7 Spices You Need In Your Pantry
Spices are a really useful thing to be stocked up on in your pantry. When you have the right species in your pantry, then you are able to add more flavor to the meals that you are creating. Those, at CooksDream.com, are great at knowing what spices you should be adding to your meals to elevate them even further.
When you look at the spices section in any supermarket, you may become overwhelmed at the amount of spices that there are. However, you don’t need to buy hundreds of spices to create truly delicious food.
In this article, we are going to discuss the 7 spices that you need in your pantry.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a comforting and warming spice that is often associated with pumpkin spice flavors. This is an important spice when it comes to baking, but is also delicious when served in oats. You can also use cinnamon in savory recipes to add a warming element. In fact, it is known that adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to your meals could help to reduce your blood sugar.
Consider adding a pinch to your chili or bolognese. If you wish to create syrups or pickles, it is best to use the sticks. Otherwise, stick to ground cinnamon instead.
Cumin
Everybody loves cumin, and it’s used in a wide range of recipes all across the world, from Mexico to Morocco to India. It is available as whole seeds, which are excellent for toasting as the foundation of a curry or processed into a powder.
Cumin has a bit of a kick with an earthy flavor. Include it in your curries, chili, taco fillings, and grilled meats. While cumin is incredibly versatile and fantastic on almost everything savory, be careful not to use too much. Since, this spice has a very strong flavor.
Smoked Paprika
Paprika has an amazing flavor whether it is spicy or sweet. Its ability to impart a smoky flavor without adding heat makes it a fantastic compliment to everything. Using a premium smoked version with actual chili peppers boosts the flavor of your cuisine, while cheaper versions will only add color to your meals.
It can be added to canned beans to give them a smokey flavor, or sprinkled on canned vegetables to give them a more roasted flavor.
Chili Flakes
Try dried red chili flakes if you want to spice up almost everything. Although cayenne has many benefits, it can be unpredictable in your cooking. Therefore, chili flakes make it simpler to manage the level of spice that you want.
Go crazy, but watch out not to burn the red chili flakes in hot oil.
Garlic Powder
If you’ve ever minced garlic, you’re probably aware of how long the smell lasts. Instead of using fresh garlic, you can substitute it for garlic powder instead and save yourself some time. However, be careful as a little goes a long way.
It can be used to give simple boxed mac and cheese more depth, and it gives a delightful zing when sprinkled on canned chickpea hummus.
Za’atar
Sumac gives this traditional Middle Eastern spice mixture a fresh, lemony kick. The mixture is fantastic when mixed with olive oil and served as a dip for pita. Or why not sprinkle it on top of canned veggies, including artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers.
Za’atar is also known to contain sesame seeds with herbs like marjoram and oregano. It is a less well known spice, yet it is full of bold flavors to enjoy.
Nutmeg
Whether you use it whole or ground, nutmeg should be in your pantry. It is often used in baking to add a warm and nutty flavor. It is a truly comforting spice that could be added to both sweet and savory dishes.
Add this spice to muffins, bread, or use it to top your morning bowl of oatmeal or cup of coffee off with. Similarly to some of the other spices on this list, a little goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of spices out there, but you only really need these 7 spices in your pantry. With these 7 spices, you will be able to create a wide range of sweet and savory dishes that are not only aromatic but full of flavor.
We hope you have enjoyed this article. We have provided you with the 7 species that you need to make sure you have in your pantry!
