Spices You Shouldn't Live Without
Spices make an appearance in just about all of my meals – they’re an excellently easy way to add flavour plus they have endless health benefits. With their ability to take any dish from boring to delicious, and their various healing properties, building up a generous spice collection is definitely something I recommend. Here are my favourite spices that everyone should add to their spice collection today!
Chilli
Chilli is a great accompaniment to a huge variety of dishes and cuisines. It’s also an excellent way to intensify flavours and has a range of health benefits, including from supporting your immune system. Try these Chilli Lemon Toasted Peanuts for a boost of chili.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a superstar in my books. It can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, from smoothies to marinades to biscuits. Let’s not forget that it also helps to stabilise blood sugar levels, helping to give you a sustained release of energy and therefore avoid that 3pm energy slump. If you’re looking for a cinnamon snack with cinnamon, check out my Pumpkin Cinnamon Bliss Balls.
Pepper
It’s a rare occasion when I don’t add cracked black pepper to my lunch or dinner. It suits just about everything and is made even better with fresh lemon juice. Try adding it to your next meal and you’ll know what I mean!
Paprika
Paprika is a great way to liven up any meal with its bright red colour. It’s great in Mexican dishes like tacos, in savoury soups and stews, as a coating for various proteins, and more. I also have to mention smoked paprika, which packs a punch and is a great way to add a smokey flavour to any dish – try adding it wherever you’d add paprika if you’re craving a rich flavour.
Cumin & Coriander
I had to pair these two spices together. I use them a lot in a lot of my cooking and I rarely ever use one without the other. I love them especially in the colder weather in soups, stews, sauces and curries. For an easy way to incorporate cumin and coriander into your next meal, try this Roasted Pumpkin Soup.