Being able to fall back on reliable recipes is a must for any cook, but this pattern gets old from time to time. You’ll want to switch things up by trying new blends of spices that take your food to the next level. Although many household cooks rely on the classic salt and pepper seasonings, this leaves meals feeling dull and lackluster. If you want to host a dinner party or spice up your and your partner’s meal on a weeknight, follow these tips to add flavor to your favorite dishes.
Incorporate fresh herbs
Incorporating fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary and oregano is a great way to bring a fresh and hearty taste to any meal. If you’re going to use these herbs in your next dish, make sure to incorporate them early in the cooking process so they have time to release their maximum flavor.
If you want to add herbs last minute, try parsley, cilantro, basil and chives. These herbs even make a nice garnish to brighten up any plate. If you want to garnish a dish with basil, for example, stack the leaves face down from big to small and roll the leaves tightly and thinly. From there. slice the roll thinly and separate the finely cut ribbons for your dish.
Toast your spices to bring out more flavor
Toasting spices is one of the best ways to unlock a whole new level of flavor. Place them into a pan on medium-low heat with olive oil to toast them correctly. From there, swirl them often until they are fragrant instead of burnt.
If you’re unsure what spices to toast first, try classic and flavorful spices like cumin, coriander, black peppercorns, fennel and cloves. If you want to branch out further, try toasting spices like cardamom, star anise and mustard seed. Once these herbs are toasted, you can grind them up and store them for several months.
Try adding umami
If you want to focus on salty flavors, everyday household staples like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and anchovies add a delicious umami taste to any dish. If you’re going to take your recipe further, creating a marinade with soy sauce, chili oil and finely minced anchovies for any meat or tofu is a delicious recommendation.
Stay tuned for more recipes and seasoning recommendations coming soon.
