12 Essential Spices | Emeril Lagasse

Emeril Lagasse

6 Oct 201501:33

Summary

TLDRThis video script introduces 12 essential spices that every pantry should stock, starting with the staple salt and black peppercorns for fresh flavor. It highlights thyme and oregano for their versatility in creole cooking, and the importance of bay leaf in such cuisines. Cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper bring heat, while paprika offers both sweet and smoked options. Chili powder, with its range of heat and flavor, is perfect for Mexican dishes. Cumin is praised for its bean-enhancing properties, and the video concludes with emerald's original seasoning and celery salt, emphasizing their 'magic' in elevating dishes.

Takeaways

🧂 Salt is the first essential spice and a staple in every pantry.
🌶 Freshly cracked black peppercorns are preferred for their flavor, especially in a pepper mill.
🌿 Thyme is versatile and crucial for creole cooking, with dry thyme being a pantry essential.
🍞 Dry oregano is a multi-purpose spice, suitable for bread, pizza, and red sauces.
🌿 Bay leaf, from the laurel tree, is a key ingredient in creole cooking.
🌶 Cayenne pepper is an essential spice in both creole and cajun cuisine.
🌶 Crushed red pepper, also known as chili flakes, adds a spicy kick to dishes.
🌶 Paprika comes in sweet, hot, and smoked varieties, each with distinct flavor profiles.
🌶 Chili powder is a blend of ground chilies with a range of heat levels and flavors.
🌾 Cumin is a favorite for bean dishes and pairs well with other creole seasonings.
🍃 Celery salt is a unique and flavorful addition to the list of essential spices.

Q & A

What is the first essential spice mentioned in the video script?
-The first essential spice mentioned is salt.
Why does the speaker prefer using black peppercorns in a pepper mill?
-The speaker prefers black peppercorns in a pepper mill to have fresh cracked black pepper.
What is the significance of thyme in the script?
-Thyme is highlighted as an essential spice, especially for a lot of creole cooking.
How is dry oregano versatile according to the script?
-Dry oregano is versatile as it can be used on bread, pizza, and in red sauce.
What is the source of bay leaf mentioned in the script?
-The bay leaf comes from the laurel tree and is crucial in creole cooking.
Why is cayenne pepper considered an essential spice in the script?
-Cayenne pepper is essential not only in creole but also in cajun food.
What are the different types of paprika mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions sweet paprika, hot paprika, and smoked paprika, also labeled as pimenton.
What does chili powder represent in the script?
-Chili powder represents a blend of chilies ground to different heat levels with various flavor profiles, some of which could be smoked.
Why does the speaker enjoy using cumin according to the script?
-The speaker enjoys using cumin for making beans and highlights it as a favorite for its use in various dishes.
What is the 'emerald magic' referred to in the script?
-The 'emerald magic' referred to in the script is celery salt, which is considered an essential spice.
What is the overall theme of the video script?
-The overall theme of the video script is listing and explaining the 12 essential spices that everyone should have in their pantry.

Outlines

00:00

🧂 Essential Spices for Every Pantry

This paragraph introduces a list of 12 essential spices that should be present in every kitchen pantry. It emphasizes the importance of salt and black peppercorns, the latter being best used fresh from a pepper mill. It also mentions thyme and oregano as staples in creole cooking, and the versatility of bay leaf in various dishes. Cayenne pepper is highlighted for its use in creole and cajun cuisines. The paragraph further discusses the sweet and smoked varieties of paprika, the range of heat levels in chili powder, and the aromatic properties of cumin. It concludes with a mention of 'emerald magic' celery salt, which is presumably a special blend or seasoning.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Essential Spices

Essential spices refer to a collection of commonly used herbs and seasonings that form the foundation of a well-stocked kitchen. In the context of the video, these spices are highlighted as indispensable for creating a variety of dishes, particularly those with Creole and Cajun influences. The script emphasizes the importance of having these spices in one's pantry for versatility in cooking.

💡Salt

Salt is a fundamental seasoning used to enhance the flavor of food. It is ubiquitous in cooking and is often the first spice mentioned due to its universal necessity. In the script, salt is presented as the first of the essential spices, underscoring its importance in every culinary context.

💡Black Peppercorns

Black peppercorns are the dried berries of the Piper nigrum plant, known for their pungent and slightly spicy flavor. They are a staple in many cuisines and are often ground fresh using a pepper mill for optimal flavor, as mentioned in the script. The video suggests a preference for fresh cracked black pepper, indicating its superior taste over pre-ground options.

💡Thyme

Thyme is an aromatic herb used widely in cooking for its savory and earthy flavor. Dried thyme is particularly highlighted in the script for its utility in Creole cooking, where it is a key ingredient in many traditional recipes. The herb's versatility is noted, as it can be used in a variety of dishes.

💡Oregano

Oregano is another aromatic herb with a slightly bitter and pungent flavor. It is used in a variety of dishes, including on bread and pizza, as well as in sauces. The script mentions dry oregano, which is a convenient form of the herb that retains its flavor and can be easily added to recipes.

💡Bay Leaf

Bay leaves are leaves from the laurel tree and are used to impart a subtle flavor to a wide range of dishes. They are described in the script as a crucial spice in Creole cooking, indicating their importance in adding depth and complexity to the dishes' flavor profiles.

💡Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a type of chili pepper that is ground into a fine powder and is known for its spicy heat. It is an essential spice in both Creole and Cajun cuisines, as noted in the script, and is used to add a kick to various dishes.

💡Paprika

Paprika is a ground spice made from dried red fruits of bell peppers or chili peppers. It comes in both sweet and hot varieties, with the latter adding a smoky flavor profile. The script mentions paprika as an essential spice, highlighting its role in adding color, flavor, and heat to dishes.

💡Chili Powder

Chili powder is a blend of ground chilies that varies in heat levels and flavor profiles. It is used in a range of cuisines, particularly in Southwestern and Mexican cooking, as referenced in the script. The spice is noted for its ability to add a distinct taste and heat to dishes.

💡Cumin

Cumin is a spice made from the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, known for its warm, earthy flavor. The script mentions cumin as a favorite for making beans, indicating its common use in various cuisines, particularly in dishes that require a depth of flavor.

💡Celery Salt

Celery salt is a seasoning that combines salt with dried celery flakes, adding a unique flavor to dishes. It is mentioned in the script as part of the 'Emerald magic,' suggesting it is a signature spice in the context of the video, likely associated with a specific brand or style of cooking.

Highlights

Introduction to the 12 essential spices for a well-stocked pantry.

Number one essential spice: Salt, a fundamental seasoning.

Black peppercorns, preferred fresh cracked for flavor.

Thyme, recommended in dried form for Creole cooking.

Dried oregano, versatile for bread, pizza, and red sauces.

Bay leaf, a crucial spice in Creole cooking.

Cayenne pepper, essential in Creole and Cajun cuisine.

Crushed red pepper, offering a range of heat levels.

Paprika, available in sweet, hot, and smoked varieties.

Smoked paprika, also known as pimenton.

Chili powder, a blend of ground chilies with varied heat and flavor.

Cumin, favored for bean dishes and Creole seasonings.

Emerald's original seasoning, a unique blend for beans and other dishes.

Celery salt, the final essential spice with a savory flavor.

Emerald magic, a special mention for a unique seasoning blend.

The importance of having a variety of spices for diverse culinary uses.

The practical applications of these spices in everyday cooking.

A summary of the 12 essential spices for an essential pantry.