Do you like to cook? Whether you are a comfortable chef in your own kitchen or you struggle to put together dinner every night- an easy way to improve the flavor and health of our meals is by adding some herbs and spices to our cooking.
Today we are going to take a look at the spices in your spice rack to ensure you have the flavors on hand to create delicious meals, while also help boosting the nutritional value of your meals.
Here are 12 of the most essential herbs and spices to have on hand in your kitchen.
1.Cardamom
This spice is used in Middle Eastern, Indian, and Southeast Asian cuisine. Cardamom is related to ginger and presents a slightly sweet taste with a hint of earthiness. It’s wonderfully aromatic and brings an appealing flavor to both sweet and savory dishes. As it is anti-inflammatory, you’ll want to add it to your dishes with lentils, carrots, or even with things like apples and pears. I toss a few pods into my rice as well!
2. Oregano
Related to mint, oregano is used in Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines. The Mediterranean style is more floral and sweet, while the Mexican oregano tastes more pungent. Pair this spice with garlic, and you’ll bring out the best in your meals. Oregano of all kinds is a match with tomato-based dishes and can be added to marinades, vinaigrettes, and more to boost your antioxidant intake. You can add it to so many dishes, it’s one to have on hand for sure.
3. Ginger Powder
Ginger is commonly used in Asian and Indian cuisines, giving foods a spicy-sweet yet pungent taste. You can add it to your baked goodies just as easily as you can for savory meals. Ginger is known for helping digestion and reducing inflammation.
4. Cinnamon
Whether you choose Cassia or Ceylon cinnamon, you’ll add antioxidants with inflammation-taming powers to your foods. Both types of cinnamon can help you create sweet and savory dishes, rounding out the flavors for curries and chicken dishes. A little sprinkle in your morning coffee can make it even more enjoyable without adding cream or sugar.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a bit feisty, adding medium heat to your sauces, marinades, and dressings. Put it in your tomato-based enchilada sauce or salsa, or mix it into hummus or mayo to spread more spiciness onto your foods. It has capsaicin which can boost your metabolism.
6. Rosemary
Like oregano, rosemary is related to mint. It has a woodsy flavor and aroma that brings more complexity to any meal while helping fight inflammation through an abundance of antioxidants.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric adds a brilliant hue to your meals. As it’s related to ginger, it is similarly pungent yet more earthy in flavor. This spice is used in curries in Indian, Middle Eastern, and South Asian cuisines. Step up the nutrition of your broths and sauces while getting more curcumin, a potent antioxidant to help reduce inflammation in your body.
Now we want to shift our focus a little bit to herbs and spices that help with digestion. This has been a KEY piece of the puzzle of my own gut health, so I didn’t want to leave these out. If you often find yourself feeling bloated or sluggish after meals then adding some digestive spices to your food can help alleviate digestive issues and promote a healthy gut.
Digestive spices are herbs and spices that have been traditionally used to aid in digestion. These spices can help improve the function of the digestive system by promoting the production of digestive juices, increasing motility, and reducing inflammation. Not only do they enhance the function of the digestive system, but they also help to detoxify and cleanse the body, they can also help to boost metabolism, improve circulation, and reduce bacteria in the gut and some studies have shown that certain digestive spices can help relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn and nausea.
Here are five spices that can help with digestion:
Ginger
Ginger is a versatile spice used for centuries to treat various ailments, including indigestion and nausea. Studies have shown that ginger can effectively treat gastrointestinal issues, such as gas, bloating, and cramps. If you're struggling with an upset stomach, try sipping on some ginger tea or adding ginger to your meals.
Cumin
Cumin is another spice that has long been used to improve digestion. This spice can help stimulate the production of enzymes that aid in digestion and help reduce gas and bloating. Cumin is often used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine; try adding it to curries, stews, or rice dishes.
Fennel
Like ginger and cumin, fennel can also help digestion by reducing gas and bloating. Fennel seeds can be enjoyed on their own as a snack or added to soups, salads, and main dishes.
Aniseeds
Aniseeds are seeds that come from a plant in the parsley family. They have a sweet, licorice-like flavor and are often used in baking or as decoration on cakes and cookies. Aniseeds can help improve digestion by stimulating stomach contractions and increasing saliva production. Additionally, they can help relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn and bloating.
Peppermint
Peppermint is well-known for its ability to soothe an upset stomach; it's often used as an ingredient in over-the-counter digestive aids. Peppermint oil can be taken orally in capsule form or diluted and applied topically to the abdomen. You can also drink peppermint tea or add fresh peppermint leaves to your water or smoothies.
So head to your own spice rack, see which ones of these you already have- which ones you can start using more in your cooking, and which ones you want to add to your next shopping list. Get creative, start experimenting and trying new flavors!
It’s the best way to get more nutrition and restaurant-style flavor in every bite.
Which spice are you going to add to your spice rack this week? Let me know in the comments below!
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