HERBS, SPICES & SEASON BLENDS

Season Blends, the ones you buy from the store. I have a lot of them in my pantry. I often get a good variety and supply when the grocery store runs a sale. Often run the sale for those fahita, taco or chill seasonings under a dollar a package and sometimes 2/$1.00. I stock up on them.

I have been stocking them for a number of years and have found that they last a good long while unopened, in a cool, dark pantry. I've used packages that have been 2 years past the stamped "USE BY DATE" on the package. So this makes them a great value, in my pantry. Those seasoning packets aren't just for meat, but I use them many times on just rice or Quinoa.

I also recommend having a good supply of individual herbs & spices in your pantry, so you can make your own favorite or custom blends. I buy in bulk when I can, as you most often get the best pricing. Places like Costco, Sam's club are fairly good sources for typical dry herbs, to include pepper and salt. However, try doing research on the Internet and you'll likely find sources for bulk herbs and spice at a really good price, even after you add in the shipping.

It's amazing how a few herbs, spices or seasoning blends can change up a bland dish or meal. I'd like to recommend that you experiment with herbs, spices and blends that are outside the typical range. Try seasoning blends that are used in a variety of ethnic dishes. Indian, Asian, European, Jamaican just to name a few
Come back each week and I'll have a video for you using different seasoning blends
This week: Garam Masala ..a very common season blend used in many Indian dishes.