Here's a bit of kitchen wisdom for home cooks who want to have options for improving the flavor of simple roasted meat, poultry, or fish, or even vegetables, with minimal time and effort: Use a flavored oil. This one adds dried onion and also cardomom seeds that are released from the pods (by crushing it with the side of a chef's knife or with a mortar and pestle). Allow the oil to sit for a couple weeks in a cool, dark place to allow the flavors to meld.