Spice cabinet essentials?

[Raquelita]

What are your favorite/most used spices? Its interesting to hear what flavors people use in their cooking .

Our top spices are Basil and Cinnamon.

[Mama Mangia]

GARLIC!!! Parsley, marjoram, basil, fennel, paprika, cinnamon, chili powder, celery seed, grated lemon rind, sage, thyme - plus assorted others.

[ainjel]

I have basil at all times but I actually don't like it.

There's ALWAYS cinnamon in my house. I love cinnamon. I put it on vanilla ice cream in heaps.

The other stuff we have at all times is oregano (a lot), cream of tartar, red pepper flakes, parsley, vanilla extract, thyme, garlic, onion, and whatever else happens to be left over from times where we needed something and don't normally use it.

[Mrs. Chipotle]

Garlic, cumin, oregano, paprika, thyme, basil, cayenne pepper.

[BagCSC]

The staples of my cooking are usually one or more of these:

Fresh Ground Sea Salt
Fresh Ground Peppercorns
Garlic Powder (for times when I dont have fresh garlic)
Onion salt (for times when real onions dont fit in)
Chili Powder
Basil
Cumin
Curry Powder
Parsley
Oregano

[oldbay]

My top seasonings are:
Black Pepper, White Pepper, Fresh Minced Garlic, Old Bay Seasoning, Onion Powder, Parsley, Oregano, Basil, Celery Seed, Jamaican Seasoning, Dill Weed.

It's nice to have fresh herbs and spices around, but the fact is that unless you're planning something, then the dried seasonings make the meal.

[r8rpwr]

I use a lot of basil and oregano. Also cumin since we love Mexican food.

Oh and who can do without garlic powder!

[Raquelita]

It's interesting - a lot of these spices i've never used and never had a recipe call for it.

[PoorGirl]

I love basil, rosemary, cumin, and garlic...

[Upennmama]

A ton of rosemary, garlic, black pepper, curry powder, tarragon, and thyme.