52 Comments
User's avatar
Kristin Kiefer Huddleston's avatar

Fresh lemons! Not lemon juice. A squeeze adds a brightness to almost everything!

Joy Wilson's avatar

You are so right! Lemons are magic.

teebee's avatar

Cinnamon ...I use it in almost everything. Start off the morning with a dash of cinnamon in my coffee.

Joy Wilson's avatar

I just added a cinnamon stick to soup and it changed the game!

jadwae99@gmail.com's avatar

Whole-fat buttermilk! No lowfat, no vinegar and milk subtitutes. Biscuits and cornbread deserve the good stuff!

Emily Roethle's avatar

Ok cheating but two: almond extract and cinnamon!

Joy Wilson's avatar

I LOVE a dash of almond extract in cake!

Amy Al-Armanazi's avatar

Mine is really three…the holy trinity…onions, carrots and celery

Joy Wilson's avatar

This makes all the sense in the world to me!

Koalani Roberts's avatar

Harissa paste! I keep a tube in the fridge always and find this adds just the right amount of rich, multifaceted spice to everything. Chili. Spaghetti sauce. A stir fry. Salad dressing. Just anytime I want a smidge of spice, this seems to be the answer.

Joy Wilson's avatar

I'm hearing you and I need to stock this! I recently had a simple harissa carrot hummas a friend brought to a party and was thinking, gosh I really need more harissa in my life!

Gail Annacarto's avatar

Dried Dillweed - never have fresh dill and it's so fragrant.

Joy Wilson's avatar

Justice for dried dill!

Mary Kate's avatar

Fresh grated parm can make almost anything feel fancy

Joy Wilson's avatar

You're absolutely correct!

Katie Murray's avatar

Full fat dairy! Do not substitute unless you don’t care about the taste.

Joy Wilson's avatar

Full fat all the way!

kim scharf's avatar

Onion or garlic powder. What a difference it can make! My 19 year old son taught me that!

Joy Wilson's avatar

What garlic powder wont do - I swear! I think of it as a completely different ingredient than fresh garlic.

Emma Widmer's avatar

A fresh herb bundle like a bouquet of flowers in the fridge at all times! Finding something bright green and fresh can make the most basic pantry staples into something exciting.

Joy Wilson's avatar

Like Countess Luanne always says "elegance is learned, my friend".

LoriSpeak's avatar

I will add another vote for cinnamon, it makes everything better.

Joy Wilson's avatar

You're certainly not wrong!

Kristin's avatar

full fat dairy! especially whole milk yogurt for marinades & sauces

Joy Wilson's avatar

I'm nodding my head yes!

Jolene Handy's avatar

Lovely!

Janet Archer's avatar

Pink peppercorns. Ground they add a mildly spicy, sweet, herbal hit.

Joy Wilson's avatar

I'm hearing you! I don't have enough pink peppercorns in my life!

Katt's avatar

I’ve been singing the praises for Guerra’s Gourmet spice blend for a couple years now. They have a pepper farm in mid/eastern Washington and make a really incredible selection of spice blends, as well as a collab with a local cheese maker that is 👩‍🍳😘. A great article about them: https://www.ruralite.com/the-spice-of-life/?ltclid=98241551-5068-4d45-941f-51456e203f1e

Joy Wilson's avatar

Oooh and thanks for the link!