SPICES FOR CHEF'S BAKERS, FOODIES AND PEOPLE WHO JUST TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY

[chief38]

Salt
Pepper
Tabasco
Pretty much the three amigos for me. The problem with spices is that they GET STALE. Which is why I try not to buy a variety as I usually use them once or twice and the next time I want to use hem, they turn into a cake. Nothing worse than using old spices that have lost their flavor and nothing more maddening that realizing you are throwing out little bottles of stuff that cost around 3-6 dollars a pop.
I've gone to seasoning blends for that reason. I like K-Pauls' Salmon seasoning which has a sugan rather than a salt base and use it on pretty much any pork I am going to put on the pit.
As far as seasonings, the big three (onions, celery and bell pepper) I buy the pre chopped stuff for the same reason-what does one do with a bunch of celery bought to use just one or two pieces. I also use jarred minced garlic instead of fresh for the same reason.
Don't get me wrong, I like fresh, but unless I am cooking a stop load of whatever and can use up what I buy, the frozen stuff and blends just work better for me.
Of and plus one on the Mexican Vanilla! Some o dat mixed with cinnamon and sugah on a sweet tater with some butta for a little saltiness taste pretty good!

As far as bar b que sauce I fund that ya gotta go pretty far to beat Sweet Baby Ray's or if you want tart, try Jack Russel's

We entertain an awful lot! There are always family, friends & neighbors here. Nothing stays around that long!

As far as BBQ / Steak Sauce goes, Peter Luger's is about the best I've ever had. Thankfully they do have it here in Publix as Peter Lugers is in NY. If you ever get the chance to try a bottle - don't pass it up! I also use it as a salad dressing. Incredible!

 

[chief38]

Laundry detergent or needlepoint next week?

Hungarian Paprika, Pure Mexican Vanilla, McCormick course black pepper, oregano and garlic powder. Fresh garlic, and fine ground crushed red pepper. That about does it for me and seasoning

I am allergic to Garlic but it took me many years to figure out why I kept getting sick. Finally, I figured it out. I have not had any Garlic for over 40 years - except rarely when a restaurant screws up - then I get sick. Onions I can eat like apples - it's just Garlic.

OK - Laundry Detergent next week - LOL

 

[zeke]

As far as bar b que sauce I fund that ya gotta go pretty far to beat Sweet Baby Ray's or if you want tart, try Jack Russel's

Famous Dave’s Devil’s Spit™ BBQ Sauce | Famous Products

hickory smoked country style pork ribs that were marinated in Dave's Devil spit sauce. With a side of smoked Cajun spiced cream cheese

 

[pawngal]

Salt

Of and plus one on the Mexican Vanilla! Some o dat mixed with cinnamon and sugah on a sweet tater with some butta for a little saltiness taste pretty good!

As far as bar b que sauce I fund that ya gotta go pretty far to beat Sweet Baby Ray's or if you want tart, try Jack Russel's

I love sweet taters with brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon, I'll have to try adding a smidge of Mexican vanilla.

 

[StrawHat]

Wait until you discover the wide, wonderful, world of salts! Not garlic salt or onion salt but sea salt, Himalayan salt, Hawaiian salt, etc!

Kevin

 

[Realrez]

I remember reading about the pennsy thing. I boycott any company that pulls any kind **** like this.

Ahhh Total wine. I frequent the one in claymont De.

 

[chief38]

Wait until you discover the wide, wonderful, world of salts! Not garlic salt or onion salt but sea salt, Himalayan salt, Hawaiian salt, etc!

Kevin

We must have no less than 7 or 8 different salts in my house now as we have been trying new ones every week - haven't decided which one we like best yet. We tried a new one at a friends BBQ just this evening and think it's called Celtic Salt. He put it on the Ribeye's he BBQ'd. I know this sounds silly but it tasted a bit more salty than normal salt but I did not see how much he used.

 

[chief38]

I remember reading about the pennsy thing. I boycott any company that pulls any kind **** like this.

Ahhh Total wine. I frequent the one in claymont De.

Total Wine is a GREAT store! Their prices are no better than our local Costco but they have a much much better selection and a huge variety. Costco only has the basics. Once in a while Costco will get something really special but you have to jump on it fast because sometimes it's a one shot deal.

 

[coltle6920]

Spices are great but only as good as the knowledge of the person using them. For example too much ginger can destroy a recipe and there's no going back once the damage is done.

I stick to prepared spice blends letting others get the mixture right.

 

[Golddollar]

I swear by Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning. I put it in or on a lot of things. It was a mainstay for me when I was on the competitive chili circuit. And if you had my stuffed mushrooms, Tony Chachere's is what put that zing into the stuffed mushrooms. They are not kidding when they say it's "Great on Everything."

 

[robvious]

Spice IS the variety of life..
we have a kaleidoscope of spices from various sources but I agree that McCormick's is wonderful and consistent.. and has been for generations... we are also fond of Watkins products.

 

[StrawHat]

Speaking of McCormick’s spices, the city of Baltimore needed their headquarters building for the expansion of the harbor project. It is said that the aroma of spices lingered in the air for months after they imposed the building. I remember visiting that area as a child when Pop called on ships in the harbor.

Kevin

 

[mtgianni]

Todays super store spices are "OK" for cooking but

there are higher quality spices on line but they will cost more
for how thet up the flavor in your cooking.

Vanilla is one item that can go from a D to a A+ with all the liquid samples, out there,
let along using the seeds in the dried bean !!

Have fun.

Wait until you are soaking Madagascar beans in Vodka for 5 months and rolling your own vanilla.

 

[Nevada Ed]

This was the BEST ever sauce that I have ever had but they stopped making it.

I have to "Doctor up" the store bought a little, for my taste buds.

 

[Rustyt1953]

"There can be only one."

 

[delcrossv]

I agree, I happened into their Mpls store years ago and have ordered online since.
Vanilla: Watkins or Mexican. You want pure vanilla, not extract.

+1 on Watkins. Wife will buy no other brand of vanilla.

My side of the family has been buying Watkins spices since at least the 1930's. Way more potent than store bought.

Watkins


– Watkins