The spices most used in the kitchen

The spices or condiments , They bring flavors and aromas to the cooking recipes, the different nuances can transport us to different gastronomic cultures where they are used as something traditional. To get the most out of their nuances it is advisable to toast them a bit before using them, it can be done in a hot pan over a low heat and in a matter of minutes they will begin to release their particular aroma, at this moment and with the help of a mortar they can be ground , adding a little salt or sugar (according to the recipe you want to make) until you get the desired point to add to the recipe.

The amount of spice to use is usually small because you can load the recipe too much and its use is to achieve nuances that differentiate but do not overload.

To get the most out of them, they should be added to the stew just before they are removed from the heat or finished cooking.

For the good preservation of the spice is convenient to have them in a airtight container sited in a cool place away from sunlight.

Top 10 most commonly used spices

1.- Saffron

It's the spice par excellence , House very well in all kinds of stews as it has a delicate taste and is a great flavor enhancer , there are different qualities on the market classified by an international standard in three categories I, II and III, in Spain produces the highest quality overcoming the minimum established by cat. I (220p crocin) reaching values, in the case of Azafranes Jiloca, 270 - 290p.

It is compatible with many other spices opening a wide range in the kitchen

A new saffron is better than one that has been collected in previous years, but if it is stored in strand there are many years of great potential.

It can be found in strands and crushed, it is advisable to use well waste. to get the most out of it.

Its versatility means it can be used in:

- Paella

- Risotto

- Stews of meat, vegetables or fish

- Pastry

- Desserts

- Sauces

- Creams

Buying advice: Ecological Saffron of Last harvest

2.- Paprika from Vera

They are several the types that can be found in paprika, the most commonly used being sweet paprika, bittersweet and spicy . All these are widely used in Spanish and international cuisine . They come from the pepper varieties Bola, Jaranda, Jariza and Jeromín. It has a smoky touch because the pepper is dried in convection ovens with smoke, usually oak embers. It is used in stewed meats, lentils, chickpeas, beans, cod and also to make many products cured. This is one of the condiments that should never be missing in our pantry.

Recipes where the paprika is used:

- Goulash

- Galician octopus

- Stewed meat

- Black risotto with squid 

- Gnocchi with tomato sauce

- Cucumber salad with yogurt

- Moussaka

Buying Advice: La Vera paprika, freshly ground

3.- Pepper

On the market you can find several types  peppers, the black and white are the most common , but there are also other varieties such as green. It is a very used spice, we all know the term " salpimentar " which shows that it is very common to add salt and pepper in a generalized way, white pepper is more powerful than black and green is more Soft with a slightly fruity aroma, it is usually used for cream-based sauces.

Pepper recipes:

- Swordfish with pepper coat

- Chimichurri

- Pesto Sauce

- Lasagna

- Patés

- Vegetable Mousse

- Chili con carne

- Squid salad with black mayonnaise

4.- Laurel

The most common use of the laurel is the add the sheet dries directly to the cooking , although it can also be ntrar powder, has digestive properties that stimulate the secretions of the stomach, for this reason is very good for powerful cooking such as legumes, provides a very pleasant aroma indicated for broths, pickles, stews and stews .

Recipes with laurel:

- Meat stewed with potatoes

- Chicken in sauce

- Cooked vegetables

- Stewed rabbit

- Steamed Mussels

- Ground beef for different recipes

- Stewed white beans

- Purple cabbage in an espresso pot

5.- Ginger

The ginger is a root and is found in different forms "powder, juice, essence, dry or fresh", it is very usable for marinating meat and fishing two , also to make vinaigrettes and make stews, you have to measure well the ration since it is spicy and has enough power, the "ginger cookies" are very famous and the infusions with ginger and honey are also very appreciated.

Recipes with ginger:

- Turkey curry and ginger on rice

- Ginger cookies

- Pumpkin and ginger cream

- Cucumber, yogurt, ginger and honey smoothie 

- Baked ham

- Almond cake

6.- Curry

The curry is a spice composed of various spices ground, is a typical spice of Indian cuisine, usually consists of coriander, pepper, cumin, dried onion, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, saffron, cayenne, cloves and cinnamon, may contain more spices depending on the region from which it comes, to the vegetables it gives them a very special touch and certain meats can be made a spectacular marinade.

In the Aragón Televisión program "Rural Chef" in Monreal del Campo, where a recipe for rice, rabbit and saffron was made, curry was the differential ingredient that the winner used in his recipe.

Recipes with Curry:

- Veal chopped in curry sauce

- Curry rice with dried apricots and walnuts

- Chicken curry breast

- Vegetable salad 

- Roasted chicken

- Vegetable soup

- Baked pork ribs

7.- Cilantro

It has a citrus aroma very intense . It is perfect for when you make soups and broths of veal or chicken. Amazingly flavors the guacamole and season the vinaigrettes with wonder. Cilantro is an herb with numerous benefits : it is a great ally against anemia and even detoxifies the blood.

Recipes with coriander:

- Beef tongue in sauce

- Green cilantro sauce

- Baked ham

- Stewed chicken

- Oat bran bread with cilantro

- Salad with coriander

- Tortilla with coriander

8.- Cinnamon

The cinnamon can be found in powder or branch, has a very special fragrance what makes this spice one of the essentials , especially for sweet recipes . As a dressing for meats is also very recurrent, you can also enjoy it directly in a cup of warm milk.

Recipes with cinnamon:

- Cinnamon sweet bread in sheets

- Honey and cinnamon chicken

- Cheese and pumpkin cake

- Custard

- Brioche braid

- Iced coffee

9.- Oregano

We include it in this list because it is one of the ingredients essential of > any kitchen that prides itself on making a good paste, is actually an aromatic herb, has digestive properties that can be used until making a simple infusion. It is undoubtedly the spice queen in any typical Italian dish but it can be combined in any meat or fish recipe.

Recipes with Oregano:

- Pizza

- Antipasto with oregano

- Bread with onion and oregano

- Honey and oregano quesadilla

- Meatballs with tomato

- Oil marinated with oregano

Buying Advice: Oregano from Sicily

10.- Basil

This is a herb aromatic that can be used both as well as dry , is very popular because it is easy to grow at home and it can be available to use fresh, has a soft and very fresh aroma, Basil is considered to stimulate the gastrointestinal mucosa, so it stimulates the appetite and facilitates digestion. They are used as a seasoning to flavor the salads and pastas and pizzas typical of Italian cuisine. They also aromatize fish and roasts with meat, sauces, croquettes, meatballs, and even vegetable patés. In England it is also common to use basil in the making of sausages.

It should be always used in moderation and added only at the end of the preparation, since with cooking it increases its flavor .

This herb is also included as ingredient in the preparation of various and varied sauces, such as tomato sauce and salsa al pesto .

Recipes with basil:

- Spaghetti with basil

- Salmorejo con raspas fritas

- Capresse salad with pistachios

- Baked salmon tacos with juice basil

- Water of strawberries and basil