Spices to Kick Up Your Quarantine Cooking

I don’t know about you but I’ve had a hard time telling the days apart lately. Breakfast, lunch and dinner have become my markers of time for the past two months because, like many people, my days spent in quarantine have meant lots of cooking. In between frequent Zoom calls, texts and emails that fill my work days now, I’m trying to remember if I ate breakfast or I’m throwing together something quick for lunch or I’m planning that night (or tomorrow night’s) dinner.

Most of the time my meals start with me looking into my cabinets and determining what spices I’d like to use with the produce or meat or seafood that is going to be part of my meal. Sometimes as I’m cooking I’ll stare into my spice rack looking for just the right spice or spice blend to add a bit of sweetness, spice, or roundness to what’s cooking on my stove. My spice cabinet is my arsenal, helping me turn ingredients into dishes.

Maybe you’re cooking more too and looking for new spices or spice blends to add to your pantry. Below are some of my favorites that I’ve been reaching for frequently these past two months. These are all small companies that highlight spices and spice blends with exceptional quality and flavor. Click on each picture to find out some of my favorite ways to use each one and where you can purchase them online.

-Korsha

UMAMI SPICE The Hot Mexican

UMAMI SPICE is a Bermudian company, owned by Rinelle Elizabeth, accountant and home cook that is obsessed with spices. All of the blends are delicious but my favorite is “The Hot Mexican”, a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and paprika that is great on pork and chicken.

Chefing While Black's Chili & Lime Seasoning

“Chefing While Black” is a line of homemade seasonings created by chef Jade, a former line cook and writer behind “Bentos While Black” and “Julie & Julia Meet Jade”. The Chili and Lime seasoning is a great addition to seafood dishes and even sprinkled on freshly fried tortilla chips. Chefing While Black has also introduced a line of butters that look amazing and can be shipped anywhere in the country.

Sauce Goddess' North African Moroccan Twist Seasoning

This North African-inspired seasoning blend is a MUST HAVE for your kitchen. I sprinkle it in soups, on shrimp before giving them a good sear in a hot pan, or on vegetables before they hit the grill. The taste is slightly sweet, slightly spicy and round with a hefty hit of cardamom which creates depth and complexity in whatever you’re cooking. Sauce Goddess also sells large bags of this blend on their site.

Burlap & Barrel Cobanero Chili

Burlap & Barrel is a spice company that sources directly from farmers, creating a shorter supply chain between spice farmers and consumers. Their cobanero chilies add a fruity, spicy kick to stews and enchiladas. Burlap & Barrel recently introduced a six pack of spices for $48 that I’ll be purchasing but you really can’t go wrong with anything from their online store because the spices are so fresh and make any dish they’re included in more vibrant.