What are the top 10 spices I should have in the kitchen ?

Question

(I was given a spice rack with 10 jars).

I'm not a bad cook in general, but I don't really know my spices...

Answer 1

Salt,pepper,garlic salt,onion salt,oregano,garlic powder,bay leaves,thyme!*

Answer 2

Salt

Pepper

Chef Paul Prudholmes Magic Seasoning Salt

Lawrey's Garlic Salt

Celery Salt

Meat Tenderizer

All-Spice

Bell's Poultry Seasning

Those are the only ones I ever use (and not really the allspice)

Cinnamon(?) if you use that.

But those are my staples that get a frequent turnover. Everything else has been in there awhile.

Answer 3

Garlic powder(of course)

onion powder

sage

rosemary

Thyme

bay leaf

oregano

marjoram

cumin

chili powder

Answer 4

First of all, I would buy a book on spices, because you really need to know more about them.

Secondly, your inventory of spices depends on the type of food you normally eat.

Thirdly, I'll list some, but at my own risk.

Oregano

Basil

Garlic powder

Thyme

Sage

Coriander

Cloves

Cayenne

Bay Leaves

Cinnamon

That's 10 of your basics, but here's some more that's also important:

Ground Ginger

Curry

Cumin

Turmeric

Tarragon

Fennel

White pepper

Mustard seed

Marjoram

So it depends on your food lifestyle.  As I've said - get a good descriptive spice book.  Happy cooking!

Answer 5

1. Herbs can be added to stews, marinades, salads and soups.

2. Turmeric can be added to stir-fries and lentils.

3. Paprika or black pepper can be used to pep-up bland foods.

4. Cinnamon can be used in cakes, cookies, oatmeal and even curries and stir-fries.

5. Rosemary and thyme can go great as a chicken rub.

6. Oregano works wonderfully with pasta, cheese sauce, bisques and chicken roast.

7. Ginger can be added to tea, curries, stir-fries and cookies.

8. Cloves go great in a bouquet-garni.

9. Cumin powder tastes great in curries.

10. Coriander leaves and mint leaves work wonderfully as a garnish to most of the curries.  

Answer 6

Salt, Pepper, Oregano, Garlic Powder, Crushed Red Paper Flakes, Basil, Paprika, Thyme, Rosemary, and Cayenne Pepper

Answer 7

Garlic

Paprika

Salt

pepper

season salt

dried thyme

dried oregano

some sort of italian blend spice

chili powder

dried rosemary

Answer 8

Well I can tell you my 10 favs:

Basil

Thyme

Oregano

Rosemary

Bay Leaves

(These are all technically herbs by the way and would be found in dried form)

Chili Powder

Paprika

Cayenne (Red) Pepper

Cumin

Allspice (which is only one spice)

Also of course you should have plenty of Kosher Salt and Black Pepper

Answer 9

Basil

Garlic

rosemary

thyme

oregano

tarragon

oregano

red pepper

bay leaves

cumin

Answer 10

pepper

cinnamon

salt

ginger

garlic

nutmeg

chili pepper

oregano

Answer 11

I am assuming that the jars you were given are those normal sized ones that are on the spice rack at the supermarket. If so you should only put spices in them. Herbs, if at all possible, should be bought fresh. For those times when you just can't get your herbs fresh, get those small half size jars. Dried herbs tend not to keep longer then 6 months and I toss them out when fresh become available again during the growing season. Refer to zotdirecter's answer before for the idea of which are herbs or spices.  

Answer 12

That really depends on what sort of stuff you cook/bake.  Salt & pepper are a given.  :)

I cook a lot of pasta dishes & chicken dishes, so I always have the following in my spice rack:

Garlic powder

Basil

Oregano (or Italian seasoning)

Paprika

Poultry seasoning (or chicken rub)

Dill

Lemon pepper

Cumin

Seasoned salt

What is great about having a spice rack is you can get the refills pretty cheap.  My grocery store sells just about every spice known to man in plastic bags for around a buck.

Answer 13

I am Puerto Rican and we use something called sofrito, which is a blended mixture of onions, garlic, green pepper, red pepper, cilantro and culantro. You add this to stews, when marinadading meats, spanish rice and i guarantee you and your dinner guests are going to love it. It's wonderful, everyone should use it in their kitchen. Cheers!