Mr.Food : Tips & Facts - Variety is the SPICE of Life

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good to know secrets

kitchen basics

time & money savers

rescue those leftovers

we eat with our eyes

There’s no magic to using spices and herbs. We all have our regular “comfort” flavors that we keep going back to, like salt, pepper, onion, and garlic. If you like those…fine. But if you’re looking for a change, start by using the spices that came with your spice rack and go from there. There are so many herb and spice choices that can give new excitement to food.

Here are some tips for enjoying them:

	Fresh vs. Dried: You can substitute dry herbs for fresh with this formula: 1 teaspoon dry herb = 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herb
	Sample: Buy a new spice each time you go shopping. That way you’ll get to experiment with ginger one week, sage another, and so on. It’ll sure take the ho-hum out of cooking!
	Experiment: Look through your cookbooks to find recipes that call for herbs and spices that you don’t usually use. Then get the new one(s) and go for it! You might find a new family favorite!
	Store 'em Right: Don’t store herbs and spices over your stove or refrigerator. The heat will affect the freshness. Store them in a cool, dark place.
	Check Expiration Dates: Spices don’t last forever. The average person might have spices in their cabinets that go back 5 years or more. It’s hard to believe, but most spices lose their full strength after 1 year. With that in mind, maybe it’s time to start replacing those older ones one or two at a time.
"Spicy" ideas you need to know! It’s Time to Check Your Spices Indoor Herb Garden Spice Racks Spice of the Month: Dill Weed Garden Herb Steak Roasted Tomato Spaghetti