I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:

http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress

No, I haven't looked for them and probably won't except out of curiosity
about the price. (It's easy enough to melt some butter with a little
olive oil and add seasonings for sauteeing.)

What say you? Would you use a product like this? Or is it for the
"convenience" generation?

Jill

In article >,
jmcquown > wrote:
>I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:
>
>http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress
>
>No, I haven't looked for them and probably won't except out of curiosity
>about the price. (It's easy enough to melt some butter with a little
>olive oil and add seasonings for sauteeing.)
>
>What say you? Would you use a product like this? Or is it for the
>"convenience" generation?

I wouldn't use it.

This reminds me that Mueller's is now selling half-length spaghetti,
for those who would like their spaghetti broken in half but can't
quite manage such an onerous task.

Cindy Hamilton
--

In article >,
says...
>
> I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:
>
> http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress
>
> No, I haven't looked for them and probably won't except out of curiosity
> about the price. (It's easy enough to melt some butter with a little
> olive oil and add seasonings for sauteeing.)
>
> What say you? Would you use a product like this? Or is it for the
> "convenience" generation?

I can't for the life of me see what "convenience " it offers. In the
time it takes to melt a pat of butter I'd have added the salt, pepper,
olive oil, herbs, squeezed a lemon.. all of which are within short reach
while standing at my stove.

Janet UK

On 2/10/2014 11:03 AM, Janet wrote:
> In article >,
> says...
>>
>> I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:
>>
>> http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress
>>
>> No, I haven't looked for them and probably won't except out of curiosity
>> about the price. (It's easy enough to melt some butter with a little
>> olive oil and add seasonings for sauteeing.)
>>
>> What say you? Would you use a product like this? Or is it for the
>> "convenience" generation?
>
> I can't for the life of me see what "convenience " it offers. In the
> time it takes to melt a pat of butter I'd have added the salt, pepper,
> olive oil, herbs, squeezed a lemon.. all of which are within short reach
> while standing at my stove.
>
> Janet UK
>
Agreed. Perhaps it's for people who don't know how to cook. Maybe they
think sauteeing involves a complex science project.

Jill

On 2/10/2014 11:02 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> In article >,
> jmcquown > wrote:
>> I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:
>>
>> http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress
>>
>> No, I haven't looked for them and probably won't except out of curiosity
>> about the price. (It's easy enough to melt some butter with a little
>> olive oil and add seasonings for sauteeing.)
>>
>> What say you? Would you use a product like this? Or is it for the
>> "convenience" generation?
>
> I wouldn't use it.
>
> This reminds me that Mueller's is now selling half-length spaghetti,
> for those who would like their spaghetti broken in half but can't
> quite manage such an onerous task.
>
> Cindy Hamilton
>
Heaven forbid! I notice Gus (he of the breaking spaghetti posts)
disappeared from this ng. At least we got a few good food discussions
out of it.

Jill

On Mon, 10 Feb 2014 10:52:03 -0500, jmcquown >
wrote:

>I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:
>
>http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress
>
>No, I haven't looked for them and probably won't except out of curiosity
>about the price. (It's easy enough to melt some butter with a little
>olive oil and add seasonings for sauteeing.)
>
>What say you? Would you use a product like this? Or is it for the
>"convenience" generation?
>
>Jill
I get your drift . . . but the flip side is that it might make a
clueless person venture into more cooking. All of us got pulled
deeper into cooking by something we saw that we wanted to try. A lot
of people have no idea what an herb is. This could be their
introduction.
Janet US

On 2/10/2014 11:23 AM, Pete C. wrote:
>
> it's probably one
> step above most white trash slow cooker recipes.
>

Hmmm... just what exactly is "white trash slow cooker recipes"?

--
DreadfulBitch

There is no love more sincere than the love of food.
....George Bernard Shaw

On Monday, February 10, 2014 2:44:58 PM UTC-6, DreadfulBitch wrote:
> On 2/10/2014 11:23 AM, Pete C. wrote:
>
> >
>
> > it's probably one
>
> > step above most white trash slow cooker recipes.
>
> >
>
>
>
> Hmmm... just what exactly is "white trash slow cooker recipes"?
>
Here's are examples.

http://www.food.com/recipe/appetizer...-smokies-73362

http://www.raininghotcoupons.com/cro...r-pulled-pork/

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/mayonnaise-chicken/

http://www.foodonthetable.com/recipe...ockpot-chicken

Of course, you might merely call them "slow cooker recipes." You know, like how the Canadians don't say Canadian bacon.
>
> DreadfulBitch
>
--B

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:
>
> http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress
>
> No, I haven't looked for them and probably won't except out of curiosity
> about the price. (It's easy enough to melt some butter with a little
> olive oil and add seasonings for sauteeing.)
>
> What say you? Would you use a product like this? Or is it for the
> "convenience" generation?
>
> Jill

I would not use even though I could get for cheap with coupons. After
trying the Cooking Creme and some sort of sauté sauce, I know that my family
doesn't like these sorts of things.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/10/2014 12:36 PM, Moe DeLoughan wrote:
>> On 2/10/2014 9:52 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>>> I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:
>>>
>>> http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress
>>>
>>> No, I haven't looked for them and probably won't except out of
>>> curiosity about the price. (It's easy enough to melt some butter with
>>> a little olive oil and add seasonings for sauteeing.)
>>>
>>> What say you? Would you use a product like this? Or is it for the
>>> "convenience" generation?
>>
>> This stuff for adults is like the Easy-bake oven is for kids: a way to
>> ease novices into cooking. Once a person tries it and likes it, odds are
>> he or she will be inspired to go a little farther and try doing some
>> actual cookery, instead of relying on packaged foodstuffs. So as a
>> starter product, it's fine.
>>
>> I'm also thinking it would appeal to people who live alone and aren't
>> interested in doing much fancy cooking for themselves, so they don't
>> keep much in the way of staples on hand. This would enable them to enjoy
>> some variety without much effort or investment in supplies. In fact, if
>> I had to bet on it, I'd say LoL developed this with the aging population
>> in mind.
>
> I hadn't considered the age factor. What about the "I hate to cook
> factor?" My mother surely would have jumped on this product wagon if it
> had been available in the 1970's. If she were alive to saute today (not
> something she did much of) she'd probably buy it.

Mine might have, back in the day.

In article >, says...
>
> I would not use even though I could get for cheap with coupons. After
> trying the Cooking Creme and some sort of sauté sauce, I know that my family
> doesn't like these sorts of things.

Hell Julie, you should have asked here first.
We could have told you your family wouldn't like them.

Janet UK

DreadfulBitch wrote:
>
> On 2/10/2014 11:23 AM, Pete C. wrote:
> >
> > it's probably one
> > step above most white trash slow cooker recipes.
> >
>
> Hmmm... just what exactly is "white trash slow cooker recipes"?

I suspect it's some of the best damn food you'll ever eat. But the
"Kool Kids" here frown on it. And don't you dare ever have another
glass of orange juice for breakfast@!

G.

I have some little pkgs in the fridge..have used a few and liked them a lot. There is nothing objectionable
about them. But I am not cooking much these days, so what I have on hand may not get used....

N.

Which reminds me, the judges all gasped in horror when someone on Chopped broke their spaghetti in half. Other
than presentation, what the hell is wrong with that?? It doesn't make it taste or cook different.

N.

On 2/10/2014 1:52 PM, sf wrote:
> On Mon, 10 Feb 2014 12:18:40 -0500, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> On 2/10/2014 11:29 AM, Sqwertz wrote:
>>> On Mon, 10 Feb 2014 10:52:03 -0500, jmcquown wrote:
>>>
>>>> I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress
>>>>
>>>
>>> They're for people who don't know how to cook, too stupid to realize
>>> they can make the same thing in seconds and pay less, and/or people
>>> who don't stock the basics in their kitchen.
>>>
>>> Whit like this never lasts very long. Although I *am* surprised that
>>> the McCormick "Recipe Inspirations" have lasted as long as they have.
>>> But for some reason they are downgrading them to 3-blister packs
>>> instead of 6 for the same recipes - probably because they use up too
>>> much linear shelf space so they had to cut some of the spices out of
>>> the recipes (look at the Chicken Marsala, for example):
>>>
>>> Old had 6 spices:
>>> http://www.mccormick.com/Spices-and-...hicken-Marsala
>>>
>>> New has 3:
>>> http://www.mccormick.com/Spices-and-...en-Marsala-New
>>>
>>> -sw
>>>
>> Wow. Maybe those six ingredients were just too much for some people to
>> deal with!
>>
> Who cares if it's 6 or 3 as long as the original 6 seasonings are
> still there?

But they aren't the same. The first link shows the six ingredients as
Garlic, Onion, Black Pepper, Basil, Marjoram, and Parsley. The second
(*new*) contains Garlic, Marjoram and Basil. You're going to have to
add your own onion and black pepper.

> Those seasoning packets with a recipe are something I
> can agree with. A child can use them, so can adults who think they
> can't cook.

I'm sure a lot of people could use them.

They also look like they are perfect for a vacation condo
> scenario where you want to make a decent meal without investing in
> full bottles of every seasoning you might need.
>
I'm sure that would be a good use for them. Or in a camper situation
while on the road.

Jill

> PS: I have made a couple of recipes on the McCormick website and was
> pleased with the results... in fact, I think the original idea for the
> chicken chili with black beans and corn I like to make came from that
> website.
> http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Mai...Beans-and-Corn
>
>

I don't usually have fresh herbs or lemons lying around. It is a great convenience for cooks like me.
And, yes, I know how to cook.

N.

On 2/10/2014 8:15 PM, Nancy2 wrote:
> I have some little pkgs in the fridge..have used a few and liked them a lot. There is nothing objectionable
> about them. But I am not cooking much these days, so what I have on hand may not get used....
>
> N.
>
Could you freeze them? I freeze butter all the time, and these are
pretty much just a butter blend.

Jill

Judge, much, Sqwertz? It is a good product for people like me, who CAN cook, but usually
cook for one, if at all, and have limited ability to easily stand and move around the kitchen because of
physical limitations.

N.

DB, those "white trash slow cooker type" recipes are anything the oh-so-superior food snobs in this group
say they are. Don't try to figure it out, it isn't worth your time.

N.

"Nancy2" > wrote in message
...
> Which reminds me, the judges all gasped in horror when someone on Chopped
> broke their spaghetti in half. Other
> than presentation, what the hell is wrong with that?? It doesn't make it
> taste or cook different.
>
> N.

I find it harder to eat when broken. Only time I will break it is to put in
soup and only then if I have no other, smaller pasta.

"Nancy2" > wrote in message
...
> Judge, much, Sqwertz? It is a good product for people like me, who CAN
> cook, but usually
> cook for one, if at all, and have limited ability to easily stand and move
> around the kitchen because of
> physical limitations.

Perhaps it works for you. I just wouldn't be interested, perhaps because
the kind of stuff I usually make wouldn't even use something like that to
begin with.

"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:21:05 -0800 (PST), Nancy2 wrote:
>
>> Judge, much, Sqwertz?
>
> Yep.
>
>> It is a good product for people like me, who CAN cook, but usually
>> cook for one, if at all, and have limited ability to easily stand and
>> move around the kitchen because of
>> physical limitations.
>
> Like somebody else said, I have all those ingredients within 2 feet of
> each other and at 1/10th the price. I never considered the handicap
> card. I doubt anybody else sees much logic in it either.

I don't. I'm handicapped myself. When I was at my worst, I would spend
about 2 hours a week, sitting on a barstool prepping all fruits and veg for
the week. Not that I did too terribly much with fruit but occasionally I
did.

I didn't cook a lot. We ate a lot of salads in those days, including things
like egg and tuna salad. Granted we were living in Alameda where it was
neither too warm or too cold most of the time.

I would sometimes make mac and cheese from a box, pierogies, pizzas on
English muffins, quesadillas, lasagna. I was sometimes making meals for 2
or more kids as well. Kids don't mind eating simple things. Give them a
few cheese cubes, baby carrots, a bread stick or a couple of crackers, maybe
a few black olives, and they're happy! Oh and... We had green beans with
every dinner. Angela liked them straight from the can and still does.

These days I have other easy things to fix. A bean tostada being one. Put
the pre-cooked crisp tortilla down (would be better to crisp it in the oven
but I don't bother), spread on canned refried beans, nuke for a minute. Top
with lettuce, tomato (or salsa), maybe a little taco sauce, sometimes a
little onion, black olives. Eat. A complete meal.

On 11/02/2014 00:01, Janet wrote:

> In article >, says...

>> I would not use even though I could get for cheap with coupons. After
>> trying the Cooking Creme and some sort of sauté sauce, I know that my family
>> doesn't like these sorts of things.

> Hell Julie, you should have asked here first.
> We could have told you your family wouldn't like them.

I'd say your family doesn't like you if you harangue them the way you do
other people on this group.

Maybe that is why you fled to Arran.

On 2/10/2014 11:53 AM, jmcquown wrote:
> On 2/10/2014 12:36 PM, Moe DeLoughan wrote:
>> On 2/10/2014 9:52 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>>> I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:
>>>
>>> http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress
>>>
>>> No, I haven't looked for them and probably won't except out of
>>> curiosity about the price. (It's easy enough to melt some butter with
>>> a little olive oil and add seasonings for sauteeing.)
>>>
>>> What say you? Would you use a product like this? Or is it for the
>>> "convenience" generation?
>>
>> This stuff for adults is like the Easy-bake oven is for kids: a way to
>> ease novices into cooking. Once a person tries it and likes it, odds
>> are
>> he or she will be inspired to go a little farther and try doing some
>> actual cookery, instead of relying on packaged foodstuffs. So as a
>> starter product, it's fine.
>>
>> I'm also thinking it would appeal to people who live alone and aren't
>> interested in doing much fancy cooking for themselves, so they don't
>> keep much in the way of staples on hand. This would enable them to
>> enjoy
>> some variety without much effort or investment in supplies. In fact, if
>> I had to bet on it, I'd say LoL developed this with the aging
>> population
>> in mind.
>
> I hadn't considered the age factor. What about the "I hate to cook
> factor?" My mother surely would have jumped on this product wagon if
> it had been available in the 1970's. If she were alive to saute today
> (not something she did much of) she'd probably buy it.

Bingo. Plus those people who don't feel capable of crafting a flavor
profile all by themselves. They can't figure out what to combine with
what. This would make it simple.

I have an elderly neighbor who says fancy cooking is too much bother
now that she's only cooking for one. It wouldn't be too much more
effort for her to saute her chicken breast using one of these, rather
than using plain oil, and she'd enjoy it more.

On 2/11/2014 11:33 AM, Moe DeLoughan wrote:
> On 2/10/2014 11:53 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>> On 2/10/2014 12:36 PM, Moe DeLoughan wrote:
>>> I'm also thinking it would appeal to people who live alone and aren't
>>> interested in doing much fancy cooking for themselves, so they don't
>>> keep much in the way of staples on hand. This would enable them to
>>> enjoy
>>> some variety without much effort or investment in supplies. In fact, if
>>> I had to bet on it, I'd say LoL developed this with the aging
>>> population
>>> in mind.
>>
>> I hadn't considered the age factor. What about the "I hate to cook
>> factor?" My mother surely would have jumped on this product wagon if
>> it had been available in the 1970's. If she were alive to saute today
>> (not something she did much of) she'd probably buy it.
>
> Bingo. Plus those people who don't feel capable of crafting a flavor
> profile all by themselves. They can't figure out what to combine with
> what. This would make it simple.
>
> I have an elderly neighbor who says fancy cooking is too much bother now
> that she's only cooking for one. It wouldn't be too much more effort for
> her to saute her chicken breast using one of these, rather than using
> plain oil, and she'd enjoy it more.

She might at that! Maybe suggest it to her?

I have a brother who forgets he didn't know a thing about cooking until
I taught him the basics and got him interested in cooking in the 1980's.
Fast foward to 2008 when he came for a visit after our dad died. Now
he's a food snob.

I'd bought a bottle of McCormick's Italian Seasoning blend for Mom. (I
was still expecting to return home at that point.) From his reaction
you'd have thought I'd committed a crime! I said really dude, you know
she hates to cook. She's not going to buy fresh herbs. Chances are she
won't bother adding dried herbs separately, either. With this, a couple
of shakes and she can punch up that jarred spaghetti sauce. Nothing
wrong with that.

Jill

On 2/10/2014 6:36 PM, Gary wrote:
> DreadfulBitch wrote:
>>
>> On 2/10/2014 11:23 AM, Pete C. wrote:
>>>
>>> it's probably one
>>> step above most white trash slow cooker recipes.
>>>
>>
>> Hmmm... just what exactly is "white trash slow cooker recipes"?
>
> I suspect it's some of the best damn food you'll ever eat. But the
> "Kool Kids" here frown on it. And don't you dare ever have another
> glass of orange juice for breakfast@!

sigh.... I'm no longer able to eat my favorite breakfast. A large cold
glass of OJ and a toasted sesame bagel with butter or cream cheese.

I can still dream about them....

--
DreadfulBitch

There is no love more sincere than the love of food.
....George Bernard Shaw

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/11/2014 11:33 AM, Moe DeLoughan wrote:
>> On 2/10/2014 11:53 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>>> On 2/10/2014 12:36 PM, Moe DeLoughan wrote:
>>>> I'm also thinking it would appeal to people who live alone and aren't
>>>> interested in doing much fancy cooking for themselves, so they don't
>>>> keep much in the way of staples on hand. This would enable them to
>>>> enjoy
>>>> some variety without much effort or investment in supplies. In fact, if
>>>> I had to bet on it, I'd say LoL developed this with the aging
>>>> population
>>>> in mind.
>>>
>>> I hadn't considered the age factor. What about the "I hate to cook
>>> factor?" My mother surely would have jumped on this product wagon if
>>> it had been available in the 1970's. If she were alive to saute today
>>> (not something she did much of) she'd probably buy it.
>>
>> Bingo. Plus those people who don't feel capable of crafting a flavor
>> profile all by themselves. They can't figure out what to combine with
>> what. This would make it simple.
>>
>> I have an elderly neighbor who says fancy cooking is too much bother now
>> that she's only cooking for one. It wouldn't be too much more effort for
>> her to saute her chicken breast using one of these, rather than using
>> plain oil, and she'd enjoy it more.
>
> She might at that! Maybe suggest it to her?
>
> I have a brother who forgets he didn't know a thing about cooking until I
> taught him the basics and got him interested in cooking in the 1980's.
> Fast foward to 2008 when he came for a visit after our dad died. Now he's
> a food snob.
>
> I'd bought a bottle of McCormick's Italian Seasoning blend for Mom. (I
> was still expecting to return home at that point.) From his reaction
> you'd have thought I'd committed a crime! I said really dude, you know
> she hates to cook. She's not going to buy fresh herbs. Chances are she
> won't bother adding dried herbs separately, either. With this, a couple
> of shakes and she can punch up that jarred spaghetti sauce. Nothing wrong
> with that.

People bought herbs and spices for my mom. She still didn't use them. She
quit using salt entirely at some point and for a while was using Mrs. Dash
on some things. I don't know what they put in that stuff but my brother and
I didn't like it. She did buy taco seasoning packets. Her spaghetti sauce
came from a packet. Just add water! She put parsley in almost everything.
Sometimes so much that it had a diuretic effect. She used chili powder and
cinnamon in/on some things. That was about it.

In article >,
says...
>
> I've been seeing television ads for these Land O' Lakes products:
>
> http://www.landolakes.com/product/sauteexpress
>
> No, I haven't looked for them and probably won't except out of curiosity
> about the price. (It's easy enough to melt some butter with a little
> olive oil and add seasonings for sauteeing.)
>
> What say you? Would you use a product like this? Or is it for the
> "convenience" generation?
>
> Jill

It's for the convenience generation. Me, I have on hand most of the
ingredients in that picture. Do have to get some more butter though.

But in fact I have some fresh thyme, rosemary and parsley in the fridge.

When I see a product like this I feel that it is probably a way for a
company to dispose of waste products. My buddy from Puerto Rico's mom
worked for Kraft, and essentially the cheese products they manufacture
like American cheese and the powder or gel for your Mac 'n Cheese were
remanufactured from expired cheese. She had some truly horrifying
stories to tell.

These kinds of products are not only questionable, but uneconomical as
well. While the idea of buying an entire pantry and spice assortment
can seem expensive if done in one shit, it can be quite inexpensive if
done in stages. Over time my wife and I have built up a very
impressive array of spices, herbs, dry goods, and so forth simply by
buying the ingredients rather than prepared blends, small packages of
beans or pasta or rice, and so forth. While I estimate the value of
our cabinet / spice rack at at least a thousand dollars if it were to
be replaced in one shot, when done in $3-10 chunks over time it ended
up being quite economical and the money saved over time has made it an
excellent investment. If I visit other peoples' kitchens to prepare
food I am usually stunned at how bare their cupboards are, which might
sound like snobbery but I don't think this is the case - I spend less
money on food than many people I know who tend to eat heat and serve or
pre-seasoned meals.

"Oregonian Haruspex" > wrote in message
...
> When I see a product like this I feel that it is probably a way for a
> company to dispose of waste products. My buddy from Puerto Rico's mom
> worked for Kraft, and essentially the cheese products they manufacture
> like American cheese and the powder or gel for your Mac 'n Cheese were
> remanufactured from expired cheese. She had some truly horrifying stories
> to tell.
>
> These kinds of products are not only questionable, but uneconomical as
> well. While the idea of buying an entire pantry and spice assortment can
> seem expensive if done in one shit, it can be quite inexpensive if done in
> stages. Over time my wife and I have built up a very impressive array of
> spices, herbs, dry goods, and so forth simply by buying the ingredients
> rather than prepared blends, small packages of beans or pasta or rice, and
> so forth. While I estimate the value of our cabinet / spice rack at at
> least a thousand dollars if it were to be replaced in one shot, when done
> in $3-10 chunks over time it ended up being quite economical and the money
> saved over time has made it an excellent investment. If I visit other
> peoples' kitchens to prepare food I am usually stunned at how bare their
> cupboards are, which might sound like snobbery but I don't think this is
> the case - I spend less money on food than many people I know who tend to
> eat heat and serve or pre-seasoned meals.

I was once looking at some of those little packets that came with like 6-8
little compartments of individual seasonings. I thought they were a joke!
Some people really do like them but they are not at all economical. I could
see no reason at all to buy one.

I used to buy mixed things like Italian, Greek or even Mexican seasonings
but I no longer do. I prefer to use the individual things.

In article >,
says...
>
> When I see a product like this I feel that it is probably a way for a
> company to dispose of waste products. My buddy from Puerto Rico's mom
> worked for Kraft, and essentially the cheese products they manufacture
> like American cheese and the powder or gel for your Mac 'n Cheese were
> remanufactured from expired cheese. She had some truly horrifying
> stories to tell.
>
> These kinds of products are not only questionable, but uneconomical as
> well. While the idea of buying an entire pantry and spice assortment
> can seem expensive if done in one shit, it can be quite inexpensive if
> done in stages. Over time my wife and I have built up a very
> impressive array of spices, herbs, dry goods, and so forth simply by
> buying the ingredients rather than prepared blends, small packages of
> beans or pasta or rice, and so forth. While I estimate the value of
> our cabinet / spice rack at at least a thousand dollars if it were to
> be replaced in one shot, when done in $3-10 chunks over time it ended
> up being quite economical and the money saved over time has made it an
> excellent investment. If I visit other peoples' kitchens to prepare
> food I am usually stunned at how bare their cupboards are, which might
> sound like snobbery but I don't think this is the case - I spend less
> money on food than many people I know who tend to eat heat and serve or
> pre-seasoned meals.

Some spice do go bad over time though. Me, I go through garlic powder,
paprika, cumin, red pepper flake, cayenne, onion powder, oregano,
tarragon, and thyme pretty quickly so they don't have a chance to go
bad.

On 2014-02-14 04:45:32 +0000, T said:

> In article >,
> says...
>>
>> When I see a product like this I feel that it is probably a way for a
>> company to dispose of waste products. My buddy from Puerto Rico's mom
>> worked for Kraft, and essentially the cheese products they manufacture
>> like American cheese and the powder or gel for your Mac 'n Cheese were
>> remanufactured from expired cheese. She had some truly horrifying
>> stories to tell.
>>
>> These kinds of products are not only questionable, but uneconomical as
>> well. While the idea of buying an entire pantry and spice assortment
>> can seem expensive if done in one shit, it can be quite inexpensive if
>> done in stages. Over time my wife and I have built up a very
>> impressive array of spices, herbs, dry goods, and so forth simply by
>> buying the ingredients rather than prepared blends, small packages of
>> beans or pasta or rice, and so forth. While I estimate the value of
>> our cabinet / spice rack at at least a thousand dollars if it were to
>> be replaced in one shot, when done in $3-10 chunks over time it ended
>> up being quite economical and the money saved over time has made it an
>> excellent investment. If I visit other peoples' kitchens to prepare
>> food I am usually stunned at how bare their cupboards are, which might
>> sound like snobbery but I don't think this is the case - I spend less
>> money on food than many people I know who tend to eat heat and serve or
>> pre-seasoned meals.
>
> Some spice do go bad over time though. Me, I go through garlic powder,
> paprika, cumin, red pepper flake, cayenne, onion powder, oregano,
> tarragon, and thyme pretty quickly so they don't have a chance to go
> bad.

Of course spices go bad (really get weak, I don't think I've ever seen
a rotten or moldy spice), but I think there are steps one can take to
ensure they don't go bad before their time. I use resealable jars (you
can get even very tiny Mason jars for canning) to reduce exposure to
the air, and I keep my spices in a dark, cool spot. I also buy most of
my spices in bulk either at ethnic or health food stores, which can
save one a considerable sum of money over time.

On 2014-02-13 08:19:26 +0000, Julie Bove said:
> I was once looking at some of those little packets that came with like
> 6-8 little compartments of individual seasonings. I thought they were
> a joke! Some people really do like them but they are not at all
> economical. I could see no reason at all to buy one.
>
> I used to buy mixed things like Italian, Greek or even Mexican
> seasonings but I no longer do. I prefer to use the individual things.

Those little packets do have their uses, though I wouldn't use them at
home. While camping I often take along a few of them because they pack
very easily and are quite handy. I usually have three or four stuffed
into my cook set. I suppose even this is laziness, though - I could
easily mix my own and put them into the very small screw-top plastic
containers I own.

I think most of us have been tempted by things like lemon pepper,
ethnic seasoning blends, and so forth, and occasionally succumbed.

On Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:43:21 -0800, Oregonian Haruspex
> wrote:

> On 2014-02-14 04:45:32 +0000, T said:
>
> >
> > Some spice do go bad over time though. Me, I go through garlic powder,
> > paprika, cumin, red pepper flake, cayenne, onion powder, oregano,
> > tarragon, and thyme pretty quickly so they don't have a chance to go
> > bad.
>
> Of course spices go bad (really get weak, I don't think I've ever seen
> a rotten or moldy spice), but I think there are steps one can take to
> ensure they don't go bad before their time. I use resealable jars (you
> can get even very tiny Mason jars for canning) to reduce exposure to
> the air, and I keep my spices in a dark, cool spot. I also buy most of
> my spices in bulk either at ethnic or health food stores, which can
> save one a considerable sum of money over time.

I don't know what the definition of "going bad quickly" is, but I keep
my herbs and spices in the refrigerator (which is a cool, dark space)
and mine have high volume flavor for multiple years.

One thing I've learned over the time is there's a reason why you pay
more for certain brands. Take thyme, for instance: bulk thyme and the
$5 for a huge container of thyme at Costco - has more stems and is
just a shadow of thyme flavor compared to high end brands.

--
I take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila