spices

[diamond lil]

I don't use spices at all. What ones should I try first ? what makes a huge difference to food ? What do you add to what ? I add cinnamon to apple and thats it

[itsybitsy]

I don't use spices at all. What ones should I try first ? what makes a huge difference to food ? What do you add to what ? I add cinnamon to apple and thats it

No spices - ever? What about herbs? I use herbs and spices in most dishes and they do make a huge difference. For example, I put a bayleaf in my mince when I make cottage pie, or even some cayenne pepper if I want to spice it up a little.

Thyme and oregano in soups is great - especially lentil or tomato soup.

Lamb and rosemary?

Blimey - when you said you were a plain eater you weren't kidding!

[diamond lil]

What would you add to lamb mince ? I use that in shepherds pie. I make a lot of lentil soup so will try that. Bet the OH whines about funny things in his soup...watch this space lol

[diamond lil]

I love herbs, grow them but dont use them in cooking. Just like to sniff them

[itsybitsy]

What would you add to lamb mince ? I use that in shepherds pie. I make a lot of lentil soup so will try that. Bet the OH whines about funny things in his soup...watch this space lol

Lil I don't eat lamb mince - only beef mince. I've only had lamb a couple of times and it was with roasted with rosemary and garlic. I'm not a lover of lamb - not on a plate, anyway. I can't separate it in my mind from the fluffy little creatures running around in the fields around this time of year.

[Attack Warning Red]

I saw Ray Mears once on TV say that you should always carry a pot of curry powder with you. Doesn't go off and adds flavour to even the blandest of bush meals!

[diamond lil]

I dont know, hate the smell of it, never tasted it. And the OH screams and sizzles if he touches garlic I grow bay, sage, basil, rosemary, mint (love mint), fennel, dill, chives, but dont use any of it, apart from mint in tea -- just like growing it

[Bladerunner]

We buy the big tubs of lemmon pepper sauce in powder form from the butchers. 2.5Kg for £22 and it lasts us for yonks. They sell the small tubs for about £1 if you want to try it out first. They also do a barbeque one

Chicken dipped in lemmon pepper is one of my favourite meals. Add a sachet of Blue Dragon lemon sauce and I am a happy camper.

Be lucky (and spicey)