What are some good spices and where can you buy them?

Question

I need something to spice up my cooking.

and also how do you grow own and where to start.

Answer 1

any super market has bottled or fresh herbs and spices. I use a lot of garlic, onion powder & don't forget salt (not too much). For a really interesting spice, buy Old Bay. Most people from Maryland have this in their pantry!

Answer 2

Go to a grocery store and check out the spice section- most jars will have suggested uses on the back.

Start with onion powder and garlic powder- you can use those on anything!

If you like a home made sort of flavor, try basil, oregano, bay leaves or rosemary. Those all have a sort of rich earthy flavor, and are good in soups, stews, on roasts..

If you want a little more zing, try paprika or seasoned salt. Neither is very spicy, but they add alot of flavor. Ever had deviled eggs? the red stuff on top is paprika.

Desserts commonly use things like allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon. If you don't make alot of desserts, I wouldn't bother investing in those.

If you want to add some serious flavor to your food, try making your own flavored vinegar. Its easy to do, and easy to use. Get a big bottle of vinegar and some stoppered bottles. (you can find the bottles for a dollar or so at walmart). Heat up the vinegar, and pour it into the bottle over whatever you want. Try some chopped garlic and rosemary, or some lemon slices and black pepper. Leave the bottles in a dark place for a few weeks, and bam, you've got flavored vinegar. It lasts almost forever and you can use it in anything. Try pouring a few tablespoons over some chopped potatoes and baking them for about 45 minutes. Yummy.

Try looking at the ingredients of pre-made things you like. Check out what spices are used, and try using those in cooking. At least you'll know before hand that you like them!

Or take a look at some simple recipies and see if its something that appeals to you, and buy the spices that you need for that recipe. Try allrecipes.com- its a great resource!

As a last resort, try asking your mom or a friend that likes to cook- they'd know what you like, and could probally make some great suggestions.

Answer 3

Go to an east indian grocery store. The spices there are decadant and very inexpensive. Buy 1 of everything and experiment with them. Cook your regular foods using indian spices!! I make a "good for everything" that is equal parts turmeric, garlic powder, hot red pepper, black pepper and ginger. It is great on every thing from eggs, chicken, pork and beef. also on some veggies. Also, the sweet spices at an indian market are heady. they are fantastic in rice and puddings. i make a chutney pie that people beg for. you just can't go wrong with indian spices.

Answer 4

Well I would start with garlic and thyme! Both taste good on just about any kind of meat. When I was first experimenting with making my meals yummy. I just bought one herb at a time from the grocery store and used it in several things until I decided what I liked it in. If you want to buy online Penzey's has amazing spice blends in lovely gift packs. Really, really delicious high quality stuff if you have a little money to spend.

Answer 5

To grow some spices, you should try basil. My dad started growing it last year, as he does a lot of Italian cooking, and it grows very easily, is fun to pick, and is very abundant once it starts growing. You can just grow it in a flowerbox, not in the ground. For storage after picking it, put it in the freezer.

Also, buying rosemary for an elegant taste and cilantro for a Mexican kick may help your food.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Try going to a natural foods place like Whole foods or equivalent. Those places tend to have great organic brand spices. It's as good or better in some cases than growing your own. Faster too.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Stepping into the way back machine when I started cooking in the last century my suggestions are start using flavors you already like.
Garlic--with nearly everything savory
Basil--with anything remotely italian and pretty much everything else.
Rosemary--meats, poulty, and try it in your bread dough, it will perfume your entire house and you'll think you died and went to heaven
Thyme--it is in a lot of things you probably like but go easy a little goes a long way
Try nutmeg in cheese sauce
try dried mustard and sugar in your cheese sauce
Bottled soy sauce will add flavor to beef pork chicken again little goes al ong way
Try ground or whole cloves in your chilli and veg. soup
that should get you started my only advice is don't try to jump right into cayenne or curries until you know what you're doing.

Answer 8

I love all of Emeril's Essence spices. All different kinds with all kinds of kick!. BAMM!!
Five of Emeril's signature spice blends includes the Original Essence, as well as Italian, Asian, Southwest Essences as well as Emeril's Bayou Blast. These versatile spices will add zest to all your old favorites and help you create new ones, too.

Answer 9

Cilantro, basil, parsley, and garlic are the best. Buy them fresh at any grocery store. Fresh vs. dried makes a huge difference.

Answer 10

I love the amish country stores for spices. most grind their own and sell them in smaller sizes and they are soooo much less than buying in the grocery store.

you can buy herb plants at wal-mart, target garden centers...take them home, put in your kitchen window.....repot as necessary....