Tips for Using Spices

The cupboard is stocked and you're eager to spice up your meals, but where to begin? Here's a list of some tried and true matches. But don’t be limited by traditional uses - some of the most exquisite dishes come from unexpected seasonings.

Beans (dried) - cumin, cayenne, chili, parsley, pepper, sage, savory and thyme

Beef - basil, bay, chili, cilantro, curry, cumin, garlic, marjoram, mustard, oregano, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon and thyme

Breads - anise, basil, caraway, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, dill, garlic, lemon peel, orange peel, oregano, poppy seeds, rosemary, saffron, sage and thyme

Cheese - basil, caraway, celery seed, chervil, chili, chives, coriander, cumin, dill, garlic, horseradish, lemon peel, marjoram, mint, mustard, nutmeg, paprika, parsley, pepper, sage, tarragon and thyme

Chicken - allspice, basil, bay, cinnamon, curry, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, mustard, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, savory, tarragon and thyme

Corn - chili, curry, dill, marjoram, parsley, savory and thyme

Eggs - basil, chervil, chili, chives, curry, dill, fennel, ginger, lemon peel, marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley, pepper, sage, tarragon and thyme

Fish - anise, basil, bay, cayenne, celery seed, chives, curry, dill fennel, garlic, ginger, lemon peel, mustard, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, saffron, sage, savory, tarragon and marjoram

Fruits - allspice, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, ginger and mint

Lamb - basil, bay, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, curry, dill, garlic, marjoram, mint, mustard, oregano, parsley, rosemary, savory, tarragon and thyme

Potatoes - basil, caraway, celery seed, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley, poppy seed, rosemary, tarragon and thyme

Salad Dressings - basil, celery seed, chives, dill, fennel, garlic, horseradish, marjoram, mustard, oregano, paprika, parsley, pepper, rosemary, saffron, tarragon and thyme

Salads - basil, caraway, chives, dill, garlic, lemon peel, lovage, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon and thyme

Soups - basil, bay, chervil, chili, chives, cumin, dill, fennel, garlic, marjoram, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, savory and thyme

Sweets - allspice, angelica, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, ginger, lemon peel, mace, nutmeg, mint, orange peel and rosemary

Tomatoes - basil, bay, celery seed, cinnamon, chili, curry, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, gumbo file, lemongrass, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, savory, tarragon and thyme

Complementary Herbs:

Bouquet Garnis - basil, bay, oregano, parsley Herbal - basil, marjoram, rosemary, thyme Hot - chili peppers, cilantro, cumin, garlic Pungent - celery, chili peppers, cumin, curry, ginger, black pepper Spicy - cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, star anise Sweet - allspice, anise, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg