Perhaps you are an accomplished cook, or maybe you feel more secure following a recipe. Whatever your comfort level in the kitchen, now’s the time to experiment with the variety of herbs and spices available to enhance your dishes. Learn how to make tasty food that looks great and doesn’t rely on added fats, sugar, and salt. Here’s how to start.
What’s the difference between herbs and spices?
You may hear people refer to herbs and spices as seasonings. However, in fact, herbs and spices are distinct from one another. Basically, herbs are the leaves of certain plants such as basil, chives, oregano, parsley, thyme, and rosemary. They are sold fresh or dried. You may also find them as a paste. Keep in mind that it takes a smaller quantity of dried herbs to flavor food; a ratio of one dried to three fresh is advised.
Spices are taken from a different part of the plant. Here, we’re talking about bark, berries, buds, fruit, seeds, and even roots. This is how we get substances like black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, and paprika.
How can I incorporate herbs and spices into my food?
You can add one or more herbs and spices directly to your cooking or you can use a few different methods to liven up a dish. There are many sorts of seasoning blends available that combine a number of these seasonings together. Blends are designed to amplify the taste with certain spices and herbs that go well with the type of food you’re preparing. For instance, Italian seasoning tastes great in meatballs, while poultry seasoning can bring out the flavor of a chicken recipe. When choosing these products, opt for a low salt or sodium-free version.
Rubs are another approach to adding more taste to your meals. There are wet rubs and dry ones that can be massaged into fish, meat, or poultry just before it is cooked. Wet rubs are spice mixtures with moisture provided by a little oil, yogurt, mustard, or another wet ingredient. On the other hand, dry rubs contain both herbs and spices and are applied to fish, meat, or poultry, as it sounds, dry.
Marinades are another way to add flavor. These have both herbs and spices as well as oil and an acidic ingredient like citrus juice, vinegar, or yogurt. They are typically used on meat and poultry before cooking to add taste and as a tenderizer. Alternatively, they can be used after cooking, while the poultry or meat is still hot, for a different effect.
What are some simple pairings to try?
Regardless of whether it’s an herb, spice, or if you prefer the blanket term seasoning, it may seem intimidating to start to incorporate these into your cooking. However, it doesn’t need to be. Here are some basic pairings to use as jumping off points in your culinary adventures.
Italian meatballs with basil and oregano
Adding basil and oregano to your meatballs will make them tasty and authentic. Once you have tried that mixture a couple of times, try adding other herbs like marjoram, rosemary, and thyme. These herbs will boost the flavor of any Italian cooking. That’s why they can usually be found in prepared Italian seasoning mix, a time saver for the many Americans who love Italian dishes.
Roast beef with Dijon mustard and dill
There’s nothing like giving roast beef dinner an extra kick with a rub made of dill and Dijon mustard. Alternatively, you can bring out the taste of a roast with any of the following herbs and spices: cayenne pepper, chili, curry, ginger, marjoram, oregano, parsley, paprika, rosemary, and thyme. Experiment with different pairings, starting with one or two additional ingredients and working your way up from there.
Baked squash with cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg
Do you like baked squash? Increase your enjoyment with this spicy and sweet combo. The right amounts of cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg will tantalize the taste buds when you sample this heart healthy dish that’s rich in both potassium and flavor.
Cucumbers with basil
If you’re serving cucumbers as a side dish, make them something to savor with a bit of basil. Another option is to add mint, dill, or parsley. Each of these herbs has a distinctive taste that will enhance the delicate nature of this popular vegetable.
Potatoes with garlic
Whether you prefer to serve your potatoes mashed, roasted, or pan fried, including fresh garlic can really bring the flavor up a notch. There are numerous other spices and herbs that work well, like chives, dill, fennel, rosemary, and tarragon.
Rice with curry
Making seasoned rice has never been easier with the wide range of herbs and spices you can buy. If you’re not partial to curry, choose cumin, saffron, or turmeric for a Middle Eastern flare. Chives, nutmeg, and parsley are other options that will make your rice recipe memorable.
In Conclusion
Once you start adding various herbs and spices to a couple of dishes or testing them in a marinade, you’ll be well on your way to creating some new-to-you appetizing and healthy meals that could become family favorites. Happy experimenting!