Essential Spices
Keeping your spice cabinet well-stocked is key to easier cooking and baking. In addition to salt and pepper, the following are spices, herbs and flavors recommended to keep on-hand.
The seven most essential spices and seasonings. This list is a great place to begin if you are just learning to cook, packing a camp box, or planning on being marooned on an island.
Garlic Salt or Powder
Cinnamon
Parsley
Oregano
Chili Powder
Minced Onion
Black Pepper
To expand your spice pantry, the following are suggested:
Basil
Bay Leaves
Sage
Garlic Powder
Dill Weed
Ginger
Paprika
Rosemary
Thyme
Mustard Powder
Personalize Your Pantry
The following spices are recommended for your pantry if you like to preparecertain types of food.
- Italian Cooking -- Fennel, Crushed Red Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Oregano, Garlic Salt
- Mexican Cooking -- Cumin, Chili Powder
- Asian Cooking -- Curry Powder, Crushed Red Pepper, Sesame Seed, Chinese Five Spice Powder
- Baking -- Allspice, Cardamom, Cloves, Nutmeg, Poppy Seeds
- German -- Caraway, Juniper Berries
Spices that may be needed only in special recipes:
- Saffron
- Lemon Zest
- Mace
- Fenugreek
- Coriander
- Coriander Seed
- Cardamom
- Anise
- Chervil
- Lemon Grass
- Star Anise
All dried herbs and spices should be stored in small airtight glass jars in a cool, dark place, as heat, moisture and sunlight reduce their flavor.
