April 23, 2014 by Dian 4 Comments

10 Must Have Herbs And Spices!

When I got married I got a spice rack complete with spices.  A few times over the years I have bought a new spice rack and they always came with spices.  I never used many of the spices, and I hated to throw them away… surely they are no good after a certain period of time, right?  lol

So, I was looking at my spice rack and my spice cabinet and what a huge disarray they are in and decided to clear out spices I don’t use.  Like I said I hate to throw them away so I just put them in a less prominent place so I could still get to them if I ever needed them.

So, I pared down to 10 herbs and spices I always keep on hand.  Some of them I use all the time and some I try to incorporate when I can because they have health benefits.

Here are the 10 I kept:

Oregano
Used in, but not limited to Italian, Mediterranean, and Mexican dishes.  The oils in Oregano are said to inhibit bacteria growth.

Ginger
Two of it’s uses are as a marinade, and made up as a tea.  Ginger is known to settle the stomach.  My Midwife always suggested it for morning sickness when I was pregnant.

Basil
It goes well in Italian dishes and tomato sauces.  According to whfoods.org:

Basil is also a good source of magnesium, which promotes cardiovascular health by prompting muscles and blood vessels to relax, thus improving blood flow and lessening the risk of irregular heart rhythms or a spasming of the heart muscle or a blood vessel.

Garlic
I love to use Garlic in many dishes, from soups and sauces to marinades.  Garlic is said to have many great health benefits, too.   Among many other health benefits, it has been known to help regulate blood sugar levels and help with lowering blood pressure.

Sage
Sage is a good addition to sauces and as a seasoning in marinades for chicken and pork.   This is another one that is said to help lower blood sugar as well as helping to heal a sore throat.

Rosemary
Rosemary is best used in hearty stews and soups, as a seasoning for meat and vegetables.   Rosemary has long been said to be good for memory.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon toast was a favorite of all of our kids, they would mix cinnamon and sugar and then mix it in the butter to go on their toast.  It’s also good in coffees and teas as a special treat.  Cinnamon is another one said to help lower blood sugar and reduce cholesterol.

Cumin
Cumin is good in Indian and Mexican dishes.  It is said to help aid in digestion, too.

Allspice
Allspice is another one that is good in Indian and Mexican dishes.  It also is said to aid in digestion.  It is even known to help with muscle pain and Arthritis.

Black Pepper
Pepper is used in everything from soups, sauces, and marinades to dry rubs and table seasoning.   Black Pepper is said to increase metabolism and energy levels.

What’s in your spice rack or cabinet?