5 Tips for Food Seasoning: Herbs and Their Uses

5 Tips for Food Seasoning

1. Season the dish to your taste. After all, you are the artist. Release your fears of not creating an "impressive" dish and just let loose. The only way to master your craft is by experimenting, so embrace your artistic liberty by adding unique herbs and spices that will surprise your guests. Don't be afraid to combine multiple flavors and styles. America is a melting pot, after all. What better way to pay tribute to your homeland than by creating an Italian-inspired dish and topping it with German sauces and dressings?

2. For a more healthy dish, go the low sodium route. Not everything needs to be flavored with salt. For example, you can season beef with bay leaf and lamb with marjoram or basil. Pork is a special meat that can be seasoned with pepper, onion, or rosemary, depending on your personal taste. Even fish can be seasoned with fennel seed or saffron. And for a truly memorable chicken or turkey dish, try using cranberry sauce, tarragon, or rosemary.

3. Using fresh herbs is easier than you may think. Remember, for example, that stems don't need to be removed unless they are hard. When using fresh herbs, be sure not to over-chop. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that your pieces are not smaller than 1/8 inch. Also make sure that the knife that you use is nice and sharp, otherwise fresh herbs can bruise. When cooking, add fresh seasonings last.
   
   If you're a sprouting gardener, your spice garden only needs to hit the basics. Some people consider spearmint to be the perfect mint, as it is both sweet and savory. For thyme, it is best to use English thyme. And when a recipe calls for basil, it is usually referring to sweet basil unless otherwise stated.

4. Learn the unique flavors of each spice. Just as everyone you meet has a different personality, each spice is an individual with its own flavor and qualities. Basil, for example, is sweet and spicy. Cilantro is citrusy. Dill is mild. Mint is sweet and cool. Parsley is mild and peppery. Rosemary is aromatic and piney. Tarragon is mild. Thyme is robust and earthy. Once you begin to familiarize yourself with each unique spice, they will share their secrets to making each dish a special treat.

5. Save money by making the most out of your herbs and spices. With so many seasonings to choose from, making sure that you have a well-rounded spice rack can be a daunting task. Don't waste money on herbs that you won't really use. Instead, plan your meals ahead so that you know everything will be used up. To help fresh herbs last longer, wrap their stems in damp paper towels. Make sure you are keeping fresh herbs out in the open so you can see them. Otherwise, you may forget you have them and they will go bad.