T'S TIME to experience the world of colors that exists beyond the basic black and white of pepper and salt, that ever-popular pair that reigns supreme over all of the other frequently under-used and needlessly neglected spices and seasonings in your kitchen. While salt and pepper are undeniably irreplaceable, there are many other spices that make a tremendous impact on recipes. Imparting complexly layered or complementary flavors, with the powers to transform ordinary dishes into signature recipes, dried spices and seasonings are a simple, healthy way to add flavor and pizzazz to everyday favorites. If you find that your foods are lacking in flavor and distinction, or that the selection of spices in your pantry is scarce, now is the time to make sure that these sixteen spice rack essentials have a proper place in your kitchen collection. Or, replenish the ones you've had in there for too long; most dried spices and seasonings have a shelf life of six months or less.

These sixteen dried herbs and spices are just some of the basic building blocks for your spice rack, but don't limit yourself to this list, or be afraid to get creative and expand your horizons. With your favorite spices on hand, you can say goodbye to blandness and create culinary magic in the kitchen any night of the week.

Basil
A member of the mint family, this favorite green herb adds flavor and subtly sweet aroma to everything from sauces, to salad dressings, to pizzas. Highly regarded for centuries, it was called the "royal herb" by the ancient Greeks.

Bay Leaves
Often used to enhance the flavor of soups, vegetables and meats (and then removed before serving), bay leaves, also known as laurel leaves, are wonderfully aromatic. Bay leaves have long been a symbol of celebration and triumph.

Chili Powder
Adding spice to chili, Mexican foods and many other dishes, this powdered seasoning mix is composed of dried chiles, garlic, cumin, oregano, coriander and cloves. Try it sprinkled over sliced avocado or scrambled eggs.

Cinnamon
A wonderful addition to sweet recipes, ground cinnamon adds an intriguing layer of flavor to savory dishes like curries and stews as well. Cinnamon was even used in love potions and as a perfume by the ancient Romans!

Cloves
Reddish brown in color, with an irresistible aroma, ground cloves add complexity to an array of dishes, from the sweet to the savory. It is sensational with apples, pears and squash, and is considered to be one of the world's most important spices.

Cumin
Infusing many Mediterranean, Asian and Middle Eastern dishes with a sensational smokiness, ground cumin can be used in chili powders and curries, and is fantastic with vegetables or cheese spreads and souffles.

Dill Weed
A distinctive addition to savory breads and vegetables like cucumbers, carrots and peas, dried dill is also superb in seafood and poultry dishes, sauces and salads. It was even considered to be a good luck symbol by 1st century Romans!

Ginger
Slightly sweet and peppery with a pungent aroma, dried ground ginger is an essential in baked favorites like ginger bread and gingersnaps, and is delicious in curries, soups, and fruit compotes or chutneys.

Oregano
A relative of marjoram and thyme, oregano became popular in the United States after soldiers returned home from Italy after World War II. Fantastic in Italian dishes and tomato-based sauces, it's a key for achieving homemade pizza perfection.

Nutmeg
When infused with the warm, sweet spiciness of ground nutmeg, cream sauces, baked goods, eggnog and vegetables like spinach and squash are elevated to a whole new level of deliciousness. One taste and it's easy to see why this is one of the spices that Columbus was searching for in the East Indies.

Paprika
Ranging in colors from scarlet red to orange-red, paprika comes in different levels of heat and intensity. It is delicious with cheese dishes, from fondue to souffles, and is terrific with beans, beef, poultry and eggs.

Rosemary
Native to the Mediterranean area, rosemary can be used to season soups, salads, vegetables, fish, salad dressings, egg dishes and stuffing, and is sensational when paired with lamb. It's a must-have to have on hand if you're making your favorite impromptu pasta recipe.

Red Pepper
Flakes Adding heat to an array of dishes, red pepper flakes are fantastic sprinkled onto pizza for a little extra kick. It can also be used to add some zip to tomato sauces, shrimp, pastas, vinaigrettes or steamed broccoli.

Sage
A star seasoning in stuffing for poultry and game, sage is also frequently used in pork dishes. It adds lovely flavor to cheese recipes, eggplant, lamb, sweet potatoes and soups or stews. Silvery green in color, it has a flavor similar to mint.

Tarragon
Spectacular with chicken, vegetables and fish, tarragon is a traditional ingredient in French cuisine, and is an important element of herbal combinations such as Fines Herbes. It pairs nicely with foods such as corn, seafood, ham, and pasta, but use sparingly--a little goes a long way!

Thyme
With its minty, slightly lemony aroma, thyme adds fantastic flavor to cream sauces, meat dishes, soups, and stews, and is also wonderful with tomatoes, pork, eggplant and cheese recipes. Like tarragon, it is an important seasoning in traditional French cooking.