topic Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters in Community Chat

For those "I rarely cook" posters

gidgetgh — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 12:20:02 GMT

For those of us who rarely cook, how many spices do you keep on hand? I made a trip about 4 years ago to the local Penzey's store and loaded up on all sorts of interesting spices. I ended up throwing them away because I never used any of them. Wait, I used one, it was some sort of cheese thing you sprinkled on bread to make garlic bread. I didn't care for it.

Currently in our house we have:

salt

pepper

Oregano

Paprika

Chili Powder

Garlic Powder

Garlic Salt (bought it in Dec for 1 recipe- used 1/4 tsp.)

Cayenne pepper

Dry mustard

That's it. Those are the only spices we have.

I wish I enjoyed cooking more than I do, but I just can't seem to muster any enthusiasm for it.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

AngelPuppy1 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 12:36:10 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
For those of us who rarely cook, how many spices do you keep on hand? I made a trip about 4 years ago to the local Penzey's store and loaded up on all sorts of interesting spices. I ended up throwing them away because I never used any of them. Wait, I used one, it was some sort of cheese thing you sprinkled on bread to make garlic bread. I didn't care for it.

Currently in our house we have:

salt
pepper
Oregano
Paprika
Chili Powder
Garlic Powder
Garlic Salt (bought it in Dec for 1 recipe- used 1/4 tsp.)
Cayenne pepper
Dry mustard

That's it. Those are the only spices we have.

I wish I enjoyed cooking more than I do, but I just can't seem to muster any enthusiasm for it.

@gidgetgh

Don't feel bad, I don't care much for it either! I always said when I retire and have more time, maybe I will do it more and enjoy it more since I would be able to take my time and try out new things but I I am still working, so, DH is cooking and he mostly does quick things. I cut recipes out still when I see something that looks interesting and doesn't seem too hard, but they rarely get tried out!

I keep the usual things: garlic, dried parsley, lemon pepper, season salt, Italiian seasoning, paprika, bay leaves, oregano, celery seeds, dried onion, etc. I periodically go through and toss what has expired.

I came from a family where there were a bunch of cooks so I never had to bother with it!

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

lolakimono — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 13:01:40 GMT

I cook often, but here is a product that the non-cooks might like. It is from McCormick, Recipe Inspirations.

There are lots of combinations, so you don't get stuck buying herbs/spices for one recipe that you never use up.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

Harpa — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 13:06:27 GMT

I just threw away a McCormick white pepper yesterday. I tasted it, and it was ok, but the container looked old; I knew it was too old.

But though I rarely cook, I have and still go through a lot of different herbs & spices. There really is an appropriate turnover for the ones I use the most.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

gidgetgh — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 13:23:20 GMT

@lolakimono wrote:
I cook often, but here is a product that the non-cooks might like. It is from McCormick, Recipe Inspirations.
There are lots of combinations, so you don't get stuck buying herbs/spices for one recipe that you never use up.

@lolakimono- Great idea if you'd actually make the recipe.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

SaRina — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 13:25:18 GMT

I don't think anyone can beat me in the "No Spices" department.

Garlic powder, oregano, basil.

I have salt, but really only use it for gargling a sore throat or soaking my feet, which is seldom. I have cinnamon powder, but never use it. I used to love cinnamon in my coffee.

Thing is... I'm more than a "rarely" cook. I just prefer my food unadorned. :-)

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

Mary Bailey — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 13:29:04 GMT

I use a lot of spices and I cook a lot.

We are empty nesters, what I need to do now is buy the small size of everything - not the giant economy size! I have cabinet of Penzey's, all about half full. I told DH I'm not buying anything until it's gone. No more stockpiling.

btw - We are food hoarders, lol! Our pantry & deep freeze runneth over!

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

pattypeep — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 13:34:07 GMT

@gidgetgh Well, without getting up and checking my cupboard, your list looks pretty close to what I have. Basic. I used to like to cook, but when my dh and I married 24 years ago, I quickly learned that he is strictly meat and potatoes, nothing "fancy". That turned boring really fast for me.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

Marp — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 14:11:24 GMT

I like to cook and even though there is just me I do cook a lot and often experiment with flavors.

I have enough variety of Penzey's spices and seasonings to open my own store. I often get auntie/sis do you have any _____ calls.

ETA: I do sometimes think that in general we use so many spices and seasonings in today's cooking that we've forgotten what a particular food really tastes like. I was reminded of that recently when I pressure cooked chicken breast for my dog and tasted just plain, unadorned chicken.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

MacDUFF — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 14:54:16 GMT

I'm not the best cook and don't particularly like to cook. But, no one has ever starved around me! I won't even print a hard copy of recipes with ingredients I rarely use or have never even heard of...the chances of me buying a $5 jar of cardamom only to toss it out later are slim to none.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

qvcfreak — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 15:02:56 GMT

@gidgetgh, if you ever make pasta, add garlic salt to boil the noodles instead of regular salt, also to mash potatoes, delicious.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

RetRN — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 15:14:38 GMT

I live alone so don't need alot of spices: the ones I have are Rachael Ray's.

bump up your burger

citrus flake salt

24/7

garlic, S&P

perfect poultry

spice it up! chili

Since I like traditional comfort foods these meet my needs nicely.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

halfpint1 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 15:25:42 GMT

When he retired I retired from cooking. Living in California he never got into barbecuing. I was a good little wife waking up to make his pancakes from scratch, never had cooked before. After 55 years he left this earth.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

gidgetgh — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 15:45:42 GMT

@qvcfreak wrote:
@gidgetgh, if you ever make pasta, add garlic salt to boil the noodles instead of regular salt, also to mash potatoes, delicious.

@qvcfreak- I know that you'll be stunned by this and I kind of am also, but I've never made mashed potatoes in my life. My husband has, but even he hasn't for years and years.

Good tip on the garlic salt for the pasta. I haven't cooked spaghetti in forever either, but I'm more likely to do that.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

gidgetgh — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 15:46:29 GMT

@RetRN wrote:
I live alone so don't need alot of spices: the ones I have are Rachael Ray's.

bump up your burger
citrus flake salt
24/7
garlic, S&P
perfect poultry
spice it up! chili

Since I like traditional comfort foods these meet my needs nicely.

@RetRN- citrus flake salt sounds interesting.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

Desertdi — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 16:11:54 GMT

If I am "forced" to provide dinner for a guest, it's likely to be "steak & baked".

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

Pqfan — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 16:45:52 GMT

Not much

It is sad really:

Salt

Pepper

Hot pepper flakes

Dried lemon powder

Molly Mc Butter (does this even count lol)

Garlic

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

stevieb — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 16:47:58 GMT

I've often thought I'd love to cook more than I do, but then I read the recipes and I'm simply not willing or able to stock a kitchen with the kinds of ingredients, spices and cookware necessary to make some of those delicious sounding dishes... And then, yes, there are the time and motivation factors.

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

Bri33 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 16:57:44 GMT

I cook all the time, but I don't use a lot of spices.

I'd rather cook with real garlic than garlic powder. I'll think I like those spice blends, but then there is one thing that throws it all off for me. LOL

I did buy some Chinese 5 Spice to bake with. That I love...

Re: For those "I rarely cook" posters

ShowMe — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:24:12 GMT

I used to love to cook, and still do......but since I have been battling cancer and the treatments, I can hardly stand to eat some of the food I have cooked....by that I mean just when I've cooked it. First of all, can't stand that long at the prep area in my kitchen....so I have to sit on a stool.....do this to do dishes and at the stove when cooking. I have plenty spices on hand....and they are current. My way of grocery shopping has changed in many ways. Thank goodness for the deli where I shop. Pick up things I don't have to cook because I don't have the energy for a couple days after treatment. Believe me, I wish I had the appetite I used to have.