Top Ten: Spice Rack

This is a quick post as I wait for your brother to ever go to sleep. I have put together the top ten things I think you should have in you cupboard as far as seasoning goes. Some need no explanation, other may.

1) Table Salt
2) Black Pepper
3) Kosher and/or Sea Salt
4) Ground Cumin
5) Red Pepper Flakes
6) Chili Powder
7) Oregano
8) Onion Powder
9) Garlic Powder
10)Lawry's Season Salt

Number one and two need no explanation, those are the simple, most basic flavorings you need. Kosher or Sea Salt have many uses from crusting a steak to scrubbing a pan or putting out a grease fire. I know you are not cooking much seafood at this point, but I believe that sea salt adds something special to fish that ordinary iodized salt does not.

Ground cumin is the something in the background that gives Mexican and Tex-Mex food it flavor. It is not "spicy" rather it add aroma and flavor without heat. You can use this to make tacos, fajitas, and chili. Red pepper flakes have uses outside of pizza and pasta, as your brother has taught you. Red pepper flakes can jazz up vegetables, soups, really any dish.

Oregano is a must. It is super versatile. It can season your pasta sauce, it can round out your chili, it can make your cheese steak just a little better. Onion and Garlic powder, make sure it is POWDER, not salt. These are both chameleons that can help you to reproduce flavors that you are familiar with because they are most likely in the processed food you love. Both powders can go in burgers, pasta sauces, chili, chicken dishes,etc...the sky is the limit.

Last but not least is Lawry's Season Salt. This is what I grew up with, this is all I will buy. I have tried many others, I have tried my own blends. But if it ain't broke,do not fix it. This the workhorse of the Black kitchen. The only thing I have not put it on is dessert,(do not give me any ideas.) Since it is salt, you have to watch the other seasoning. It is rare that I would use season salt and regular salt, with the exception of something like a stew, chili or soup because of the volume of food, you need to layer the flavor.

O.k. I think your brother is out for the count so am I. Hope this post help, so next time you call me, I can tell you to go grab these things before asking me questions. Good night.