Agony cat, I think you're absolutely right -- we newbies limit and try so hard to get it right that we end up missing the point. I actually did not have a single spice in the house (except salt and pepper) and have been buying a few per recipe.

I had really hoped when essjay started this thread that more people like you -- really experienced with this WOE, and with imagination -- would post menus to give the rest of us ideas, and I hope that, by your posting, you'll inspire others to post.