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COMMON HERBS AND SPICES

Our spice drawer is a treasure chest of zippy, zesty, sweet, savory and spicy flavors; and one of the best qualities of herbs and spices is the variety of flavors you can add to foods without adding salt.

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Here's a how-to guide on the flavor profiles of common spices and how to season with them.

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Basil

  • Tastes somewhat sweet, earthy.

  • Delicious Pairings: Any Italian food like meatless lasagna or pasta with red sauce, Thai food like a stir fry with lots of veggies and sprinkled with peanuts, fruit like berries, peaches or apricots

  • Extra Tip: Add dried to dish at least 15 minutes before they are done cooking for full flavor. Add fresh right before serving to avoid flavor loss or wilting.

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Curry Powder

  • Is a blend of spices usually including cariander, fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, and others.

  • Delicious Pairings: Indian food like lentil potato stew, breakfast veggie and egg scramble, whole grains like brown rice or quinoa with cilantro, and tuna with celery and no added sugar low-fat yogurt for a delicious sandwich

  • Extra Tip: Be careful, some curry powders can be hot and spicy.

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Cumin

  • Tastes toasty and earthy with a little spice.

  • Delicious Pairings: Mexican food like black bean salsa or refried beans, fish such as tilapia, especially in fish tacos and root vegetables

  • Extra Tip: Cumin is also part of the Indian spice mix garam masala. Delicious when paired with cariander in Mexican or Indian food

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Rosemary

  • Tastes woody.

  • Delicious Pairings: Roasted meats like chicken, pork, lamb or salmon, mushrooms, raw or cooked, whole grain breads, and butternut squash or pumpkin

  • Extra Tip: Long sticks of fresh rosemary can be used to brush marinades on meat or as a skewer stick for grilled kabobs.

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Smoked Paprika

  • Tastes smoky and woody.

  • Delicious Pairings: Egg dishes, spice rubs for meats or even tofu, in a fruit salsas like mango, and tomato sauce

  • Extra Tip: Use it to add the smokiness of bacon to any dish without the extra fat or salt.

 

Thyme

  • Tastes earthy.

  • Delicious Pairings: Any bean dish, blends well with bay leaves, parsley, or lemon zest, and roasted vegetables

  • Extra Tip: Lightly crush dried leaves between your fingers when adding to a dish to release the flavor.

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Cinnamon

  • Tastes sweet and spicy.

  • Delicious Pairings: Whole grain muffins, waffles, pancakes or breads and fruit crisps with oatmeal topping. Greek meat dishes like lamb or beef stew with oregano and onions

  • Extra Tip: The natural sweetness means you can cut the amount of sugar in some recipes.

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