Essential spices to have in your pantry

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All cooking enthusiasts know that spices make the heart of any dish. Spices are responsible for the plethora of flavors that makes meals special, tasty, and satisfying. As a food lover, you will need staple spices in your spice rack that you can use for many kinds of dishes. Here are examples of essential cooking spices that you need to have.


Black peppercorns. A classic in all recipes, black peppercorns add just the right amount of gentle spice that will make the flavors pop. You can either grind peppercorns using a mill or a mortar and pestle.


Kosher salt. While there are many kinds of salt, Kosher salt provides a tasteful versatility with its neutral flavor. It is easy to cook with and its coarse flakes provide a visible presence when you sprinkle it on top of your dish.

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Chili powder. While some people love spicy dishes, other are partial to heat. Chili powder allows you to control the spice level of the dishes you make. You can either incorporate the powder as you cook or serve it on the side. It has complex levels of heat and adds a wonderful depth of flavor.


Ground ginger. While fresh ginger provides a punchy, intense flavor, ground or powdered ginger allows you to control the zing and spice that you intend to have. You can also use it for baking cookies, cakes, spice rub recipes, tagines, and marinades.


Janet Amos Pribanic shares her recipes with the goal of taking people back to a particular time, person, or experience that they hold dear in their hearts. She hopes to help people share stories and bring back fond memories through the smell, look, and taste of food. For more articles on food and cooking, visit this page.