I was reading a post from Ella at thewackyspoon.com recently and she mentioned a “Well Stocked Spice Cabinet” and that made me think about my ten essential spices. It didn’t take me very long for to come up with my ten. These are the things I use nearly every day. I’m taking a certain liberty by adding some dried herbs because I treat them like spices.
salt
black pepper corns
garlic powder
chili powder
cumin
cayenne pepper
oregano
basil
cinnamon
rosemary
I believe many of these would find their way on many cook’s essential 10. What I find interesting (and sad) is what didn’t make the cut.
onion powder, bay leaves (laurel), paprika, turmeric, parsley, mint, sage, chocolate (yes, chocolate!)… The list goes on and on.
Spices and herbs are the things we, as cooks, use to make mundane food exceptional. All manner of vegetables, fruit and meats are heightened by the spices we add. What would our world be without our favorite spices?
Thank you, Ella for giving me something to ponder!
I am adopting a new kitchen motto:
Keep it simple, but add lots of spice!
I’m interested to see what others might offer for their top ten…
Toothpick Tales 
Not sure I’d be able to cut it down to 10! 🙂
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I know. Real cooks would never throw away the spices they have amassed. I think of my son, who just move out of the house recently. He’s lucky to have 10 spices right now. I can’t imagine!
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The horror! 🙂
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Don’t know how you got it down to 10, I can easily add another 30.
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Reblogged this on redcrosse10999 and commented:
I love these but also: dill, tarragon, thyme, sage, saffron, nutmeg, brown sugar (isn’t really season but all the same; so also licorice), red pepper flakes, coarse salt, coarse ground pepper, (also fine salt and pepper), coarse sugar, refined baking flour (also again, not a season), paprika, green chili, chopped truffle, onion powder, truffle powder, chopped dried vegetables, chopped dried fruit, red chili (or pepperonccino (something I don’t know how to spell to this day; I’m Italian)); apple cider, rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, fruit compotes, gel esthers, durum wheat flour (okay that might be going too far, but then also, rye and mustard seeds and coriander and cardamom).
I’m sure there are still too many lost like all the pickled substances that are good for something delicious.
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