Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

I have a really large spice collection.. but there are a lot of things in there that I rarely use.. maybe a dash here and there or a dose every few months. Things like .. tarragon, anise, 5 spice, ajwain seed, marjoram or Cajun mix.

And then there's the stuff I pull out a little more regularly.. curry powder, dry mustard, chervil, tumeric, etc..

Then there are the things I buy in bulk because I go through them so fast..
Salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, oregano, dried basil, Greek seasoning, granulated garlic, cayenne, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, dried mint, gravy master and Montreal Seasoning.

For extracts I use a LOT of Vanilla.. and a surprising amount of Almond extract..

I also use a lot of fresh herbs/seasonings - rosemary, thyme, mint, sage, basil, parsley, bay, dill, garlic, chives and cilantro are big around here!

What about you? What spices do you use regularly?

Message edited 10/5/2012 5:00:33 PM.

Re: Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

I have a ton if spices that I never use but always wish I did!

My big 3: cumin, cilantro (I typically only use dried because it doesn't last in the fridge) and garlic powder (granulated garlic). Use them all the time, constantly. I buy the big containers from BJs. I cook a lot of mexican/tex-mex style dishes. ALso, salt and pepper obviously - I only use kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, the pre-ground stuff barely tastes peppery to me.

Things like curry, garam masala, chinese 5 spice powder, tarragon, herbs de provence are used every few months in a new recipe that I usually don't use again. That should tell me something

I use chili powder, onion powder, paprika, italian seasoning, basil, oregano, and montreal steak seasoning on a very regular basis - minimum 2x a week. I use bay leaves a lot too since I do so much with my slow cooker.

Rosemary, thyme, sage, etc, I use once every week or 2 weeks.

I don't bake a lot, so I have cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ground ginger, pumpkin pie spice, etc but don't use them a whole lot.

I barely use anything fresh other than parsley because it lasts forever in the fridge.

One spice I wish I used more? Celery salt for my boody marys

Re: Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

For fresh spices and herbs, I like to have these on hand at all times:
-parsley
-basil
-rosemary
-sage
-thyme

For dried spices and herbs, my most used are:
-red pepper flakes
-black pepper
-garlic powder
-onion powder
-cumin
-oregano
-montreal seasoning

For baking, I use a lot of:
-vanilla extract
-almond extract
-nutmeg
-cinnamon

I also have these herbs, spices and seasonings dried but rarely use them:
-cilantro
-paprika
-chili powder
-fennel seeds
-ground mustard
...
-and a few others I use so rarely I can't even name off of the top of my head!!

Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

A ton!

Different types of ground peppers
Cumin
Red pepper flakes
Chili pepper
Cayenne pepper
Onion flakes
Onion powder
Garlic salt
Garlic powder
Cinnamon
Thyme
Basil
Parsley
Italian seasonin
Bay leaves
Cilantro
Dried orange peels (I discovered it thanks to my mil and I'm in love)
Also, now that I have my basic spices I've started replacing them with spices from penzys when I run out of the cheapie ones I bought to start with

Eta pic

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 10/6/2012 10:27:22 AM.

Re: Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

I have a huge collection of dried spices. We also grow fresh herbs.

In terms of fresh herbs - I most often use basil, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. I also grow fresh oregano, dill, chives, and mint. The mint grows like crazy, but we enjoyed many a mojito this summer!

As far as dried spices and extracts - like I said, I stock a pretty wide variety, but the ones I use most often are:

Salt - I have table salt, kosher, coarse sea salt
Ground Black Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Cayenne Pepper
Dried Oregano
Cumin
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Vanilla Extract
Almond Extract

Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

I really only use Italian seasoning regularly

Other staples are
Salt
Pepper
Chilli powder
Ground cumin

Other stuff don't use that often...

Re: Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

We have a ton of seasonings in the house.

We grow fresh parsley, basil, dill, cilantro and mint and use them all the time

I buy fresh sage when I need it

I always try to use fresh garlic & onion, occasionally will use onion flakes and garlic powder when I'm in a pinch

I use dried rosemary and thyme a lot on roasted chicken with sea salt

Others that get a lot of use:

cumin
coriander
paprika
ginger
chili powder
I have a dry dip mix of roasted red pepper and sweet basil that I throw in chopped meat or meat sauce all the time

on hand:
bay
dry mustard
oregano
tumeric
sumac
cinnamon
nutmeg
allspice
vanilla
I use orange, lemon & lime zest often but always try to use fresh fruits

there are a bunch more that I don't use often and am forgetting


I've never heard on Montreal Seasoning and most of you use it a lot....what is it???

Message edited 10/6/2012 12:50:01 PM.

Re: Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

I have an Italian box, a Greek box, and an Indian box of spices. I definitely use Italian herbs, curry, cumin, turmeric, oregano, rosemary, garlic powder, and bay leaves the most.

Re: Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

Message edited 10/6/2012 1:12:04 PM.

Re: Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

I'm not too adventurous with spiced because I'm too cheap!

Other than salt and pepper, I use lots of chili powder, cumin, onion and garlic powder, parsley, basil, oregano.

Less frequently: Cinamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, old bay, montreal steak seasoning, dried cilantro (I'm not a fan of fresh), ground mustard, thyme, italian seasoning, dill, sage, rosemary, sazon, cayenne, white pepper.

Re: Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

Crushed red pepper flakes
Smoked black pepper
Kosher salt
Granulated garlic
Granulated onion
Chili powder
Cumin

I make my own blends for : Italian, Greek, Cajun, All Purpose, etc. I don't like a lot of sodium in the pre-made ones from the store.

I order regularly from Penzey's. I love buying exotic spices like cardamom pods, Mexican cinnamon, star anise, etc.

Re: Spicy Topic! Which SPICES and HERBS and SEASONINGS are staples for you?

Cilantro-I use fresh that I buy and immediately freeze and just take as much as I need out of the freezer and put directly into food)

Smocked paprika

Cumin

Bay leave