Quarter Note Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 I haven't made a Penzey's order in about 20 years, but I'd like to try some of their new blends to liven up my boring meals. Anyone have any favorites to recommend, along with tips for your favorite ways to use them? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Pizza herbs, Justice, Various poultry blends, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Northwoods Fire is our long standing favorite from there. Most often, especially in the cold months, i brush some olive oil on salmon and then sprinkle generously with Northwoods Fire. Yum. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Sandwich sprinkle is good. I’m not sure I would buy it though. It came as part of a set that I wanted for other reasons. Many of the blends are mostly salt which is very cheap. IIRC this might be one of them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toocrazy!! Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 My absolute favorite is California pepper. We Use it as our everyday pepper. Northwoods fire is a staple. Chicago steak seasonings. Also the chicken base is better than regular chicken broth If that’s what you normally use for soups. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 The blends I will pay Penzey's prices for: Chicago Steak-obvious use Tuscan sunset - Italian blend with a slight twist. Pork Chop seasoning- Smoky white pepper blend. I use it on potato dishes and if I need to add some light smoky/savory flavor to a dish Berbere-My favorite for adding to chili, curry or beef dishes. Sandwich sprinkle- I use it in tuna sandwiches Turkish- a great multi use blend Ruth Ann's Muskego Ave chicken/fish seasoning-simple blend for chicken with lemon and garlic. Garam Masala- I don't eat much Indian food, so I am sure there are better blends out there, but for me this is pretty easy to use. I am sure I could make them for cheaper, but these have a unique combination of flavors that makes things easy for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Toocrazy!! said: Also the chicken base is better than regular chicken broth If that’s what you normally use for soups. Yes, I forgot the soup bases. They are less salty than what I used to get at the grocery. I keep backups in the freezer. Sometimes we make stock, when we have a carcass, but i don't believe in buying it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I like their lamb seasoning, fajita seasoning, medium hot chili powder, and cinnamon. I dislike their incessant political diatribes, however, and mostly buy from The Spice House instead now. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 52 minutes ago, ScoutTN said: I dislike their incessant political diatribes, however, and mostly buy from The Spice House instead now. Same here. Plus, if you buy flat packs they ship for free. Yeah I’m sure the price is built in but it is great when you just need one thing. The owners of Penzey’s and Spice House are siblings...who I suspect don’t get along that well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 1 hour ago, ScoutTN said: I like their lamb seasoning, fajita seasoning, medium hot chili powder, and cinnamon. I dislike their incessant political diatribes, however, and mostly buy from The Spice House instead now. I stopped subscribing to their coupons and newsletter a few years ago, simple due to this reason. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 1 hour ago, Tap said: I stopped subscribing to their coupons and newsletter a few years ago, simple due to this reason. Yes, even when I agree with them, which is definitely not all the time, I find the foaming at the mouth style both annoying and presumptuous. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I sprinkle Justice on any meat I pan sear. chicken, fish, beef.....it goes on all of it. I also put it on roasted veggies Last time they had a big sale, I stocked up. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I prefer The Spice House and Savory Spice over Penzey’s. I found the quality to be better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Another fan of The Spice House. I prefer salt-free blends, and they have some amazing ones. Baharat, Parisian Shallot Herb Blend, Shawarma, Thai Red Curry, and Shichimi Togorashi (Japanese Seven Spice) are among our favorites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I have been meaning to try The Spice House. One thing I really like from Penney’s that I have not seen elsewhere is the kosher flaked salt though. It is coarser than table salt but finer than coarse salt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 1 hour ago, Carol in Cal. said: I have been meaning to try The Spice House. One thing I really like from Penney’s that I have not seen elsewhere is the kosher flaked salt though. It is coarser than table salt but finer than coarse salt. Have you tried Maldon salt? Maldon is a flaky finishing salt that has a very satisfying (light) crunch when used for a final seasoning. I bet you'd like it. Bill 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 6 minutes ago, Spy Car said: Have you tried Maldon salt? Maldon is a flaky finishing salt that has a very satisfying (light) crunch when used for a final seasoning. I bet you'd like it. Bill Spice House sells it- pricey, but so very good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I don't know how the prices compare to Penzey's or Spice House, but I get both regular and smoked Maldon sea salt from Amazon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 The three items I'd most like would be Turkish Bay Leaf, Vietnamese cinnamon, and Juniper berries. Like @Dreamergal I get my spices from Indian markets (and Sri Lankan, Greek/Ethiopian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, etc. markets). And I now have the culinary herb garden of my dreams that's fully mature. But getting real Laurus nobilis (bay leaf) is surprisingly difficult. Most bay leaf sold here is California Bay Leaf, which I don't prefer. I have a small Laurus nobilis bush/tree that I've nurtured for a year in a pot (came as the tiniest of starter plants) that's finally ready to plant. But I'd like a small supply on hand. Vietnamese cinnamon is quite good. And I love Juniper berries when used subtly with herbs to give stews a wild aspect. Hunter's stews. I guess I'd order the whole catalog, but I'm a tightwad. LOL. Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 9 minutes ago, Corraleno said: I don't know how the prices compare to Penzey's or Spice House, but I get both regular and smoked Maldon sea salt from Amazon. I just checked the Amazon price and it was half the price of the Spice House. Bill 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 2 hours ago, Carol in Cal. said: I have been meaning to try The Spice House. One thing I really like from Penney’s that I have not seen elsewhere is the kosher flaked salt though. It is coarser than table salt but finer than coarse salt. Also very good--and not expensive--is Diamond Kosher salt (NOT MORTON). Diamond is flaked. Not as crunchy as Maldon, but inexpensive enough that one needs no guilt to use it salting water, etc. Something one would never do it Maldon. Check kosher markets. Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 8 minutes ago, Spy Car said: The three items I'd most like would be Turkish Bay Leaf, Vietnamese cinnamon, and Juniper berries. Like @Dreamergal I get my spices from Indian markets (and Sri Lankan, Greek/Ethiopian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, etc. markets). And I now have the culinary herb garden of my dreams that's fully mature. But getting real Laurus nobilis (bay leaf) is surprisingly difficult. Most bay leaf sold here is California Bay Leaf, which I don't prefer. I have a small Laurus nobilis bush/tree that I've nurtured for a year in a pot (came as the tiniest of starter plants) that's finally ready to plant. But I'd like a small supply on hand. Vietnamese cinnamon is quite good. And I love Juniper berries when used subtly with herbs to give stews a wild aspect. Hunter's stews. I guess I'd order the whole catalog, but I'm a tightwad. LOL. Bill I wondered why their bay leaves are so much better than any I'd had before! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 (edited) 10 minutes ago, happi duck said: I wondered why their bay leaves are so much better than any I'd had before! You've probably had CA bay leaf. CA bay is more assertive and not as balanced IMO. One needs to pull CA bay somewhat quickly to avoid it from getting overwhelmingly tannic/bitter. Certain dishes (like Menudo) taste right to me with CA bay and Mexican oregano (which is not oregano). Turkish bay has its own thing. More subtle and so good. Bill Edited March 21, 2021 by Spy Car 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Maldon sea salt is available at nicer grocery stores around here at pretty reasonable prices. I think you've already gotten great suggestions for Penzeys. I love their bay leaves, garam masala, cinnamon, and vanilla. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Note Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share Posted March 21, 2021 21 hours ago, Dreamergal said: The price is too expensive at Penzeys for me. 1 oz is above $4. You can get 3oz (100gms) of the same spice for a little over $1 in an Indian store. I cook a lot with spices. What do you want to know ? Hi Dreamergal. Oh, I love Indian groceries. We even have one in our little town. And, when I have time, I love to cook from my Indian cookbooks that I brought back with me after I spent some time in India many years ago. My spice cabinet has a nice selection. But what I'm really looking for is simply to try new things, and I thought that some of Penzey's new blends would provide convenient delivery of some new flavor combinations. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Note Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share Posted March 21, 2021 21 hours ago, Ethel Mertz said: Pizza herbs, Justice, Various poultry blends, Thank you, Ethel! (Wish I could like your post.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Note Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share Posted March 21, 2021 10 hours ago, DawnM said: I sprinkle Justice on any meat I pan sear. chicken, fish, beef.....it goes on all of it. I also put it on roasted veggies Last time they had a big sale, I stocked up. So you should know that they're having a site-wide sale this weekend! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Note Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share Posted March 21, 2021 Thank you all for your suggestions! I'm looking forward to making my order this afternoon. If I can make Same-Old-Quick-and-Easy on a random weeknight, sprinkle on some new flavor combination, and have my kids say, "Wow, Mommy, Same-Old-Quick-and-Easy tastes really good tonight. May I have more?" then it will be worth a few extra dollars per jar. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I use a lot of smoked Spanish paprika, both dulce (sweet) and picante. Useful. Also Aleppo pepper (red pepper) has a very complex taste. Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 18 hours ago, Tap said: I stopped subscribing to their coupons and newsletter a few years ago, simple due to this reason. 16 hours ago, Carol in Cal. said: Yes, even when I agree with them, which is definitely not all the time, I find the foaming at the mouth style both annoying and presumptuous. Plus the writing was really poor. He needed an editor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 8 hours ago, Carol in Cal. said: I have been meaning to try The Spice House. One thing I really like from Penney’s that I have not seen elsewhere is the kosher flaked salt though. It is coarser than table salt but finer than coarse salt. Whole Foods has this! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 5 hours ago, SusanC said: Plus the writing was really poor. He needed an editor. He needed to not be so full of himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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