Why are salt and pepper the only seasonings people put on their food after it's been cooked?!
Answers: People put all types of seasonings in their food BEFORE it is cooked, but the only thing they add AFTER the food has been cooked is salt and/or pepper. You don't hear anyone asking for garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, etc. at the dinner table.
A lot of spices need to be "cooked" otherwise they impart a "raw" taste, adding heat to spices releases their oils and their flavor. S&P dont need to be heat to enhance the flavors of food.
Things people add after cooking like mustard, ketchup, mayo, vinegar, soy sauce, chili sauce.... are all condiments & sauces, NOT spices.
Those are seasonings that would be too strong for one portion. Most people add salt and pepper because they are the most complementary seasonings to most foods.
Uh, all of the above.
You'll find mustard and ketchup on the table at many restaurants, steak sauces too. And that parsley garnish you've been ignoring? Makes a nice contrast.
Most seasonings actually taste better cooked into the food. Fresh herbs may be better as raw toppings, but the rest I cook.
Most seasonings work best cooked INTO the food... but I disagree with your assertion. Salt and Pepper are not the ONLY seasonings people put onto their food
I put vinegar, Tabasco, Salsa, Crushed Red Peppers, and other such seasonings on many of my foods.
Enjoy your meals
This is not quite true. Asians like to put chili, fish sauce and soy sauce after food is cooked if necessary.
Paprika is added to cooked foods
I bet if people actually put extra spices on the dinner table, they'd use them. I do salt and pepper because that's the only thing usually offered.
You need to incorprate most spices INTO your food, the best way is to cook them alone with the food. Salt and pepper is used to adjust the saltiness/spicyness according to personal taste.
Add some Mrs. Dash. Love this stuff!