I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?

TIA

--
JaKe, Seattle
"Smooth jazz is elevator music"
Drummer Joe Chambers

In article >, JaKe
> wrote:

> I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
> out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?
>
> TIA

May I make a recommendation? Go to Penzey's (either online, get a
catalogue, or, if you're close, go there) and order/get the "Spice
replacement" package - which has everything and then some.

It is less expensive that way - and is very attractively packaged.

--
Nancy Howells (don't forget to switch it, and replace the to send mail).

Nancy Howells > wrote in message >...
> In article >, JaKe
> > wrote:
>
> > I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
> > out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?
> >
> > TIA
>
> May I make a recommendation? Go to Penzey's (either online, get a
> catalogue, or, if you're close, go there) and order/get the "Spice
> replacement" package - which has everything and then some.
>
> It is less expensive that way - and is very attractively packaged.

It seems to be high on spice blends and low on spice basics - this is
the description of what it has in it:
Old World Seasoning, Brady Street, Galena St. Rib Rub, Fox Point
Seasoning, Zassenhaus #1 peppermill, Tellicherry Black Peppercorns,
Four Peppercorn Blend, Granulated Garlic, Medium Hot Chili Powder,
Italian Herb Mix, Cake Spice, Sweet Curry Powder, Hungarian Sweet
Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, China Cassia Cinnamon, Sunny Spain Seasoning
and Taco Seasoning

It is also 89.95 for 16 spices. Yes the jars will probably be a decent
size but more of certain spices than a normal person would ever use
before they are no longer so fresh.

Buy your own jars 16 @ 0.50 each - $8. For most spices 50 cents worth
of the spice in bulk will fill the jar, and for more expensive spices
(like green cardamom pods) you probably wouldn't want a whole jar
anyway (not that this kit includes cardamom though) So there's another
$8. For $16 you are fully stocked and you can add your own personal
touches to the packaging. (if you can limit yourself to 16 spices that
is!)

JaKe the FlAke > writes:
>
>I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
>out.

Many spices can be expensive... you need to indicate how much you want to
spend.

>What are the standard spices for a spice rack?

Again, spices can be expensive... it would be stupid to spend money on those
that will not be used... what dishes does this person like to cook/bake,
especially which ethnic dishes?

Forget the rack... they're indicative of those who'd like folks to think they
can cook, but can't cook a lick. Spices belong out of sight, in a cool and
dark place, in a closed cupboard (not above the stove), or in a drawer. Rather
than waste good money on a stupid spice rack put it towards a few of those
plastic cupboard turn tables... Rubbermaid makes a nice one.... and a few dozen
spice bottles/cans, go to <leevalley.com> for those. The only rack I
appreciate is on a woman.


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

PENMART01 wrote:

>
> Again, spices can be expensive... it would be stupid to spend money on those
> that will not be used... what dishes does this person like to cook/bake,
> especially which ethnic dishes?

Nothing fancy I guess, looking to purchase as a gift.

It's a novice cook -- just a college aged adult.

--
JaKe, Seattle
"Smooth jazz is elevator music"
Drummer Joe Chambers

JaKe > writes:

>PENMART01 wrote:
>
>>
>> Again, spices can be expensive... it would be stupid to spend money on
>those
>> that will not be used... what dishes does this person like to cook/bake,
>> especially which ethnic dishes?
>
>Nothing fancy I guess, looking to purchase as a gift.
>
>It's a novice cook -- just a college aged adult.

A gift certificate for <penzeys.com> seems appropriate.


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

Sheldon mentioned that a ift certificate from
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html would be
appropriate, and it certainly was a hit when I included one in the gift
box I sent to an exceptional family cook that I was teasing into
becoming a "keep your spices fresh, buy Penzeys." I sent her one of
their gift boxes containing items I knew she'd regularly use, as well as
a gift certificate so she could also shop for more. She and her husband
together went into a "Penzeys Timeout" for over an hour, unpacking,
learning, and searching for every single one of the bay leaves, cinnamon
sticks and nutmegs that Penzeys uses for packaging buffers.

=A0=A0=A0Picky ~JA~

On 11 Dec 2003 17:03:29 GMT, (PENMART01) wrote:


>Many spices can be expensive...

Not if you buy them at dollar stores with a high inventory turnover
like I do.

Taffy Stoker writes:

> (PENMART01) wrote:
>
>
>>Many spices can be expensive...
>
>Not if you buy them at dollar stores with a high inventory turnover
>like I do.

Those aren't spices, they're toilet deodorants... and what kinda airhead porno
chick's name is Taffy Stoker... I got yer Bonomo, right here!



---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

On 13 Dec 2003 21:31:39 GMT, (PENMART01) wrote:


> I got yer Bonomo, right here!

Dream on Sheldon. Yours could never compare in size to what I had the
other night. :-)

Go play with your magnifying glass like a good little boy now.

Taffy Stoker writes:

> (PENMART01) wrote:
>
>> I got yer Bonomo, right here!
>
>Yours could never compare in size to what I had the other night.

I don't intend to compete with a porno slut the likes of you... you suck a
different donkey's dick every night.


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

Taffy Stoker wrote:
>
> On 11 Dec 2003 17:03:29 GMT, (PENMART01) wrote:
>
> >Many spices can be expensive...
>
> Not if you buy them at dollar stores with a high inventory turnover
> like I do.

Dollar stores can sell it cheap because they buy stuff the other
stores are getting rid of because they are approaching their
expiration date.

nancy

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 14:54:42 -0500, Nancy Young
> wrote:


>Dollar stores can sell it cheap because they buy stuff the other
>stores are getting rid of because they are approaching their
>expiration date.

This store gets the spices directly from the company.

I asked. :-)

Taffy Stoker wrote:

> On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 14:54:42 -0500, Nancy Young
> > wrote:
>
> >Dollar stores can sell it cheap because they buy stuff the other
> >stores are getting rid of because they are approaching their
> >expiration date.
>
> This store gets the spices directly from the company.
>
> I asked. :-)

They are poorer quality for sure.. yet for some they're enough.<sigh>
Goomba

In rec.food.cooking, Taffy Stoker > wrote:
> On 11 Dec 2003 17:03:29 GMT, (PENMART01) wrote:


> >Many spices can be expensive...

> Not if you buy them at dollar stores with a high inventory turnover
> like I do.

But the reason they're at the dollar store in the first place is because
they are old and/or poor quality.

--
....I'm an air-conditioned gypsy...

- The Who

wrote:


> But the reason they're at the dollar store in the first place is because
> they are old and/or poor quality.
>

I'm finding this discussion amusing. The most recent issue of Cooks
Illustrated has an article comparing different kinds of Vanilla (real
and imitation) side by side. They had Penzeys of course, and the normal
grocery store kind, they also had one of those drugstore bottles you
find for 1.50.

The winner? The imitation from the drugstore. I was surprised, but I
guess its one of those things, dont knock it till you try it.
Thats not to say I'm giving up my double vanilla from the spice house.


Seattlejo

"Seattlejo" > wrote in message
...

>
> I'm finding this discussion amusing. The most recent issue of Cooks
> Illustrated has an article comparing different kinds of Vanilla (real
> and imitation) side by side. They had Penzeys of course, and the normal
> grocery store kind, they also had one of those drugstore bottles you
> find for 1.50.
>
> The winner? The imitation from the drugstore. I was surprised, but I
> guess its one of those things, dont knock it till you try it.
> Thats not to say I'm giving up my double vanilla from the spice house.
>

Sure, but drugstore and dollar store are two very different markets. The
latter has consistently poor quality products for sale while the former can
have both good quality and not-so-good quality products.

Not only that, but herbs and spices have very different shelf lives from
extracts. Extracts, IIRC, have alcohol which helps preserve their flavour
(I'm sure someone will correct me, probably in a not-so-friendly way, if I'm
wrong :-)). If you look at Cook's Illustrated tests for herbs and spices
(which are what the OP was looking for), the cheaper dollar store-type
products rarely if ever finish near the top.

rona
--
***For e-mail, replace .com with .ca Sorry for the inconvenience!***

Seattlejo > writes:

wrote:
>
>
>> But the reason they're at the dollar store in the first place is because
>> they are old and/or poor quality.
>>
>
>I'm finding this discussion amusing. The most recent issue of Cooks
>Illustrated has an article comparing different kinds of Vanilla (real
>and imitation) side by side. They had Penzeys of course, and the normal
>grocery store kind, they also had one of those drugstore bottles you
>find for 1.50.
>
>The winner? The imitation from the drugstore. I was surprised, but I
>guess its one of those things, dont knock it till you try it.
>Thats not to say I'm giving up my double vanilla from the spice house.

Vanilla is not a spice, it's a flavoring... aint that amusing, eh. With modern
technology imitation vanilla flavoring is produced where it is
indistinguishable from real vanilla in all cases where the ingredient is
heated, such as in baking. Where the product is not heated, such as whipped
cream, real vanilla beats imitation by a mile. There is nothing new about this
fact, it's been known for about 15 years, but the purveyers of real vanilla are
for obvious reasons not going to divlulge this information.

So, Seattle Babe, wanna amuse us by getting back to spices.


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

>JaKe the FlAke > writes:
>>
>>I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
>>out.

>>What are the standard spices for a spice rack?

Salt (I prefer kosher seasalt)
black peppercorns (to use in a good pepper mill...add one in your
gift)
rosemary
thyme
sage
paprika
oregano
garlic powder
basil
curry (great for shaking on chicken..whole or cut up)
cinnamon
lemon pepper (good for fish )
seasonned salt
celery salt
cumin (my personal fav)
garlic pepper
bay leaves

This is what I bought to get me started when I moved into my first
place. I have added to it since.

Taffy Stoker wrote:
>>JaKe the FlAke > writes:
>>
>>>I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
>>>out.
>>
>
>>>What are the standard spices for a spice rack?
>>
>
> Salt (I prefer kosher seasalt)
> black peppercorns (to use in a good pepper mill...add one in your
> gift)
> rosemary
> thyme
> sage
> paprika
> oregano
> garlic powder
> basil
> curry (great for shaking on chicken..whole or cut up)
> cinnamon
> lemon pepper (good for fish )
> seasonned salt
> celery salt
> cumin (my personal fav)
> garlic pepper
> bay leaves
>
> This is what I bought to get me started when I moved into my first
> place. I have added to it since.
>
>

Forget about seasoned salts, and do buy whole spices when you can, and
grind them fresh (I use one of those coffee grinders with exception of
my pepper mill.)

A great place to buy (they have a high turn over rate and excellent
prices, not to mention freshness,) is the Indo/Pakistani shops.

Forget about these concoctions like lemon pepper; that will never beat
fresh lemon zest and freshly ground pepper.

Richard

--
"..A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava
beans and a nice chianti..."

Hannibal "The Cannibal"

Silence Of The Lambs 1991

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 01:22:32 GMT, Richard Periut >
wrote:



>Forget about seasoned salts, and do buy whole spices when you can, and
>grind them fresh (I use one of those coffee grinders with exception of
>my pepper mill.)

Coffee grinders are great for that.

BTW I didn't buy the seasonned salts. The bf did for his chicken
wings.




>Forget about these concoctions like lemon pepper; that will never beat
>fresh lemon zest and freshly ground pepper.

But you have to agree it is good in a pinch when you have run out of
lemons and the store is closed.

Taffy Stoker wrote:
> On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 01:22:32 GMT, Richard Periut >
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>>Forget about seasoned salts, and do buy whole spices when you can, and
>>grind them fresh (I use one of those coffee grinders with exception of
>>my pepper mill.)
>
>
> Coffee grinders are great for that.
>
> BTW I didn't buy the seasonned salts. The bf did for his chicken
> wings.
>
>
>
>
>
>>Forget about these concoctions like lemon pepper; that will never beat
>>fresh lemon zest and freshly ground pepper.
>
>
> But you have to agree it is good in a pinch when you have run out of
> lemons and the store is closed.
>

It's amazing the amount of junk that is sold in the supermarkets; close
to 1/2 of the items I see are craparata at its best, and this doesn't
include the various sodas (high fructose syrup) amongst other crap.

The latest are those processed, seasoned chicken meals, made for the
lazy herds of people who don't know how to cook wholesome, in a relative
short amount of time.

If I have no fresh lemons, then I wont make anything that requires it.

Richard

--
"..A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava
beans and a nice chianti..."

Hannibal "The Cannibal"

Silence Of The Lambs 1991

In rec.food.cooking, JaKe > wrote:
> I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
> out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?


Check out www.penzeys.com for a good starter set.

--
....I'm an air-conditioned gypsy...

- The Who

"JaKe" > wrote in message
...
> I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
> out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?
>
> TIA
>
> --
> JaKe, Seattle
> "Smooth jazz is elevator music"
> Drummer Joe Chambers


Oregano, basil, curry, cardamom, chile powder, allspice, mustard seeds,
garam masala, pepper berries, red pepper flakes. Just a suggestion -

Mia

Mia wrote:

>
> Oregano, basil, curry, cardamom, chile powder, allspice, mustard seeds,
> garam masala, pepper berries, red pepper flakes. Just a suggestion -
>
> Mia

Ahhh, this is the kind of answer I was hoping for . . .
Thanks!

--
JaKe, Seattle
"Smooth jazz is elevator music"
Drummer Joe Chambers

Naturally it depends on what the someone likes to cook. I'd suggest:

an Italian herb mix (basil, oregano, tarragon, etc.)
a pumpkin pie spice mix (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc.)
a curry powder (cumin, tumeric, fenugreek, etc.)
dill
garlic powder
pepper

--Lia


JaKe wrote:
> I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
> out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?
>
> TIA
>

"JaKe" > wrote in message
...
> I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
> out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?
>
> TIA
>
> --
> JaKe, Seattle
> "Smooth jazz is elevator music"
> Drummer Joe Chambers


Depends on what your friend wants. Spices can be expensive. There is no real
list of "Basic Spices".
A suggestion for a cook rather than a 'baker': Oregano, Basil, Dill, Thyme,
Sage, Rosemary.

Best bet: www.penzeys.com How about a gift certificate?

"robert" > writes:

>A suggestion for a cook rather than a 'baker': Oregano, Basil, Dill, Thyme,
>Sage, Rosemary.

Aside from the fact that none of those are spices (they're herbs) all of those
are applicable to baking... aintcha ever heard of dill dough?

Sun-Dried Tomato and Rosemary Bread
From
The Bread Machine Gourmet

For a large loaf:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary or 11/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 sun-dried tomatoes, drained and minced
1 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
4 teaspoons active dry yeast
Fit the kneading blade firmly on the shaft in the bread pan. Carefully measure
the dry ingredients and transfer to the pan. Add the liquid ingredients and the
yeast. Place the bread pan inside the machine and close the lid.

Program the breadmaker for the whole wheat mode. The unit will begin operation.

At the end of the baking cycle, remove the bread promptly from the machine,
taking care, as the oven surfaces will be very hot.

Invert the bread pan onto a wire rack and shake several times to dislodge the
bread. Allow to cool completely on rack before slicing or wrapping for storage.
Makes 16 servings.
---




---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

PENMART01 wrote:
>
> aintcha ever heard of dill dough?

Yeah, but I've never seen spelled that way :-)

--
JaKe, Seattle
"Smooth jazz is elevator music"
Drummer Joe Chambers

On Thu, 11 Dec 2003 15:55:19 GMT, JaKe
> wrote:

> I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
> out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?
>
A "spice rack" contains herbs too.... what does your friend
like to cook? That would help you decide!

My absolute favorite "spice" is Thyme (really an herb). I
also keep oregano, basil & granulated garlic along with a
plethora of herbs I don't use very often. Fresh Rosemary
grows outside.

As for spices, think of the season... cinnamon, allspice,
nutmeg - get the picture?

Buying them won't be a problem if you know what your friend
likes to cook.


Practice safe eating - always use condiments

I like my herbs fresh, so grow them outside in pots.
Don't use a lot of dried herbs/spices ... but of those I have ... my faves
would have to be:
cumin, tumeric, and a lime&chili blend I pay too much for, and use too
liberally

"lea b" > writes:

>I like my herbs fresh, so grow them outside in pots.
>my faves would have to be:
>cumin, tumeric

Cumin and tumeric are not herbs, they're spices..
I seriously doubt you have grown either outside in any pot,
maybe what's talking IS pot...


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 12:07:22 +1100, "lea b" > wrote:

>... lime&chili blend I pay too much for, and use too
>liberally
>
what would the name of this be? is it a dry spice or a paste?

your pal,
blake

JaKe > wrote in message >...
> I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
> out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?

The cheapest way to do this would be to buy the spices in bulk (and
freshest). Then find some small jars you would like as spice jars to
fill them up. You could get creative by printing your own personalized
labels, or you can buy preprinted spice labels. I find the standard
"spice" jars that you can buy to be too narrow, although the shaker
lids you can get with them are handy. I just get a slightly smaller
and fatter clear jar with a lid.

What kind of spices (and herbs) you get depends on what they like to
cook. You can also get different spices whole or ground, and the whole
keep a lot longer. So for a gift if you want to get fancy you could
get the person a set of filled spice jars, plus a coffee grinder which
works great for grinding spices. (but you probably want to use a
separate one than for the coffee unless you like spicey coffee )

Basics - basil, oregano, chili powder, bay leaves, cayenne pepper
Indian food - cumin (though I would put cumin in basics), coriander,
turmeric, cardamom pods, black mustard seed, garam masala (a mix, you
can also make your own), fenugreek
Baking - ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger,
aniseed, ground cardamom
If they like chilies, different varieties of chili powder is nice.
Chinese - five spice
Caribbean - allspice, juniper berries, annato seed (these are really
pretty in a jar as they are a nice red color)
Other ideas - garlic powder, onion powder, parsley (though its usually
better fresh), sage, rosemary, thyme, dillweed
Tea - whole cloves, star anise
More unusual - caraway seeds, lemon pepper, saffron (you don't want a
jar for this! a few threads will be a few bucks so usually they come
in a teeny plastic box), mango powder

I'm sure I'm forgetting something basic but you get the idea. If I had
to pick just 8 I would get: basil, oregano, cinnamon, cumin, cayenne,
cloves, cardamom (hang out in the C's if the bulk store is
alphabetical!), turmeric

As a spice geek I think that for someone just starting out a dreamy
spice gift would be a good cookbook with lots of spicy recipes (I love
Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cooking), some filled jars with spices along a
particular theme (to go with the cookbook), and some empty jars to get
adventurous with.

"Tanya Quinn" <> wrote ...

<snip >

> Other ideas - garlic powder, onion powder, parsley (though its usually
> better fresh)

*alway* Tanya, *always* )

JaKe wrote:
>
> I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
> out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?
>
> TIA

Please narrow down the field by telling us what kind of cooking you want
to do.
blacksalt

JaKe wrote:
> I want to get spices for someone who has none - they're just starting
> out. What are the standard spices for a spice rack?
>
> TIA

Herbs: Basil and/or marjoram, thyme, sage, bay leaves. Spices:
peppercorns, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, paprika

Jill