12 Spices You Need To Add To Your Food For Amazing Health Benefits

 Most people use spices to add flavor to their food but did you know that spices have many health benefits? Many spices are packed with vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants. Keep reading to discover 12 spices with amazing health benefits and some delicious recipes.

If you love to cook, then you may already know about using spices to add flavor to your recipes but did you know that spices can also be used for treating many health conditions? Long before people used spices when cooking, people were using spices for medicinal benefits. Research shows that since at least 3000 BC, people have been experimenting with spices to treat many medical conditions.

Advanced research has shown that spices contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that are good for our health. While the majority of spices have health benefits, there are 12 spices that are considered the healthiest spices. Below is the list of 12 spices that you need to add to your pull-out spice rack. 

   12 Healthy Spices You Need To Use 

   1. Paprika   2. Turmeric  3. Cinnamon  4. Rosemary

   5. Ginger  6. Garlic  7. Parsley  8. Cayenne Pepper

   9. Cumin  10. Thyme  11. Oregano  12. Fennel

Click here to see the health benefits of these spices

Sorella Spices Makes Using Spices Simple

Cooking with spices can be confusing for most, so they tend to stick with a few simple spices like salt, pepper, and garlic. Using spices to flavor food requires following recipes to know how much of the spice to use. Using too little of the spice may not add flavor and using too much of the spice can ruin the taste of the food. 

Then there is learning about spice flavor combinations. Another problem folks have with spices is not knowing that spices have a limited shelf life and lose their flavor over time. Then there is the frustration of having to buy a bottle of spice for a recipe and you have no need for the rest of the spice. If you are like most folks, you have a messy spice cabinet with a clutter of spices that never get used.

Sorella Spices has created small-batched spice blends to simplify using spices in your meals. Their delicious spice blends combine many of the healthiest spices to help even the inexperienced cook make flavorful meals. 

 Sorella Spices is made for the everyday chef and their line includes 5 delicious spice blends. These spice blends take the guesswork out of using spices, so you don't have to worry about ruining the flavor of your food. The spice blend includes ~ Italian Blend, Veggie Blend, Fiesta Blend, Butcher’s Blend, and Everyday Blend.

Each of the Sorella Spice blends is made with clean, simple ingredients that are easy to recognize and pronounce. The blends are also allergy-friendly, low in sodium, vegan, non-GMO, and free of fillers and preservatives. The best parts about using Sorella Spice Blends are the space that you create in your spice cabinet and the money you will save from having to buy multiple jars of spices.

Learn about the dangers of cooking in Teflon pans

Check out the Five Sorella Spice Blends

  1. Italian Blend The Italian seasoning blend is an aromatic, balanced mix of the best herbs and spices. While this blend of spices is great for all your Italian meals, it can add amazing flavor to beef, poultry, soups, sauces, stews, grains, or even salad dressings. 

Ingredients: Garlic, onion, oregano, parsley, sea salt, rosemary, basil, thyme, marjoram, fennel, black pepper, crushed red pepper

I like to use the Italian Blend in these delicious recipes

~ Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

~ Rosemary and Caramelized Onion Sun Dried Tomato Focaccia

~ Dairy Free Sun-Dried Tomato & Artichoke Pizza

  2. Veggie Blend The veggie Blend is specifically created to enhance the taste of vegetables but it can be used on eggs, burgers, and more.

Ingredients: Sea salt, garlic, parsley, lemon juice powder, thyme, tarragon, dill

I like to use the Veggie Blend in these delicious recipes

~ Vegan Tuna

~ Vegan Scrambled Eggs

~ Plant-based Crab Cakes

  3. Fiesta Blend This is a Mexican-inspired blend that adds flavor to items like tacos, burritos, and sauces. This blend uses traditional Latin seasonings like chiles, and other mixed herbs and spices.

Ingredients: Chili powder, cumin, paprika, sea salt, garlic, onion, oregano, chipotle powder, lime juice powder

I like to use the Fiesta Blend in these delicious recipes

~ Slow Cooker Vegetarian Posole

~ Slow Cooker Vegetarian Tamales

~ Spanish Rice

~ Mock Chipotle Pinto Beans

  4. Butcher’s Blend This go-to blend is perfect for beef, poultry, fish, or your favorite plant-based protein. Use as a dry rub for grilling, roasting, and sautéing. A

Ingredients: Garlic, paprika, sea salt, oregano, onion, rosemary, parsley, lemon verbena, black pepper, spearmint. 

I like to use the Butcher's Blend in these delicious recipes

~ Veggie Burgers

~ Mushroom Vegetarian "Meat" Loaf

~ Vegan Sloppy Joes

  5. Everyday Blend This Blend is the ticket to great home cooking, no matter what you're making. Use it for meat, vegetables, soups, stews, sauces and so much more. This blend of fresh mixed herbs and spices makes it a staple for any pantry but is so versatile that you'll want to leave it on the counter.

Ingredients: Garlic, paprika, sea salt, oregano, black pepper

I like to use the Everyday Blend in these delicious recipes

~ Crunchy Carrot Juice Pulp Crackers

~ Hummus

~ Vegan Deviled Egg Salad

Sorella Spices make cooking easier. These blends of spices will add awesome flavor to all your favorite recipes and meals as well as health benefits. So grab your favorite spices and enjoy health benefits.

Health Benefits of 12 Spices ~ Get more info here

~ Paprika ~ Rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C and carotenoids. Paprika has been shown to support eye health and promote immune function. 

~ Turmeric ~ Offers remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A 2017 study confirmed turmeric’s role as a preventative agent for a wide range of chronic diseases such as heart issues and Alzheimer's.

~ Cinnamon ~ Cinnamon helps with blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity and has been shown in numerous studies to lower fasting blood sugar levels. 

~ Rosemary ~ Rich in antioxidants has been studied for its ability to enhance memory and concentration. 

~ Ginger ~ Ginger has anti-nausea, digestive, and anti-inflammatory effects. 

~ Garlic ~ Garlic has been used for centuries to fight infections and boost the immune system, earning its place as one of the top healthiest spices. 

~ Parsley ~ Parsley has an abundance of vitamins A, C, and K, making it a healthy ally in supporting immune function, promoting healthy skin, and aiding in bone health. 

~ Cayenne Pepper ~ Capsaicin, the active component in cayenne pepper, is known for its metabolism-boosting properties.

~ Cumin ~ Cumin is widely recognized for its digestive benefits.

~ Thyme ~ Thyme has been shown to have powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. 

~ Oregano ~ Rich in antioxidants, it helps protect the body from oxidative stress and inflammation, which are linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

~ Fennel ~ Fennel, admired for its licorice-like taste, has been shown to possess strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is particularly effective in digestive health, alleviating symptoms like bloating, gas, and constipation. 

From reducing the risk of chronic illnesses, like heart disease and diabetes, to aiding in digestion and boosting mental health, these healthiest spices offer a holistic approach to wellness. Incorporating these spices into daily diets can help support your health.

Explore New Spices With Recipe Sampler Kits From Selefina

New recipes often include spices that you don't have. It can be frustrating to have to purchase a whole jar of spices for a recipe and then never use that spice again. Check out these Recipe Sampler Kits for a unique way to try spices without spending a lot of money.

 A couple of years ago I wanted to make a batch of holiday cookies that are popular in New Mexico. The cookie recipe required a spice called anise. So I bought a jar of the spice so I could make the cookies. After making the cookies, I discovered that I did not like the flavor of the cookies and I never made the cookies again. Now I have a full jar of anise spice in my pantry that will never be used again. 

 Has this ever happened to you? You needed a small amount of spice to make a recipe and have to buy a full-size jar of the spice for the recipe. Then you never use that spice again. How frustrating! Keep reading to discover a new way to try spices without spending a lot of money.

Spice Samplers & Recipe Sampler Kits From Selefina 

 I discovered a new way to try spices without having to buy a big jar of the spice. You are going to like this try before you buy spice sampler. What I discovered are single-serve packages of spice that allow you to taste the flavor of a spice in a recipe before you commit to an entire jar of spices. The Try-Me Samples of spices from Selefina make buying spices fun! These spice samplers are great for cooking adventures.

Try-Me Samples are single-serve spice packs containing a small amount of spice (approximately 1/2-1 TBSP each). These single-serve spices allow you to have a spice adventure without the cost—or cabinet commitment—of an entire jar. Buy one at a time, or buy handfuls of these sealed single-serve spice packs and open them as needed for maximum freshness and flavor.

Select these spice samples one at a time as SINGLES, or select them in 6-PACKS. All are conveniently priced at 75¢ each—or a set of 6 for $4.

 Do you like to try spices to see what their flavor profile is but have trouble knowing how to use the spice? If you are a spice collector and need inspiration for recipes to use spices in, then you need to check out these Recipe Sampler Kits from Selefina. These recipe samples are a fun way to try new recipes without having to buy an entire jar of spices. You can get creative in the kitchen without spending a whole lot of money.

Recipe Samplers include an abbreviated recipe card and a selection of Try-Me Samples, which are small spice pouches that will include enough spice to help make the recipe. All samplers have a QR code that links to the full recipe on our website and all are conveniently priced at $2. 

Discovering New Recipes with Recipe Sampler Kits

 I love cooking and baking. I love trying new recipes and new flavors. I also love trying spices and recipes from other countries but can have no clue what the spices taste like. Spices are so unique that sometimes they will have different flavors when combined with other spices. An example is a spice called cumin. In New Mexico, cumin is used to add spicy flavor in Mexican dishes but I later learned from my Afghanistan friend that her delicious Afghani Rice recipe also uses cumin. The Afghani Rice is not a spicy rice. My friend's rice recipe also contains cardamon, a spice that I have never tried. So I was glad that my friend gave me some of her spices so I could make the rice dish.

 These spice sampler kits with recipes are perfect for my recipe exploration. The spice kits allow me to try new fresh spices in recipes without having to spend a lot of money. I received several of the Recipe Sampler Kits from Selefina to review and they inspired me to try recipes that I normally would not try.

Pear Cider With Fennel and Orange

 One of the recipes was Pear Cider With Fennel and Orange. If I was looking at this drink recipe in a cookbook, I would probably not make it due to the spices that are in the recipe. The spices in the Pear Cider are fennel seed, orange peels, cinnamon chips, and allspice berries. Fennel seed has a licorice-like flavor and I don't like the taste of licorice. I have never tried allspice berries. So I got brave in my spice adventure and made the pear cider drink. 

 This drink recipe was so easy to make and having the small amounts of spices made things so simple. All I need to buy was pear juice. My store did not have pure pear juice so I made my pear juice by blending canned pears in a blender. 

 I loved that I had the perfect amount of spices to make the recipe. In fact, I was able to double the recipe with the spices in the recipe kit. After tasting the Pear Cider, I decided that this was not a recipe that I would make again. I discovered that I don't like the taste of fennel seeds. After making this recipe, I was glad that I did not buy a full-size bottles of fennel seed as I would never use that spice again. So the recipe sampler kit saved me money.

Recipe sample kits to inspire your baking

 I also tried the Ginger And Peach Galette recipe kit but made some modifications. I used nectarines instead of peaches as that is what I had in the freezer. I also made the recipe into a crisp instead of a Galette that way I could avoid eating wheat flour. Since receiving allergy shots, I have noticed that wheat has been making my asthma worse. So I used oatmeal as the topping for the fruit crisp.

 I served the Ginger and Peach Crips for dessert when my daughter came over for lunch with the grandkids. Everyone loved the spice combination of ginger root, cinnamon, allspice berries, and nutmeg. Especially my 2-year-old granddaughter who had three servings of the fruit crisp. 

Recipe Sampler Kits make great gifts

 The Recipe Sampler Kits make great holiday gifts for those who love cooking and even those new to cooking. At $2 a kit, these would be great for Christmas stockings or as a gift for friends. For a bigger gift place the recipe card spice kit in a basket with the needed ingredients to make the recipe and add some cooking tools. As a cook, this gift would make me happy!

Explore New Spices With Recipe Sampler Kits From Selefina 

To see all the wonderful Recipe Sampler Kits head to the Selefina website. Right now they have 12 different recipe kits but be sure to check back frequently as their sampler offerings update regularly.

How To Make Afghani Rice ~ Afghani Chalaw

 A simple traditional Afghan dish that is made with long-grain white basmati rice. Afghan rice is a favorite side dish of those from Afghanistan. This delicious rice dish gets its delicious taste from several different spices.

I received samples of spices from Selefina to facilitate this recipe.

 Afghani rice also known as Afghani Chalaw is a traditional Afghan dish usually served as a side dish with different kinds of vegetarian or non-vegetarian curries. This flavorful rice is typically served with most meals. While this rice can take several hours to make, it is simple to make once you learn. Most of the time spent making this Afghanistan rice dish is in the soaking time of the rice. 

 I have a wonderful friend who loves cooking. The best part of her cooking talent is that she always shares food with my family. My husband loves it when my neighbor across the street has leftovers and brings them to us. My friend is from Afghanistan and has a unique cooking style that includes lamb, chicken, and the best rice dish that my family has ever tasted. When my friend brings over leftovers of Afghani Chalaw, my family eats it up quickly and then talks about the Afghan rice for days.

 When I visit my friend to return her pasta bowl, I always compliment her on making the best rice. My friend then asks if I would like more and quickly returns with more basmati rice for me to take home. Since this is traditional Afghan rice, she always has a pot of rice cooking on her stove. This is a rice dish from Afghanistan that is served with most meals. At Afghanistan celebrations, there is always a huge platter with traditional basmati rice and roasted meat like lamb.

How to make Afghani Chalaw ~ Afghani Rice

 A couple of weeks ago my friend surprised me with a big bag of long-grain basmati rice that she purchased from the local Afghanistan grocery store. My friend then shared with me her method of making Afghani rice. While she was sharing the how-tos of the Afghan rice recipe, she decided that it would be best to show me how to make the rice and asked me if I had time for her to come over later that day, so she could show me the step-by-step of how to cook Afghani Rice.

What is Basmati Rice?

 Basmati is an aromatic long-grain rice and is grown in India, Pakistan, and Nepal. The name Basmati originally comes from Sanskrit “Vasmati” meaning “fragrant".

Basmati Rice is:

~ Delicious 

~ Gluten-Free

~ A traditional rice dish from Afghanistan

~ Made with Basmati Rice

~ Easy-To-Make

~ Flavorful

~ A Delicious Side Dish

How to make Basmati Rice for Afghani Rice

+ Rinse the rice well ~ The secret to making this delicious rice dish is rinsing and soaking the basmati rice. The rice needs to be rinsed several times to clean away the starches of the rice. So keep rinsing the rice until the water is no longer cloudy.

+ Soak the rice ~ The basmati rice needs to be soaked in water for several hours. This is the key to making the rice tender and fluffy. Most people soak the rice overnight or first thing in the morning, so it is ready to cook for lunch.

+ Add the rice to boiling water for a few minutes. ~ This helps to soften the rice and make it long. 

+ Drain water and return the rice to the cooking pot ~ Then add water, spices, and oil. Start cooking the rice.

Spices needed for Afghani Rice

+ Whole Green Cardamom Pods  

+ Cumin Seeds 

+ Fresh Black Pepper

+ Sea Salt

 This rice dish gets its fragrant flavor from a couple of spices. The spices are black pepper, sea salt, green cardamon pods, and cumin seeds. While most people have salt and pepper in their spice cabinet, few people have Whole Green Cardamom Pods and Cumin Seeds. Since these are not traditional spices that are used in American recipes, you will have to purchase these spices from a specialty store.

Selefina is the best place to purchase small samples of spices

If you are looking for an online specialty store to buy unique spices, Selefina is the best spice store. Selefina not only has unique spices that you can't find in grocery stores, but they also have 'try me' samples of their spices and seasonings. So you can try a new spice or a small amount for a recipe without having to spend a fortune on a whole bottle of spices. 

Affordable spice samples encourage culinary exploration ~ Experimenting with novel flavors and new spices can be overwhelming, not to mention expensive. Selefina makes this easy and affordable by providing home cooks with inexpensive samples of its many herbs and spices.   

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 So now that you know how to make Afghani rice, you need to make it. Once you try it, you will love the unique flavor of the rice dish and understand why it is a family favorite. I used up that big 10-pound bag of basmati rice that my friend gave me. So I will need to head to the Afghan market to buy more. If you don't have access to an Afgan market, you can buy basmati rice on Amazon. This link shows the exact bag that my friend gave me. I love learning about other foods from other cultures. Next up will be learning how to make Nann bread.