Today's blog post is something I think most of you will enjoy.
We love all food, right? Take a second and think about what you love most about food.
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Great! Okay, I could just sit here and talk about what I love most about food to answer the question, but instead I decided to survey 18 people, a decent handful, and see what kind of responses I would get!
"In a few sentences, tell me what do you love most about food?"
The 2nd most popular response: 50% of everyone I asked mentioned how they love food because it brings people and family together.
"I love food because it brings joy, relief, and people together." L.B.
"The simple act of sitting and enjoying it together makes all the measuring, chopping, stirring, (and even cleaning up afterwards), well worth it." J.K.
"Families spend quality time cooking traditional dishes. Some of my best memories with my mom and grandma center around cooking food for our family." A.T.
The response that came in 3rd at 45% was the variety of food. Healthy options and feel-good food as well as cultures and choices of food.
"I love that it provides energy for my body. It helps my body function properly by maintaining cell structure and tissue maintenance. It makes me feel better in times of stress or when emotions are out of control." T.T.
"I love how I can enjoy "healthy" food as much as I love junk food!" J.B.
4th place was 28% of the people mentioned texture, scent, or any other physical sense as their favorite part of food.
"The texture of the food is a big deal for me, like coconuts for example. Shaved coconut, absolutely not! But coconut oil...you've got a winner." J.A.
"I love the taste and scent, especially the scent of cooking it." M.O-T.
The Top Response
About 80% of everyone I asked said their favorite part was FLAVOR.
"What I love most about food is how diverse different combinations of ingredients can create such a delicious dish. It teleports my mind to another world with so many exotic flavors to choose from." P.P.
"I love to taste and appreciate the complexity of flavor. It's like writing a song. You can have a really nice melody on a guitar, but if you have it accompanied by a Bass, Drums, and Vocals then it becomes something really grand." G.D.
Flavor is HUGE!
The best part about cooking and learning how to cook is finding what combinations of spices and food go best together. This can turn anything plain or bland and make it incredible.
We all use salt, black pepper, and garlic almost every time we cook, but in this blog post I want to emphasize some different spices you may have heard of.
This will show you how you can add something additional every time you cook! And really bring out flavors and combinations to make your dishes stand out.
Spicing Things Up!
Hot! Hot! Hot!
"I love spicy food, the spicier the better!" M.T.
Adding some heat to your dishes isn't always a bad thing! Some people love spicy, and others won't even try a mild dish.
If you are cooking and are looking to add some hot spice to your dish, here's some suggestions:
- Red Pepper Flakes -
Less is more, can be quite hot! Add a little at a time and taste for preference.
- Cayenne Pepper -
Dried and ground red chili peppers. Adds a sweet heat to foods.
Where to use them:
Pasta
Stir Fry
Soups, Chilis
Sauces
Roasted Veggies or Nuts
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| Red Pepper Flakes- Added to the top of my pasta dish Recipe: Click Here |
Sweet Like Candy to My Soul
These next few are perfect when making anything usually sweet and sometimes savory!
- Cinnamon -
Usually ground. Many health benefits, great when baking!
- Nutmeg -
Compliments cinnamon well. These two work great together.
Where to use them:
Sweet Potato toppings
Oatmeal, Pancakes
Plain Rice
Hot Apple Cider (Cinnamon Sticks)
When using Pumpkins or Apples
Butternut or Acorn Squash
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| Cinnamon & Nutmeg The main flavors in the crust and layers of my Apple Pie Bread Recipe: Click Here |
Another Red Spice
- Paprika -
From the Chili pepper family. Used a lot in Hungarian, Indian, and Southern cuisine.
Where to use it:
Hummus
Stews
Pasta Sauce
Potato Salad
Chilis, Soups
Roasted Nuts or Seeds
Meat - Barbecued
As garnish
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| Paprika I mixed some paprika in my homemade hummus Also garnished some on top |
As Told By...
- Ginger -
Used a lot in Asian dishes or desserts! Compliments sesame really well.
Can be used in a lot of things, good health benefits.
Where to use it:
Ginger cookies/Ginger snaps/Molasses cookies
Asian noodles, ginger chicken, stir fry, etc.
Ginger Tea
Gingerbread
Ginger Sauce
Asian-style coleslaw
Seasoning on seafood or meat
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| Ginger Seasoned my homemade Lo-Mein noodles Also used a ginger sauce |
For All You Chipotle Lovers
- Cumin -
Adds an Earthy flavor. Used a lot in Mexican and Spanish dishes.
Common in Middle East and also Indian.
Where to use it:
Guacamole, Salsa
Chilis, Soups, Stews
Meat or Seafood seasoning
Hummus
Pasta, Pasta Sauces
Seasoned Rice
Stir-fry
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| Cumin Used to season my Veggie Stuffed Peppers |
"Love Grows (Where my Rosemary Goes)"
- Rosemary -
Strong Piney flavor. Usually stands out in dishes. Popular with Mediterranean or Italian dishes.
Where to use it:
Beans
Eggs
Potatoes (especially roasted)
Crusts for seafood, meat
Chicken
Stir fry
Good for meat marinade
Pasta, Sauces
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| Rosemary Used when cooking my chicken-veggie stir fry |
Got Herbs?
These next two choices are great for flavor and come in dried seasoning.
Or you can buy them fresh!
- Basil -
Very popular in Italian and Asian cuisine.
In my opinion, you can add basil to almost anything.
Where to use it:
Pestos, Sauces
With Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Balsamic (Caprese)
Pasta
Pizzas
Salads
Sandwiches
Veggies, Meat or Seafood seasoning
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| Dried Basil Flakes Used to garnish and season my homemade Pizza |
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| Fresh Basil Used in my Tomato-Basil Bruschetta |
- Cilantro -
Used a lot in Mexican, Latin America, and Caribbean dishes.
Where to use it:
Soups
Salsas
Seafood (Shrimp, Salmon)
Noodle Bowls
With Avocado, compliments Lime
Pestos
Meats
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| Cilantro Used in my homemade Mexican Chicken Lime Soup! Extra for garnish |
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| Cilantro Also used in my Shrimp Taco Salad! It seasoned my Shrimp and was also used in the cilantro-lime dressing Recipe: Click Here |
Well that's all I have for you today!
I know there are plenty more spices and herbs out there.
When cooking, try to add something new or extra to your dish!
EXPERIMENT!!!
A little never hurts and you can always add more if you love the way it tastes!
Also don't be afraid to add more spice beyond what a recipe tells you.
Sometimes the added extra makes your dish stand out!
PS: Thank you to those who answered my survey! Each response was great and very helpful!
Leave a comment or suggestion, what are some of your favorite cooking flavors?
Do you use spices, which are your most commonly used?
Enjoy the rest of your week, thanks for stopping by! XO
