Learning and filling a spice cabinet can be difficult for a newbie. Fortunately, we’ve come up with a basic guide so that you’ll be familiar with how to use spices and what foods work well with them.
Basil
This herb is originally from Italy. It is bright green in color. Do not buy the variety with yellow or brown spots. Basil has a sweet and peppery taste that is somewhere between clove and liquorice. Basil has a very aromatic scent that has hints of earth and mint. It was originally used in making traditional dishes in Thailand, Italy, and the Mediterranean. It is used in making sauces, pesto, and tomato with basil salad. It is also used fresh in most dishes. This is because cooking diminishes its flavor.
Oregano
Oregano comes from the Mediterranean, and is closely related to the mint plant. This herb is olive green in color. It has a spicy and peppery but sweet taste. Oregano has a sweet and spicy scent. It was traditionally used in Greek, Mediterranean, and Latin America. It is used in making chicken and fish. Oregano can be stored in a plastic container or bag and then kept in the fridge for three days. Do not use if it is limp or not rich green in color. Oregano is also known for its antioxidant properties. It can protect the immune system, improve digestion, and prevent the onset of chronic illnesses. It has a unique ability to bring out the best of tomato-based dishes.
Thyme
This herb hails from the Mediterranean and southern Europe. It is a relative to the oregano family. Thyme has several medicinal, culinary, and ornamental uses. Thyme is available all year round. Thyme can be used to relieve stress, improve heart health, and reduce respiratory issues. It is green in color and very delicate. It has an earthy taste with hints of mint. It has an earthy scent with a touch of citrus. It can be used in making soups, stews, sauces, red meat, chicken, fish, and lentils. Thyme is popular in Italian, French, and Mediterranean traditional dishes. Store thyme by wrapping it in slightly wet paper towel. Place the thyme in a plastic container or bag, then store in the fridge.
Cumin
Cumin seeds are the fruit of a plant that belongs to the parsley cluster and has a very high oil content. It is also found in the Mediterranean. Cumin has amazing benefits for the skin, hair, and overall health. It is brown in color when in its seed form and bright orange in color when in powder form. It has a warm aromatic scent. It has a hot bitter taste almost similar to caraway seeds. It can be used in preparing rice with beans, falafel, curry, and Chile. Most of the traditional cuisines in Asia, Middle East, Mexico, and the Mediterranean are prepared with this spice. Store cumin in tight containers and keep it in the fridge or freezer.
Paprika
Paprika originated from South America. It is made from a certain variety of pepper. It is tiny, round, and can be pointed in shape. They a larger and less hot than regular pepper. Paprika has a warm and sweet scent. It is ground to form a deep red or a rusty brown color. The taste could be mild or fiery. Paprika is used in preparing traditional cuisines from Spain, Hungary and Serbia. It is used in preparing chicken, zucchini and potatoes. It can also be used in dusting color on top of deviled eggs and potato salads. Paprika should be stored in a dark cupboard that away from the sunlight or from a direct source of heat.
Conclusion
Spices can turn a regular chicken to a fine dining experience. It can bring out a new delicious flavor of red mean. They can even turn vegetables into something very appetizing!
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