List of basic seasonings I should ALWAYS have....?!
Answers: I'm in search for list of the basic/most used seasonings that I should always have in stock at home. I'm not a big cook.. i pretty much suck.... this way if i have all the basics.. when i go to try a recipe i won't be missing something.
These are the spices and dried herbs I use the most, but I do a lot of cooking and baking. I tried to leave out the ones someone that doesn't cook so much might not need like sesame seeds and ginger;
Oregano, bay leaves, rosemary, allspice, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red peppers, ground (red) cayenne pepper, paprika, cinnamon, dry mustard, sage, tarragon, thyme, cumin, chili powder, nutmeg.
Edit: Dried parsley, too. I forgot that because I grow my own. :)
sea salt (i like it better than real salt)
black pepper
Balsamic Vinegar
minced garlic (bottled garlic last 2-3 month in the frig)
olive oil
Papreka
lite soy sauce
Worshire Sauce
salt, I like the kosher salt, black pepper, fresh garlic, mustard, oregano, thyme, fresh or dried parsley, cumin, ginger, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning mix, curry powder, fresh lemons or lemon juice. soy sauce, an assortment of vinegars such as apple cider red and white wine as well as rice wine vinegar. catsup is also a versatile ingredient which can be used in an enchilada sauce or a BBQ sauce.
coarsely ground black pepper, sea salt, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, paprika (smoked is nice), dried herbs such as oregano, tarragon, rosemary, thyme, fish sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, balsamic vinegar, bay leaves, fresh garlic (not the stuff imported from China), chilli paste such as sambal oeleck, .... it depends what sort of food you like too .....
Spices included are:
Basil
Bay Leaves
Cumin
Cinnamon
Muscat
Crushed Red Pepper
Dill
Italian Seasoning
Oregano
Parsley
Saffron
Seasoning Salt
Celery
Garlic
Fennel
Pizza Seasoning
Rosemary
Savory
Caraway
Thyme
Dill Weed
Marjoram
Poultry Seasoning
Steak Seasoning
Chicken or beef bouillon
you will find the basic seasonings at the store in a spice rack , they commonly have 16-20 spices in the bottles already , i suggest going to a thrift store and buying on old one also , this can be used to hold other spices you buy in the future , my spice rack { i made } holds 70 bottles . i should have made it bigger
if you are not a big cook then you probably won't be cooking dufficult gourmet dishes, mostly all i use is garlic powder, salt, pepper, steak seasoning, season salt.....try to look for alreadt blended spices like they have a chicken seasoning, a steak, italian, and those work for everything.
for a beginners. I will recommend
salt
black pepper
sugar
garlic powder
Lawry's seasoning salt
onion powder
it is not a lot but you call yourself a "not a big cook."
So I tell you the basics. This way it will not overwhelms you.
after you gain your confidence, add more seasonings by your taste. Seasonings like other people suggested.
First you have to know your taste. It will be no meaning to own all sorts of different seasonings and spices if you don't know how to use them. :-(
And most importantly don't be scare of cooking. Have fun.
Try to get your favorite dish's recipe out of books or e-mail.
And make it. Stick with easy recipes. Follow the instruction. Little by little you gonna be better!