Uses for
Herbs and Spices

Below I'd like to share with you the basic list of uses for herbs and spices that I started with. Their proper use leads to better-flavored and distinctively different dishes.

Developing a natural sense of when to use which herbs and spices, and in what quantities, is one of the things that separates gourmet chefs from everyday, household cooks. It is amazing what some of these ingredients can do to improve a dish.

This list provides a few basic uses for herbs and spices:

Allspice

Form: Whole or ground

Suggested Uses: Fruits, braised meats, relishes

Anise

Form: Whole or ground

Suggested Uses: Asian cuisines, breads, pastries, cheeses

Basil

Form: Fresh or dried

Suggested Uses: Tomatoes, eggs, chicken, fish, salads, cheeses, lamb

Caraway

Suggested Uses: Cabbage, pork, beans, veal, rye bread, beef

Chervil

Form: Fresh or dried

Suggested Uses: Eggs, salads, soups, chicken, vegetables

Chives

Form: Fresh or dried

Suggested Uses: Soups, potatoes, eggs, fish, cheeses, chicken

Cilantro

Form: Fresh leaves

Suggested Uses: Mexican cuisine, chicken, fish, shellfish, salads, salsa

Cloves

Form: Whole or ground

Suggested Uses: Braised meats, fruits, pickles, stocks, marinades, baked goods, beverages

Cumin

Form: Whole or ground

Suggested Uses: Stews, eggs, chili, sausages

Dill

Form: Fresh or dried leaves; whole seeds

Suggested uses: Leaves or seeds in soups, salads, fish, shellfish, breads, vegetables; seeds in vegetables, potatoes, pickles

Fennel

Form: Whole seeds

Suggested Uses: Sauces, eggs, lamb, pickling, stews, sausages

Ginger

Form: Fresh root or powder

Suggested uses: Meats, curries, stews, pastries, Asian, Caribbean and Indian cuisines

Marjoram

Form: Fresh or dried

Suggested uses: tomatoes, green vegetables, game, stews, meats, poultry, sausages

Nutmeg

Form: Ground

Suggested Uses: Rice, eggs, beverages, relishes, curries

Rosemary

Form: Fresh or dried

Suggested Uses: Stews, marinades, beef, poultry, game, lamb, veal

Saffron

Form: Threads or ground

Suggested Uses: Stews, soups, fish, shellfish, chicken, breads, rice, potatoes

Sage

Form: Fresh or dried

Suggested Uses: Pork, tomatoes, beans, pasta, stuffings, charcuterie, poultry

Tarragon

Form: Fresh or dried

Suggested Uses: Eggs, salad dressings, chicken, fish, tomatoes, sauces

Thyme

Form: Fresh or dried

Suggested Uses: Stews, soups, tomatoes, charcuterie, chicken, fish

Turmeric

Form: Ground

Suggested Uses: Relishes, eggs, breads, rice, curries

I suggest you refer back often to this listing of some of the major uses for herbs and spices. Getting a good feel for their use, which one(s) and how much, will definitely help your progress as a gourmet cook.

Kitchen Staples
Herbs
Spices
Herb And Spice Blends
Salt
Nuts
Oils
Vinegars
Condiments

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