Sunday, May 22, 2011

Spice it up! THF Top Ten Spices for Your Kitchen

One of the biggest challenges when eating healthy is finding flavor that does not come with added calories. The best trick in the book is to use regular kitchen spices to punch up flavor, keep your waistline happy and not completely break the bank.

Yes, buying small containers of spices at the store can sometimes lead to sticker shock, however I assure you the ROI is worth it and it’s WAY less expensive (and wasteful) than buying fresh spices that go bad after only a few days.

I typically use grocery store spices to make different types of “rub” that create delicious, healthy chicken dishes. I do this by placing the chicken on a cookie sheet, dressing it with a small amount of olive oil and then sprinkling it thoroughly with spices. I bake the chicken for 25 minutes or so at 350°, and then serve with brown rice and fresh vegetables to create a well-rounded, delicious meal for less than around $10 (for two people).

Here I list for you my choices for the top ten spices to always have in your kitchen. Not included here are salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder (SPOG) since these four are likely already in your kitchen. Next to each spice I have listed other spices you could combine it with to make your perfect rub! Enjoy!
  • Italian Medley (Combine with SPOG for any Italian dish)
  • Crushed Red Pepper (Add to the Italian Medley above to spice it up)
  • Cayenne Pepper (Add to anything you’re wanting to make spicy)
  • Chipotle Pepper (Adds a smoky spice – I use with SPOG in guacamole)
  • Chili Powder (Combine with the above two peppers and SPOG when making fajitas!)
  • Cumin (Combine with SPOG, Chili Powder, cornstarch and lime juice to make a delicious sauce)
  • Chef Paul's Blackened Redfish Magic (use on its own – delicious!)
  • McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning (can also be used on its own)
  • Rosemary (combine with SPOG on chicken, or with Cayenne Pepper and Cumin on sweet potatoes)
  •  Thyme (combine with SPOG or even Rosemary, also delicious with a hint of lemon)

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