I have diabetes and cannot use a lot of the premixed stuff. I smoke meat. I dont BBQ. I grill meat. I dont BBQ... you get it I am sure.
Over time and patience, Queenie and I have put together our own rubs, marinades and other flavors based on our own taste and we have found this very rewarding. I am originally from India and she is German. So there is an Indo-Germanic influence in taste and cooking technique that is exciting and very satisfying. It is great to start with a clean slate and mix spices and try them. We do the same with herbs and that is a different part of the adventure. We add tiny amounts to butter and heat the mixture to taste test and then arrive at what we think is the best blend. Then we try it on meat. This discovery is better or just as great as smoking various meats and vegetables. Finally we arrive at something that pleases both of us.
Now we look for vendors of the spices and herbs. We buy directly from the vendors that carry the ingredients. We prepare the spices (roast and grind etc.) and blend it together. We know exactly what is in the spice blends and the ingredients are fresh. Store bought blends are very mysterious to us. They include stuff we have not heard of... sometimes they include stuff like "blend #5" or "yellow #2". The spice companies don't have to tell you what is in these minor blends as long as they dont go over a certain percentage.
Try it. Start with Salt, Pepper, Onion and Garlic or whatever you feel you want to begin with. You will find the spices you add are fresher and better tasting. The McCormick stuff could be sitting on the shelves for eons and dont taste as good as YOUR mixture.
Long post eh? I hope you try it. Queenie and I are retired and love experimenting. I hope this post encourages you to try. You dont have to use Brown Sugar. You could try Palm Sugar that is better for overall health.
Smoke on my fellow Chefs and innovators of flavor.
Over time and patience, Queenie and I have put together our own rubs, marinades and other flavors based on our own taste and we have found this very rewarding. I am originally from India and she is German. So there is an Indo-Germanic influence in taste and cooking technique that is exciting and very satisfying. It is great to start with a clean slate and mix spices and try them. We do the same with herbs and that is a different part of the adventure. We add tiny amounts to butter and heat the mixture to taste test and then arrive at what we think is the best blend. Then we try it on meat. This discovery is better or just as great as smoking various meats and vegetables. Finally we arrive at something that pleases both of us.
Now we look for vendors of the spices and herbs. We buy directly from the vendors that carry the ingredients. We prepare the spices (roast and grind etc.) and blend it together. We know exactly what is in the spice blends and the ingredients are fresh. Store bought blends are very mysterious to us. They include stuff we have not heard of... sometimes they include stuff like "blend #5" or "yellow #2". The spice companies don't have to tell you what is in these minor blends as long as they dont go over a certain percentage.
Try it. Start with Salt, Pepper, Onion and Garlic or whatever you feel you want to begin with. You will find the spices you add are fresher and better tasting. The McCormick stuff could be sitting on the shelves for eons and dont taste as good as YOUR mixture.
Long post eh? I hope you try it. Queenie and I are retired and love experimenting. I hope this post encourages you to try. You dont have to use Brown Sugar. You could try Palm Sugar that is better for overall health.
Smoke on my fellow Chefs and innovators of flavor.