Spices and herbs are used in various culinary by different cultures. They can be used in many different ways to create a specific taste and flavor.
Spices are usually dried seed, fruit, root or bark which give flavor and color to the food while herbs are usually the leafy green parts of plants also used for flavoring. Sometimes herbs can be used in medicine as well.
I use lots of spices and herbs in my cooking for seasoning, flavoring, coloring and taste either in ground form or whole dried spice. One place where I regularly go to restock my supplies is Green Valley Spices inside Paddy's Market in Haymarket. As stated on the signboard of the store, Green Valley Spices claimed to be the supplier of Sydney's finest herbs, spices and tea in which I must agree as the products are of premium quality. The store has almost anything and everything you want in all sorts of form for your cooking.
Green Valley Spices, Paddy's Market in Haymarket
You will be spoiled with choices by what they have to offer. Luckily, the friendly store assistants are always glad to help and provide some useful tips on the types of spices or herbs to use for your cooking. The store is also a heaven for tea lovers. There are aplenty of selection such as Japanese tea leaves, dried rose, jasmine green tea and many more.
Variety of spices and herbs
My top three favorites of all times are the chicken spices, special curry mix and Tuscany herb. They are freshly grounded and the prices are cheaper than some supermarkets (in my opinion).
All time favorite spices and herbs
I've often used the chicken spices to marinate chicken fillets with a dash of salt and pepper and then pan-fried them. Although it says for chicken, I've tried it on mixed seafood, as well as minced pork to make meat balls and the result was good!
Spicy Chicken FIllet & Spicy Meat Balls
The special curry mix is used to cook curry with gravy such as curry chicken, chickpeas and curry fish. It can also be used to marinate Salmon before lightly frying them on a pan.
Curry Chickpea & Pan-fried curry salmon
Few weeks ago, the store assistant recommended me to try something new and she suggested the Tuscany herbs to sprinkle on potatoes and rice. I gave it a try but prefer the herbs on the mashed potatoes than the rice.
Mashed potatoes
Fried rice
Now, what about you? where do you normally get your spices and herbs for cooking? and what do you use them for?
