by Erik M. Dell

Created on: February 21, 2007   Last Updated: May 16, 2011

A well stocked spice rack goes a long way in a kitchen. Salt and Pepper are no substitute for hand grated fresh nutmeg to add an interesting little twist to a dish. No matter what you're cooking you can always make it better with the right spices.  If you are not sure what spices to use then check the side of the labels they sometimes offer good advice. 

www.foodtv.com has a ton of free recipes and some good information on what spices to use when.

But it is important to also get quality spices not the dollar store spices that are ever so close to expiration.  I frequently order spices from my favorite spice store (www.penzeys.com) or visit one of their many locations.  The moment you walk into the shop you can immediately tell the difference from generic spices and quality spices.

The start of every good spice rack should be a quality salt and pepper grinder set. Don't be cheap and invest in a nice set that will last a long time. I purchased a Peugeot set and love it. A little extra money in spices goes a long way. I would also invest in a spice grinder which is no more than a coffee grinder but used exclusively for spices, that should run you about $7-8.

Now for the fun stuff. Since I write movie articles in a top ten format here on Helium, I'll do the same with spices (excluding salt and pepper). So with no more delay here is my famous Top Ten Spices:

Spices

1) Annatto seeds - I know what your thinking... Are you serious. YES! These hard little babies are perfect for adding color to any dish. They don't taste like much and are super inexpensive. Stock up and make sure you buy a spice grinder.  These seeds need to be ground down or bought in the powder form.

2) Crushed Red Peppers - Great for adding some spice, just a pinch. This is essentially the same stuff they offer at pizza joints to bring a little extra bite in your pie.

3) Thyme - Broken Leaf dried Thyme is a must when sauteing a base mixture of vegitables for soups or stews.  A diverse spice Thyme can be used for roast chicken and many other yummy dishes.

4) Saffron - Pay the extra dough and get some, it really makes a difference in rice, but I must confess me and my girlfriend love Indian food and typically there is a little saffron cooked with the rice. This spice is a must have for Spanish dishes.

5) Vanilla Bean - Wow this stuff is expensive just like the saffron. But worth it for desserts especially Flan. You can usually find a good deal at places like Trader

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