I am learning to cook - where can I find out which spices go with what?

Question

I am learning to cook PROPERLY - i.e. moving up from your spag.bol. - where can I find out which spices go with what?

I am not really confident to just mix and match things at this stage, I just want to know what spices complement what foods and perhaps how they do so. e.g. this brings out the natural spiciness of X (or whatever) thanks

Answer 1

This is the fun about cooking experiment and research alot of great recipes will indicate what herbs and spices to use


For Example Rosemary is great for say a roast of beef or Lamb leg.
Thyme is a great compliment to chicken fresh more then dried.
Sage of course for lots of different poultry.
Curry is great on many meats and vegetables.
Parsley all around use for color and decoration has a slight bitter flavour.
Tarrogan and dill are great for fish like halibut and salmon
combine with lemon or lime WOW.
Cinnamon well it has many great uses from Pork to baking, french toast, pancakes, waffles, it is a very versatile spice.
Oregano and Basil are used extensively in greek and mediterranean, Italian cooking great in sauces and marinades.

Remember one thing when using fresh herbs you need to use 3 times as much as dried because in dried the flavours are concentrated more. It is well worth the cost though fresh herbs are great depending on where you live make yourself a small herb garden.

Really just start trying the herbs and spices and you will probably find a few you really like and some you may not like at all.

Myself I have always loved cinnamon, basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

Just check out new recipes and before you know it you'll be throwing in a dash of this or a dash of that you know what I mean.

Good Luck and have fun cooking. Cooking should be fun and somewhat adventurous because you never know what you'll make next.

Answer 2

Send an e-mail to Penzeys.com. They are purveyors of some of the best spices anywhere. They are a family owned business and would love to answer your question. Might even send you a free sample.

Try it.

Answer 3

Check out these links:

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=297

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/herbs-and-spices/NU00638

Answer 4

Go to the library. They have tons of books to help.

Answer 5

check out recipes in cookbooks, if you do not have one at home, you can go to the library and research the cookbooks they have there.........

Answer 6

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/ck_cooking_guides/text/0,,FOOD_16096_35356,00.html

Answer 7

GO TO SPICES .COM!!!!