Add panache to your cuisine with cooking herbs and spices. Is your cooking banal and blah? Do you use the same familiar seasonings in everything from artichoke soup to zucchini? Break the habit and add gusto to your culinary accomplishments by shaking up your spice arsenal. Herbs are zesty and nutritious. Common herbs and applications include:
Basil, Oregano, Rosemary - versatile herbs for eggs, meat, and vegetables
Bay Leaf - gives flavor to tomato sauce, rice dishes, and soups
Caraway Seeds - adds a pungent flavor to breads and soups
Chervil - add to poultry, seafood, and vegetables for a savory flavor
Chives - include in omelets, dips, and spreads for eye appeal and flavor
Cilantro - spice up a tuna sandwich or sprinkle onto tacos and tostadas
Cinnamon - add to cream cheese, coffees and teas, smoothies, and ice cream
Cloves - combined with Ginger, Cinnamon and Black Pepper is great with tea.
Coriander Seed - adds vitality to curries, pickles, and barbecue rubs
Ground Cumin - sprinkle in curries, soups, fresh salsas, and roasted vegetables
Dill Weed - add to sour cream dips, tartar sauce, and seafood
Fenugreek - perks up curries and flatbreads
Fennel Seed - imparts an aromatic flavor to curries, sausage, and bakery treats
Ginger - add zest to hot or iced tea
Kelp - seaweed makes a great-tasting soup.
Lavender - add to ice cream and shortbread desserts
Lemon and Orange Peel - add to muffins and scones
Lemon Verbena - adds a lemony flavor to ice tea, ice creams, and cheesecake
Licorice Root - add to teas and ice cream
Mace - imparts a bold flavor to barbeque rubs and marinades
Mint - add to shortbread, sorbet, ice cream and teas
Mustard Seeds - add to salad dressings, marinades, or homemade mustard
Paprika - use in barbeque rubs and sauces
Sage - add to gravies, sauces, and soups
Tarragon - imparts a tangy flavor to soups and sauces
Turmeric - add to curries; gives rice a beautiful yellow color
Thyme - use as a meat rub or add to vegetables and rice
In addition to using these cooking herbs and spices there are other techniques that add pizzazz to your creations.
You can make iced or hot tea special by freezing rose petals in ice cubes and adding them to your brew.
Grind Cardamom with your coffee beans and brew normally for a spicy treat.
In lieu of sugar, use Stevia to sweeten tea, coffee, and baked goods.
Kelp or Wakame adds flavor and visual appeal to soups.
Experiment with these cooking herbs and spices to infuse your culinary creations with unique flavor. You will feel pride and accomplishment when your guests ask for yourrecipe.