A Beginner’s Guide to Cooking with Seasonings

Seasonings are essential to life; the very spice of life. Even from the earliest days of human civilization people used seasonings to make food taste better and be more appealing.  Seasonings made it possible to store food for longer periods of time and led to the unique development of culture in different areas of the world. Even today the type of seasonings that are used in a country’s cuisine are a cultural marker that set that country apart from others.

Throughout history spices and herbs have been considered prized possessions. Wars have been fought over control of the spice route and who could have access to the lands that the spices came from.  People used to measure their income and their personal wealth in spices instead of money.  In the past kings alone had the kind of access to spices and herbs and other seasonings that even low income people have today. Even though today spices are no longer used as currency and almost anyone can go to the store and buy herbs and spices, or grow them in their own homes, herbs and spices are still very important.

These days more and more people are having to cut their food budgets in order to be able to meet their other financial obligations and whenever people have a limited budget to buy food they will need to find ways to make the same cheap ingredients seem different and appealing.  Seasonings and spices are the best way to take common ingredients and turn them into extraordinary meals.

With the information about seasonings and spices which is included in this ebook you will be able to stock your spice rack with the herbs and spices that you need to create your own unique seasonings.  You will also be able to start cooking with spices and practice making your own blends of seasonings to make every meal an event. 

Good luck to you as you set off into the exciting world of cooking with seasonings!

Table of Contents

Introduction

Why Should You Bother With Seasonings When Cooking?

The History of Using Seasonings in Cooking

The Ten Most Common Spices

1. Basil

2. Bay leaf

3. Caraway seed

4. Chervil         

5. Chives

6. Marjoram

7. Rosemary

8. Nutmeg

9. Paprika

10. Sage

Ten Seasonings Every Cook Should Keep on Hand

Ten Ways to Spice Up Everyday Meals with Seasonings

1. Lemon Pepper Chicken

2. Salads

3. Spaghetti

4. Macaroni and Cheese

5. Soup

6. Pasta

7. Rice

8. Burgers

9. Pizza

10. Tacos

Tips for Using Seasonings When You’re Cooking   

Growing Your Own Herbs for Seasonings

Five Easy to Grow Herbs

Tips for Taking Care of Your Herb Garden

Five Tips for Storing Seasonings

Five Essential Italian Seasonings

Five Essential Cajun Seasonings

Five Essential Jamaican Seasonings

Five Essential Mediterranean Seasonings

Five Essential Indian Seasonings

Five Essential Asian Seasonings

Five Essential BBQ Seasonings

How to Pick the Best Quality Seasonings

Tips for Seasoning Poultry

Tips for Seasoning Steak

Tips for Seasoning Game

Tips for Seasoning Vegetables

Making Your Own Salad Dressings

Tips for Seasoning Soups

Ten ways to spice up your favorite desserts with seasonings

Ten Tips for Blending Your Own Seasonings

1. Store your base herbs and spices properly.

2. Don’t add too many spices and herbs into a mix

3. Taste your herbs and spices individually

4.  Know the strength of different seasonings.

5.  Fall back on the basics

6. Know how different herbs and spices react while cooking

7. Use more fresh herbs than dried herbs

8.  Use the right equipment

9. Mix the herbs and spices thoroughly

10. Throw out any seasoning mixes that aren’t used within four months.

Seasoning with Salt

The Three Best Salt Substitutes

What are Organic Seasonings?

Are Organic Herbs and Spices Better?

The Five Best Reasons to Only Use Organic Seasonings

1. Organically grown herbs and spices are healthier for you

2. You’re helping the environment

3. You’re helping small businesses

4. Organic doesn’t have to be expensive

5. You can Feel good about serving organics to anyone

How to Save Money on Herbs and Spices

Conclusion