A very spicy giveaway!
Yeeeeeeah, you know it’s Friday because I’m going to give away some freebies, kids. And since we’ve been doing cookbook giveaways for so long (not that there’s anything wrong with that), I thought I’d mix it up a little bit and offer a different kind of prize.
Do you remember when McCormick came out with their “Recipe Inspirations” line, the little kits that provide all the spices you’ll need for a recipe, plus the grocery list for the other ingredients and a recipe card? Here’s a product review we published.
Anyhoo, McCormick has expanded the line to include “World Flavors.” The new line includes Asian sesame salmon, Caribbean grilled steak, chicken Cacciatore, chicken Marsala, chicken tikka masala and Tuscan chicken stew. I have one of each, and in an effort to let more people win, I’m going to give them out to six different people. To find out how to enter, read the rest of this blog entry:
* Wine Gourmet is having a Spring Wine Festival Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. There will be wine sampling and live music. For more info: (540) 400-8466 or info@winegourmet.biz
* Please, if you haven’t already, consider hunting through your recipes for a favorite from Mom or another woman who has influenced you. And submit it to me for my Mother’s Day recipe section. Click here for instructions. Sorry for the crummy commercial (Be sure to drink your Ovaltine!) but I really want to get some good recipes.
And now, if you would like a chance to sample one of the new Recipe Inspirations, leave a comment on this blog entry. I learned my lesson last week, so this is random. Open thread. Say whatever you want in your comment, as long as it is vaguely related to food and does not contain any curse words. Deadline is noon on Monday. Happy Weekend!
April 15, 2011 - 6:15 AM
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The packaging for the McCormick’s Recipe Inspirations kits made me think. If only you could put one of the little segments in the microwave, and *poof* there’s the entire meal–just like the science fiction movies.
Since I love all kinds of food, I would love to have the “World Flavors.” Yum, yum, yum!
I just ate some delicious banana chips!
Oh my! I would love to try the chicken tikka masala!
this would be great for me – my husband always says i don’t use enough herbs, but i never know which ones to use! he would be ever grateful.
We’ve used a couple of these, but after buying them we just kept the recipe card off the back and used our bulk spices. We found that these do work great for our vacations though, because we stay in places with full kitchens, and these work out MUCH better than hauling our spice cabinet with us. So we grab a couple of the McCormick blends and then when we get to where we’re going, we hit up a grocery store for the meat and veggies. We generally vacation near Charlottesville, so that involves trips to Whole Foods most of the time, or the Great Value in Crozet.
The main reason I like these is they are 100% transparent in what is in the blends, contrasted to the pre-mixed spice jars that protect their blends with ingredients listed as ‘natural flavors’, ‘herbs’, and ‘spices’, which don’t tell us enough since there’s several we have to avoid.
These are great. They’re much cheaper than buying the spices from the store, especially if you don’t need them all the time.
Though, helpful hint, if you are looking for cheap spices (that still taste just the same most of the time) try Dollar Trees or stores like that. They have an okay selection of spices for usually no more than $1.50.
Had Nawab’s lunch buffet the other day and it was sooo delicious! Their renovations look great too!
Saw these flavor kits in a food mag just the other week &went to kroger looking for them.They didn’t have them yet at the Bonsack Kroger.Would love to know how to get them:)
Aww, I saw “spicy” and was hoping for hot chile peppers!
Which reminds me, I need to plant those Ghost Pepper seeds I bought… Muahahaha!
Yes, these kits are not as helpful to people who have tons of spices, but they do teach you how to make a recipe that you can then duplicate with your own spices. And it’s true they are great for traveling or for people who don’t cook much or are just starting out. I made the quesadilla casserole one from the original line-up and thought it was quite tasty. Of course, anything with tortillas and beef, beans and cheese is alright with me
They all sound good and easy to make too! Would love to try the garlic lime chicken fajitas and the apple and sage pork chops…yum!
Hi Lindsey! Happy weekend to you, too! I haven’t seen any of these McCormick’s recipe deals, but I’m willing to give one a try! A couple years ago there was a vendor at the Salem Farmer’s Market, from Floyd I think, who was doing the same thing w/locally grown herbs. The herbs, a shopping list, and cooking instructions were all included. I tried a couple of them and they were delicious! Didn’t see that vendor last year so don’t know if they are still doing that or not…
I agree that this is a genius idea for those of us who are spice challenged. I hope they keep ideas like this coming.
I’d love to try any one of them — they all sound good!
To Ric C — they carry these at the Towers Kroger if you happen to be in that area at some point.
I bought a ton of split chicken breasts from Kroger for 0.79 or 0.99 per pound and would love to try some with those.
I would love to give a whirl at the world flavors! I need some new spice in my life…or my chicken, beef, pork, and fish do!
Have looked at the spice kits while grocery shopping and thought about buying one. Would be great to get one free to try out
OJ – thanks for the BRILLIANT idea of using these to travel! I had a box of kitchen stuff with me last year when we went to the beach, and 1/2 of it was spices! I had taken some of our fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, & oregano) with us, too. This would save so much space!
LOVE to take weekend, short trips to the country, beach or cabin wherever. We usually cook and these little packets would be great for those trips. can plan out the menu with them and not have to bring (or leave behind) the bottles of spices. I have not used these little guys but have wanted to for while.
Oh that’s a great idea to use these for traveling! I’d love to win a new flavor to try.
I was just telling someone this morning that I need to clean out my spices. So many times I buy a spice to only use a teaspoon or so and then it just sits there. This would be a great way to not only try new flavors but to save room in my cabinets and keep from wasting money on a rarely used spice!
These look like a great way to try some spices that are out of my cooking comfort zone! I have really started cooking with cumin much more – it is delicious on sliced potatoes: toss potatoes in olive oil, sprinkle with cumin, sea salt and pepper,and bake at 400 for 30 mins. Yummy homemade fries that are healthy too!
Caribbean steak sounds yummy!
Off topic, but I know there are some Better Than Sex cake fans on here and On the Rise bakery downtown, now sells it.
In trying to deal with too many Vidalias, here’s one I forgot.
Microwave Vidalias
Quarter, place in a micro dish. Salt and pepper to taste. Add dab of butter on each piece. Cover and heat like you would for a baked potato, on high, maybe 6 min depending on how many you are fixing. When done, remove and sprinkle with freshly grated parmesam cheese. Enjoy!
They all sound good, but especially the chicken tikka masala one! Yum!
“My cat’s breath smells like cat food.” -Ralph Wiggum
I would love to try these spice packets! It is such a great idea. So many times recipes call for a spice that you have to spend so much for just for a one time use. Thank you McCormick!
Food, as a single woman, is my lover. And really, I’ve got nothing else better to say. I haven’t had coffee yet
i think the spice packets a great idea – thart way if you dont like it you havent spent alot on spices you will never use
I just saw these at the new 220 Walmart. Love the idea of using these for vacation.
Just fixed my oven. Would love to spice things up.
I would love to try these spice packets too! I’m a bit of a “spiceaholic”. My wife thinks I have wayyy too many spices onhand; I could definitely see these spice packets saving space, and potentially even adding to our marital harmony!
Love to try them. Great to have all on one packaged that you need for a recipe. Hate buying specials ones I do not use very often to clutter the bunch I use regularly. Thanks
open thread on anything?
made some pulled pork for the first time in the crockpot this weekend. it went well! my hometown’s sticky finger’s ‘carolina sweet’ sauce definitely brought a lot of flavor.
found a recipe to add a cup of ginger ale in the first segment of cooking. don’t know if it did much.
didn’t apply a dry rub (usually i do this when i’m making slow cooked pork ribs)… and in hindsight, i should have.
so lessons learned, spare the ginger ale and dry rub that roast.
I love to try new spices and this is the best way to try them. Thanks!!!
I grow most of my own herbs, but would love to try “Recipe Inspirations.” Thanks!
These are a fantastic idea! I’ve always been a sucker for anything in miniature anyway, so the small size of spices are great, then the recipe and grocery list are an awesome bonus! I love trying new foods at restaurants, but have never attempted cooking much outside of my comfort zone. These world flavors sound fool-proof enough that I would be compelled to try them!
Jason, what type of barbecue sauce did you make?