Favorite PENZEY'S Spices

Old English Prime Rib Rub-It's used daily as my all purpose salt. Great for rimming a Bloody Mary/Maria glass, I can't think of anything better on sliced tomato's.

I tried the Chicago steak rub but was turned off by the Artificial Smoke flavoring. It would be better without the Artificial smoke flavor.

sigmagirl, the Mural of Flavor is great on popcorn, and yes is good with fish, but also chicken as well. I'm a big fan of the Northwoods seasoning, the Fire version if I'm going for spicy, great for any beef dish, love it in meatloaf.

I don't think they actually make the Chicago Steak Rub but I recall being told that is not artificial but actual little pieces of something (charcoal?). It's not my favorite either but Mrs FL likes it a lot.

I finally found Penzys location-not an easy task.I could spend hours in there.Their ginger spice is the best I have had.Still experimenting!!!

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Originally posted by annpeeples

I finally found Penzys location-not an easy task.I could spend hours in there.Their ginger spice is the best I have had.Still experimenting!!!

Ann, that's kind of funny to me. On our only visit to Wisconsin, some years ago, the first thing we did was hit the nearest Penzey's (somewhere out in the 'burbs just west of Milwaukee, I don't think that store is still open). We got caught in state fair traffic on the way out, and in a flood on the way back. Took half an hour out, three-and-a-half back. But we loved Penzey's, and sure got an introduction to the Milwaukee area.

Funny how things are when it's in your "back yard." I'll admit that I never get up to the North Shore for roast beef or fried clams. But now that we've got Penzeys about 45 minutes away we get there about twice a year.

As for favorites, we've cycled through a few mixes and then tired of them, but there's always something else to try. My new discovery is Szechuan peppercorns, which apparently were banned in the U.S. for some years. They're a great addition, toasted and crushed, to our favorite hot peanut noodles with pork.

I know-I kinda felt like a fool,although I am new to the western suburbs.It was right behind a store I always go to....

I have been a customer of Penzey's since the cataloge was a three page mimograph. Saffron is their best deal.

Our local paper had a nice article on Penzey's Spices today. It cleared up some misconceptions I had as to who started this company. His parents still run a small semi-retirement spice store in Wauwatosa and his sister and her husband run the four Spice House's in Evanston, Chicago and Milwaukee which they originally bought from her parents. If anyone is interested here's the link: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=575507
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html
http://www.thespicehouse.com/
http://www.thespicehouse.com/info/milwaukee-spice-store/
http://www.spice-work.com/

Has anyone tried their Rocky Mountain Spice Mix? I tried it out as part of my first order from them, and I love it, but I have no clue really what to put it on. For right now I sprinkle it on my cream cheese when having a bagel.
Kim

The Fox Point seasoning is a really nice mix of chives, garlic, and shallots and is good on eggs of any kind. The Northwoods seasoning is great for grilling, too. I go through a silly amount of the Cinnamon Sugar, which is silly when I could make my own, but I like the way they use multiple varieties of cinnamon and vanilla-infused sugar in their mix.

I also love the Zatar seasoning, which I understand is a popular middle eastern blend. I brush tortillas or pita bread with olive oil and sprinkle before lightly broiling....very tasty and unique.

quote:

Originally posted by Maybe Once

I go through a silly amount of the Cinnamon Sugar, which is silly when I could make my own, but I like the way they use multiple varieties of cinnamon and vanilla-infused sugar in their mix.

They do? I need to buy Cinnamon Sugar next time I'm there.

I just used the Singapore Seasoning in an edamame salad I just threw together. It was amazing.
Kim

I like most of their salt free varieties, but I am still waiting for them to make me a salt free TACO seasoning. If anyone can do that, it's Penzey's.

I use their straight spices, stay away from the mixes...love the variety peppercorns.

I have been a Penzey's customer for years but I confess that although I have tried many of their spice blends, I usually end up giving most of them to a friend or neighbor.

I buy a lot of spices and blends at a local middle eastern market and they seem to fit my style of cooking better than some of the Penzey's blends. I do use a lot of their fines Herbes mix. It's great when making chicken stock or soups. I like their Ceylon cinnamon for baking too.

quote:

Originally posted by 4fish

I love the different chile powders. Chipotle is great when you want something with a smoky flavor and the ancho gives a lot of "pepper" flavor without the heat when you're making something for folks who don't care for things to be very spicy.

Smoked paprika is great sprinkled on seared scallops and shrimp, or on roasted potatoes.

I'm another long-time catalogue customer. They just opened a shop in West Hartford, not far from me, but their hours aren't all that helpful (they close at 6 PM).

I'm also a fan of their ancho and chipotle powders. I buy a pound of the ancho powder at a time, and use it for my own Southwest and Cajun spice blends. All of their paprikas are great, too (especially the smoked) - try them and you'll never touch a supermarket brand again! Their blended chili powders are pretty good, too, and their black peppercorns are superb.

Over the weekend I had some chicken fajitas that were marinated with Penzey's seasoning blend and then grilled over charcoal, and they were very good.

Brad

I'm a Penzey's fan. Used their catalog for years. They opened a store in Scottsdale AZ so I shop there now. I like their idea of offering small packaging. That way, you can keep using fresh product or try new "Stuff" without needing to buy a large quanity. I really like their "Herbs Provence". It's excellent for all kinds of uses.

There's a Penzeys Spice  Market at the Grand Central Station here in Manhattan, the terminal market.

I like to buy the very small, 0.7oz jars, and only the Northwoods Seasoning for bbq chicken on the grill ( bought some today for Memorial Day grilling) and the Vietnamese Cinnamon Extra Fancy for a sprinkle on something, now on then, usually oatmeal or hot chocolate. 

Ozark Blend on pork, Sandwich Sprinkle for garlic bread and grilled sandwiches, Greek seasoning and the pizza seasoning, Italian herbs, the medium heat chili blend, Vietnamese cinnamon, Fines Herbes for roasting potatoes, etc., etc., etc.