Cooking with Spices: Tips and Recipes to Liven up Your Meals

Do you love the taste of a freshly cooked, homemade meal but get tired of eating it the same way?

Why not add an extra zing to your meals by cooking with spices? Many people are intimidated by cooking with spices. After all, remembering which herbs go well with which foods can be obscure. There's no need to feel overwhelmed; cooking with spices doesn't have to be complicated or require special ingredients.

With simple tips and recipes, you can quickly learn to liven up your meals and health with the power of cooking spices. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find that adding spices to your food can add lots of flavour and interest to your meals.

In this blog, we'll talk about the different types of spices, their health benefits, and some easy recipes to help you start cooking with spices. Get ready to rediscover the flavours you love and create healthy meals that are both delicious and nutritious.

Let's get cooking!

The Benefits of Cooking with Spices

There are many benefits to using spices in cooking that can improve your health and lifestyle.

The many documented health benefits of spices warrant us increasing our consumption of these ingredients as part of our regular diets. There are a myriad of different spices and herbs that boast positive effects on our overall health and well-being.

They are rich in antioxidants and contain nutrients with anti-inflammatory properties and compounds known to help with cancer prevention. They also have blood sugar-regulating properties and affect our moods positively, too.

With their potent healing powers, we would be wise to use herbs and spices daily in cooking or as supplements in our daily routines. Here are some tips to help get you started:

1. Learning about the different spices and their flavours can help you add more flavour to your food. There are many different spices available, each with its own unique flavour. Some spices are warming, while others are cooling. When you're cooking, it's important to understand the different flavours of the spices to combine them correctly.
2. Experimenting with different spice combinations can help create exciting and unique dishes. If you need clarification on what spices go well together, combine a few different ones and see how it turns out. You may be surprised at how well certain spices work together.
3. Starting with simple recipes and working your way up to more complicated dishes is an excellent way to get comfortable cooking with spices. This way, you'll learn how each spice affects the flavour of food and how to use them correctly. Balance is key; you want to stay moderate on the seasoning you use.
4. To begin cooking with spices, you should invest in a few good-quality spices that you can use regularly. Quality spices will produce the best-tasting meals. They will also last longer, saving you money in the long run.
5. Spices that are freshly ground provide the best flavour and aroma. If possible, purchase whole spices and grind them yourself. This will ensure the spices are at their freshest level. Spices that cannot be ground should be purchased in small quantities and used as soon as possible.
6. Store your spices in a cool, dark place. Spices should be stored in a cool, dark place to preserve their flavour and potency. The kitchen cupboard is an excellent place to keep them, but make sure it's not too close to the stove—heat can destroy the flavour of spices.
7. Make your spice mixtures. Making your own spice blends is a great way to add lots of flavour to your food. It's also a great way to use up any leftover spices you have on hand. There are many different spice blend recipes, so experiment until you find one you like.
8. Use whole spices whenever possible for maximum taste and freshness. Whole peppercorns and other dry ingredients have much more character than pre-ground powders—you'll taste the difference.
9. Be patient—cooking with spices takes time and practice to perfect! But with some trial and error, you'll be able to master it in no time.

Adding spices to your food takes time and practice to perfect. Don't be discouraged if you don't achieve the results you hoped for on your first try!

Enhanced Flavours

Cooking with spices creates flavourful and vibrant meals filled with tasty and healthy ingredients.

Your friends and family will be impressed! Enhancing the natural taste of your food is the best way to cook; it's much healthier for you and will please your taste buds.

Here are some ways that you can incorporate more seasonings into your everyday cuisine:

• Add Fresh Herbs: Try crushing some dried oregano leaves and adding them to tomato sauce for a burst of Mediterranean flavour. Or add some sprigs of fresh parsley, thyme, or basil to any dish that needs extra green goodness!
• Dried Fruits: Dried fruits can be used in many different applications, including baking, granola, cereal, salads, and more! Apples and blueberries would work well to add sweetness to a salad. You can also use lemon rinds for some tangy fruitiness!
• Chillies: Capsaicin, the compound that gives chillies their kick, is also a useful anti-inflammatory agent! So if you're feeling under the weather, reaching for your favourite hot sauce could be just what you need. Just be careful not to overdo it! Chilli flakes can add a spicy hint to any savoury recipe. You can also add finely chopped jalapeños to a classic guacamole recipe for a kick! Top off your tacos with some chopped red and fresh white onion!
• Spices: One of the true delights of Indian cuisine comes from using carefully selected and blended masalas or curries. These mixtures bring together a range of dry and delicate aromatics that transform even the most humble vegetables into complex and satisfying dishes.

Nutrient Boost

You can get a nutritional boost from adding spices to your meals—remember that they're full of antioxidants and other compounds with anti-inflammatory properties!

Adding spice to your food is a great way to stay healthy and lose weight—plus, it can even help reduce your appetite! Here are some nutritional benefits of cooking with spices:

• Antioxidants: Help fight against free radicals, compounds that damage our cells and cause us to feel tired, sluggish, and ill. They protect the body against the effects of free radicals and help prevent the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Antioxidants are found in various plant-based foods, including herbs and spices, so they're a great way to increase your daily intake.
• Lower Sodium: Salt is a flavour enhancer, but it also adds unnecessary sodium to your diet—too much salt can cause high blood pressure and heart disease. Salt is a preservative and a flavour enhancer, so it's in pretty much everything. Adding some ground pepper to your meals is a great way to reduce the amount of salt you add—plus, it boosts flavour! You can also use fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme to add flavour to your meals without using salt.
• Reduced Hunger: Some people find that adding certain spices to their meals can help reduce their appetite and help control their weight. As mentioned above, capsaicin (the compound that gives chillies their kick) is a known appetite suppressant—it's a compound we can't taste, but our bodies can! Cayenne pepper has also been known to reduce appetite because it triggers the brain to release endorphins, the feel-good hormones in the brain that help us feel full and satisfied!

These are just a few nutritional benefits associated with herbs and spices; there are many more! By cooking with spices and herbs, you can increase your intake of these great ingredients and enjoy many health benefits!

Variety

Not only do herbs and spices offer a whole host of nutritional benefits, but they also add a lot of flavour to your meals!

Adding a variety of flavours to your meals is a great way to prevent boredom and promote healthy eating! Many people find that incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into their diet is a great way to lose weight because our bodies need a variety of vitamins and minerals to perform optimally.

Variety also helps prevent boredom and promotes healthy eating habits. Many people also find that incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into their diet is a great way to lose weight because our bodies need a variety of vitamins and minerals to perform optimally.

Try adding a few sprigs of fresh parsley or basil to any dish that needs a little extra flavour—it's a great way to pump up the flavour of your meals without adding extra calories or fat!

Tips for Cooking with Spices and Easy Recipes to Get You Started

Now that you know the basics and benefits of using spices in cooking, here are some easy recipes to help you experiment!

Spice-based Soups

There are many different types of soups that you can make with spices. These soups take a little time to prepare, but they're well worth the effort—they taste amazing and are full of beneficial nutrients! Soups are a great way to get one of your five-a-day!

Below are a few recipes for you to try your hand at:

Thai Curry Noodle Soup (Vegan Version):

This Thai curry noodle soup is loaded with shredded mushrooms and zucchini noodles and has a creamy broth with a spicy bite. On a chilly day, you can savour this hot Thai noodle soup. It is suitable for those following Vegan, Paleo, Dairy-free, Grain-free, Gluten-free, and Specific Carbohydrate Diets.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of shredded mushrooms (as a vegan substitute for chicken breasts)
• 1 onion (finely diced)
• 3 cloves of garlic (finely diced)
• 2 red Thai chillies (thinly sliced)
• 2 tbsp ginger (finely diced)
• 2 tbsp Thai basil
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp red curry paste
• 2 zucchini (spiralised)
• ¼ cup of chopped scallions
• 1 tsp coconut aminos or soy sauce (as a vegan alternative to the fish sauce)
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 4 cups of vegetable stock
• 1 can (400ml) coconut milk

Method:

• Using a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil.
• Add the diced onion, garlic, and ginger and saute for five minutes until the onion has softened. The curry paste should be added, stirred, and let simmer for two minutes before adding the broth, coconut milk, coconut aminos or soy sauce, lime juice, and shredded mushrooms.
• The broth should simmer for 5 minutes before adding the zucchini noodles, scallions, and half of the sliced red chillies. Let the zucchini cook for 1 minute before removing them from the heat (do not overcook).
• Divide the remaining red chilli slices and Thai basil among the bowls.

  West African Peanut Soup Recipe (Vegan Version):

West African Peanut Soup is vegan and dairy-free, and it's creamy, savoury, and packed with veggies and plant-based protein from chickpeas. This hearty soup is perfect for cold winter nights.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium red onion (chopped)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 medium sweet potato (diced and peeled)
• 1 jalapeño pepper (finely chopped and seeded)
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger (minced)
• ¾ cup of natural creamy peanut butter
• ¾ cup of tomato paste
• 2 cups of kale leaves (finely chopped)
• 1 can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• ¼ cup of roasted peanuts (roughly chopped)
• ½ cup of coriander leaves (roughly chopped)
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 2 cups of water
• Optional: Add some hot sauce, like Sriracha, to taste.

Method:

• Olive oil should be heated in a sizable soup pot over medium heat before adding red onion, sweet potato, and jalapeno.
• Cook the sweet potato for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is transparent. Ginger and garlic should be added to oil, heated to medium heat and cooked for an additional minute.
• Add a teaspoon of salt to the dish. Ten minutes of low-heat simmering with veggie broth and water are added.
• A medium, heat-proof basin should be filled with a few cups of hot broth. Mix the tomato paste and peanut butter in the bowl after adding them (add a bit more broth if the mixture is too thick).
• Stir the soup thoroughly after adding the ingredients. When the soup is thick, and the kale is wilted, add the chickpeas and continue simmering for another 15 to 20 minutes.
• Consider seasoning the soup with Sriracha sauce if more salt is needed. Toss in plenty of chopped peanuts and coriander leaves before eating.

Phall Curry (Vegan Version):

The spicy Indian dish phall curry, which is cooked with tomatoes, fennel seeds, and masalas containing the world's hottest chilli, Bhut Jolokia (more commonly known as the "Ghost Pepper"), is on every foodie's list of must-eat spicy meals.

Eating Phall Curry, widely referred to as the world's spiciest curry, is like eating fire for dinner!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb tofu (chopped)
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• ¼ cup green onions (chopped )
• 4 cloves of garlic (chopped)
• 3 ghost peppers (chopped)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
• 1 to 2 tbsp curry powder
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin
• 14 oz can of diced tomatoes (or use the equivalent amount of fresh tomatoes)
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the juice from fresh limes (as well as a few lime wedges for serving).
• Chopped coriander and spicy chilli flakes (or parsley for serving)
• 2 cups of cooked rice for serving

Method:

• In a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil to medium-high.
• Sprinkle the diced tofu with salt and pepper. Add the onion and ghost peppers.
• When the onions and peppers are tender, simmer them for about five minutes. When cooking with ghost peppers, cooking in a well-ventilated area is advisable.
• Add the tofu and cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tofu is mostly cooked. Adding the garlic, ginger, and most of the green onions, cook another minute, stirring until the garlic is fragrant.
• Stir in the curry powder, paprika, cardamom, turmeric, and cumin. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one minute, followed by the diced tomatoes and vegetable stock.
• Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes or more to let the flavours develop and the tofu cooks through. The curry will thicken as it cools.
• Top the spicy tofu curry with lime juice and sprinkle with green onions, parsley or cilantro, spicy chilli flakes, and lime slices.

Paneer Jalfrezi (Vegan Version):

A sour and extremely hot dish created with onion, tomato, green chillies, bell peppers, and spices is semi-dry and made with these ingredients.

This meal is one of the most popular paneer dishes among vegetarians, but even if you're a carnivore searching for some substantial heat, you might enjoy it. Naans, Rotis, plain Jeera rice, or even a bowl of steaming aromatic rice like basmati or jasmine are all excellent accompaniments to paneer jalfrezi.

Ingredients:

• 230g of tofu (diced into cubes as a vegan substitute for paneer)
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 medium green pepper (thinly sliced)
• 1 small tomato (sliced)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder (or mild paprika)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Add salt to taste.
• Optional: Add some fresh coriander for a garnish.

Method:

• In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, warm the oil over medium heat.
• For 30 seconds, add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle. The onions should be added and fried for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender.
• Add the garlic when it has softened, and cook for a short time. Stir for another minute after adding each spice powder.
• If the spices are clinging to the pan's bottom, it is advised that you add a little water. Mix the peppers with the seasonings for 4-5 minutes.
• At this stage, add the tomatoes and sauté them until just mushy. The tofu cubes should now be added, and the spices should be thoroughly mixed into them.
• Ginger, lemon juice, and coriander should be added. After a short time of cooking, season to taste.
• Serve hot with chapatis or naan.

Curry Paste (Vegan Version):

Making curry paste will let you whip up instant curries that taste amazing and are packed with flavour.

Best of all, it's quick and easy to put together and pretty inexpensive, making it ideal for when you want an after-work treat but don't want to spend a fortune on takeout!

Ingredients:

• 1 to 2 dried chillies (depending on individual preferences)
• 4 garlic cloves (finely grated)
• Fresh root ginger (peeled and finely grated; you'll only want a small piece)
• 4 tbsp white wine or cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp mustard seeds
• 2 tbsp cumin seeds
• 3 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• Vegetable or sunflower oil (for covering the paste to store it)

Method:

• The mustard seeds should explode, and the peppercorns should turn brown and aromatic after about three minutes of cooking in a dry frying pan over medium heat.
• Allow for a few minutes of cooling before transferring to a mixing bowl. Grind together the turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, and dried chillies in a pestle and mortar.
• Season to taste, then fold in the cooled, toasted spices. Combine tomato puree, white wine vinegar, ginger, and garlic to make a paste.
• Use the paste immediately or preserve it in the fridge for up to a week by spooning it into a jar, covering it with oil, and sealing it with a lid.

Conclusion

Cooking with spices is a great way to add flavour to your meals without adding extra calories or fat!

Plus, they're full of antioxidants and other compounds with anti-inflammatory properties! With some knowledge and experimentation, you can add flavour to your cooking and impress even the most discerning palate.

Cooking can be a great way to get creative and explore new flavours. Try experimenting with healthy recipes that use ingredients you already have, or try something completely different!

You may find delicious combinations that will liven up your meals in no time. Feel free to experiment; even if it doesn't turn out how you expect, there's always room for improvement the next time!

Our Natural Health 4 Life team is here to help you start with some of the best-quality spices on the market. Contact us today to buy our products and start experimenting with new spice combinations that will take your culinary creations to the next level!