Are you looking to keep consistency in your favorite foods but seeking some new tastes and flavors?  Often, we think adding flavor and spice means adding excess calories to our meals.  But the good news is that there are lots of easy ways to add flavor to simple meals!  This article highlights five great options to put to the flavor test!  

Adding flavor doesn’t have to be hard.  Be creative, try something new and you just might surprise yourself!  

Citrus  

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes are a great way to add a little flavor to your “everyday go-to dishes” like fish, roasted vegetables, salads, rice, and pasta dishes.  The great thing about citrus is that you can add flavor using the zest of the fruit or the juice. If you choose to zest your fruit, remember that a little goes a long way!  Start small and adjust the amount you want to use as you taste your dish!  Citrus can also be a flavor booster for a glass of water or tea.  

Hot Sauce 

Add a kick of flavor by turning to something spicy.  There is such a wide variety of hot sauces to choose from the flavor options will be endless!  The spiciness from hot sauce can bring out flavors in your food that you didn’t taste before.  The spice may also help reduce cravings for salty or fatty foods.  When adding hot sauce, start with just a few drops and work your way up slowly to the flavor you desire!  Hot sauce goes great with things like eggs, chicken, vegetable dishes and so much more.  

Herbs- dried and fresh 

Herbs are a simple and easy way to add some much-needed flavor to common dishes.  They are versatile and can be bought either fresh or dried- this may help keep potential food waste down and means that you can have these flavor options on hand more often!  When using herbs in items such as salads, choosing fresh herbs can really vamp up the flavor and texture! Play around with combinations that you like best.  One of my favorite ways to use herbs is to pair fresh fruit like watermelon with a fresh herb like mint or basil.  If you are choosing fresh herbs, reduce waste by using the whole plant- stalks and leaves. They both offer the same great flavor, and you can get a little more bang for your buck, remember that this works better with more tender herbs like cilantro, basil, mint, etc.  

Spice Blends and Salt-Free Seasonings 

Another great choice for adding a bit of flavor or variety to your meals is to begin to incorporate a variety of spices or salt-free seasonings into your cooking.  Spices like cinnamon, cayenne, chili powders, garlic, and red pepper flakes are a simple way to really change the way that your food tastes.  A personal favorite way of incorporating spices is to sprinkle a little cinnamon on sliced fruits like apples or bananas.  

Flavored Vinegar 

Vinegar is a simple way to infuse new flavors into various salads, sauces, meats, and roasted vegetables.  The great thing about flavored vinegar is that you can easily create your own right at home!  Choose your favorite herb combinations, heat your vinegar to warm (not boiling), use a funnel to pour the warm vinegar into jars containing your herb of choice, and let the infused vinegar mix “brew” in direct sunlight for about 2 weeks. When your vinegar reaches its desired flavor, simply strain it to remove your “add-ins” and now you have your very own flavor creation!  If you are looking for further instructions, or inspiration, a quick search online will lead you to endless flavor options!