First, we will start out with using herbs. Below you’ll find a list of herbs that are commonly found in store-bought spice racks, as well as examples of dishes that they compliment well. This is just a guide, so don’t be afraid to experiment with the different herbs in your cupboard. With herbs, you can easily go by scent. Open up a jar?does it smell like it would go well with the dish you have in mind?

Basil: tomato sauces, pesto, vinaigrette
Bay Leaves: soups, marinades, sauces
Cardamom: pickling, but sometimes used in pastries
Celery Flakes: soups, salads, and dips
Celery Salt: pickling, potato salad, cole slaw
Coriander: pickling, meat, Oriental foods, curries
Dill Weed: soups, potatoes, fish, sauces
Italian seasoning: pizza sauce, spaghetti, lasagna
Marjoram: chicken, sausage, stew, soups, meat, potato, pizza and spaghetti sauces
Mint: lamb
Onion Salt: Italian dishes, soups, sauces
Oregano: Italian dishes, stew, soups, sauces
Parsley: potato dishes, eggs, soups, sauces
Rosemary: most roasted meat, stuffing
Sage: chicken, pork, stuffing
Thyme: meat dishes, sauces, clam chowder

Spices can be a bit trickier, as their scents are not nearly as pronounced as herbs, so you may just have to familiarize yourself to the individual flavor of each spice.

Allspice: Tastes like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Baking, roasts, soups, sauces
Cayenne Pepper: meat, chili, Mexican and Louisiana-style foods, seafood (careful?a pinch or less is enough?this stuff is hot!)
Chili Powder: chili, stews, beef (hot)
Cinnamon: baking, hot drinks (cocoa, apple cider, chai)
Cloves: baking, ham (baked), desserts, marinades
Cumin: chili, meat
Curry Powder: mixture of Indian spices (turmeric, garlic, coriander, cumin, ginger) curries, meat, poultry, seafood, Oriental and Indian dishes
Garlic Salt: sauces, meat, poultry, pasta, soup
Ginger: chutney, preserves, Oriental and Indian foods
Lemon Pepper: salads, seafood, poultry, meat
Paprika: eggs, seafood, salad dressing, sauces
Red Pepper: sauces, meat (hot)
Turmeric: curries, meat, eggs

It seems like a lot to take in, but you’ll get the hang of what each herb and spice can contribute to your dishes as you become familiar with the different flavor combinations. The best way to learn to use seasonings is to create a sauce or dish that you’re familiar with. Once you’ve accomplished the “normal” flavor, mess around to create a particular flavor that suits you. For instance, try making spaghetti sauce from scratch rather than buying the ready-made stuff in a jar. You know what spaghetti SHOULD taste like, and this one is almost a fail-safe when learning to season from scratch. All you need is a few cans of tomato puree and your spice rack. You could use “Italian seasoning” if you have it, but it’s kind of a cheat as far as seasoning goes. The basics for your spaghetti herbs should include basil, oregano or marjoram (or both, if you like, however oregano is simply wild marjoram), parsley, coriander (just a little), and thyme. From the spice shelf, just throw in a bit of garlic salt to taste and you’re set!

Don’t be afraid to be adventurous in the kitchen; all great chefs have to start somewhere, and learning the basics of herbs and spices will give you a great foundation.

For example, the spice turmeric is an ingredient found in curry. If you are fond of curry, you’re already doing yourself a favor. There is scientific evidence that turmeric may help relieve arthritis pain. According to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine curcumin, the active constituent in turmeric, may also have an effect on colon cancer. A 2006 study also showed that curcumin can help the brain get rid of built up plaques that may be associated with Alzheimer’s disease. By utilizing curry in your diet as often as possible, you can give yourself a leg up on some of these illnesses.

Do you like cinnamon? A favorite spice used on toast, in pies and cookies and other baked goods, cinnamon also has health benefits. German studies have shown that cinnamon can help lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol. That’s good news for diabetics and those who have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic. While the occasional bit of cinnamon in your food is great, large amounts can be dangerous. If you want to reap the health benefits of cinnamon, it is best to use a cinnamon extract.

Rosemary is a popular herb used with poultry, lamb and beef. It also is a beautiful garden herb. It has been discovered that rosemary helps prevent heterocyclic amines (HCAs) from forming when meat is cooked at high temperatures. HCAs have been proven to be carcinogens. Just by putting this powdered herb on your meat can make a difference. Studies have also shown that rosemary may be effective against tumors.

Ginger has long been known as an aid to an upset digestion. It is helpful for morning sickness, nausea and motion sickness. Some studies have also shown ginger to have some effect against high blood pressure, arthritis pain and some risks for cancer, especially ovarian cancer.

If you like growing your own herbs, you may want to give Holy Basil a try. This is a specific strain of the familiar basil that is often used in Italian cuisine. Taken as a tea, Holy Basil can help relieve stress, and there are some preliminary studies that show it may also be effective against cancer tumors.

St. John’s wort first came to everyone’s notice when it was discovered to help mild depression. Besides that, it is being studied for its effects in helping people fall asleep. Keep your ears open for more about this unassuming little plant with the bright yellow flowers.

Garlic has long been touted as a blood cleanser and for its antibacterial qualities… now it can add lowering blood pressure and the prevention of strokes and cancer to its long list of healthy attributes. If you don’t like garlic enough to eat several cloves a day, you can try a garlic supplement. Be aware that garlic supplements that have no odor are not effective.

While natural remedies may be preferable, don’t assume they are all safe. If you are unsure, check with your physician or a certified herbalist. Follow dosages carefully… more doesn’t necessarily mean better.

Still don’t think that a spice rack is for you? If you cook frequently, then you need to consider the benefits that come with owning a kitchen spice rack.

The first major benefit is the organization of all your spices. Most kitchens have them scattered all over in many different types of containers from jars to bins to cookie jars and even plastic bags. You can also find spice racks in many different sizes and shapes, there are magnetic spice racks, hanging spice racks, wrought iron spice racks and even carousel spice racks. Each type of spice rack provides for a different location and function for your kitchen. You no longer need to take up valuable kitchen counter space for all your loose containers. Before you get a spice rack, determine where in your kitchen you want it to be located so that you can find the right rack for you.

Another benefit is durability. Kitchen spice racks are designed to last a long time of cared for correctly. Cleaning a kitchen spice rack is as easy as just wiping it down with a damp rag to make sure that you remove dust and other items that may adhere to the rack. Cleaning the rack occasionally will make sure that it will be around for a long while. A third benefit is the natural benefits of spices. For example, Peppermint can act as a decongestant to help clear your sinuses up if you have caught a cold. Cinnamon is believed to regulate blood sugar which in turn can help prevent diabetes. Rosemary is a natural blood thinner, which can help with the onset of headaches. The thinning blood properties are similar to the way aspirin works to help stop the pain of headaches.

A final benefit of getting a kitchen spice rack is simply the ease of using one. Having all your spices in one location while cooking makes it so much easier then hunting around for the ingredient that you need but can’t find. With a rack, you can put the spices that are used most often in the front of the rack and the least used spices in the back of the rack. You can also build your rack with your own spices so you don’t have spices in the rack that you will never ever use.

What ever rack you decide on getting, make sure that it fits the style of your kitchen. If you are an avid cooker having a kitchen spice rack is a must, and getting all these benefits make your spice rack purchase even better.

Steve C provides information about kitchen spice rack benefits through his website on Kitchen Spice Racks.

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