need your help 50$ gift card

[matt]

I got a fifty dollar gift certificate for Penzy's I do not not what to get. I dont like fennel or anise or caraway. I have tried their Peppercorn dressing mix. i think it is wonderul, if anyone can give me some ideas i can use . I know a lot of you swear by them and and input what would be great.
talk to u guys soon
and have a great new year
matt

[Cookin4Love]

Some of my favorites:

Cinnamon--any type
Cloves
Allspice
Whole nutmeg
Garlic Powder
Dehydrated jalapenos, red/green bell peppers, celery, ginger etc. (good to have on hand when you're out of the fresh item)
Green Goddess dressing mix
Dried thyme, rosemary, basil, Seet Paprika, Medium Chili Powder
Vanilla, and any other extract you use
Soup bases--chicken, beef, ham
And their 4S seasoned salt is the best I've ever used.

And that's the short list! In other words, you can't go wrong. When I first ordered Penzey's, I looked through my favorite recipes to see which spices I used most often, and ordered those. Then I went kind of crazy! I do have to admit that I almost never use the spice blends. I have a ton of them that I should probably just throw out. There's nothing wrong with them--I just never think of opening them, even though they sounded good at the time.

At any rate, someone must love you very much! ;) Have fun shopping!

[PurrPg]

Lucky you

Crushed Red Pepper
Sweet Basil
Pasta Sprinkle
Cumin
Fennel Seed
Their Taco Seasoning is the best.

[mundy]

Their Very Hot Cajun is very good. If you're Cajun, you won't think its very hot but it is tasty and has much less salt than a lot of the grocery store cajun seasonings. You can always add hot sauce for more heat if needed.

[BeachBum]

Hi Matt.
When Penzy's came to my area, I started by just replacing the spices I used most often with theirs. The quality really makes a differnce IMO. I usually buy the bags (1 or 4 oz usually) because those seem to be the most bang for your buck. I buy little glass jars at world market to store the spices in my spice drawer.

Some of my favorites that haven't been mentioned yet are the
black pepper
chili powder
bankok blend
Ozark seasoning blend
Northwoods fire

I will also second the "soup bases". They keep forever in the fridge, are very flavorful, and are so much cheaper over the long haul than buying chicken broth at the supermarket.

[mmtibbs]

Cookin4love can send me the spice blends--I love almost all of them, especially Foxpoint and Northwoods, Sandwich sprinkle and Sunny Paris!

I love Penzeys, and put together my own order just the other day because I too received a generous gift certificate.

I chose:

Basil, bell peppers, celery flakes
Regular chili powder, chili con carne seasoning, cayenne red pepper powder
Vietnamese Cassis Cinnamon,
Fox Point Seasoning, Garlic, Coarse Grind Black Pepper
Onions, Smoked Spanish Paprika
Pasta Sprinkle, Parsley, Poultry Seasoing
Ham and Beef Soup Base

and I can't wait for it to arrive!

Spices and blends are just critical to my lower fat, lower calorie meals. Any vegetable tastes just great with a healthy sprinkle of Fox Point seasoning!

[brr9270]

I am fairly new to ordering from them, but I will tell you that my family loves the addition of their ham base to my butter beans, and snaps! It has great flavor. I have also used their allepo pepper, cinnamon, and shallots with great success.

[Beth]

Some duplicates and some new ideas:

Vietnamese or Cassia cinnamon )the Ceylon is much different)
Pasta Sprinkle -- good as suggested with olive oil on hot pasta, but also a good short cut in seasoning sauces
California Seasoned Pepper -- great to add a little more flavor that straight ground pepper to just about anything. I keep it in a shaker near the stove.
Bicentennial Rub -- great on roasted chicken or turkey
Foxpoint Seasoning -- good on vegetables and potatoes

[NMG]

Hot Chocolate mix
dried and toasted minced onions (very good on buttered, italian bread with a little parm cheese and garlic powder and then broiled)
Spanish smoked paprika
freeze dried chives
black peppercorns
sea salt
cocoa
pasta sprinkle
Plus all the regulars - garlic powder, sage, thyme (I like the french thyme), cinnamon, oregano, etc.

[Lrimerman]

Here are our family favorites. I love Penzeys and have most of thier spices. They opened a store in our area finally, but I have stocked up when they weren't close by that I have only gone once to the new store for a few holiday baking items.

Sunny Paris (great to make herbed peas from CL, on eggs or any vege)

Sandwich Sprinkle (this is our standard vege sprinkle, kids will eat any vege with a little sandwich sprinkle on it)

China Cassia Cinnamon (my personal fav, although all their cinnamons are wonderful)

Chicago Steak Seasoning (this rocks, sprinkle on, grill and you have a steak better than any steakhouse!!!)

Bicentennial Rub (our standard chicken and turkey rub)

Dried Green and Red Bell Peppers (I add them to many soups, stews and sauces, so much easier than having fresh around during the winter)

This is just a brief list, if you want to know about anything in particular, just ask.

Lisa

[matt]

thank you guys but i have one quick question what kind of cinamon do you guys recomend?
thanks
matt

[aggie94]

My favorite is the Vietnamese Cinnamon. I have tried them all, and while they are all good, I find the Vietnamese to be the one I always go to whenever I need cinnamon for anything, so now it's the only one I buy.

[funnybone]

The Double Strength Vanilla is hit in my house. I think I would spend the entire $50 on it alone. :)

[Chef Michele]

I LOVE Pnezey's. Here are some of my favorites -

All of the soup bases
Chili Powder
Sate Seasoning
Smoked Spanish Paprika
Tilicherry Pepper
Florida Seasoned Pepper
Breakfast Sausage Seasoning
Cimmamon (China Cassia)
Brady Street Cheese Sprinkle

Have fun shopping! (I'm jealous! LOL!)

[HealthyinMN]

My favorite is the Vietnamese Cinnamon. I have tried them all, and while they are all good, I find the Vietnamese to be the one I always go to whenever I need cinnamon for anything, so now it's the only one I buy.

What she said! I always have a supply of this in the house.

[patsyk]

Sandwich Sprinkle (this is our standard vege sprinkle, kids will eat any vege with a little sandwich sprinkle on it)

Lisa

Lisa (or anyone else who knows)- what is in the Sandwich Sprinkle? I used to get their catalog, but hadn't ordered in some time, so I don't get it anymore... what kind of flavor does it add?

Thanks!

[jmarie]

matt! Have you decided on what you are going to spend the gift card on? Enquir ing minds want to know!:D
You lucky stiff!
Joyce

[mcgeiger]

you do realize you could "trade" this GC if you're too stumped as to what to get?!? ;)

[acb11]

Another vote for the Smoked Spanish Paprika---I love, love, love, it!

[heavy hedonist]

Another vote for the Smoked Spanish Paprika---I love, love, love, it!
Ditto, this ingredient is nearly an essential for incredible vegetable cooking. it makes such a difference.
Northwoods fire, Vietnamese cinnamon, the pure chili powders, and any of the baking spice blends, are really unbeatable.
The cinnamon is delish, by the pinch, in chunky tomato sauce.

[Cookin4Love]

Lisa (or anyone else who knows)- what is in the Sandwich Sprinkle? I used to get their catalog, but hadn't ordered in some time, so I don't get it anymore... what kind of flavor does it add?

Thanks!

I would say it's basically an Italian-flavored sprinkle, in a general sort of way. It's so good on sub sandwiches. I haven't tried it on vegetables, but that sounds good, too. I don't have the ingredient list handy, but I know it's on their website.

[Chef Michele]

I just ordered the Sandwich Sprinkle. Here's what's in it:

garlic, coarse salt, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, black pepper

[patsyk]

I just ordered the Sandwich Sprinkle. Here's what's in it:

garlic, coarse salt, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, black pepper
Thanks for the details, Michele! I am going to have to get an order into Penzey's and this will definitely go on my list... I am sure I have lots of uses for it! :D