do love the basic warm coziness of cinamon. also i would welcome the opportunity to do a taste comparison btwn types as i hear they are different and i would like to see how so and how they might be each used to their own advantages.
Lemon zest – because i like the fruityness it brings to things and i’m finding as i age and arthritis sets in it is harder and harder for me to actually zest an lemon (or a lime or an orange…)
Madagasar vanilla bean – because i want to experiment w/ making vanilla sugar & have never used vanilla beans.
cardomom seed powder – because i just love the taste & feel it much under-utilized spice.