Penzey's Recommendations

[patsyk]

Based on several posts, I went to the Penzey's site and requested a catalog and am a bit overwhelmed by all of the spices and such that they have! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif Since this is my first chance to order something from them... any suggestions on favorites that those of you who have one nearby have used or do use on a regular basis? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif

[This message has been edited by patsyk (edited 04-29-2001).]

[This message has been edited by patsyk (edited 04-29-2001).]

[Tiger]

Patsyk-
You won't be disapppointed. It does make a big difference cooking with fresh spices! And it's a lot cheaper than grocery store spices.
My favorite is the Pork Chop seasoning! I love it.
Chipotle ground red is good if you like a smoky, spicy taste. I put this in anything I want to give a kick!
Have fun and let us know if you try anything really good!

[Jewel]

I love the Adobo Seasoning, the California Pepper Blend, and the Madagascar Vanilla Beans. Never found any other vanilla bean so easy to work with, so fragrant, and so cheap! I haven't tried the Pork Chop seasoning yet but that's on my list to try!

[Holly in KC]

Patsyk - Great question! I too have the catalog (based on recommendations from the board), and am also quite overwhelmed. Am looking forward to the recommendations!

[makedah]

I love that store, and I'm lucky enough to live down the street from it. I have tons of their spices. I take home vanilla and pepper when I visit my parents.

You should try their recipes. I know that I have a problem with a lot of cookbooks/magazines having bland recipes, but Penzeys -- since they're selling SPICES, is NEVER bland. The recipes are not light, however. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

These are just the highlights:

The vanilla is marvelous. Regular and double strength are both great. I like to add a lot of vanilla, so I currently have the double-strength.

I use their Techillery black pepper everyday, both the shaker-fine ground and the peppercorns. They are much better than the standard grocery store brand. If you like pepper, I highly recommend spending a bit more on the extra-bold peppercorns. They're worth it! However, you have to have a good pepper grinder (I don't) because the corns are bigger than regular ones.

I use the Trinidad marinade to saute broccoli and cauliflower with butter and minced garlic. I also use it on broiled chicken breasts. This spice blend has lemon, garlic, salt, sugar and cloves.

The pizza seasoning is fantastic. I put it on frozen pizza (gasp!), homemade pizza and I used it in the Atsa Spicy Pizza Sausage (Jan/Feb '01)

Their Ceylon Cinnamon won a Cooks Illustrated taste test. I own the Korintje Cinnamon and I like it a lot. When it's done, I'll replace it with the Ceylon.

I've been using their thyme in lots of recipes recently. When I eat canned green beans (which hasn't been often recently), I flavor them with this.

I find their celery flakes to be a really handy product. I used it in soup instead of celery.

I buy their hot chili powder by the bag. It's all I use to season my chili. (Gotta make a bowl of that soon!)

I use their cocoa (regular, not dutch) instead of store brands. I've been very happy with it. It's rich enough that you don't have to add oil, like you normally do when you sub cocoa for chocolate. I haven't tried this in baked goods, however, just in recipes like chili and CL's barbecue chicken potpie.

I also find their cayenne, ginger and garlic to be indespensable.

I hope this helps!


[This message has been edited by makedah (edited 04-29-2001).]

[This message has been edited by makedah (edited 04-29-2001).]

[philamark]

Since I'm more into baking, I tend to the spices one uses for the sweet stuff. Their Cinnammons are great! I have the regular style and the Vietnamese type which really enhances the recipes! I also use their ground ginger, and nutmeg. Penzey's spices and herbs are the best, and the prices are great when compared to the supermarket prices.

[gertdog]

While I love Penzey's specialty items like

adobo seasoning
brady street cheese sprinkle
ground chipotle pepper
pizza seasoning
southwest seasoning
and sandwich sprinkle

I also think the quality of their herbs like basil (California sweet), ground cumin, crushed red pepper (hot!) and thyme really are fantastic. I love the Tellicherry peppercorns.

But my absolute favorite (and a total splurge) is the Maharajah curry powder!

[This message has been edited by gertdog (edited 04-30-2001).]

[ReneeV]

Hi!
I just got my order from Penzey's a couple of days ago. Along with many of the good suggestions here, I also love the salad dressing mixes. I love the Italian and the French Country Vinagerette. Much better than Good Seasons! Also the Creamy blends are very good too! I especially like the cracked peppercorn and Ranch.

For a vinegar based low fat dressing I use:
5 T vinegar (usually balsamic)
5 T brewed black tea (that's right - tea)
5 T extra virgin olive oil.
1 T salad dressing mix reconstituted in 1 T water.

Whisk together and chill.

For a creamy based low fat dressing I use:
1/4 c light Hellmans mayo
1/4 c Breakstone light sour cream
1/2 c butter milk (If you don't want the tang, use Fat Free half and half instead)
1 T salad dressing mix reconstituted in 1 T water.

Enjoy,

Renée

BTW,
This formula works with Good Seasons or Hidden Valley mixes. You must double the creamy ingredients for a full packet of Hidden Valley ranch.

[Carolyn]

I confess: I'm a Penzey's addict, everything from Adobo Seasoning to Zatar- which, by the way, I love and is excellent sprinkled on whole wheat Pita slices for us WWers or on any bread. I mostly buy the 1/4 cup plastic jar size. This way they don't go stale. Most used: Ceylon Cinnamon-slightly citrusy, Basil-oh, the aroma!,Country French Vinagrette, Italian Herb Mix, Tarragon-very potent--I could go on and on. Just get what you need or just feel like buying. Enjoy!

[patsyk]

Thanks so much for all of the suggestions - keep'em coming!

I can tell already, that this is going to be dangerous for me as I love to try new blends and spices when I cook! My cupboard is already overflowing with spices.. and now I can get even more from Penzey's!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Becky Grube]

I love Penzey's! My absolute favorite is their pumpkin pie spice blend, which I use in everything - it's very potent, and is a great addition to sweet breads, muffins, bagels, fruit desserts of all kinds, etc.. just gives a little more zip than plain cinnamon.