Dash into Deliciousness!
Your Dashing Dozen (12) Spice Essentials for Your Pantry
Adding spices to all of your meals can make a healthier and delicious difference! With the addition of added spices, you can add incredible flavors, often with the reduction of adding extra fats, sodium and sugar. In addition,
Here are some tips of the staple spices to have in your spice cabinet that will give you calorie-free, flavorful splashes and dashes! I selected my top 12 spices I use weekly that always adds that extra kick into my meals
Sweet Spices
These spices are basically calorie-free, and boost the natural sweetness in certain foods. Use these spices to “sweeten” up your breakfast, snack or dessert. You can sometimes add less added sugar and enjoy and enhance the natural food you are spicing up!
1. Cinnamon is a naturally sweet spice, and is a great addition to fresh fruits, oatmeal, yogurt, and desserts. It is also a great addition to add to aromatic spice blends for chilis and Asian dishes.
2. Vanilla adds both an aromatic and natural sweetner for creamy foods, like yogurt, oatmeal and cottage cheese, and a great addition for protein shakes and puddings.
3. Unsweetened Cocoa adds a hint of sweetness to breakfast dishes and enhances the natural sweetness to your
4. Ginger, although more of a spicy and peppery spice, can add enhanced flavor and sweetness, especially to sweet root vegetables, like sweet potatoes and carrots. Ginger is also a great spice to add to sweet cookie desserts. The versatility of this spice allows you to add the sweet-peppery notes to most Asian and Indian dishes.
Savory Spices
For my basic cooking spices, I think about international styles of cooking that fit into my lifestyle weekly---namely, Mexican, Asian and Mediterranean (which includes Italian and Greek foods). In addition, I have my basics that I keep on hand that I use daily.
5. Salt: This kitchen staple helps to enhance the flavor of food, and even enhances the sweetness of food, too! I prefer a crack of Himalayan sea salt, as it has less sodium than table salt, and contains magnesium and potassium. Salt also helps accelerate the boiling time for water, and provides flavor to pastas during cooking. Salt also acts as a natural tenderizer for meats. For optimal health, be mindful of your consumption; the recommendation is no more than 1 teaspoon per day.
6. Black Pepper: This universal spice has both a subtle and bold flavor, and is also a versatile spice to add some heat and kick to any savory dish. A dash of ground black pepper is a tasty seasoning for cooked vegetables, pasta dishes, meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. Black pepper also pairs well and enhances health benefits, when combined with cumin, and turmeric.
7. Garlic Powder: This is a great on-hand spice to add for any style of cooking to most proteins and vegetables to enhance flavor. I use garlic powder or fresh garlic for all types of cooking, and the antioxidant properties makes it one of the powerful spices for helping aid disease prevention.
8. Chili Powder: This is my go-to Mexican spice that I add to chilis, fajitas, and most Mexican meals. It does also add a kick to fun snacks like homemade chips and popcorn.
9. Cumin: Ground cumin is known to be as one of the oldest spices on earth. It also has amazing antioxidant properties, and can promote digestion and blood sugar control. It is a universal spice that can be used across cultures. Add cumin to your favorite chili, curry dish, falafel, and even with all of your roasted vegetables.
10. Oregano: Dried oregano is a great addition to most Italian dishes, especially dishes with tomato sauces (pizza is a must!) and for all lighter Mediterranean dishes—the combination of oregano with lemon is really delicious. This herb has potent health benefits, too. It is high in antioxidants and may help fight off bacteria and viruses.
11. Basil: Basil is also a go-to spice for all Italian dishes, like pizza, marinara sauces, and in all lighter sauces. Use basil for all seafood, egg and poultry dishes. It also is a great spice to add to roasted vegetables and even berries, too.
12. Crushed Red Pepper: Want to add heat to your favorite meals? A dash of crushed red pepper will add a kick to your favorite meals.
These spices are a GREAT start to your pantry…as you experience more cooking, have fun and add more!!! All of these spices add deliciousness, are basically calorie free and health benefits too! And the best part, all of these spices are naturally grown, so you get to enjoy what Nature has intended. Experiment and have fun!