Spices

I have a lot of problems with spices.  Which ones do you add when?  I just made this soup with: black beans, tomatoes, jalapeños (which are BURNING me at the moment), onions, corn kernels, and garlic, and I have some fresh cilantro to add to it after it finishes cooking before I eat it but I feel like its missing something.  And I was just wondering which spices you use when.  Cause I have oregeno and paprika and basil in my cupboard but uh...  Its hard to know what to use when.  I just started really cooking (like from scratch) and so was wondering what everyones opinions on spices were.

 

I'm rambling, sorry.

It sounds like this recipe is missing cumin or chili powder. I make a similar recipe and it's delish with a dollop of sour cream and fresh cilantro on top.

I added a little chili powder.  I have sour cream and avacado to add to the top.  As well as the cilantro I talked about.  Its actually not bad. I'm proud of myself for once.  w00t

OMG i love this spice I invented.....

Pepper/granulated garlic/crushed red peppers/oregano

It's GREAT on steamed veggies as well on chicken breast!

 

~H~

Ooo!  That sounds delightful!  I'll start up the grill tomorrow and put it on a chicken breast.  Mmm...  I love spices...  Only problem is I never know how to use them.  Cause they can be the best thing eva!  Or ruin whatever your cooking.  D:

 

Whats the ratio of spices in your little mixture there haley?

well first do it all equal except for the crushed peppers...unless you like spicey like me :)

I am a huge spicey and garlic fan!!!

I get all my spices bulk since it's cheaper that way.
~H~

Leave in everything you said, including the chili powder and cilantro, and hit it with a shot of fresh squeezed lime juice right at the end, when you add your cilantro, and stir.  This will take it WAY over the top.  And, this is a killer combo too, with your black beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions, corn, and cilantro.  Chili powder, fresh cilantro, and fresh lime will take it to a new dimension.  All of these flavors complement each other amazingly well.  Delicious.  Try to make sure you at least put a small pinch of salt in there somewhere, too, if you can do salt.  It wakes up the flavor even more.  Add a drizzle of honey if you like a sweet/spicy flavor combo.   Crap, now I'm really hungry for this.  May have to make it tomorrow! 

If the ingredients you are using are mainly fresh or low sodium/low/no added salt, it's probably just a little low on salt.

Otherwise, I second the lime juice/cumin suggestions.  =)

Mrs dash actually makes seasonings for specific items, might help you and low sodium.  I use garlic salt or powder (depending on if I use other salt) on just about everything.  I use peppers and other zingy seasonings on chicken or fish, dillweed and mustard on fish (also peppers), paprika on egg dishes, basil and oregano in red sauces or italian style dishes in general.  I like hot though so I would add a little tobasco in that dish and top with salsa and a few baked tortilla crisps (made from pita or tortilla baked).

I'm going to throw in a suggestion of adding in a tsp or two of turmeric if you ever make a dish like this again. Turmeric has lots of health benefits, and is considered a cancer fighting agent (or so they say...) and I find it adds wonderful flavour to tomato and/or bean dishes.

Generally speaking, if you are following a recipe, the first time you should pretty much do what it says.  You'll be able to tell if it needs more after that.  But a lot depends on what you're used to.  I grew up in an area with TONS of Italian places, so I'm really used to all the Italian spices.  I'm really good at those types of meals...but I shy away from curry cause I have no idea what to do with it.  And now that I'm in the South, I need to get used to all the hot peppers, chilis, etc. 

In all honesty, what I wind up doing is going by smell, at least with Italian.  I tase whatever I'm eating a little bit and then smell some things I'm thinking of adding, like oregano or parsley.  It somehow just smells right to me.  Or I could just be weird. =)

Edit: OMG, how did I not add garlic to all that???? And onion powder.

I do the smell thing too.  I think there are certain people who taste and smell are more closely linked than others.  We just have an easier time with spices :)

I would say add some cumin to your soup.  It will make the dish perfect, I promise.  Try a teaspoon to start off with.  It's a pretty strong spice :)  

As a general rule, I add dry spices at the beginning of cooking (if the dish is going to have sauteed onions in it, I usually add the dry spices right as the onions are finishing up, before I add the other ingredients). I add fresh herbs after cooking (like you are doing with the cilantro).

If I'm making something Italian-esque, I use basil, oregano, possibly a bit of marjoram.

Mexican - oregano, cumin, chili powder

Greek - dill, oregano or cinnamon (even in savory dishes - it's good with meat)

Indian - turmeric, ginger, coriander, cumin

I use garlic with everything. I also use salt and black pepper with everything. I tend to add heat at the table (sliced jalapenos or cayenne pepper) because my SO is not a big fan of spicy food.

hm...don't have an answer for you, but...can i have the recipe :D ?

Wow.  Theres all these great suggestions...  D:  I'll have to start using all these suggestions!  Woo hoo!

 

I didn't use a recipe.  I know how to make chili and I just used that except no pinto beans, meat, tomato paste...  I used vegetable broth...  Mmmm...  Yeah.  I used it all in can form as well.  If it comes in a can, even if it says low sodium, does that generally mean its high in sodium?  I dunno...  I'm not good with the whole mg thing and then it gives daily values but really?  Mmph...  Oh well.

I looooove basil, it's proably my #1 spice, other than cinnamon :P
I use it in some soups, in mashed tatoes or baked tatoes, anything italian, sometimes I put it fresh in salads.
Also i make a sandwich with FF mozzarella, tomato, and basil on light wheat bread and toast it all :D

Mmmmmmm....  That sounds like a delightful sandwich!  *is hungry*  A lovely panini...Mmmmmm