One thing that can get really confusing with cooking and recipes, especially when starting out, is the herbs, spices, seasonings and other additives you need to have on hand in order to cook some of the recipes you come across. If you want to make every spice blend by hand then you need to have A LOT of different spices and herbs on hand that you might only use every now and then.
For the beginning cook it’s better to start off with a few and build up from there. I’ve compiled a list of what I think are the best to start with and add the others as they come up or as they are needed. Now, herbs and spices at the grocery store can be very expensive; I get all mine in bulk from the local co-op and fill my own jars. This works best for me and I recommend it if you enjoy making that trip once a month and re-filling your jars. Otherwise you are going to spend about $3.00 per jar or more. That means to stock your spice shelf is going to cost your $51.00 just to start with but it is well worth it and the 17 I have selected I think will get you started. If that sounds too much, I have selected the top 10 if you just want to get started. This is why I get my in bulk.
You can also get the “sets” of herbs and spices which can be a good deal but you always end up with spices and mixtures you don’t need. I just looked on Amazon and they had a set of 24 organic herbs and spices for $54 dollars but they were the small containers. This might be great for you. The set includes all the ones I have plus Herbes de Provence and All-Purpose Seasoning (whatever THAT is). It’s a good set but the small containers are harder to re-fill.
Whatever you choose, you need to start somewhere and only select recipes that use the seasonings you have or adapt other recipes to the seasonings you have. Once you have the Top Ten you can grow your collection one or two per week until you are up to snuff.
With just a little investment you can make some delicious meals out of food you know where it came from.
For the beginning cook it’s better to start off with a few and build up from there. I’ve compiled a list of what I think are the best to start with and add the others as they come up or as they are needed. Now, herbs and spices at the grocery store can be very expensive; I get all mine in bulk from the local co-op and fill my own jars. This works best for me and I recommend it if you enjoy making that trip once a month and re-filling your jars. Otherwise you are going to spend about $3.00 per jar or more. That means to stock your spice shelf is going to cost your $51.00 just to start with but it is well worth it and the 17 I have selected I think will get you started. If that sounds too much, I have selected the top 10 if you just want to get started. This is why I get my in bulk.
You can also get the “sets” of herbs and spices which can be a good deal but you always end up with spices and mixtures you don’t need. I just looked on Amazon and they had a set of 24 organic herbs and spices for $54 dollars but they were the small containers. This might be great for you. The set includes all the ones I have plus Herbes de Provence and All-Purpose Seasoning (whatever THAT is). It’s a good set but the small containers are harder to re-fill.
Whatever you choose, you need to start somewhere and only select recipes that use the seasonings you have or adapt other recipes to the seasonings you have. Once you have the Top Ten you can grow your collection one or two per week until you are up to snuff.
With just a little investment you can make some delicious meals out of food you know where it came from.
Herbs
Basil
Dill
Oregano
Rosemary
Thyme
Spices - Sweet
Cinnamon - Ground
Ginger
Spices - Savory
Cayenne
Chile Powder
Paprika
Paprika - Smoked
Turmeric
Seeds
Cumin Seed - Ground
Sesame Seed
Other
Garlic - Granulated
Onion - Granulated
Red Pepper Flakes
The Top Ten are in Bold.
The Second Runner-ups are Italicized
Basil
Dill
Oregano
Rosemary
Thyme
Spices - Sweet
Cinnamon - Ground
Ginger
Spices - Savory
Cayenne
Chile Powder
Paprika
Paprika - Smoked
Turmeric
Seeds
Cumin Seed - Ground
Sesame Seed
Other
Garlic - Granulated
Onion - Granulated
Red Pepper Flakes
The Top Ten are in Bold.
The Second Runner-ups are Italicized
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