How to Start a Spice Collection

If you want to start adding some zest to your cooking but don't know where to begin, start a spice collection. All it takes is a little knowledge regarding cooking and your preferred dishes. What follows are a few spices that everyone should have available in their kitchen.

Instructions

1. Know your taste buds. Decide what dishes you and your family frequently enjoy. If you have a taste for Italian, Chinese, Indian or other ethnic foods, you will need culture specific spices. In addition, vegetarians may prefer different spices to individuals who eat a lot of meat.

2. Begin your collection with salt. This affordable spice comes in plain and exotic varieties and can add flavor to any dish.

3. Continue your collection with ground black pepper. If you own a pepper mill, then consider buying pepper corns (which are stronger in taste than pre-ground pepper.)

4. Buy dried or fresh oregano to add spice to Italian, Mexican and/or Mediterranean dishes. Just a few pinches of this spice can make all of the difference to any spaghetti or pizza sauce.

5. Purchase some garlic and onion powder. These flavors occur repeatedly in cooking. In addition the powder form (rather than fresh) of these spices can be added easily to breads, meats and fish.

6. Finish your collection with cinnamon. This versatile spice adds sweetness to numerous dishes (from oatmeal to stews) and is a wonderful spice to have around the holidays.

7. Consider other spices (such as turmeric, cardamoms, ginger) which are frequently used in dishes from other nationalities (such as Indian or Chinese.)