Thread: Thanks for Penzey's advice

On Apr 7, 7:39*am, "Janet" <boxh...@maine.rr.com> wrote:
> A while back I asked what Penzey's mixes people preferred. I finally got
> around to ordering *Sunny Paris, Balti, and Mural of Flavor, and they
> arrived a couple of days ago.
>
> I made a sauce using the Balti and the instructions on the package, and
> simmered some mahi mahi in it. Delicious! I like it even more than the Rogan
> Josh. I do quite a bit of Indian cooking "from scratch," but it is nice to
> be able to throw something tasty together MUCH more quickly upon occasion..
>
> I've been adding Sunny Paris to our scrambled eggs in the morning. Today I
> sauteed some halved grape tomatoes first, then added 4 eggs whisked with
> some Sunny Paris, a heaping tablespoon of grated Romano, and a little salt.
> Delicious again!
>
> I haven't tried Mural of Flavor yet, but I'm thinking perhaps on fish?
> Anyone have a favorite use for it?

I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. There is no
Penzey's store anywhere around
the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
yet.

Are they really that good???

On Apr 7, 9:54*am, ImStillMags <sitara8...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Apr 7, 7:39*am, "Janet" <boxh...@maine.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > A while back I asked what Penzey's mixes people preferred. I finally got
> > around to ordering *Sunny Paris, Balti, and Mural of Flavor, and they
> > arrived a couple of days ago.
>
> > I made a sauce using the Balti and the instructions on the package, and
> > simmered some mahi mahi in it. Delicious! I like it even more than the Rogan
> > Josh. I do quite a bit of Indian cooking "from scratch," but it is niceto
> > be able to throw something tasty together MUCH more quickly upon occasion.
>
> > I've been adding Sunny Paris to our scrambled eggs in the morning. Today I
> > sauteed some halved grape tomatoes first, then added 4 eggs whisked with
> > some Sunny Paris, a heaping tablespoon of grated Romano, and a little salt.
> > Delicious again!
>
> > I haven't tried Mural of Flavor yet, but I'm thinking perhaps on fish?
> > Anyone have a favorite use for it?
>
> I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. * There is no
> Penzey's store anywhere around
> the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> yet.
>
> Are they really that good???

Yes, but it would surprise me if Seattle didn't have a comparable
spice store.

A Google search came up with this:
http://www.worldspice.com/spices/spices.shtml

I love Penzey's, but they are only a mile away, right across the
street from my usual supermarket.

--Bryan

On Wed, 7 Apr 2010 07:54:54 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags
<[email protected]> wrote:


>I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. There is no
>Penzey's store anywhere around
>the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
>yet.
>
>Are they really that good???

Yes, I think they are that good.

Portland, OR has a Penzeys. I don't know how far you are from
there....

Christine

On Apr 7, 10:54*am, ImStillMags <sitara8...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Apr 7, 7:39*am, "Janet" <boxh...@maine.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > A while back I asked what Penzey's mixes people preferred. I finally got
> > around to ordering *Sunny Paris, Balti, and Mural of Flavor, and they
> > arrived a couple of days ago.
>
> > I made a sauce using the Balti and the instructions on the package, and
> > simmered some mahi mahi in it. Delicious! I like it even more than the Rogan
> > Josh. I do quite a bit of Indian cooking "from scratch," but it is niceto
> > be able to throw something tasty together MUCH more quickly upon occasion.
>
> > I've been adding Sunny Paris to our scrambled eggs in the morning. Today I
> > sauteed some halved grape tomatoes first, then added 4 eggs whisked with
> > some Sunny Paris, a heaping tablespoon of grated Romano, and a little salt.
> > Delicious again!
>
> > I haven't tried Mural of Flavor yet, but I'm thinking perhaps on fish?
> > Anyone have a favorite use for it?
>
> I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. * There is no
> Penzey's store anywhere around
> the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> yet.
>
> Are they really that good???

Try 'em, but place a largish order so you can justify the shipping
fee. I only get the smallest size offered of most of the spices
offered - easier to stash in my spice drawer .

About their blends tho - you can probably almost duplicate them
yourself if you feel like doing some mixin' and measuring. I make up
a
poultry blend, pork blend, Greek blend, Italian blend, fish blend,
and one for veggies.

I have also found some pretty decent recipes in their catalog.

On Wed, 7 Apr 2010 07:54:54 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags
<[email protected]> wrote:

> I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. There is no
> Penzey's store anywhere around
> the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> yet.
>
> Are they really that good???

I doubt it.

--
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

On Wed, 07 Apr 2010 08:57:15 -0700, sf <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Wed, 7 Apr 2010 07:54:54 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. There is no
>> Penzey's store anywhere around
>> the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
>> yet.
>>
>> Are they really that good???
>
>I doubt it.

How do you know, if you have never tried them?

Christine

In article
<[email protected]>,
ImStillMags <[email protected]> wrote:

> I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. There is no
> Penzey's store anywhere around
> the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> yet.

There's one in Portland. We go there when we visit my ILs. Or call
in an order and pay for it for them to pick up when they come see us.
No shipping that way. :-)

Regards,
Ranee @ Arabian Knits

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13

http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

In article
<[email protected]>,
ImStillMags <[email protected]> wrote:

> Are they really that good???

They are, though it is mostly because it is fresh and dedicated to
the spices. We buy most of our spices in bulk through Azure Standard,
because they come from another good company, with fresh products, and it
is less expensive. However, there are some things they don't carry, and
those, we get from Penzeys.

Regards,
Ranee @ Arabian Knits

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13

http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

In article
<[email protected]>,
ImStillMags <[email protected]> wrote:
> I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. There is no
> Penzey's store anywhere around
> the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> yet.
>
> Are they really that good???

I can buy less expensively at my food co-op, in bulk, purchasing only
what I need, supplying my own container. As soon as you're buying jars
of stuff at Penzeys, you're paying for the packaging. Where Penzeys
excels, in my opinion, is with their blends.

People will scoff and scowl at that, but they do a fine job and, while I
might or might not have the components of any particular blend in my own
drawer, they've done the work of calculating and combining the
ingredients.

Right now they've a coupon for $5 off a $10 purchase; I don't know if
it's good online, too, but I have three stores in the area that I can
shop at and buy at the shops.
--
Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller
Updated 4-2-2010

On Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:21:29 -0500, Melba's Jammin'
<[email protected]> wrote:


>I can buy less expensively at my food co-op, in bulk, purchasing only
>what I need, supplying my own container. As soon as you're buying jars
>of stuff at Penzeys, you're paying for the packaging. Where Penzeys
>excels, in my opinion, is with their blends.

How about the stuff that they sell in the bags, for replacement? I
find those to be a good value.

>Right now they've a coupon for $5 off a $10 purchase; I don't know if
>it's good online, too, but I have three stores in the area that I can
>shop at and buy at the shops.

Where is the coupon?

Christine

On Apr 7, 9:21*am, Melba's Jammin' <barbschal...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> In article
> <cd712591-b301-4f5b-9012-a8412315d...@z3g2000yqz.googlegroups.com>,
>
> *ImStillMags <sitara8...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. * There is no
> > Penzey's store anywhere around
> > the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> > yet.
>
> > Are they really that good???
>
> I can buy less expensively at my food co-op, in bulk, purchasing only
> what I need, supplying my own container. *As soon as you're buying jars
> of stuff at Penzeys, you're paying for the packaging. * Where Penzeys
> excels, in my opinion, is with their blends. *
>
> People will scoff and scowl at that, but they do a fine job and, while I
> might or might not have the components of any particular blend in my own
> drawer, they've done the work of calculating and combining the
> ingredients. *
>
> Right now they've a coupon for $5 off a $10 purchase; I don't know if
> it's good online, too, but I have three stores in the area that I can
> shop at and buy at the shops.
> --
> Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJhttp://web.me.com/barbschaller
> Updated 4-2-2010

We have a local shop that sells spices and teas and they are really
quite nice. I have a tea blend that I came up with that
they made for me but I will admit that I haven't bought spices there
as of yet.

http://www.thespicehut.com/

On Apr 7, 9:33*am, ImStillMags <sitara8...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Apr 7, 9:21*am, Melba's Jammin' <barbschal...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > In article
> > <cd712591-b301-4f5b-9012-a8412315d...@z3g2000yqz.googlegroups.com>,
>
> > *ImStillMags <sitara8...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. * There isno
> > > Penzey's store anywhere around
> > > the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> > > yet.
>
> > > Are they really that good???
>
> > I can buy less expensively at my food co-op, in bulk, purchasing only
> > what I need, supplying my own container. *As soon as you're buying jars
> > of stuff at Penzeys, you're paying for the packaging. * Where Penzeys
> > excels, in my opinion, is with their blends. *
>
> > People will scoff and scowl at that, but they do a fine job and, while I
> > might or might not have the components of any particular blend in my own
> > drawer, they've done the work of calculating and combining the
> > ingredients. *
>
> > Right now they've a coupon for $5 off a $10 purchase; I don't know if
> > it's good online, too, but I have three stores in the area that I can
> > shop at and buy at the shops.
> > --
> > Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJhttp://web.me.com/barbschaller
> > Updated 4-2-2010
>
> We have a local shop that sells spices and teas and they are really
> quite nice. *I have a tea blend that I came up with that
> they made for me but I will admit that I haven't bought spices there
> as of yet.
>
> http://www.thespicehut.com/- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Here are their spice blends. Do they compare with Penzy's?

http://www.thespicehut.com/catalog/S...?idCategory=48

In article
<[email protected]>,
ImStillMags <[email protected]> wrote:


> I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. There is no
> Penzey's store anywhere around
> the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> yet.
>
> Are they really that good???

No, they're better!

I also heard about them from this group, and have been ordering through
the mail from their catalog for years. Their web site looks nice and I
use it for reference.

If you normally buy jars of spices at the supermarket, you can save
money and get much better quality from Penzeys. If you buy your spices
in bulk, and from ethnic stores and shop around, you can get cheaper
spices elsewhere. Penzeys is not cheap, and don't forget the hefty
shipping. Still, once you become a customer, you get several catalogs a
year from them. I just *love* to read the catalogs. They have lots of
advice, recipes and details about their spices.

One trick that many people do is to buy the first jar. After that, buy
bags to refill the jar.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA
[email protected]

On Apr 7, 7:54*am, ImStillMags <sitara8...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Apr 7, 7:39*am, "Janet" <boxh...@maine.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > A while back I asked what Penzey's mixes people preferred. I finally got
> > around to ordering *Sunny Paris, Balti, and Mural of Flavor, and they
> > arrived a couple of days ago.
>
> > I made a sauce using the Balti and the instructions on the package, and
> > simmered some mahi mahi in it. Delicious! I like it even more than the Rogan
> > Josh. I do quite a bit of Indian cooking "from scratch," but it is niceto
> > be able to throw something tasty together MUCH more quickly upon occasion.
>
> > I've been adding Sunny Paris to our scrambled eggs in the morning. Today I
> > sauteed some halved grape tomatoes first, then added 4 eggs whisked with
> > some Sunny Paris, a heaping tablespoon of grated Romano, and a little salt.
> > Delicious again!
>
> > I haven't tried Mural of Flavor yet, but I'm thinking perhaps on fish?
> > Anyone have a favorite use for it?
>
> I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. * There is no
> Penzey's store anywhere around
> the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> yet.
>
> Are they really that good???- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Yes they are- I tried to talk them into moving into Federal Way- I
think that would be a good, centrally located area, but no luck so
far. You can go on line and request a catalog, or drive down to
Portland...

On Apr 7, 9:24*am, Christine Dabney <artis...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:21:29 -0500, Melba's Jammin'
>
> <barbschal...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >I can buy less expensively at my food co-op, in bulk, purchasing only
> >what I need, supplying my own container. *As soon as you're buying jars
> >of stuff at Penzeys, you're paying for the packaging. * Where Penzeys
> >excels, in my opinion, is with their blends. *
>
> How about the stuff that they sell in the bags, for replacement? I
> find those to be a good value. *
>
> >Right now they've a coupon for $5 off a $10 purchase; I don't know if
> >it's good online, too, but I have three stores in the area that I can
> >shop at and buy at the shops.
>
> Where is the coupon?
>
> Christine

It's on the front of their latest catalog, and it can be used on
line...

In article
<[email protected]>,
ImStillMags <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Apr 7, 9:21*am, Melba's Jammin' <barbschal...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > In article
> > <cd712591-b301-4f5b-9012-a8412315d...@z3g2000yqz.googlegroups.com>,
> >
> > *ImStillMags <sitara8...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. * There is no
> > > Penzey's store anywhere around
> > > the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> > > yet.
> >
> > > Are they really that good???
> >
> > I can buy less expensively at my food co-op, in bulk, purchasing only
> > what I need, supplying my own container. *As soon as you're buying jars
> > of stuff at Penzeys, you're paying for the packaging. * Where Penzeys
> > excels, in my opinion, is with their blends. *
> >
> > People will scoff and scowl at that, but they do a fine job and, while I
> > might or might not have the components of any particular blend in my own
> > drawer, they've done the work of calculating and combining the
> > ingredients. *
> >
> > Right now they've a coupon for $5 off a $10 purchase; I don't know if
> > it's good online, too, but I have three stores in the area that I can
> > shop at and buy at the shops.
> > --
> > Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJhttp://web.me.com/barbschaller
> > Updated 4-2-2010
>
> We have a local shop that sells spices and teas and they are really
> quite nice. I have a tea blend that I came up with that
> they made for me but I will admit that I haven't bought spices there
> as of yet.
>
> http://www.thespicehut.com/

I think the Spice Hut has been favorably mentioned here before.


--
Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller
Updated 4-2-2010

On Wed, 7 Apr 2010 09:37:25 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Apr 7, 9:33*am, ImStillMags <sitara8...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Apr 7, 9:21*am, Melba's Jammin' <barbschal...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > In article
>> > <cd712591-b301-4f5b-9012-a8412315d...@z3g2000yqz.googlegroups.com>,
>>
>> > *ImStillMags <sitara8...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> > > I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. * There is no
>> > > Penzey's store anywhere around
>> > > the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
>> > > yet.
>>
>> > > Are they really that good???
>>
>> > I can buy less expensively at my food co-op, in bulk, purchasing only
>> > what I need, supplying my own container. *As soon as you're buying jars
>> > of stuff at Penzeys, you're paying for the packaging. * Where Penzeys
>> > excels, in my opinion, is with their blends. *
>>
>> > People will scoff and scowl at that, but they do a fine job and, while I
>> > might or might not have the components of any particular blend in my own
>> > drawer, they've done the work of calculating and combining the
>> > ingredients. *
>>
>> > Right now they've a coupon for $5 off a $10 purchase; I don't know if
>> > it's good online, too, but I have three stores in the area that I can
>> > shop at and buy at the shops.
>> > --
>> > Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJhttp://web.me.com/barbschaller
>> > Updated 4-2-2010
>>
>> We have a local shop that sells spices and teas and they are really
>> quite nice. *I have a tea blend that I came up with that
>> they made for me but I will admit that I haven't bought spices there
>> as of yet.
>>
>> http://www.thespicehut.com/- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>Here are their spice blends. Do they compare with Penzy's?
>
>http://www.thespicehut.com/catalog/S...?idCategory=48

Those prices are per ounce... I think the prices are high. and there
is no discount for in bulk (as in larger sizes) so I think they cost a
lot more.

In article
<[email protected]>,
ImStillMags <[email protected]> wrote:

> > We have a local shop that sells spices and teas and they are really
> > quite nice. *I have a tea blend that I came up with that
> > they made for me but I will admit that I haven't bought spices there
> > as of yet.
> >
> > http://www.thespicehut.com/- Hide quoted text -
> >
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Here are their spice blends. Do they compare with Penzy's?
>
> http://www.thespicehut.com/catalog/S...?idCategory=48

Heck if I know. I've never used the Spice Hut's products.

You could look for comparable names of Penzeys blends and compare the
ingredient lists. On second thought, it doesn't appear that the Spice
Hut lists the ingredients in their blends.


--
Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller
Updated 4-2-2010

On Apr 7, 10:42*am, Dan Abel <da...@sonic.net> wrote:
> In article
> <cd712591-b301-4f5b-9012-a8412315d...@z3g2000yqz.googlegroups.com>,
>
> *ImStillMags <sitara8...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I had never heard of Penzey's until I joined this group. * There is no
> > Penzey's store anywhere around
> > the Pacific Northwest and I haven't really shopped their online store
> > yet.
>
> > Are they really that good???
>
> No, they're better!
>

Adding Fox Point seasoning to vinegar and oill makes an excellent
vinaigrette dressing.


> If you normally buy jars of spices at the supermarket, you can save
> money and get much better quality from Penzeys. *If you buy your spices
> in bulk, and from ethnic stores and shop around, you can get cheaper
> spices elsewhere. *Penzeys is not cheap, and don't forget the hefty
> shipping. *Still, once you become a customer, you get several catalogs a
> year from them. *I just *love* to read the catalogs. *They have lots of
> advice, recipes and details about their spices.

The catalogs we get usually include a coupon for free product, which
induces us to go to their local store.

>
> One trick that many people do is to buy the first jar. *After that, buy
> bags to refill the jar.
>

Penzey's sells Fox Point only in jars, unfortunately. Something to do
with the shallots it contains.