9 Spices You Must Have In Your Kitchen & 9 recipes to use them!
Spices not only add an abundance of flavour to your food they provide healing nutrients to your body as well! You may now take for granted these easy-to-find and inexpensive spices; however, according to the Silk Road Spice Market there was a time in history when spices were once very tightly guarded and generated immense wealth for those who controlled them. So, next time you smell the sweet scent of cinnamon and cloves, or the pungent aroma of ground black pepper think about how once upon a time these were very coveted spices that held great value to those who were fortunate to accumulate them.
I chose to write about nine of my favourite spices but there are so many more delicious spices you may want to have in your kitchen. To learn more about these spices and how to make delicious dishes please check out my private nutrition workshops.
If you love to cook, or even want to learn how to make delicious and nutritious meals these nine spices are a MUST HAVE in your kitchen:
1) Basil: Basil is most popular in Italian dishes and it pairs well with chives, cilantro, garlic, marjoram, oregano, mint, parsley, rosemary and thyme. I love to add it to my smoothies too! Try adding a 1/4 cup of fresh or 1 tsp of dried basil to the Tropical Mango Smoothie.
2) Chili Powder: Chili power is best known for its use in Mexican dishes. A pure ground chili powder or a blend is the perfect spice for a Garbanzo and Brown Bean Chili recipe.
3) Cinnamon: This delicious spice has been shown to regulate blood sugar and is useful in many different dishes. Cinnamon combines well with other spices such as allspice, black pepper, cardamom, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. Try this spice in Raisin Oat Squares.
4) Coriander: Coriander is often described as having a nutty, citrus flavour or aroma. This spice works well with - allspice, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, fennel, garlic, ginger and nutmeg. Try adding a little to hummus for a delicious twist. Click here for Spicy Hummus recipe.
5) Cumin: Cumin is often found in Mexican and Middle Eastern dishes. Cumin works well in combination with allspice, anise seed, brown mustard, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, paprika, turmeric and yellow mustard. Try cumin in these Raw Soft Tacos.
6) Curry powder: There are many different kinds of curry including Indian and Thai inspired curry. Both add warmth to a dish. Try Thai green curry in this Thai Coconut Vegetable Soup.
7) Garlic powder: Garlic powder works well with just about any savoury dish. It's also nice to sprinkle some on a avocado and tomato sandwich!
8) Ginger root powder: Ginger power is often used with other pungent spices and strong flavors, such as molasses and in dishes that include carrots, pumpkin, winter squashes, sweet potatoes and fruits. Try ginger root in this Pumpkin Spice Tart.
9) Turmeric: Turmeric is a very healing spice with anti-inflammatory properties. When used in cooking it pairs well with bay leaves, cilantro, clove, coconut, coriander, cumin, curry leaves, dill, fennel seed, galangal, ginger, lemongrass, mustard seeds, nutmeg, paprika and pepper. Drink this spice in Turmeric Latte to receive its great benefits.
If you want to learn more about spices and how to make delicious plant-based meals please sign up for my private in-home workshops. Click here for more info >>>
Until Next time...
Wishing you a lifetime of healthy abundance.
Namatse,
Rachel Joy Olsen
