Try These Seasoning Combinations

The right seasonings can take a dish from ho-hum to holy cow. It’s just a matter of knowing which seasonings work with which foods. Here are a few combinations to help you get started:

To jazz up a pot of corned beef and cabbage, add red pepper flakes before cooking.

To give beef chili intensity, tie a few cloves and a bay leaf into a cheesecloth bag and add to the pot before simmering.

To add depth of flavor to chocolate sauces, add a dash of nutmeg.

To bring out the sweetness of red bell peppers, add a bit of kosher salt.

Add fresh chopped parsley to fillings in lasagna, ravioli and manicotti to bring out the flavors of the cheeses.

Toss finely chopped fresh parsley or salt and pepper on green salad to intensify the flavors of the vegetables.

For fancy French toast, add vanilla extract and cinnamon to the egg wash.

For a little zip, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the flour when frying chicken or fish.

Add instant espresso powder to chocolate cakes or cookies to give them an edge of coffee flavor.

Make meringues with brown sugar instead of white for a toastier flavor.