What spices and seasonings does every kitchen need?!
What spices and seasonings does every kitchen need?
I have grown so sick and tired of every time I try a new recipe it tells me that I need yet another spice or seasoning that I need but do not have, resulting in me making a trip to the store for one lousy item. I try my best to preview new recipes so I can add necessary items to my list before I go shopping, but for some reason I always end up with a bunch of new recipes after I go shopping. Anyway, the problem is that I am living on my own for the first time, so I'm just now building up my collection of spices. I'd like to know what I should always have on hand. Also, if anyone knows a good site to get new recipes, or have some of their own they would like to share that would be great!! (That collection is just getting started too.) Thank you in advance everyone!! :)
Answers:
For me its a few thing that i just can't live without. Sea Salt, Jamaca me Crazy, alpine touch and season salt. You can't forget about pepper either. But those are what i CAN'T live without. I would go nuts.
HOTSAUCE!!!
Here's a list of my "must have spices" for my pantry:
Garlic Powder & Salt
Onion Powder
Basil
Thyme
Oregano
Chili powder
Cinnamon
Vanilla
Nutmeg
Dill
Bullion cubes or flakes
Sage
McCormick's Meat seasoning
Since it's just you, go with the smallest, cheapest you can find. I would also recommend Taste of Home magazine if you like to cook. They have a whole section each issue called Cooking for one or two. The recipes are good and don't call for weird ingredients. They also have a website.
I've lived on my own for about 5 years and I've just been collecting spices as recipes call for them and at this point I haven't needed to buy new spices in awhile. I think what you're doing is fine. The only tip I'll give you is to buy the smallest package of a spice, because they lose their flavor after awhile and it's better to buy a new jar when the old one's done than have old spices, in my opinion. (Though I think the only one I've actually ran out of was cinnamon, in my 5 years!)
as far as the spices go
garlic powder (not salt)
onion powder (not salt)
sea salt
black pepper
minced garlic
onion flakes
parsley
oregano
Italian seasoning
chili powder
red pepper flakes
meat tenderizer (not the seasoned one though)
Cinnamon
pure vanilla extract (not the imitation one)
paprika
poultry seasoning
olive oil
then there are other staples like:
ketchup
mustard
wochtishier sauce (sorry i cant spell and neither can spell check lol)
soy sauce
BBQ
bullion cubes or chicken stock
tomato sauce or paste
pasta
frozen veggies
tomato soup
cream of mush room soup
Bisquick
there are quite a few websites that are good:
hope this helps if you have any questions or need any ideas e-mail me @ bookluvr315@yahoo
i'm not a big rachael ray "as a person" fan, but she has some good basic recipes, and a good "first time on my own" pantry list. as you start trying new things, your pantry will expand. i can hardly shut my cubbords, and my pantry has spilled into the hall closet. good sites are allrecipes.com, foodnetwork.com, cooks.com, and so on.
IN THE SPICE
- bay leaves
- black pepper
- cayenne pepper
- chili powder
- curry powder (or paste)
- dried oregano
- dried thyme
- grill seasoning such as Montreal Steak Seasoning
- ground cinnamon
- ground cumin
- paprika
- poultry seasoning
- red pepper flakes
- salt
IN THE FRIDGE
- a hot sauce you like. Everyone likes different levels of spiciness so pick the one that is right for you!
- capers
- carrots
- celery
- dijon mustard
- eggs
- flat-leaf parsley
- ketchup
- mayonnaise
- milk
- Parmegiano-Reggiano
- soy sauce
MISCELLANEOUS PANTRY
- baking potatoes (such as Russet or Idaho)
- EVOO (Extra-Virgin olive oil)
- garlic cloves - lots!
- lemons
- limes
- nuts (almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts)
- pasta
- peanut butter
- pure maple syrup
- roasted red peppers (12-16 oz. jar)
- Spanish or yellow onions
IN THE CUPBOARD
- beef stock (canned or boxed)
- chicken stock (canned or boxed)
- diced tomatoes (canned)
I love www.Penzeys.com. You can get a small gift collection of their spices and they'll have loads of things that are very useful, and just buy it all at once and get it shipped to you. Their catalogs and magazine are very helpful in learning to cook, too. Their catalog is free and it has recipes in it that are very easy. You can get their mixed blends of spices, like Foxpoint Seasoning, and put it on things and they'll taste really terrific!!
cooks.com. you should also keep some butter, olive oil, kosher salt, steak sauce, bouillon cubes chicken and beef. and so dried ansd fresh herbs.
I like to keep things fairly simple and utilitarian (how often do I really expect to use bay leaves or dill?), and of course I live in Texas so that might bias some of my spice collection, but I always make sure to keep the following basics on hand:
Solid/Powder --
kosher salt
black pepper (I buy both the pre-ground and the disposable pepper mills)
garlic powder
ground cumin
chilli powder
poultry seasoning
paprika
Italian seasoning
Liquids:
vanilla
soy sauce
teriyaki sauce
worcestershire sauce
Louisiana hot sauce/Tabasco
ketchup
yellow mustard
deli brown mustard
jalapeno mustard
mayo
I find, as a bachelor, that with the above ingredients I can make almost anything I want.
If I encounter a recipe that requires other spices or seasonings, I'll buy a small amount for that purpose. But I always make sure to keep the above ingredients on hand for general use.
Go to the dollar store and stock up on dried spices. They are the same thing as at the grocery store. You can also get a nice spice rack at bed bath and beyond that comes with the spices too. The rack comes with all the basics except regular salt. They've got poultry, steak, and seafood seasoning. Basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, etc. then you can just refill the containers with dollar store spices as needed.
The best way to get recipes is have a party and have everyone bring their favorite homemade dish with recipe included. My mom did this for my engagement party and made a nice cookbook for me.
Most likely every answer is right, as it depends on how and what you cook. The main thing is, buy every spice in very small guantities, as they do not really last more then six months. Go to either a health food store, or a farmers market, where they sell them in bulk.