I love finding unique spices, oils, marinades etc. when I can. Just a flavored oil can completely change the taste and style of an everyday meal. I have used the basil oil to roast chicken, coat pasta and dip bread. I also love the spices for meats, breads, veggies and stirfrys.
These types of things can also be made with little effort with some of the things you have in your cupboards already. You can flavor your oil by adding a few cloves of fresh garlic and some sprigs of rosemary to your oil. Or just blend oil and fresh basil. You can create your own spice blends just by experimenting a little bit, and there are loads of recipes out there for sauces, marinades and dry rubs you can make yourself. It's always more rewarding and fun when you can create something successful and call it your own!
