Seasonings for everyday fare
Broccoli
Seasoning
For stir-fries, think ginger, crushed red pepper and curry powder. Goes well with dillweed, oregano, parsley, basil and marjoram.
Recipes
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Vegetables with ginger and garlic
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Fresh vegetable turnovers
Burgers
Seasoning
Blend chili powder, cayenne pepper and cumin into meat. Or try ginger, basil, Italian seasoning, celery salt, garlic powder or minced onion.
Recipes
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Mighty Mexican burgers
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California burgers
Cabbage
Seasoning
Good bets for salads include mustard, caraway, celery, dill and coriander seeds. For sautéing, try curry powder, dillweed or sage.
Recipes
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North African cabbage salad
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Braised apple 'n' bacon cabbage
Cauliflower
Seasoning
Takes well to crushed red pepper, paprika, pickling spice, fennel and mustard seeds. For soups, use nutmeg, curry powder or turmeric.
Recipes
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Cauliflower in curry vinaigrette
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Curried cauliflower bisque
Chicken
Seasoning
Sprinkle with paprika, cumin, coriander, chili powder or black pepper. Pair with tarragon, basil, oregano, thyme or Chinese five-spice powder.
Recipes
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Chicken à la spring
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Chicken, avocado and coriander pasta sauce
Eggs
Seasoning
Go with basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, chili powder, cayenne pepper, curry powder, cumin and ginger as well as crushed red pepper, chives, parsley and marjoram.
Recipes
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Duo deviled eggs
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Eggs in purgatory
Fish
Seasoning
Experiment with dillweed, chervil, parsley, oregano or ginger. For soups, try fennel seeds, saffron or white pepper.
Recipes
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Oriental flank steak
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Fresh dilled lemon salmon
Peas
Seasoning
Toss with chives, mint, dillweed, chervil, parsley or basil. Ginger, garlic powder, tarragon, curry powder and chili powder add zest to soups and stir-fries.
Recipes
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Fresh asparagus-pea risotto
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Rice and green pea pilaf
Pork chops
Seasoning
Season with sage, rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, allspice, cloves, seasoned salt or Chinese five-spice powder.
Recipes
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Island-style pork chops
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Weekday pan-fried pork with sage and onions
Potatoes
Seasoning
Season with curry powder, cumin, basil or rosemary. For salads, add Italian seasoning, tarragon or paprika. Also try nutmeg and basil.
Recipes
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Classy curried potato salad with avocado
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Roast potato fries with sun-dried tomatoes and basil
Rice
Seasoning
Steam with cardamom pods, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks or cumin seeds. Crumble saffron into pilafs, puddings and risottos. Flavour with basil and oregano.
Recipes
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Middle Eastern pilaf
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Next-night beefy Spanish rice
Spinach
Seasoning
Good matches for sautés, purées and soups include tarragon, parsley, dillweed, curry powder, nutmeg, oregano, mint, basil and sesame seeds.
Recipes
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Curry-spinach salad
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Spinach-and-basil salad
Squash
Seasoning
Marries well with nutmeg, mace, allspice, marjoram, cumin, coriander, chili powder, ginger, rosemary, garlic and bay leaves.
Recipes
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Golden squash risotto
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Spicy squash sauté
Tomatoes
Seasoning
Liven up fresh tomatoes with basil, chives, oregano and garlic powder. To cooked tomatoes, stir in fennel seeds, tarragon, marjoram or Italian seasoning.
Recipes
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Spiced tomatoes and olives
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Tomatoes Provençale