Depending on where you are located in the world, summer has hit ….and in some areas with a vengeance! Here in Michigan, we have been plunged headlong into the high 80’s without much preamble. Fortunately I was able to sneak a garden in before the heat became too treacherous for the tiny seedlings.
And kitchen herbs are a big part of mine.
Herbs, spices and other seasonings are a natural and healthy way to add a lot of flavor to your recipes without adding a lot of extra calories. With a little practice, you can create an endless variety of delicious recipes, such as Mediterranean-inspired favorites bursting with the fresh flavors of lemon, garlic and rosemary and spicy Mexican dishes featuring cilantro, cumin and chili powder. While you probably won’t be growing cumin or chili powder in your gardens, rosemary and cilantro are staples that can be used in many summer recipes.
Of course, your options won’t end there. A wide range of herbs, spices and seasonings are used throughout the world to make food taste better, and in some cases, last longer, and many of them can be grown right in your backyard. Over time, certain flavors have come to represent the culinary identity of the areas where they originated. In large part, the seasonings you choose will define the direction of your own culinary development, as well.
With a little creativity, you can put a fresh spin on some of your favorite tried-and-true recipes by simply swapping out the herbs, spices and seasonings you use. For example, if you add fresh or dried basil or oregano to diced tomatoes, chopped onion and finely minced garlic, you have the makings of a wonderful red Italian pasta sauce. On the other hand, if you replace the basil and oregano with cilantro and lime juice, those same ingredients become the foundation for a fabulous homemade salsa recipe.
To help inspire you, the following chart shows some of the most popular culinary ingredients based on geographic region.
Most Popular Kitchen Seasonings From Around the World
Cuisine | Popular Herbs, Spices & Seasonings |
Italian | basil, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, parsley |
French | thyme, French tarragon, rosemary, basil, sage, mint, marjoram |
Greek | dill, lemon, oregano, fennel |
Spanish | saffron, smoked and regular paprika, rosemary, thyme |
German | mustard, rye, caraway seeds, borage |
Mexican | cilantro, chili powder, cumin, Mexican oregano |
Indian | curry powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric |
Chinese | five-spice powder, star anise, fennel seed, cloves, cinnamon, ginger |
Thai | Thai basil, cumin, turmeric, lemon grass, cinnamon |
Of course, this chart is far from comprehensive, but it can serve as a good reference point for assembling your own collection of must-have herbs, spices and seasonings.
Keep in mind, some herbs, spices and seasonings, such as salt, black pepper and garlic, have an almost universal appeal that isn’t limited by geographic borders. Chances are you will notice those items popping up in recipes from all over the world. As a result, you may want to keep an adequate supply of these basic ingredients in your own pantry or spice rack.
You will also see a lot of crossover among dishes from countries that border one another. For example, French, Italian, Greek and Spanish dishes often feature many of the same herbs, such as basil, rosemary, oregano and thyme. Of course, this isn’t surprising when you consider how these populations interacted with and melded together over the course of history. Depending on your personal tastes and cooking habits, these ingredients may be good to keep on hand, as well.
While assembling your own collection of herbs, spices and seasonings from around the world for your pantry, you can save money by growing your own. Fresh herbs are super easy to grow from seed or from cuttings in your own garden and many can be brought indoors for year-round enjoyment. However, if growing fresh herbs isn’t your thing, many popular fresh and dried varieties are readily available. Dried herbs can be a great alternative to fresh, but take note of expiration dates and suggested storage methods.
Consider adding a few herbs to your garden, or even some pots out on the patio. The fresh flavors of the world await you!
What herbs do you cook with? Do you grow any? We would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment, and your herb may be chosen for the focus of our next summer recipe!
Lisa is a wife, a mom, a lover of Jesus, and all around creative soul. She has been gifted as a visionary and leader, and seeks to be obedient in that calling from God. Her personal journey is varied and ever changing as she takes obedient steps each and every day, and follows the leading of the Lord.
Read her personal journey through writing here: lisaevola.com
My kids and I planted a variety of seeds this spring and are enjoying the results. Yes, we also planted some herbs
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Which herbs did you plant? I would love to post a recipe using them….
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