The 12 Herbs & Spices No Discerning Chef Can Live Without

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The 12 Herbs Spices No Discerning Chef Can Live
Without
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• Herbs and spices are essential for adding flavor
  to almost every recipe you can think of, and
  without these in their pantry, many chefs would
  struggle to create dishes that are tasty and
  vibrant.
• If youre a budding chef or an enthusiastic home
  cook, here are 12 top rated spices and herbs to
  include in your rack
• 1. Ginger Used both in sweet and savory dishes,
  ginger can be used fresh or dried, and makes a
  wonderfully delicious marinade for chicken, fish
  or vegetables. Used a lot in Asian cuisines,
  crystallized ginger can even be used to make
  desserts with a sweet but warming flavor.

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• 2. Cumin Produced from the seeds of a plant in
  the parsley family, cumin seeds are dried to
  produce a spice with a pungent, earthy and
  somewhat nutty aroma and taste. Popular in
  Indian, Asian, Mexican and Middle Eastern
  cuisines, it can be used to season most meats,
  eggs. Chickpeas, lentils and more.
• 3. Basil The fragrant leaves of the Basil plant
  have a more subtle flavor that is delicious when
  paired with certain foods, such as tomatoes. Eat
  the leaves fresh or cook them, this versatile
  herb is fantastic in Italian cuisine.

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• 4. Bay leaf Aromatic and woody in flavor, bay
  leaves are often bought and sold dried, but when
  fresh, they are even better when added to stews,
  soups and marinades just remember to remove them
  before serving! Popular in Mediterranean cooking
  in particular, it is also used in Middle Eastern.
  Indian and European cooking.
• 5. Turmeric Native to Southeast India, turmeric
  is most often bought in powder form, and is said
  to have many health benefits and antioxidant
  properties. With a color mimicking that of
  saffron, it has a full-bodied flavor and gives
  off a rich, red color.

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• 6. Black peppercorns Exceptionally versatile and
  widely-used, black pepper has several different
  varieties. Whole peppercorns give the best
  flavor, and while its uses are limitless, it is
  commonly used to make beef jerky.
• 7. Oregano With a strong flavor profile that
  holds up well against other acidic or strong
  ingredients, Oregano is an Italian must-have herb
  for dishes such as meatballs or pizza, and can be
  bought fresh or dried.

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• 8. Mustard seeds When roasted or dried, mustard
  seeds pop and release their full flavor, and are
  great for use in stir-fries or seasoned rubs and
  marinades. Buy them in yellow, black and brown
  varieties, and when toasted, the seeds give a
  nutty flavor and pleasing texture to a dish.
• 9. Cinnamon Delicious and versatile, cinnamon
  can be used to great effect in both savory and
  sweet dishes. With a distinctly warming flavor
  and aroma, it comes into its element when
  combined with other spices such as nutmeg, cloves
  and allspice. Widely used in the cuisine of North
  Africa, Asia and the Middle East, it is a
  wonderful addition to a range of dishes and hot
  beverages.

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• 10. Rosemary Used fresh or dried, rosemary can
  be overwhelming, so discretion is needed when
  adding it to a dish. Added to meat or vegetable
  dishes to enhance them, rosemary is delicious in
  marinades or braises, and is often paired with
  lamb to complement the gamey flavor.
• 11. Cardamom Often used in Indian spice blends
  that include ginger, garlic, cumin and coriander,
  cardamom is a luxurious spice with a pleasing
  aroma. Used to flavor coffee in Middle Eastern
  cuisine, it also often makes an appearance in
  Scandinavian baked goods.

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• 12. Coriander seeds Giving a dish a warm,
  citrusy and aromatic taste, the seeds of the
  coriander plant are completely different to the
  fresh leaves of the plant. Frequently used in
  Indian cuisine, they also feature in dishes from
  the Mediterranean, Asia and the Middle East. With
  its subtle but pleasing flavor, coriander seeds
  can enhance both savory and sweet dishes.
• The most popular spices and herbs in the world
  are so because of their distinct flavor profiles
  and ability to enhance different dishes, and if
  you havent yet stocked up on the 12 mentioned
  above, perhaps a trip to the store is in order!