Penzey's spices - support your fellow Dems

[Neecy]

I'm a big fan of Penzey's spices, and make about a trip per month to their local store (they're also online at penzeys.com - their retail outlets are listed there as well). All of their stuff is fantastic and reasonably priced.

I need to stop there today and pick up a few things, and with my new awareness of not supporting companies who favor fascism I checked opensecrets.org, and the Penzey family (it's family-owned) are all big Democrats, with maximum donations to Kerry and large chunks to the DNC. Now I can buy great spices *and* support a company that belives in freedom. I'd flipped through BuyBlue and was depressed at how many grocery chains are Republican. Now for sure I'm giving my spice-related cash to Penzeys instead of the local grocery stores.

If you guys have a store nearby, or want to check out their online stuff, I have a few recommendations -

-Their Chicago steak seasoning is just flamin' fantastic. I gave some to my barbeque-obsessed brother-in-law, who will bbq in 10 degree weather, and it's all he'll use now.
-The Balti, Singapore, and French Four Spice is terrific with chicken, fish or vegetables.
-All of their Indian spices are really good, very fresh, and inexpensive. Their half-sharp paprika is also excellent.
-Also recommended: the peppercorns, toasted onion powder (just a touch adds an incredible flavor of carmelized onions), and their dutch-processed cocoa and double-strength vanilla (the vanilla is expensive, but ooooh...it's worth it).

[cmf]

1. Awesome!

My friend told me about them and I've been intrigued ever since. Now with this info, I'm even more compelled to try ordering from them!

[Hans Delbrook]

11. Same here! nt

[NMDemDist2]

2. Ok this one made me actually start a Cooking bookmark folder

i'll be sure to use them next time i'm buying spices :)

edit to add: Bill's letter says they are opening in Scottsdale in Feb!!!! woohoo a local outlet hooray!

[Neecy]

3. congrats!

Their retail stores are a lot of fun - not only are they attractive, but they have sample jars of everything so you can poke around and sniff at the samples - pure heaven for foodies!

I got my sister one of their 'make your own gift boxes' for Christmas this year and stocked that puppy up with some stuff I knew she'd like. They give you Turkish bay leaves, whole nutmegs, and cinnamon sticks to pack around the spice bottles (and a recipe gift card with ideas for using all three - pretty clever packing material). I got the whole thing for under twenty bucks, and she loved it.

It really is a fun place, I think you'll like browsing around it.

[eyesroll]

4. Cool! Good to know!

I used to live only a few minutes away from their Brookfield, WI headquarters (I now live about a half hour, so I still make it there occasionally).

Brookfield is Republican Central, so that's pretty amazing.

Lessee...today, I used some of their cinnamon (not sure which -- they sell a few) in some homemade applesauce (serving it with pork and kraut and mashed potatoes on New Years Day); black pepper and parsley in gazpacho and cayenne pepper in an aoli (making tapas to take to a party on New Year's Eve).

Their cocoa mix, a relatively new product, is the best I've found anywhere.

Vanilla's expensive everywhere, BTW -- supply problems.

[NMDemDist2]

5. check out a vanilla resource

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x2402

if you use lots of it, may be well worth it

[fortyfeetunder]

6. Another great source

Thanks!!! What I am specifically looking for are salt-free spice blends, and they offer a decent assortment. I have a relative that can eat no sodium and an excellent cook, so I search the country for spices he can use for cooking. I cook salt-free also so this is a good place for looking.

[wildeyed]

7. thank you!

Now I buy most of my food at Costco. I only get fresh produce and spices at the local repuke grocery chain. And I was just thinking, I don't even like the spices, they are always stale and overpriced. Also will be great gifts for food obsessed friends. This website seems like an excellent resource!

[wryter2000]

14. Small jars of spices

Penzey's sells spices and herbs in many different size jars. That way you can buy only what you'll need within a reasonable amount of time. So, your spices will stay fresh.

[Phentex]

8. Very interesting to note! I know a...

staunch repug who's always touting these spices. I'll be sure to inform of her of this next time. }(

[NMDemDist2]

9. please don't! let her just keep sending them $$$$ n/t

[Lefta Dissenter]

10. Oh, I love Penzey's!

I use many of their spices, and their India Bold Peppercorns are the BEST! I just used their mulling spices yesterday when we served hot cider here. YUMMY!!! I think it's the Galena mix that I like for chicken/other stuff.

BUY THEIR GIFT BOXES! They are packed so nicely with some bay leaves and whole nutmeg and other little goodies thrown in to dress them up.

[Neecy]

12. oh, yes

Their peppercorns are really great - I bought one of their peppermills last year, and it's the first one I've had that hasn't gone screwy with the grind after a few months. It really is a precision instrument.

I picked up some of their ground ancho chili pepper on this trip, and all I can say is...wow. The flavor is just amazing.

[wryter2000]

13. Whoo--eeee

Great news! I love Penzey's spices. I order them by mail.

[gollygee]

15. I LOVE Penzey's Spices

I'm so glad to hear they're blue :)

[Love Bug]

16. Well, that's good to hear!

I love Penzeys -- I'm lucky in that there are 3 of their stores in the Twin Cities. I love the California Pepper and the Mignonette Pepper. Their Vietnamese Cinammon is intense and wonderful and the chili powder is really good. You really can't go wrong with any of their stuff. I recommend signing up for their monthly catalogue - it lists all of their herbs and spices along with lots of recipes. It's free and I believe you can sign up for it on their website:

http://www.penzeys.com

[Stepup2]

17. Their garam masala

is one of the best I've ever tried. I order spices with a few friends. We all order a few different kinds and share them. I have been able to try things I am unfamiliar with and split the cost of shipping

[Phentex]

18. I can't find this information at opensecrets.org. Do you have a link?

What did you check under?

Thanks!

[Neecy]

19. yep

Go to 'donor lookup' and type in Penzey, WI, and check the last three election cycles. You'll find the Penzey family donations listed.

[Phentex]

20. Thanks. Here's why....

(From the above thread...)

She's doing it again! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I would love to tell her. :)

[demnan]

21. Penzey's is great

I love their curries and use them all the time. I order online as I live in the D.C. area. They have a great catalog and wonderful ideas as well. Glad to know they are very "blue".