I use the granulated garlic for soups and stews and dried beans. It is super easy and had a good fresh garlic taste that holds up to long cooking in the crockpot. I use fresh for stir frys and pasta and quick cooking stews. I also like the granulated garlic for salad dressing--it is basically dried garlic granules so they rehydrate in the dressing if you store it for a while. But you can also grind it for a powder. I also keep it on hand for times when I am out of fresh. I like that it comes in a small container so I use it up before it looses all its punch. I also keep dried onions around for the same reason, not better than fresh but they add their own layer of flavor when you're out of fresh or are cooking something for a long time. Another thing I get from Penzeys is vanilla sugar, which I love in Chai but I'll bet would be good in coffee if you like that kind of thing. It makes a good gift for a chai lover or sweet coffee drink lover. You can make your own, but I rarely have time to just fix dinner let alone do much homeade gift making anymore. I buy vanilla beans in bulk from Penzeys when I need them, but that is rarely anymore these days. I used to make my own homeade chai but not anymore. The only other thing I would use the whole beans for is vanilla bean marmelade, which I don't think I will have time to make this year, but is great if you're into gourmet marmelades. I also like the sandwich sprinkle, although I hardly ever sprinkle it on a sandwich. It is just a good all around seasoned salt, I use it in soups and salads when they need to be punched up a bit. I got a seasoning gift pack from my good friends, boy was that nice. The two that I use all the time are the Mural of Flavor and the Tuscan Sunset. I have to say I really don't like the Sunny Spain, it tastes oddly acrid to me. Also I don't use the Bavarian very much but that's because I am a vegetarian and I do mostly Mediterannean cooking. I may give it to my mom next time I'm home because she does pork chops a lot cause my dad loves them. It might be good in some kinds of bean soups, but again, when I do a bean dish it is mostly a Mediterannean style one, so I haven't used up the Bavarian seasoning very fast, even though it is good. Another unusual item they sell thru Penzeys is dried Cilantro. It is no way as good as fresh, or even frozen, which is how I do cilantro these days, but if you're out and are in a pinch, (which is me most of the time) it is at least something to add for some amount of flavor. I bought a bunch of pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice for a chai mix experiment and I still have a lot, but when I finally use it up I'm going to try Penzeys. Same with the cinnamon. I also second their chili powders, they have an amazing array. They have a lot of curry powders too, but I am not that much of a curry fan so can't speak to them. When I do make curry I usually do my own spice blends.

I *love* Penzey's, it smells so good in their stores. Here are some of my staples/favorites: Smoked Paprika--I use this in nearly all of my winter stews. Gives a rich, smoky flavor. Chicago Steak Seasoning, great in bbq beef or "sloppy joes", steaks, burgers and occasionally pork chops, though for pork I generally prefer... Pork Chop Seasoning--great on grilled chops and in barbeque pork. I make my own bbq sauce with this. Muskego Street Fish and Chicken, this is a new one, and very simple--just pepper, salt and lemon, but it's convenient and the balance is just right. Bouquet Garni--this is my go-to blend for soups and stews. (along with the smoked paprika) Mural of Flavor, the hubs likes this on his salads, it's nice on roasted veg, and it's also very good on chicken and fish. Their bay leaves give a lovely depth of flavor to soups and stews. I split a bag with my mom once a year or so, to keep them fresh. Tellicherry extra bold peppercorns for the pepper grinder Any of their cinnamons, the flavors are so different from each other. I like the subtle and fruity Ceylon for oatmeal and anything where you are sprinkling it on top, my daughter and hubs like the Vietnamese. China is very strong and lends good flavor when baking. Their double strength vanilla is a staple for baking. Their cocoas are fabulous for hot chocolate and baked goods--my teenage daughter makes a killer chocolate muffin. For quick dinners on very busy nights, I often use the Taco Seasoning or the Chicken Taco seasonings. Apple Pie Spice--my mom uses this in her apple pies and everyone raves about them. Pumpkin Pie spice, too. Have fun! Cj

Salt is the second ingredient, so may be rather high. Salt is often a filler in spice mixes as salt is cheap. Penzey does have a salt-free section on their site. Or just look at the ingredients and use the spices and make your own. I'm not a big fan of Penzey's. My MIL was sending us mixes for x-mas gifts and we just don't like the salt. I like to make my own. If salt is an issue, i bet the fats in sour cream and mayo might be a problem. Substitute greek non fat yogurt for all mayo and cream...so good and 'good for you'. From their site... "Horseradish Dip Blend with 2/3 Cup sour cream and 1/3 Cup mayonnaise. For spicy sandwich spread, thin with a bit of white, balsamic or red wine vinegar. Great on roast beef, turkey, ham or pastrami. Hand-mixed from: - ground horseradish, salt, dextrose, onion powder, lemon peel, dill weed, black pepper and chives."

Here's a coupon that came in my email today if you haven't placed your order yet. This is a new product so I haven't tried it yet. FREE 1/2 Cup Jar of Penzeys Roasted Garlic! No cash value. While supplies last. Offer good for one free 1/2 cup jar of Penzeys Roasted Garlic. Not applicable to prior sales. Please limit one per customer. Valid online, by mail, through our call center or in stores. Orders placed by mail must enclose coupon. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase in Penzeys store. Please call 800-741-7787 to redeem by phone. To redeem online, visit www.penzeys.com, complete shopping as usual and add item 43953 to your basket. At checkout, enter the word ROASTY in the coupon code field. This will ensure that the Roasted Garlic promotional item is counted as FREE in your shopping total. Note that the price of the coupon item does not apply to the standard Penzeys shipping offer where spending $30 results in free shipping. Standard shipping rates apply. Offer expires 11:59PM central time January, 10, 2015.