#spice-rub-ingredients

#spice-rub-ingredients

Be specific about heat, because it should enhance flavor, not overpower it. Chili peppers are supposed to bring depth, smokiness, even sweetness - not just fire. Chipotles in adobo, for example, contain smoky, sweet, and spicy notes that pair beautifully with red meat dishes or as a saucy base for slow cooker chicken tinga.

The first whiff of garam masala, for example, might transport you back to a wonderful meal that you had at your favorite Indian restaurant last weekend. Curry powder, on the other hand, despite bearing the word "curry" in its title - which is what you ordered at the Indian restaurant, right? - is unlikely to awaken such a connection. Its aroma might, however, remind you of dishes coming from countries like Jamaica, Thailand, and Japan.

The star of the show, the meatballs, get seasoned with a mix of crumbled feta, smoked paprika, and cumin, resulting in a tender, flavorful meatball that tastes far more complex than its trim ingredient list might suggest. The rice underneath is just as fun. Speckled with salty pistachios and plump golden raisins, and perfumed by a cardamom pod and a stray cinnamon stick, it strikes the ideal ratio of salty to sweet, contrasting with the savory meatballs.

One of the problems with making a big pot of chili is having the patience for getting that pot to a simmer. Seasoned chili chefs will set the burner on the stove to low and allow it to come to a simmer over a long period of time. Could be even an hour. However, if you've never made chili before or are an impatient cook, that can spell disaster for your dish.

Coriander and cumin aren't direct substitutes. Cumin is more pungent and earthy, so if used in place of coriander, I recommend using about half the amount and adding a touch of citrus zest or fennel seed to restore brightness.

Your spice cabinet is like a passport of sorts, allowing you to sample the flavors and ingredients of different cuisines and cook dishes from around the globe. As such, building a robust collection of both staple spices, and more underrated and unique ones is important. If you're shopping for new additions to step up your seasoning game, look no further than garam masala and ras el hanout. Although these spice mixes may have similar colors and ingredients, there are some major differences between the two that warrant adding both to your spice cabinet.

Golden, crackling skin. Meat so tender it falls right off the bone. Your classic fried chicken is perfect - until it's the same perfect thing for the fifteenth time in a row. That's when the magic starts to fade. You're not tired of fried chicken, you're tired of too-familiar fried chicken. The good news? One ingredient can change everything: smoked paprika.

Burgers are meant to be an easy meal, requiring little more than shaping ground beef into patties and cooking them to juicy perfection. While a basic burger always hits the spot, sometimes plain ground beef patties can become lackluster and boring. However, you may have a hard time finding inspiration to jazz up your hamburgers that doesn't require a lot of extra effort.