Want to learn to cook? The first thing you need is a spice rack. But instead of buying every spice in the store, you can start with just three blends. There are many different variations on these blends. If I had to pick one, I would use:
A Cajun spice blend (black pepper, paprika, salt, oregano and red pepper flakes).
A curry powder (cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon and turmeric)
A chili powder (cayenne, cumin, garlic powder and oregano)
But that’s just how I like it. You can find many other recipes online or in cookbooks if you want to try something else out.
As a novice cook, you’ll want to use the right ingredients and spices to prepare your food. Learning all there is to know about spices can take some time, so we’ve come up with a few spice blends that will get you started.
Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken gets its distinctive flavor from the yogurt-based marinade. The blend of spices used in making this popular Indian dish varies from region to region, but turmeric and ginger are common ingredients. Garam masala is often added for additional flavor. You can make your own tandoori chicken marinade or purchase it at an Indian grocery store or online.
Cooking with Masala
Masala is a spice blend commonly used in Indian and South Asian cooking. This mixture contains ground cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel seeds and peppercorns. Curry leaves may also be included in masala powder; this herb is native to southern India and Sri Lanka and tastes like a combination of sage and basil. You can use masala powder in cooking rice dishes, stews and curries. Some cooks prefer to make their own masala while others find it convenient to purchase it in bulk or ready-to
There is no doubt that spices have been around for ages. They make food taste better, enhance the flavors and textures, and add a little bit of zest to the whole thing. However, not all spices are the same and they are not created equal.
Cooking with different kinds of spices can give you a lot of fun and you will be able to try out new recipes each time you cook. Different spices also come from different places in the world and should be used accordingly.
The three spice blends that we will be discussing in this article are chili powder, lemon pepper seasoning and Spanish seasoning. Each one has its own unique flavor and scent so you can use them for different purposes. Most of these blends can easily be found at your local grocery store or online so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try out some new flavors today!
Chili Powder
Chili powder is often used to make spicy dishes because it packs quite a punch. It’s also used as an ingredient in certain marinades to give them a more robust flavor. This spice blend is perfect for dishes that contain beef or pork because it adds just the right amount of kick without overpowering the other ingredients in the recipe. It’s also great on sandwiches or as a dry rub on
Have you ever been to one of those Indian restaurants where the food is so good you just had to ask for the recipe? This is your chance to become a chef!
The flavors of India are so distinct that it’s easy to replicate them at home with a few spices and blends. With these recipes, you’ll be on your way to creating your very own flavor combinations and spice blends.
Note: The amounts listed are by weight. You can easily convert them to tablespoons or teaspoons if that’s what you have available.
The reason you should take a basic cooking class is that it will give you the basics of how to cook and how to combine spices. You can then use these recipes for inspiration on how to make your own meals.
What do you need to know about spices? How do you choose them and how do you use them?
Whatever you need to learn, there are cooking classes out there to provide this type of training. Plus, by taking a few cooking classes, or going online and doing some research on your own, you will be able to master the art of cooking quickly.
Powdered spices are not as strong as their fresh or whole versions. For example, a teaspoon of cinnamon will cost you about 2 months’ worth of food and a half-teaspoon will cost you a week’s worth of food. Powdered spices (and ground pepper) will always be less flavorful and intense than whole versions. That’s why I put so much emphasis on the idea of adding spices gradually to your food, tasting along the way and adjusting according to your own preferences.
This is also why I rarely use an exact recipe in my cooking classes. To me cooking is less about following a recipe and more about using ingredients you like to create something that tastes good to you. With this in mind, I don’t really think the exact amounts matter that much when it comes to spices. Especially since with spices, more is better! Too much spice can always be tempered with other ingredients or left out altogether without ruining the dish too badly.
And yes, sometimes I do use recipes but they’re mostly there as guidelines for getting started. If a dish calls for three tablespoons of cumin and all I have is one tablespoon then I’ll add that one tablespoon and adjust it from there._
Allspice (also known as Jamaica pepper) is a spice made from the dried berries of an evergreen tree native to the Caribbean. It is most often used in sweet dishes, and it is sometimes added to pickle mixtures for meats, and can be used in place of cinnamon when a recipe calls for it.
Spices that contain all-spice include curry powder, Jamaican jerk seasoning, and pumpkin pie spice.
Allspice can be found at most grocery stores along with other spices in the baking section. It usually comes whole or ground, and should be stored in an airtight container in a cool dry place. Allspice has a very long shelf life and will last several years if stored properly.**
Make your own fresh-ground allspice by crushing whole berries using a mortar & pestle or electric coffee grinder.