Penzeys - Oh My so much to chose from

14 years ago

Hello all, I have been lurking for a couple of weeks. In the process or remodeling my kitchen and wanted new recipes to try. And then I came across Penzeys - so I read all of what has been posted.

I went to the site and downloaded the cat. 3 pages later - oh my!

My question is if you were starting out purchasing seasonings and wanted everything new what would you suggest to start with? My list is LONG....VERY LONG!

Thanks in advance.

MadamG2U

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Comments (11)

dgkritch
14 years ago
Can you give us a little more information?
Are you a "new" cook as well? Are you just purchasing fresh spices to go in your remodeled kitchen?
What types of food do you usually cook?

You get the idea!

If this is your first kitchen ever, here's my list of basics. Build from here:

4 Pepper Blend
Garlic
Smoked Paprika
Chili 3000
China cinnamon (or vietnamese)
Ginger
Oregano
Basil
Rosemary

There's tons more, but a few basics give you enough that you can create many different meals with different flavors (i.e. Mexican, Italian, etc.)

Just MY list. Others will vary.........I'd bet my life on it!! LOL

Welcome to the forum!!

Deanna
lpinkmountain
14 years ago
I don't buy common spices from Penzey's, I buy uncommon things I can't get elsewhere. Now for me, (and this is JUST me) that means, in addition to what Deanna posted:

Granulated garlic - used in a pinch as a fresh substitute. You have to have something to crush it with if you want to make garlic powder from it.
Sandwich sprinkle - (there are other seasoned salts out there but I like this one a lot)
Vanilla sugar - (I use it for Chai tea)
Hot paprika
Various chili powders
Caraway - a little of this goes a long way for me, I get the smallest possible jar
Fennel seeds for fennel tea - (not a common beverage but my brother who lives in Germany turned me on to it, it is just a tsp. or so of fennel seeds steeped in hot water.)
Vanilla beans - used to flavor preserves
Mural of Flavor (salt free general seasoning)
and I like Tuscan Sunset, which is their Italian blend
or the Pasta Sprinkle, which is a similar mixed italian type seasoning.

I don't have any experience with their curries or their meat seasoning mixes so I can't advise you on that. I also have a lot of my regular everyday herbs and spices from Penzeys because whenever I make an order for something rare I always fill it in with whatever other spices I need.

I used to buy cinnamon stickes, Whole nutmeg pods, cardamom pods and candied ginger from Penzeys but I have found them in bulk at the local produce market so I get them there now. I use all of that stuff to make homeade chai and mulled wine and cider.
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Sherry, I don't keep kosher but Nathan does (and Ben's a vegetarian) . I don't ever cook pork though because no one in my house would eat it so although I eat it, I don't cook it or shellfish in my house. Here's the recipe with Nathan's comments below: PUERCO PIBIL 5 Tbsp Annatto Seeds 2 tsp cumin seeds 1 Tbsp Peppercorns 8 allspice pods Â½ tsp cloves 2 Habanera Peppers, deseeded & deveined, chopped Â½ cup orange juice Â½ cup white vinegar 2 Tbsp salt 8 cloves garlic juice of 5 lemons splash of tequila (maybe Â½ cup) 5 lb pork butt banana leaves (optional) Grind the spices in a coffee grinder. Put in blender along with orange juice, vinegar, salt and garlic. Liquefy. Add lemon juice & tequila. Cut pork butt into 2" squares and put into large ziplock bag. Poor liquid on top and squish around. Line deep baking pan with banana leaves (or foil). Pour meat on top and top with more banana leaves. Wrap tightly and cover with foil, so as not to allow steam to escape. Roast at 325Â° for four hours. Serve over rice. Nathan's comments: The peppers didn't add enough heat. He was worried about burning people out, especially those who are not used to spicy food but everyone agreed there was almost no heat. He said next time he'll probably leave in some seeds & veins. Also, it was too lemony so he would use only 3 lemons next time.
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dancinglemons
14 years ago
Hello and welcome!

I am addicted to Penzey's and they have opened a store near me. I use many of their spices. I like the Breakfast Sausage Seasoning to make sausage from Ground Turkey. My fav Penzey's is Ozark Seasoning. I use Ozark on Southern Fried Chicken, Baked Salmon, Pan Seared OR grilled steaks.

I also shop spice from the Penzey's cousins at
The Spice House. (They are cousins or something.)

DL

Here is a link that might be useful: The Spice House
madamg2u
Original Author
14 years ago
Good morning all thanks for replying.

dgkritch - Not a new cook but single so I don't cook everyday. My old spices have been packed away since Oct. so I figured new kitchen new spices. I like cooking different things (have copied a number of recipes from this site). Funny I have every single spice you listed on my to buy list!

Ipinkmountain - Great idea just purchase the uncommon spices. I have many from your list on my to buy list. But I will be eliminating some that I can purchase at my nearest supermarket.

dancinglemons - I live in NYC and they have a Penzeys in Grand Central Station a mere 20 minute walk from my job (not good LOL). If it ever stops raining I will take a lunchtime walk. Thank you so much for the link to The Spice House, I will take a look.

MadamG2U
lpinkmountain
14 years ago
Well now, if you can WALK to Penzey's, then that's a whole other story! I am envious! Go hog wild!

Oh and welcome to the Cooking Forum and I hope you'll stay! We have many folks here from NYC.
madamg2u
Original Author
14 years ago
Oh I plan to lurk and post from time to time. I've read thru various sections and I am learning alot. Now I need to start a Penzeys savings account. Got a feeling I will want to purchase alot!
MadamG2U
steelmagnolia
14 years ago
Hi! I mostly lurk, too, since I have much more to learn than to teach. However, there is one Penzey's product that I am soooo high on, and it rarely gets mentioned. It's their Crab and Shrimp Boil. Talk about leaving Zatarain's in the dust!!

For 30 years or more, I used the recipe in Joy -- onion, garlic, celery, peppercorns, lemon, etc., etc. -- plus it always seemed to be missing something, so I also threw in a package of commercial boil. Since discovering Penzey's version, I have to tell you that I have become the Boiled Shrimp Queen. :)

Try it. I promise you'll like it!
lindac
14 years ago
What to buy at Penzey's? all you can carry!!
That said....there things I do and don't buy.
I never buy "spice blends"...I buy their spices and herbs and blend my own...
But I am a cinnamon and pepper junkie....and have several varieties of cinnamon and different ground red peppers....and szechwan pepper corns and tellcherry and...
And their garlic powder is the only one I will ever use...
Oh and vanilla, and marjoram and basil and thyme...
Oh yes and nutmegs....
Just buy it all!!
Linda C
mustangs81
14 years ago
Peppi and I went to the Spice House 2 weeks ago in Chicago for Tomato Powder. It's very good. I don't recall seeing it at Penzey's but check when you go.
madamg2u
Original Author
14 years ago
I can't wait to go to Penzeys. My luck I have to travel for my job so I have to hold off. But....I am putting $$ to the side so when I make the trip I'll be able to pick up a couple of things.

My kitchen should be done in 3 more weeks; fingers crossed and then I can start putting things back and then Penzeys!

MadamG2U
annie1992
14 years ago
MadamG2U, welcome to the cooking forum!

OK, now Penzey's. I have one 50 miles from me, so I get to shop occasionally, I love Penzey's.

If I were starting out, this is what I would have to have:

Vietnamese Cinnamon
4 peppercorn blend
Garlic
Ginger (Powdered and crystallized)
Chili Powder (I like the Chili 9000)
Smoked Paprika
Almond Extract (just smell that stuff, I could wear it for perfume!)
Nutmeg (get a grater, the fresh stuff is wonderful)
Cloves (love 'em)
Cumin
Chipotle Powder
Basil
Oregano
Mural of Flavor
Rosemary (although I'm still using stuff that Lpinkmountain sent me in the form of a wreath when Dad died)

I'm sure there's more, go in and sniff!

Annie

Penzeys - Oh My so much to chose from

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