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Herb/Spice and Food Combinations

By
Industry Observer 0506509
brown_powder_on_silver_spoon.jpg

Do you ever wonder what spices and herbs are the best combinations when preparing a meal? Now is the Thyme to improve your senses!  Your kitchen is the perfect place to explore your senses and experiment with spices from around the world! For me, personally, spices and herbs are sustainable ways to calm me down and cheer me up! When it comes to economics, it is all about using common sense and a little knowledge of spice and herbs can improve your overall health. 

 

His first consciousness was a sense of the light dry wind

blowing in through the windows, with the fragrance of

hot sun and sagebrush and sweet clover; a wind that

made one's body feel light and one's heart cry "To-day,"

To-day," like a child's.

---Willa Cather

 

When I was a child and bored, I would walk across the hall to visit my Grandma and Grandpa inside their apartment. Just the memories overwhelm me with joy because my Grandparent's kitchen smelled so good! There was always something new to discover. Something I always enjoyed was the scent of orange peels on top of the space heater (there was no Centralized Heating and Air Conditioning). We lived in one building, four apartments for four different family members. Grandma's house, always smelled the best! In Chicago, when it was time to open the windows, there was always a combination of different scents from ours and other people's gardens. The sense of smell provides important information about the environment and weather conditions. Now it's my thyme to awaken my senses.

 

Here's a cheat sheet that may interest you and awaken your senses too!

BEEF

  • Bay leaf
  • Basil
  • Marjoram
  • Curry powder
  • Onion
  • Oregano
  • Black pepper
  • Savory
  • Thyme

POULTRY

  • Ginger
  • Curry powder
  • Marjoram
  • Paprika
  • Sage
  • Tarragon

PORK

  • Cayenne pepper
  • Chile powder
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Fennel (sausage)
  • Sage
  • Thyme

SHELLFISH

  • Basil
  • Black pepper
  • Curry powder
  • Dill
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Tarragon

FINFISH

  • Basil
  • Bay leaf
  • Chile powder
  • Dill
  • Ginger
  • Oregano
  • Paprika
  • Sage
  • Tarragon
  • Thyme

Tomatoes

  • Basil
  • Bay leaf
  • Cilantro
  • Cloves
  • Marjoram
  • Nutmeg
  • Oregano
  • Sage

Potatoes

  • Basil
  • Caraway
  • Chives
  • Dill
  • Garlic
  • Parsley

Winter Squash & Sweet Potatoes

  • Allspice
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Savory
  • Thyme

Carrots

  • Basil
  • Bay leaf
  • Ginger
  • Marjoram
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Parsley
  • Thyme

Green Beans

  • Basil
  • Cloves
  • Marjoram
  • Parsley
  • Sage
  • Savory

Spinach

  • Marjoram
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Parsley

Corn

  • Chile powder
  • Chives
  • Smoked paprika

Source: ADA Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, 4th Addition

 

Until next thyme, keep smelling, sniffing, and enjoy life to the fullest!

Yours truly,
Patricia

 

 

Posted by

Patricia Feager

Comments(14)

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Patricia - neither my mother nor maternal grandmother is/was much of a cook.   I feel fortunate to have had food on the table even if I wasn't always the most thankful child.  However, my aunt (my mom's sister) was more creative.  I admit to being more of a taste-tester in those days, but they are fond memories.  To this day, I have zero or little culinary talent.  

Mar 06, 2025 05:03 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Patricia,

Now I know the best combinations of spices and herbs are when preparing a meal! I've never hear this quote by Willa Cather but it fits perfectly in your post!

Mar 06, 2025 05:07 AM
Patricia Feager

Dorie Dillard Austin TX - Most people don't know what spices and herbs goes with what food unless they are following a recipe. I am pleased to know you appreciate it too. 

Mar 06, 2025 05:12 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Michael Jacobs - your brutal honesty is endearing! This line of yours, "feel fortunate to have had food on the table," was my mother's mantra. To her credit, she made good cookies! I was very lucky because I could close my eyes, and my nose would lead me to Grandma's house, without a coat, shoes, boots, or jacket. 

Mar 06, 2025 05:10 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Thank you for the list of spices/herbs and things they go with. I notice red pepper flakes are not on any of the lists. I wonder if they aren't considered an herb?

(I sometimes throw those in with vegetable or meat dishes to add some zing)

Mar 06, 2025 05:23 AM
Patricia Feager

Hi Kat Palmiotti!

Crushed red pepper is listed on my first post with the Italian Blend recipe (best for pasta, chicken, pizza and herbed bread). It was also with the Mexican Chile Blend (best for chili, tacos, fajitas, beans, and enchiladas). 

When it comes to spices and herbs, there is a lot to learn! But I'm like you, I like to toss in something different. For example, for sweet potatoes, I often use maple syrup and skip any other herbs, except cinnamon. They sell many different flavored syrups at my local Farmer's Market. Like two shelves full of different syrups. 

Mar 06, 2025 05:38 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Patricia. In my early days of living in Chicago only one house on the block had window air conditioners. So windows would be open and the smells were identifiable to the residents. A unique experience. Thanks for bringing back the memories. Enjoy your day.

Mar 06, 2025 05:35 AM
Patricia Feager

Wayne Martin, good morning! The house I grew up in did not have window air conditioning. In my first house in 1979 we didn't buy a window AC until the early 1980s, a few years after my son was born. And we only had one. So, the kids camped on the floor in our bedroom where the AC was located. I never added any more window AC's and sold the property with no problem in 1997 when I moved to TX.

Being able to open the windows is such a treat! There was a bakery down the street from us. You only imagine how pleasant that was!

Mar 06, 2025 05:44 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Patricia... since neither my mother nor my grandmother cooked, I'm a self-taught cook. And can't say I ever gave much thought to what spices went with any kind of food... I just toss in whatever strikes at the moment I'm cooking.

Mar 06, 2025 05:56 AM
Patricia Feager

Nina Hollander, Broker - self-taught is good! You must be a great cook and an excellent host for dinner parties. 

Mar 06, 2025 06:17 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Patricia Feager I'm a pretty basic cook... no pretentions about being a chef.

Mar 06, 2025 06:19 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Patricia, Great list! Now I just need to figure out how to organize my spice cabinet so I can actually find them when I need them!

Mar 06, 2025 06:07 AM
Patricia Feager

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 - funny you mention "organize." That is my project for today. I have a class later today; however, now I am organizing my spare room. The problem with containers is, once you put your stuff inside, you forget about it! 

So much to read! Too much to toss! My brain is on overload trying to figure things out and get organized! I found newspaper clippings from the 1980s!

Mar 06, 2025 06:17 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I will share your blog post with Chef Dolores on Facebook. 

Mar 06, 2025 06:38 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Oh this post brings back memories of my Grandma's kitchen.  Oh it smelled so good!  And she always wore an apron - I'll never forget that!  OMG her Cinnamon rolls were to die for.....yummy! And so man other dishes she made....same!  Maybe I got my love of cooking from her.  Never thought about that.  On the other hand my Mom was not that great of a cook.  Pretty good but holy smokes she had 8 kids and that didn't leave much time for anything.  But some of the 'ladies' that worked for her at our house.......WOW they were such good cooks. Such an interesting post Patricia!  Thanks for bringing up all these fun memories!

Mar 06, 2025 08:54 AM
Patricia Feager

Anna "Banana" Kruchten - I love your story! Would you consider entering the March 2025 Challenge? Writing about Grandma and your memories of her kitchen would be wonderful to read. She sounds so sweet! It seems like she inspired you to cook with fun too!

Mar 08, 2025 03:43 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Patricia I will enter if I feel better. It's been a tough week with ortho issues that aren't looking so great right owe.   And yes, my Grandma Anna was the sweetest lady.....so many great memories.

Mar 08, 2025 09:55 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Patricia:

What an informative post about herbs and spices. We like trying different herbs - fresh when possible like thyme, oregano and basil which we grow.

I enjoyed reading about your olfactory memories of your Grandparents' kitchen!

Jeff

Mar 06, 2025 10:18 AM
Patricia Feager

Jeff Dowler, CRS - I wrote 4 recent posts on herbs. Nothing else in a spice bottle compares to freshly grown herbs in the garden. Between the Monarchs and your passion for growing herbs spring, summer, and fall must be your favorite times of the year. It's a very healthy hobby to pursue!

 

Mar 08, 2025 03:46 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Thanks for the list Patricia Feager . I am printing it off to give to my wife and her sister who is here visiting this week.

Mar 06, 2025 11:22 AM
Patricia Feager

Awe, thanks Bob "RealMan" Timm! I hope they will be happy to receive it.  

Mar 08, 2025 03:47 AM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

These are great suggestions of herbs to try for certain foods. I am a vegetarian and am happy to see your suggestions for some veggies. I'm a fan of sweet potatoes and will have to try adding some spices. 

Mar 06, 2025 12:41 PM
Patricia Feager

Barbara Michaluk - With the exception of occasional white chicken breast, everything else I eat are fruits and veggies! When I used to eat French fries I dipped them in Maple Syrup. 

Mar 08, 2025 03:49 AM
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I just went through the list and if my mic was on, you'd hear me saying
MMM
MMM
MMMM
MMM
MMM 
Saving this list! 😋

Mar 06, 2025 03:50 PM
Patricia Feager

Candice A. Donofrio - Happy cooking to you! May everything you make smell and taste delicious!

Mar 08, 2025 03:50 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Patricia- I've been trying to expand my kitchen skills and this is a good way to do it. My cooking is pretty boring...s&p, lemon pepper, curry, cumin, and a few others. I love using cilantro when I can. 

I'm saving your lists and will make an effort to incorporate more of them into my cooking. Larry made Chicken tagine years ago and the spices and scent was amazing. 

Mar 06, 2025 05:41 PM
Patricia Feager

Kathy Streib I never heard of cilantro until I moved to TX. Now, it's my favorite! I use it in a lot of meals I prepare. 

Hmmm, I never heard of Chicken tagine before. Would you consider writing a post about how to make it?

I decided the best way to exercise my nose was to cook with spices!

Mar 08, 2025 03:52 AM
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