Are there general usage tips for spices?
• Use a light hand when seasoning with herbs and spices. Your goal is to compliment your dish without crowding out the flavor of the food. • To release the flavor of dried herbs and spices, crumble them in your palm, or grind with a mortar and pestle, before adding them to your dish. • Lightly toasting whole spices in a dry skillet over medium heat before grinding will bring out even more flavor. • For long-cooking dishes, add whole spices during cooking to permeate the food, and add ground or cut herbs and spices an hour or less before serving. Finely crush dried herbs before adding to your dish…after measuring! • Black pepper, granulated garlic, salt and cayenne pepper are excellent “after cooking” seasonings. • Don’t be afraid to experiment!
