10 Herbs and Spices Every Kitchen Should Have

One of the things I have learned from cooking is that every kitchen cabinet needs to have the basic herbs and spices used to season dishes. Once the basic's are covered then some extra herbs and spices need to be added to the cabinet. Here are 10 herbs and spices that every kitchen cabinet needs to have to season everything from soup to fish.

The Basic Must Have Herbs and Spices

Parsley - Use this herb for the mild flavor it adds to food and for the coloring it adds as a garnish.

Sage - This is a must have herb for seasoning any poultry dish. It has a slight peppery flavor and is best used on meats in a marinade but is also good in stuffing and sauces.

Rosemary - Rosemary is best used to season fish and seafood products but it is also a great seasoning for grilled meats, lamb and potatoes. I especially like rosemary on roasted red potatoes.

Thyme - This is the basic herb used in dishes from all over the world including French, Italian, Indian, Greek and Spanish cuisines. Use thyme on lamb, meats, poultry, soups and stews.

Whole Peppercorns - Once you have fresh peppercorns you won't go back to pre-ground pepper. It is essential that your kitchen have a peppermill or grinder to grind whole peppercorns. Use this spice on any dish. It adds a nice kick to white sauces when you use the whole peppercorns instead of grinding them.

The Extra Herbs and Spices Your Kitchen Should Have

Bay Leaf - Use this herb in soups and stews, with vegetables or with seafood. The bay leaf has a sharp almost bitter taste that compliments these dishes well.

Paprika - How else are you supposed to season Deviled Eggs? Paprika can be used on almost anything to add a flavorful kick. Season rice, seafood, meats, and goulash with this spice made from dried and ground peppers.

Cinnamon - This is an essential in the kitchen for baking and making curries but cinnamon can also be used for hot drinks and it is especially good on French Toast!

Oregano - This is one of the main ingredients in Italian cuisine but it can also be found across the globe in Turkish cuisine and Greek cuisine. Use oregano to season pasta sauce, to add flavor to a salad, top off a pizza or when frying some vegetables.

Garlic - Fresh is preferable but powdered will do. Garlic is not only good for you but it taste great mixed with olive oils to create garlic breads and bruschetta. Garlic powder can enhance the flavor of pasta sauce and can be used to season meats, poultry and seafood.