serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

ok...today's threads got me thinking...not about sex...but about FOOD!!! thats why I have 10 extra pounds on me


I am scared of spices though...

I use garlic...and salt...

if cooking italian: oregano, basil

if cooking mexican: cumin...


what are you successful with?

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

yabbo, the serious part in fron of the question LOL!!

I like:

Garlic Powder

Mrs Dash (Thanks Lisa Rose)

Oregano etc etc...

And i LOVE Montreal seasoning for steaks YUMMY!!!

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

I love cajun seasoning spice! it really good on chicken! sometimes i sprinkle potatos with it befor baking them in the oven!

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

I use garlic a lot! Love it
I also love the Montreal steak seasonings.
Hot sauce

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

I love to use Herbs d'Provence on Chicken- braise it in the oven... Rosemary in Meatballs- believe it or not it's delish- but it has to be fresh... Rosemary in roasted potatoes and in steak....

chicken with sage and thyme is v. v. good..

paprika on flounder with a little cayenne.

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

cayenne pepper and paprika are favorites in addition to those already mentioned.

Also I cook with balsamic vinegar often too.

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

Mrs Dash baby!!! YUMMY!!!


Do you like cumin? or Curry?

I spice up my rice by adding some cumin or curry power (depending on what I am eating) to the rice and it really 'kicks it up' LOL

LOVE garlic and Hot sauce!!!

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

guess it depends on the dish - wasabi is great in potatoes and when pan searing...

4 seasons italian dressing is a great marinade

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

My DH puts hot souce on Everything!

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

jen...I didn't want anyone to think I was being fecetious!

lisa...tell me more about the bal vinegar...

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

I also use Lemon/Peper combo on chicken!!

If you like the taste of lemon...take some lemon juice (fresh or bottled) add some garlic and oregano. Either marinate chicken in it or baste the chicken with it!! YUMMY!!!!!!

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

I use Garlic (fresh and powdered), fresh pepper, adobo, sofrito, oregano, cayenne pepper

I like spicy


oh yes and the balsamic vinegar!!!

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

Salsa is another way to spice up your food...I got a recipe for a chile that you use jarred salsa to make a quick chile!!

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

i put hot sauce on EVERYTHING, fh yells and tells me i'm going to burn a hole in my stomach.

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

ooh...Lisa...someone gave me the trick of putting carrot shavings in the water for cooking rice...it gives it a good flavor...

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

In my experimental cooking I have used red curry powder and I have done blackened salmon and catfish.
Garlic is a favorite at my house.

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

one of our favorits dishes in college was balsamic chicken and broccoli - yummy!

chicken cutlets, garlic, water & balsamic in the pan, add the broccoli towards the end.

also, when making stir frys, I'll add some balsamic to the veggies w/ other spices & some parm cheese.

I don't really have 'recipes' - I just make it up as I go.

I love the flavor it adds to the veggies, particularly broccoli.

we brought back 21 year old aged balsamic vinegar from italy last week. Can't wait to try it!

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

Balsamic vinegar is very flavorful. Garlic salt is good on pastas if you don't have the real thing on hand. Rosemary is good for potatoes and steak. I also use a lot of oregano.

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

Chipotle Peppers are AMAZING!!!!!!
I make a great chipotle chicken dish.....

I also like Mole sauce....

I use Ginger on occasion....

Re: serious...how do you spice up your cooking?

I usually stick with Garlic, don't know how to use anything else.