Every time I go down the spice aisle in the Farmer's Market I get excited about the different dish and flavor possibilities available.... I also get excited about the inexpensive pricing. At the moment, my spice collection is taking up to shelves in my pantry and is growing!
- Storage Tips:
- Keep all your spices in tightly covered containers, in a cool dark place.
- Spices lose their flavor after a year.
- Spices should enhance, but not overpower, the flavor of your dish. Use moderation, start by adding only half of the spice called for and taste before adding more.
- In most cases 1 teaspoon of dried spice equals 1 tablespoon of fresh.
The Spices
- Allspice:
- Flavor: blend of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
- Uses: meat dishes, egg dishes, fish, gravies, pickles, relishes, tomato sauce, fruit preserves, cakes, cookies, pastries.
- Anise:
- Flavor: licoricelike.
- Uses: meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits, cakes, cookies, candies.
- Basil:
- Flavor: pungent, sweet aroma.
- Uses: Broiled and roasted meat and poultry, fish, egg dishes, soups, vegetables, tomato dishes, pasta, dressings, stuffings, sauces.
- Bay Leaf:
- Flavor: strong.
- Uses: stews, soups, vegetables, pickles, gravies, sauces, marinades.
- Note: Remove from dish before serving.
- Caraway:
- Flavor: sweet, slightly sharp.
- Uses: meat loaves and stews, bread, pot roasts, vegetables, salads, cheese spreads, dips, sauces.
- Cardamom:
- Flavor: pungent, aromatic seed.
- Uses: bread, pastries, cookies, fruits, meats, poultry, fish.
- Cayenne:
- Flavor: red pepper, very hot.
- Uses: meats, seafood, egg and cheese dishes, soups, sauces, dips, spreads, French dressing.
- Note: use carefully, do not add large amounts at once.
- Celery Salt/Seed:
- Flavor: tangy, celery taste.
- Uses: meat, fish, stews, cheese dishes, egg dishes, sauces, spreads, dressings, stuffing, potato salad.
- Chili Powder:
- Flavor: hot, peppery blend of herbs and spices.
- Uses: Spanish or Mexican dishes, been and rice dishes, barbeque and cocktail sauces, speads, dressings, dips, egg dishes, vegetables.
- Note: another spice that must be employed with caution. Remember that your definition of 'mild' might be
- Chives:
- Flavor: sweet, delicate, onion-like.
- Uses: fish, poultry, egg or cheese dishes, vegetables, soups, salads, dressings.
- Cinnamon:
- Flavor: sweet, spicy aroma.
- Uses: breads, cookies, cakes, desserts, pastries, beverages, sauces, vegetables.
- Cloves:
- Flavor: strong, spicy-sweet aroma.
- Uses: pork, lamb, barbeque sauces, pickles, relishes, fruits, breads, cakes, cookies, desserts.
- Coriander:
- Flavor: sage and lemon rind.
- Uses: curries, stews, pickles, bean and rice dishes, breads, cookies, gingerbread, cakes.
- Cumin:
- Flavor: strong, slightly bitter, lemon flavour.
- Uses: Spanish, Mexican, and Eastern dishes, stews, pickles, tomato dishes.
- Note: another 'Lethal Weapon', use with caution.
- Curry Powder:
- Flavor: a blend of many spices. Warm and sharp through hot and spicy. Exact flavour depends on brand.
- Uses: meat, poultry, seafood, egg dishes, cheese dishes, soups, sauces, seafood salads, dips, cheese spreads, rice dishes.
- Dill Weed or Seed:
- Flavor: mild, slight caraway aroma.
- Uses: meat, poultry, fish, seafood, stews, soups, salads, sauces, dressings, dips, pickles, breads, egg dishes.
- Ginger:
- Flavor: pleasant odor, pungent taste.
- Uses: Oriental dishes, meats, poultry, vegetables, fruits, dressings, pickles, jams, marinades, breads, cookies, pies, cakes, desserts.
- Mace:
- Flavor: similar to nutmeg. (Same family)
- Uses: veal, fish, stews, egg, cheese and vegetable dishes, soups, sauces, cakes, cookies.
- Marjoram:
- Flavor: spicy and sweet.(Love how it smells)
- Uses: Roasts (meat and poultry), fish, seafood, eggs, stews, casseroles, soups, vegetables, salads, gravies, sauces.
- Mint:
- Flavor: spicy and cool.
- Uses: Roast lamb and beef, vegetables, sauces, relishes, jellies, salads, fruits, beverages.
- Mustard:
- Flavor: pungent taste.
- Uses: pickles, relishes, dressings, sauces, dips, egg dishes, marinades, pork, ham, corned beef.
- Nutmeg:
- Flavor: warm, sweet and spicy.
- Uses: vegetables, egg dishes, beverages, breads, cookies, cakes, desserts, sauces.
- Oregano:
- Flavor: strong and aromatic.
- Uses: Italian dishes, pizza, pasta, meats, poultry, fish, seafood, stews, casseroles, egg dishes, tomato sauces, soups, vegetables, salads, dressings.
- Paprika:
- Flavor: varies - mild & slightly sweet to hot.
- Uses: meat, poultry, dressings, dips, vegetables, soups, salads.
- Note: Used to add color to dishes.
- Parsley:
- Flavor: mild.
- Uses: Brings out the flavor of most non-sweet foods. Garnish.
- Poultry Seasoning:
- Flavor: like sage, but milder.
- Uses: poultry, stuffing, biscuits.
- Rosemary:
- Flavor: sweet, spicy, pine-like fragrance.
- Uses: roasts, meat, poultry, fish, stew, casseroles, stuffing, salads, bread, egg dishes.
- Saffron:
- Flavor: strong aroma, slightly bitter.
- Uses: poultry, fish, seafood, rice, bread, cakes. Can also be used as a tea.
- Sage:
- Flavor: strong, slightly bitter.
- Uses: roasts, meat, poultry, fish, stuffing, vegetables, cheese dishes, salads, gravies, sauces.
- Savory:
- Flavor: pleasant, peppery aroma.
- Uses: meat, poultry, egg dishes, fish, stuffing, salads, soups, gravies, sauces.
- Sesame Seed:
- Flavor: mild, nut like.
- Uses: As a garnish on bread, rolls, cookies, salads and sushi.
- Tarragon:
- Flavor: mild, licorice-like.(Love how this smells too!)
- Uses: meats, poultry, fish, stews, vegetables, salads, sauces.
- Thyme:
- Flavor: strong, pungent.
- Uses: roast meat, roast poultry, fish, stews, vegetables, salads, sauces.
- Turmeric:
- Flavor: aromatic, slightly bitter, pepper-like.
- Uses: curry dishes, pickles, relishes, dressings, dips.
- Note: Adds yellow color to dishes and is the yellow coloring in curry
source: http://www.mountain-breeze.com/kitchen/spice.html
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