What spices and herbs do you think are underrated and should

Salt. Very underated.

>>8959221

Sumac.

>>8959221
i think they're all very well used really. just depends what you are making... I mean, if you only make Italian food i would imagine that you wouldn't use much lemongrass or turmeric; whereas others who make curries and Asian dishes would. so yea, it all depends on you.


>but for a good almost all rounder, id say bay leafs

>>8959221
Juniper Berries

File: 666px-Rhus_glabra.jpg (135KB, 666x1023px) Image search: [Google]

135KB, 666x1023px

>>8959229
>sumac

Do you mean these berries from the sumac bush (pic related)? They grow in the woods around my house and I've steeped them for an iced drink that's similar to lemonade. What kind of dishes do you use them for in cooking?

Cumin

Its found everywhere in Indian food, but it also works well with traditional European dishes

I enjoy mace. It's good for savory, smokey dishes.

>>8959262
I only took plant taxonomy once, but you might want to look up sumac again before steeping them again. I know certain sumac can irritate skin, and have that inside you can not be good.

>>8959326
Thanks for the warning, you can't be too careful with wild edibles. But I'm certain the ones near me are Rhus glabra, (smooth sumac), not the toxic kind.

File: bait.jpg (2KB, 125x125px) Image search: [Google]

2KB, 125x125px

>>8959269
>it also works well with traditional European dishes

No it doesn't.

>>8959417
In moderation it does - I like it mostly in some side dishes.

>>8959224
At first I was going to say how that's bullshit since salt is the most used spice there is, but then I agreed with you since most people I know undersalt their food.

>>8959221
Ginger. Only Asian families ever seem to use it, despite ginger being absolutely delicious.

>>8959221
fennel

fenugreek

>>8959269
Chili uses tons of cumin.

>>8959431
Try making glazed carrots with ginger. It's amazon.

>>8959229
Came here to post this.

File: 1490036738449.jpg (27KB, 599x337px) Image search: [Google]

27KB, 599x337px

>>8959262
Dehydrate, use in marinades for tuna, eel, halibut and similar fish before grilling
>>8959233
Bay leaves are terrific because they add a lovely base of flavour without overpowering much. Add to rice and other grains
>>8959238
Delicious with game, as a garnish or in sauce
>>8959456
Fenugreek is cool because of that complex raw curry aroma and works great when toasted fully before use

My vote goes to allspice; having encountered it a great deal in eastern European cuisine, I am having successes incorporating into curries and strangely enough dressings

>>8959453
Ground fennel seed mixed with oil and brushed onto white fish is pretty good.

>>8960439
Allspice and mace are amazing in bread sauce

File: 1470195580301.gif (1MB, 280x210px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 280x210px

>>8959417
Cumin is used in Spain which happens to be part of Europe you fucking retard

>>8960522
mace is good in a lot of things. its usually a better choice than nutmeg when its not playing a main role.

Also for me, its gotta be cardamom in dessert food. I love that shit so much.