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Seasoning Recommendations
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Herbs
| Name | Peak Season | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Summer/Year-Round | Flavoring for sauces, pesto sauce, dressings, infusing oils, vinegars, etc. Chicken, fish, and pasta dishes |
| Bay Leaf | Summer | Available dried year-round. Used to flavor soups, stews, stocks, sauces, and grain dishes |
| Chervil | Summer | Component of "fines herbes", often used in "pluches" to garnish dishes. Egg, chicken, and shellfish dishes |
| Cilantro | Mid to Late Summer | Component of Asian and South/Central American dishes. Flavoring for salsa and other uncooked sauces |
| Dill | Late Summer | Fresh is used to flavor sauces, stews, braises (Especially Central and Eastern European dishes). Seeds used in pickles |
| Marjoram | Throughout Summer | Used in Greek, Italian, and Mexican dishes. Especially suitable for vegetable dishes |
| Mint | Throughout Summer | Used to flavor sweet dishes, beverages, as a "tisane" and in some sauces. Mint jelly is traditional with lamb |
| Oregano | Throughout Summer | Used in a variety of sauces, with poultry, beef, veal, lamb, and vegetables |
| Parsley | Year-round | Component of "fines herbs" and of bouquet garni. Flavoring for sauces, soups, dressings, and other dishes. Garnish |
| Rosemary | Year-round | Large branches used as skewers. Popular in Middle Eastern dishes, grilled foods, and in marinades. Dried is nearly as intense in flavor as fresh |
| Sage | Summer | Popular as flavoring in stuffings, sausages, and some stews. Dried, rubbed sage also available |
| Savory | Summer and Fall | Used in salads, stuffings, and sauces |
| Tarragon | Summer | Another component of "fines herbs." Used with chicken, fish, veal, and egg dishes |
| Thyme | Summer | Part of bouquet garni. Dried leaves may occasionally be used in place of fresh. Used to flavor soups, stocks, stews, and braises |
Spices
| Name | Uses |
|---|---|
| Allspice | Braises, forcemeats, fish, pickles, desserts |
| Anise | Desserts and other baked goods, liqueur |
| Caraway | Rye bread, pork, cabbage, soups, stews, some cheeses, liqueur (kummel) |
| Cardamom | Curries, some baked goods, pickling |
| Cayenne | Sauces, soups, most meats, some fish, and poultry |
| Celery Seed | Salads (including cole slaw), salad dressings, soups, stews, tomatoes, some baked goods |
| Chili Powder | Chili and other Mexican dishes, curries |
| Cinnamon | Desserts, some baked goods, sweet potatoes, hot beverages, curries, pickles, and preserves |
| Cloves | Stocks, sauces, braises, marinades, curries, pickling, desserts, some baked goods |
| Coriander Seeds | Curries, chili, and other Mexican dishes |
| Cumin | Curries, chili, and other Mexican dishes |
| Dill Seeds | Pickling, sauerkraut |
| Fennel Seeds | Sausage, fish and shellfish, tomatoes, some baked goods, marinades |
| Fenugreek | Curries, meat, poultry, chutney |
| Ginger | Fresh: Asian dishes, curries, braises Ground Dry: Some desserts and baked goods |
| Horseradish | Sauces (for beef, chicken, fish), egg salad, potatoes, beets |
| Juniper | Marinades, braises (especially game), sauerkraut, gin, and liqueurs |
| Mace | Some forcemeats, pork, fish, spinach, other vegetables, pickles, desserts, and baked goods |
| Mustard | Pickling, meats, sauces, cheese and eggs, prepared mustard |
| Nutmeg | Sauces and soups (especially cream), veal, chicken, aspics, spinach, mushrooms, potatoes, other vegetables, desserts (especially custards), baked goods |
| Paprika | Braises and stews (including goulash), sauces, garnish |
| Pepper | Stocks, sauces, meats, vegetables, many other uses |
| Saffron | Poultry, seafood, rice pilafs, sauces, soups, some baked goods |
| Salt | Stocks, sauces, meats, vegetables, many other uses |
| Star Anise | Asian dishes, especially pork and duck |
| Turmeric | Curries, sauces, pickling, rice |