8 Must Have Spices

I may have been compensated for this post. Please keep in mind that it affects you in no way financially. If an item is being reviewed, I am not obligated to give a positive review and always use my own words. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. If you would like a review done contact Dannelle at op40k@aol.com

8 Must Have Spices

If you are like me, you have a plethora of spices in your cupboards and only use about 8 or 9 of them regularly.  I counted and I have 6 jars of dry mustard and I don’t know why.  There are really only about 8 that I seem to use on a regular basis, so I have listed them below.  So, go through yours and filter out the ones that just take up space and tuck them away.

1. Kosher salt.  I love this amazing salt because I can use it for everything.  I also have table salt on hand, but find myself using kosher salt because of the stronger salt flavor.  I keep a small bowl of it on the counter for easy access.
2. Ground black pepper.  Same goes for pepper. A small bowl sits on the counter next to my salt for simple seasoning as I am preparing a meal.  It’s also great to have a pepper grinder nearby or on your dinner table as well.
3. Garlic Powder.  Yum! For those recipes and meals that call for real minced garlic, I can substitute garlic powder for the same great taste only less prep work.  Garlic salt is also good to have on hand, but be careful adding when also using regular salt.
4. Chili Powder.  Not only can chili powder accent a great batch of chili, I use it for everything from baked chicken, fish, and it’s awesome sprinkled on fresh seasonal or even frozen vegetables.
5. Red pepper flakes.  Spice anything up with either red pepper flakes or even try ground cayenne pepper. Go easy though if you still want to enjoy your food.  If you crush the pepper flakes between your palms, you will release the most flavor.
6. Italian seasoning.  This is the most versatile of all the spices in my opinion.  It’s great to have basil and oregano on hand, but if you are limited on storage, simply keep Italian seasoning available for everything.
7. Onion flakes.  When you are in a rush to get dinner on the table, try minced onion flakes as an alternative for fresh chopped onion.  I tend to go a little heavy on it because I love the onion flavor in my dishes.  Onion powder works great too and I love it along with garlic salt in scrambled eggs.
8. Nutmeg.  Don’t forget about lovely nutmeg.  Not only used in baking recipes but great for all sorts of savory dishes like marinara sauces and most Italian meals. When added to sauteed fresh vegetables, it adds a wonderful kick. Try adding a little of it to your mashed potatoes!