Everyone knows that using the right herbs and spices can make the difference between a sumptuous meal and a bland, tasteless failure. Experimenting with flavors can really bring your meals to a new level and help you to create dishes that satisfy your specific tastes. If you are new to cooking, however, choosing the right herbs and spices to use in your meals can seem daunting. These tips for cooking with herbs can help you get the knowledge and confidence you need to go beyond simply following recipes.

The Difference between Herbs and Spices

Although many people use the words interchangeably, there is a difference between herbs and spices. Herbs are leaves of plants without woody stems. Some common examples include dill leaves, rosemary, thyme, and basil. Spices, on the other hand, come from bark, seeds, roots, berries, flowers, and fruits. Dill seed, cinnamon, and coriander are examples of spices.

Experimenting with Herbs and Spices

It can be daunting to try new herbs and spices if you don’t know how they will taste in your favorite dishes. However, if you don’t experiment, you will never stretch your cooking abilities and making the same dishes over and over again will become boring.

It never hurts to be a little adventurous. It’s a good idea to start when you are only cooking for yourself, and with a simple dish that you already know well. Then see what happens when you tinker with the herbs and spices that you use. Some good examples of dishes to experiment with include scrambled eggs, spaghetti sauce, hamburger, and lettuce, egg, or potato salad. Why? Because these dishes won’t break your heart if the spice mixtures you try aren’t fantastic, and they are so familiar that it’s easy to see the differences that different herbs and spices make.

Which Herbs to Use: Fresh or Dried?

Many herbs are available in two different forms: as fresh, succulent leaves, as dried herbs in small jars. Fresh herbs usually have a more subtle flavor and are more visually appealing. Imagine a tomato and mozzarella salad, drizzled with balsamic vinegar and dotted with bright green basil leaves. Gorgeous!

Dried herbs last longer on the shelf without spoiling. They usually have a stronger, more intense flavor. In general, a rule of thumb is that 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh herbs can be replaced by a third of a teaspoon of dried herbs.

Some Popular Herbs and Spices to Use in Your Cooking
Here are some ideas for popular herbs that you can use in your cooking. These herbs are common in many kitchens because they are delicious and flexible, working well with many types of dishes.

Rosemary
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This pungent, piney herb is delicious in salads, with potatoes and mixed vegetables, or sprinkled over meats like chicken, fish, and lamb. It is popular on its own or when blended with other herbs. It is a good complement to thyme, sage, bay, and garlic.

Basil

Basil has a sweet, earthy flavor that is an excellent companion to tomatoes, cheeses, pizzas, and pasta dishes. It is also delicious with vegetables and is a primary ingredient in pesto. It’s a common ingredient in Italian spice mixes and works well with other herbs, especially thyme, marjoram, oregano, and garlic.

Thyme

Thyme has a strong, spicy flavor with just a hint of sweetness to it. There is also a strain called lemon thyme which has a citrus flavor to it as well. Thyme is excellent with chicken and fish, with sausage or eggs, sprinkled over roasted potatoes, or served in Mediterranean cuisine. It blends well with chives, bay, garlic, sage, and rosemary.

Oregano

Oregano has a strong, fresh flavor that makes it popular in Italian, Greek, and Mexican dishes. It is also good with tomatoes, eggs, lamb, cheeses, beef, and seafood. It blends well with basil, thyme, garlic, and chives.

Chives

Chives have a flavor that is similar to onions, but more delicate and soft. You can use them in just about any dish that calls for onions, as a replacement or as a companion. They are best when used raw, or when added to the dish at the end of the cooking process, to retain their flavor and color. Use with baked potatoes, eggs, fish, soups, or blended with butter. Chives pair well with garlic, dill, basil, tarragon, and oregano.

Cinnamon

Most people think of cinnamon as a spice that should only be used with sweet dishes and baked goods, but actually cinnamon adds a depth of flavor to meats and other savory dishes that is absolutely delicious. Try adding cinnamon to eggs, hamburger, and tomato sauces.

Garlic
Garlic is a healthy and delicious spice that is heavily used in Mediterranean dishes from Italy, Greek, and Turkey. It can be used fresh, dried, or mixed with salt. It is excellent in a wide variety of dishes including garlic bread, pizza and pasta dishes, and sprinkled over meats, vegetable, fish, and poultry. It blends well with oregano, thyme, sage, chives, and basil.

By experimenting with cooking with herbs, you can create delicious and satisfying new meals that will delight your taste buds and keep you from getting bored in the kitchen.