What Spices and Condiments Do You Absolutely Need to Eat?
Hello and welcome back toWhat’s Cooking? , an open thread where you can share your brilliant thoughts, tips, recipes and opinions on all food related matters. Today I want to talk about a very important part of cooking for yourself that you really want to eat: the seasonings .
We all know one person who simply sprinkles salt on skinless chicken breasts before baking them. This person may or may not need Jesus, but they definitely need a spice rack. Stocking up on a stance like this can be very personal. Of course, there are some basics that most people should have, but a lot of what you need depends on what you enjoy cooking and eating, as well as what you ate as a child. So spice racks can vary a lot from person to person and I want to know what you keep in yours.
- Who cooked in your family when you were growing up? What seasonings did they use in almost everything? Fat and bacon and garlic salt were almost the only things my grandmother used to season her food, and it never bothered me. I know my mom had a lot of spices, but I don’t remember her prioritizing a particular flavor profile. I do remember how she added sun-dried tomatoes and fresh garlic to a lot of things because it was the 90s and that’s what you did.
- If you could only use three dried seasonings (no salt) for the rest of your life, which would you choose? Cumin, pepper and white pepper.
- Are there any spice mixes you like? You know, I can’t get enough of this bagel condiment . I also like Old Bay.
- What pastas and marinades do you like the most? Salt, brown sugar, and garlic go well with everything, and I’m a big fan of this miso marinade .
- What’s your favorite liquid seasoning? Fish sauce, soy sauce, and liquid amino acids.
- What’s your favorite herb? I never get enough (fresh) thyme.
- What herbs do you prefer dried? I prefer to use dried oregano in the grind as it sticks better to the meat.
- What spices would you recommend for a novice chef to spice up their counter? I’ll just leave it here .
As always, feel free to comment on anything, even remotely related to the topic. I need your poignant moments and the most solid comments.