Spices enhance the flavor of any dish, however it's important to know how to use them correctly, or you might just destroy a meal. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand how they work, so let's discuss some basic rules about when and how to spice up your food.

Spices not only make food tastier, but they also reduce calorie intake because they can often substitute for heavy oils, salt, and butter. Basil is a spice that partners well with almost any food. It has a sweet, subtle flavor that complements vegetables like peas and squash, while it gives robustness to fish and chicken. You can mix basil with celery salts, pepper, and oregano. When cooking Italian cuisine, basil goes really well with parsley.

Give meats a real meaty flavor by marinating them in a mix of spices, or rub spices on the meat prior to cooking. No matter if you are broiling, grilling, or frying, add some spices to extra virgin olive oil and glaze the meat. Not only will you get superb flavor, but there are fewer calories than those pre-packed marinades.

Spices that are great for meat are thyme, garlic, paprika, and black pepper. After rubbing them on the meat, allow to soak in before cooking. Chicken and lamb get a wonderful lift from oregano and mint. These should be dusted on lightly because too much will overpower the food. Salads are more exciting with appropriate spices. Combine some basil with rosemary, parsley, a little oil and vinegar, and you've got a dressing that will beat anything on the supermarket shelf.

Remember that spices are all about pleasing individual palates so you should experiment. For example, some people like to add dill to cream cheese, potatoes, and salmon. Others may not like this flavor and prefer parsley with potatoes, or basil with fish. When you find a spice that you really like, don't make the mistake of adding it to everything you cook. Experiment with others to prevent monotony.

Learning how to use different spices is an exciting challenge for any enthusiastic cook. When you can master the art of off-setting a harsh spice with a sweeter one, your culinary creativity will be unleashed. It's all really so simple, for example a little cumin and parsley can give the right amount of zing to any potato dish - even plain mashed potato.

If using chili powder or garlic for meat dishes, be sure not to let them become the dominant flavors. Remember, spices should enhance the natural flavor of food. A dish that is perfectly spiced will provide that "something extra" without being obvious. When using garlic, it's best to use fresh cloves as opposed to buying crushed or ground mixtures.

Therefore, the golden rule of spices is: "A little is great, but a lot can ruin". If you want to get creative, experiment on your family. Don't try your new skills at an important occasion. With some time, effort, and a few failures, you will soon get to know which foods need sweet spices, and which need acidity.