Spices :)

Sugar and Spice 

and everything nice

that's what today's post is made of

Tarragon and thyme 

and other herbs that rhyme 

that's what today's post is made of

How to use this or that  

How to fix a dish that's flat 

that's what today's post is made of*

We could get all technical about what spices are and how they are different from herbs...
but let's make it EASY on ourselves (and you!)

Spices and herbs are what make food taste good!

So tonight for dinner, you are the Executive Chef and you are flavoring without a recipe! You are adding spices and herbs to your dish based on our recommendations below. Pick a few flavorings from the list of "cuisine" you are cooking and add them to your dish. If your dish doesn't clearly fit under a cuisine listed below, use flavorings from the list that contains similar ingredients to your dish.

Asian Cuisine: 

• Chinese 5 spice powder
• Garlic
• Ginger root
• Cilantro 

These flavorings work well with dishes that contain things like: soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and/or peanut oil. 

Italian Cuisine: 

• Oregano
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Dried Italian Seasoning
• Garlic
• Red Pepper Flakes

These flavorings work well with dishes that contain things like : Balsamic vinegar, capers, olives, arugula, cheese, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and/or fennel. 

Indian Cuisine: 

• Garlic
• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Cardamom
• Clove
• Anise
• Curry
• Tumeric
• Cilantro
• Ginger

These flavorings work well with dishes that contain things like: chilies, raisins, lime, apples, nuts, red peppers and/or green peppers. 

Latin American Cuisine: 

• Garlic
• Cumin
• Chili Powder
• Cloves
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Cilantro

These flavorings work well with dishes that contain things like: onions, tomatoes, red peppers, chilies, legumes, dried peppers, and/or bell peppers. 

Thai Cuisine: 

• Garlic
• Cumin
• Cloves
• Cilantro
• Mint
• Basil
• Ginger

These flavorings work well with dishes that contain things like: Lemongrass, bananas, pineapple, mangoes, papaya, coconut milk, shrimp, peanut, peanut oil, peanut butter, and/or ketchup

Japanese Cuisine: 

• Garlic 
• Ginger root
• Pickled Ginger

These flavorings work well with dishes that contain things like: Cucumbers, watercress, wasabi, miso, mirin, sesame seeds, and/or seaweed. 

*Poem adapted from the Sugar and Spice Poem (Author unknown)