Looking for a way to add some extra flavor to your meal without adding fat or sodium? If so, it’s time to head to the spice section of your grocery store and fill up your spice rack. Spices not only add flavor, but many also provide nutritional and antioxidant benefits. Some of my favorite spices are listed below. Next time you are at the store, buy a few and add some new flavors to your meals!
- Garlic
- Garlic is great to use in pasta sauces and Italian dishes. Garlic is delicious when sautéed with vegetables, used as an ingredient in whipped or roasted potatoes, or for added zest on grilled meats. Garlic is commonly used in salad dressings and marinades for its distinctive flavor.
- Cinnamon
- Cinnamon is delicious stirred into oatmeal (try the Overnight Oats Recipe), blended into smoothies, mixed into your morning cup of coffee, and sprinkled on a sweet potato for added flavor.
- Tumeric / Curry
- Tumeric is a commonly used spice in many Asian and Indian curry dishes. Tumeric makes a great addition to rice, giving it a golden color, and can be sautéed with vegetables, chicken, or seafood. Tumeric is often included in hot teas and “golden milk” – a hot milk drink that contains tumeric, black pepper, ginger, and cinnamon.
- Rosemary
- Rosemary is often used to add flavor when roasting or grilling poultry, pork, beef, fish, potatoes, and vegetables. Rosemary makes the perfect addition when making homemade rolls and focaccia bread.
- Ginger
- Ginger is commonly used as an ingredient in stir fry recipes, marinades, and soups. Ground ginger is often added into sweets – such as cookies and cakes – and is included in drinks such as hot tea and ginger ale.
