What do you think about spice blends?

chocolate moose

New member
Super Site Supporter
I used to think they were stupid; I could just add my own blend of spices which I'm sure are much fresher, considering I use fresh garlic, fresh lemon and freshly ground pepper, but I have gotten some blends that we have LOVED!

Like anything good, you have to know where to stop. I like my Oriental 5 spice powder and have used up at least 2 in recent history. I also like the Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute. I thought to get Apple Pie Spice, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Popcorn Spice; but I held off. DD likes her Mrs Dash's blends but I have not used them.

Anyone?
 

luvs

'lil Chef
Gold Site Supporter
i'm not into most types of spice blends, although lemon-pepper on steak is a given @ my Dad's.
 

chocolate moose

New member
Super Site Supporter
Is it really good? I keep fresh lemon and fresh peppercorns in the house. Is it any different than that?
 

ChowderMan

Pizza Chef
Super Site Supporter
>>stupid spice blends
that would be a yes, a no, and without question a for sure maybe.

spice blends are like really good porn. you know the good stuff when you taste it.
(that'll likely get me banned . . . )

but bottom line is:
if you like it and you use it up in 4-6 months, gopher it.

there's only one way to find out if you like it: buy some, try it.

personally I shy away from them - looking at the labels, 75 character long, 15 syllable "words" I can't even think about pronouncing -

.........aHHH, I'll stick with fresh ground black pepper thanks....
 

Leni

New member
There are a few that I like. One that I like a lot when I am barbecuing is Santa Maria Style Seasoning. I buy it at the Mom and Pop grocery store where I buy most of my meat. The only thing in it that is not natural is silicon dioxide to keep it free flowing. That's the last item listed.

For other cooking most of the time I just go out to my herb garden. Salt and pepper is used of course. Nothing like some fresh herbs in a salad.
 

luvs

'lil Chef
Gold Site Supporter
Is it really good? I keep fresh lemon and fresh peppercorns in the house. Is it any different than that?

very different. my Dad would buy this bottled stuff made of too many items. i concentrate fresh items (lemon, its zest, fresh-cracked pepper, seasalt) in a pan. that is way better than a bottled blend imo.
 

joec

New member
Gold Site Supporter
I make my own based on some commercial ones. I tend to use fresh ingredients and no salt in most I make, as I can salt as needed. I find most of the commercial ones tend to have too much salt.
 

Cooksie

Well-known member
Site Supporter
McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning is a favorite of mine. I've been meaning to make up a homemade batch and cut some of the salt, but I haven't yet. I do use it sparingly nowadays.

http://netcookingtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=243559&postcount=1

As far as Lemon Pepper goes, I learned something very important yesterday. I have always bought Lawry's Lemon Pepper, and then one day I was at Sam's and saw this huge shaker of Tone's Lemon Pepper. I figured that as much as I use it, this would be a great deal. Not - I never even thought to read the label but should have :ohmy:: Lawry's Lemon Pepper = 1/4 tsp, 80 mg sodium, Tone's Lemon Pepper = 1/4 tsp, 280 mg sodium
 
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