I love meals with great flavor and I enjoy all kinds of food. My parents were not adventurous eaters. When we went out, it was either pizza, Italian food and Chinese food. My grandmother loved to eat all kinds of fish and Asian food so when I was with her, we would enjoy lots of Asian food. Binky, would also cook with ginger (fresh and pickled) so I grew up loving ginger in all forms: fresh, ground and pickled.
One of her claim to fames was her lamb curry. It was old school and wonderful and she would serve it with all the accoutrements – and always a beautiful presentation and so much great food with so many different flavors and textures. It was such a blend of spicy, savory, and sweet. There was the smooth curry contrasted by the cashew nuts, mint and cilantro, and mango chutney. I loved that dish. It might have been the dish that opened Pandoras box in the sense that from thereI would try and eat almost anything.
When people ask what are my favorite spices for my kitchen, I say it is usually a blend that are more international because of the flavor profile. I lived in London twice and grew up going and spending time in Scotland. I love Haggis! It seriously is one of my favorite meals. I fell in love with Indian food while living in London as well as all kinds of Middle Eastern food, consecutively my spice collection tends to lean heavy on a more worldly collection.
Favorites:
- Ground Cumin and cumin seed
- Curry powders from around the world: Burmese , Maharajah, Kashmiri, Vindaloo, Madras, Garam Masala, Vadouvan
- Tandoori
- Turmeric, ground and fresh
- Za’tar
- Ras El Hanout
- Sumac
- Shawarma
- Harissa
- Ginger, ground, fresh, and crystallized
- Cinnamon, Vietnamese, Ceylon, and Indonesia
- Coriander (Cilantro) seed and ground
- Cardamon seed and ground
- Fenugreek seed, ground
- Penzeys Now Curry
- Smoked Spanish Paprika
This is a list of my favorite spices. Some these you can’t find in a normal grocery store or even a specialty store. I have a few websites I like to buy good quality herbs and spices: The Spice House, Oaktown Spice Shop, and Penzeys.
All these spices can be used with a little olive oil and turned into a rub or marinade for meats/fish/vegetables. You can even make dips with some of these spices. Additionally, some of these dishes go nicely with eggs, like the shawarma.
View Blog – Fresh Herbs
🌶️ Sources & External Links – Spice Guides, Tips, and Resources
Help your readers deepen their knowledge of spices with these expert-approved resources and trusted spice retailers:
- The Spice House
Shop high-quality spices, seasoning blends, and learn the best practices for cooking with flavor. - Penzeys Spices
A beloved source for global spices and thoughtful blends, along with great educational content on flavor combinations. - Serious Eats – Guide to Essential Spices
Learn which spices are pantry must-haves and how to use them in various cuisines. - Bon Appétit – How to Toast and Bloom Spices
Step-by-step tips on elevating your spice game by using techniques like blooming and toasting. - BBC Good Food – Understanding Spices
A beginner-friendly guide to the world of spices, including their origins and uses in global cooking. - Food52 – Spice Rack Tips
Practical advice on organizing, storing, and rotating your spices to keep them fresh and fragrant.
