Having a versatile collection of spices can make RV cooking easier, more flavorful, and a lot more fun. Spices offer multiple benefits - transforming an everyday dish, complementing various cuisines, creating depth and balance, and more. So what are the key spices every home cook should have?
Here is my recommended starter spice kit for stocking up your kitchen:
RV Kitchen Spice Pantry List
Essential Spices:
- Salt (kosher or sea salt)-No spice cabinet is complete without all-purpose salt. Use it in savory dishes for seasoning and enhancing flavor. Try kosher or sea salt. A basic necessity for all cooking.
- Black pepper- (ground or whole peppercorns)-An incredibly versatile staple spice. Freshly ground pepper provides an essential heat and accent that works for most savory meals - from eggs to pasta, meat to vegetables. A must-have seasoning.
- Garlic powder- Every kitchen needs garlic powder for an instant flavor boost. Sprinkle it on meats, vegetables, pasta dishes, pizza, salad dressings, breads, and just about anything else imaginable. Adds lots of aroma without the prep of fresh garlic.
- Onion powder- Provides a quick onion flavor boost when you don't have time to chop fresh onions. Works well in dressings, dips, pasta, potato dishes, on meats, sprinkled on pizza, and more.
- Paprika (smoked or sweet)- This ground chili pepper brings a touch of mild sweet smokiness and heat. Fantastic in stews like Chicken Paprikash, rice and potato dishes, marinades, sprinkled on meats, or even on popcorn. Find sweet, smoked, or spicy varieties.
- Cumin (ground)- An earthy and nutty spice popular in Latin American and Indian cuisines. It adds tons of flavor to tacos, chili, beans, rice, meats, and roasted veggies. Essential for taco seasoning too.
- Oregano (dried)- Oregano - An aromatic herb that brings a savory, slightly peppery flavor. It shines in pasta sauce, pizza, Greek and Italian dishes, chicken, fish, vegetables, and more. Essential for Mediterranean cuisine.
- Basil (dried)- A must for Italian food. Its fresh, herbal flavor brightens up pastas, pizzas, salads, dressings, tomatoes, and more.
- Rosemary (dried or whole)- A pine-like pungent herb that complements roasted potatoes, meat, stuffing, focaccia bread, and much more.
These are the spices I have in a spice rack and on my counter. I use them on a daily basis. Once you have a solid arsenal of essential spices on hand, start adding to your collection. I have given you some great options below.
RV storage ideas for spices:
Magnetic Spice Rack for Refrigerator
Flavor Enhancers:
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Curry powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Ground ginger
- Ground turmeric
- Chili powder
- Ground coriander
- Bay leaves
Optional Spices for Variety:
- Cayenne pepper (for heat)
- Cardamom pods (whole or ground)
- Cloves (whole or ground)
- Allspice (ground)
- Mustard powder
- Fennel seeds (whole)
- Sesame seeds
- Cumin seeds (whole)
- Dill weed (dried)
- Tarragon (dried)
Specialty Spices (Depending on Cooking Style):
- Garam masala (Indian spice blend)
- Five-spice powder (Chinese spice blend)
- Herbes de Provence (French herb blend)
- Ras el Hanout (North African spice blend)
- Za'atar (Middle Eastern herb blend)
These are spices that I don't necessarily use every day, but I keep them readily available. I actually store them in a plastic shoe box container that fits in my cabinet so that they don't move around on travel days.
Storage Tips:
- Store spices in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Consider using airtight containers or magnetic spice tins to save space.
- Label your spice containers with the purchase date to ensure freshness.
Note: Spices lose potency over time, so it's a good idea to periodically replace them if they've been in your pantry for a long time.
What are your go-to "can't live without" spices? Build up your collection as you experiment with different flavors and dishes. The right blend of spices can truly make all the difference in your cooking!
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