5 Dried Spices Your Kitchen Shouldn't Live Without

While I prefer to cook with fresh herbs and spices whenever possible, there are 5 dried spices that I cannot live without: crushed red pepper, rosemary, cumin, ground sage, and thyme.  Each of these has a unique and bold flavor profile that can transform a dull dish into something lively and enticing.  If these spices aren't already gracing your cabinets with their presence, I suggest you invest in them asap.  Here are my favorite uses for each:

{Crushed Red Pepper}

◊ sprinkled into homemade marinara for heat

◊ sprinkled atop homemade pizza

◊ added to olive oil and garlic for a tasty Aglio e Olio

{Rosemary}

◊ toasted with olive oil and sea salt and sprinkled on focaccia

◊ roasted with baby red potatoes, olive oil, and sea salt

{Cumin}

◊ added to homemade hummus

◊ added to homemade veggie burgers

◊ sprinkled over chick peas with olive oil and sea salt

{Ground Sage}

◊ added to melted gorgonzola and poured over pasta

◊ sprinkled with olive oil and sea salt over homemade baked french fries

◊ added into homemade scones or biscuits

{Thyme}

◊ cooked with portobello caps and balsamic

◊ roasted with leeks and served over risotto

◊ marinated with tofu or veggies