Once you’ve mastered the basics of how not to incinerate your kitchen when you cook, the next step is experimenting with food to make it taste exactly the way you want. You’ll need to do some trial and error to figure out the exact amounts of herbs and spices to use, but first you need to know which herbs and spices to have on hand. So we asked caterer-to-the-stars Carol Jones to tell us which ones every guy should stock in his kitchen. And we’re assuming you already have salt and pepper, Emeril.
#1. Chili Powder
It’s a blend of ground chili (red and cayenne peppers) and other spices and herbs, and can add kick to pretty much anything — most important of all, a great Bloody Mary.
#2. Oregano
It’s delicious on pizza, but oregano also helps out in gravies, dressings, sauces, and on a grilled cheese. Other benefits: its potent antibacterial properties, healthy antioxidants, and vague resemblance to pot that allows you to sell it to gullible rubes.
#3. Garlic Powder
It tastes great on foods ranging from pasta to vegetables, and has been shown to increase immunity, decrease cholesterol and blood pressure, and ward off vampires.
#4. Basil
You’ve eaten plenty of this herb in pasta sauces, but it also goes well with lamb, fish, poultry, and mild veggies like squash, eggplant, and cauliflower. Also, basil is a member of the mint family, which can aid digestion.
