What's your go-to?

Isn't it funny how we are such creatures of habit? I find myself sticking to the same routine, day after day... and watch out if something throws a wrench in it! Don't get me wrong- I'm not a strict follower of my non-existent day planner, but I do find myself going about my life pretty much doing the same things, eating at the same restaurants, watching the same shows, etc.

This follows even in my cooking. Before having friends who don't particularly care for Italian, I would never have realized how much my weekly menu resembles an Italian restaurant- just the dishes, not the cooking. I love making my mom's homemade spaghetti sauce, marinating chicken in Italian dressing and sprinkling with Parmesan cheese before putting in the oven, or eating the buttery garlic bread whose caloric content I don't even want to know. Lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, Parmesan chicken, baked ziti, garlic chicken- I'll make and eat it all.

My friend P, on the other hand, is much more Mexican at heart. Her menu is full of delicious enchiladas, salsa verde casserole, fajitas, to-die-for Spanish rice, and spicy pinto beans. It's always a Mexican feast at her casa! This makes our friendship work out great- we never tire of each other's dinners. The other day, we were talking about the spice that we use the most when cooking, the spice that no meal is served without-
Mine is garlic (in any shape or form)
P's is cumin.

Which makes sense when you look at what we cook the most.

What about you? What's your spice? Do you have a spice? Or are you an equal opportunity spicer?