Seasoning Tips That Will Elevate Your Cooking

Seasoning can make or break a dish. Too much salt, herbs, or spices can be overwhelming; too little, on the other hand, can make your dish completely bland. But when you get just the right amount, your dish will taste incredibly good—as if it’s prepped and cooked by a chef.

So if you want to elevate your daily cooking, here are six seasoning tips you should know.

1.    Incorporate herbs at the right time.

Dried herbs, like rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme, and marjoram, are best used early in the cooking process. That gives dried herbs time to infuse their flavor into your dish. So don’t hesitate to incorporate your dried herbs while the sauce or stew is still simmering. What about fresh herbs? You can save them for the last minute. They are already bursting with flavors; you can simply add your parsley or basil while finishing your salad or pasta dish.

2.   Don’t shy away from seasoning cold foods generously.

The cold temperature can dull flavors and aromas. That’s why it’s important to season cold foods generously. For instance, instead of simply adding dressing to your salad, sprinkle a pinch of salt to make the flavors shine. Need to chill a dish before serving it? Season it with a normal amount of salt, pepper, and other spices, but make sure to taste it and add more seasoning before serving it. That way, you avoid overdoing the seasoning on cold foods.

3.   Toast your whole spices before grinding them.

Need to add ground spices to your dish? It’s best to buy ground cardamom or cinnamon. But if you only have whole spices at home, be sure to toast them before grinding them. Toasting elevates their flavor, which can add aroma and complexity to your dish. Simply place your whole spices in a pan over medium-low heat. Then, toast and swirl them until they’re fragrant. Once you smell the aroma, remove them from the pan to keep them from burning.

4.    Swap red pepper flakes for a more flavorful spice.

Red pepper flakes are often the go-to seasoning for adding heat, but they don’t add much flavor to your dish. Swap them for spices like Aleppo pepper instead. Aleppo pepper flakes can add moderate heat while giving hints of citrusy flavors and mild sweetness and tanginess to your dish. Try using Aleppo pepper instead of regular red pepper flakes on your pasta dish,  chicken marinade, or salad dressing, and you will quickly taste the difference.

5.    Use coarse salt when seasoning meat.

When seasoning meat, use coarse salt like kosher salt instead of table salt. The larger grains of coarse salt distribute more easily. Plus, they cling well to the meat’s surface. Also, season your favorite meat cuts a few hours in advance. That way, the salt has enough time to penetrate the meat, keep it moist, and break down the proteins that can make it tough.

6.    Don’t be afraid to make adjustments to your seasonings.

If your seasonings go awry, you can still make adjustments to salvage the dish. In most cases, the overpowering spice or ingredient can be masked by adding another ingredient, herb, or spice from the opposite end of the flavor spectrum. Here are some examples:

●     If the food you’re cooking is too salty, try adding an acid, like vinegar or lemon, or a sweetener, such as sugar, maple syrup, or honey.

●    If it’s too sweet, incorporate an acid or seasonings, like a dash of cayenne or chopped fresh herbs.

●    If it’s too acidic or spicy, add a sweetener or fat, such as cream, cheese, or butter.

How to Make the Most of Za'atar in Your Home Cooking

Za'atar is a popular Middle Eastern spice blend that has been used in cooking for centuries. It is made up of a combination of herbs, spices, nuts, and seeds, and it is known for its unique and flavorful taste. If you're not familiar with this blend, you're missing out on a powerful ingredient for adding richness to the food you make. It can be used in a variety of dishes to add depth and complexity to your home cooking. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of za'atar in your home cooking.

1.Understand the blend

Za'atar typically consists of a combination of dried hyssop, sesame seeds, sumac, and salt. However, the specific ingredients and ratios can vary depending on the region or recipe. Even though it is one of the most common spices in Mediterranean and Middle-East cuisine, the global culinary community is yet to fully explore it. Whenever you feel the need to add an extra dash of flavor to your dishes, use some za’atar and taste the magic.

2. Use it as a rub/marinade

Za'atar is a great spice to use as a rub for meats, fish, and vegetables. Simply mix some za'atar with olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt, and marinate chicken, lamb, fish, or vegetables before grilling or roasting. This will tenderize the meat and give your dish a delicious, smoky flavor and a spicy aroma.

3. Sprinkle it on hummus

Hummus in itself is a delicious dip, but when you add za'atar to it, the result is simply irresistible. Za’atar adds an earthy, nutty flavor and a nice crunch from the sesame seeds. Use the dip with veggie sticks, flatbread, crackers, or pita, and enjoy. Sprinkle some za'atar on top of your hummus before serving, or mix it well—whichever way you prefer!

4. Use it as a seasoning

You can use Za'atar as a seasoning on a variety of dishes, such as roasted vegetables, salads, and bread. Add za'atar to your bread dough or sprinkle it on top of roasted vegetables for an added punch of flavor. It can make even the most boring dishes taste amazing.

5. Mix it with yogurt

Another way to use Za'atar is to mix it with yogurt—you can use it as a delicious dip or spread. Mix za'atar with plain yogurt, add a squeeze of lemon juice, and a sprinkle salt to taste. This makes a great dip for veggies or pita, or you can spread it on sandwiches and wraps.

6. Pair it with cheese

Za'atar and cheese is a match made in heaven—oops, kitchen! You can sprinkle some za'atar on top of feta cheese, or add it to a cheese and herb spread. This is a simple but innovative way to elevate a cheese board.

7. Use with grains

When mixed with rice, quinoa, or couscous, za’atar brings a whole new level of savory flavor to your dish. Simply add za'atar to your grains, along with some other herbs and spices of your choice, and experience how beautifully it enhances the taste.

8. Experiment and be creative

With its complex and robust flavor, there are no limitations to using za'atar in home cooking. Don’t be afraid to experiment with it and see how it can improve your favorite recipes. Try it with your morning eggs, add it to your soups or even use it to make a flavorful salad dressing. There is no right or wrong way—be creative in your approach, and utilize this spice blend to take home-cooked dishes to the next level.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're grilling meats, marinating fish, or making dips and spreads, za'atar is sure to spice up any dish you prepare. Based on your preferences, you could use the traditional Lebanese Za’atar, Za’atar with Hyssop, Jaffa Za’atar, or Garlic Za’atar—the options are endless. So get started with the ideas we discussed above and use your own experiments to get to know how this unique spice can elevate your cooking and make your dishes more interesting and flavorful.

If you want to optimize or elevate your daily dishes, there’s one simple thing you can do. That is to add herbs and spices to your cooking! These ingredients can surely enhance the flavors of your dishes. More importantly, they are packed with nutrients that offer remarkable health benefits. To help boost your diet, here are the herbs & spices you should have.

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a potent spice with a sweet flavor; no wonder it’s a go-to ingredient for baked goodies. But there’s a sweeter reason you should add it to your daily diet: it has the maximum amount of antioxidants among spices. It helps you build immunity and improve your heart function. And even if it’s sweet, cinnamon helps reduce your risk of diabetes since it can lower blood sugar through different mechanisms. One of which is by slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates in your digestive tract & boosting your insulin sensitivity. 

1. Turmeric

What makes curry yellow? It’s turmeric. And it does more than give your dish a vibrant color. Turmeric is a remarkably powerful antioxidant that can help fight oxidative damage in your body. Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the risk factors for aging & other diseases. With potent properties, turmeric can help fight multiple diseases, including inflammation, skin problems, arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, cancer, and even depression. 

How to add turmeric to your daily diet? You can mix it with your rice, frittatas, or soups. You can blend it into your morning smoothie, or why don’t you make some turmeric tea? With tons of recipe options, it will be easy to explore how to add turmeric to your daily cooking.

1. Basil

Basil is particularly popular in Italian cuisine. Its strong peppery flavor profiles pair well with tomatoes, cheeses, and other ingredients often present in Italian dishes like pasta. It is also packed with antioxidants and nutrients good for your immune system and skin, as well as anti-inflammatory properties that can fight arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. So don’t shy away from adding basil to your tomato and garlic pasta, salad, stir-fry meals & other go-to Italian recipes. You can also make drinking basil tea part of your morning routine. 

1. Ginger

Ginger adds the much-needed zing to any meal. More importantly, it’s a popular spice used in alternative medicines for treating or relieving a wide range of conditions and illnesses. Ginger has a therapeutic compound called gingerol, which has incredible anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. You can rely on ginger to treat nausea, digestive disorders, menstrual pain, colds, cough, and fungal diseases. It is also known to lower cholesterol, boost brain function, and relieve morning sickness often associated with pregnant women. 

Best of all, ginger is easy to incorporate into your home cooking. You can add freshly peeled, sliced, or shredded ginger to many recipes, including soups, stir-fry dishes & baked goods. Dried or powdered ginger works well, too. You can add powdered ginger to your jam or smoothie. But note that fresh ginger contains more gingerol than powdered or dried ginger. 

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