A seasoning to keep in your kitchen at all times, along with salt and pepper. Fines herbes (a staple in France as the name suggests) traditionally includes a blend of the following spices: chervil, chives, parsley and tarragon. Dried fines herbes is widely available in grocery stores, but for a real treat, make your own using fresh herbs.

Like fresh dill, fresh fines herbes can loose their flavor if cooked for a long time, so it’s best to add them toward the end of the cooking period. Use the dried version for long-simmering stews and sauces. Try fresh fines herbes in omelets mixes, sauces, marinades and with cured meats.