How do you season your food?

spongebobelaine

I'm right now just using black pepper and salt. I have tried some dried herbs but I really can't taste anything.
Any low calorie seasoning you can think of?
Thanks very much

seska422

Check out the spice section of the grocery store and you'll see many seasoning mixes. I like Mrs. Dash (which is available in several flavors) because I'm watching my salt intake.

dklibert

I agree Mrs. Dash makes great flavors. The only one I did not like was the original and/or the table blend. I used the extra spicy where I would use Cajun seasoning.

I grew up with salt, pepper, seasoned pepper, red pepper flakes and Tony Chachere's. That is what mom used most often. Now I make my own spice blends.

soupspiceeverythingnice.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

EddieP50

I use Mrs. Dash as well in all the different spice varieties. They are Sodium free.

dutchandkiwi

I tend to used fresh herbs and spices whenever possible. They have a more intense flavur than many dried ones and look nice in my kitchen widow.
I still do have a large range of dried spices in my cupboard ranging from basics like cinnamon (love using that) to dried lavender. I tend to use a lot more of a variety now in spices. On the internet you can find a lot of information on how and what to use.
I am consious of salt content and it is one of the reasons why I avoid commercial spice mixes as one of the main ingredients is often salt.

DeficitDuchess

Fresh garlic & oregano!

dustedwithsugar

Garlic, ginger, smoked paprika and oregano are my favourites

KareninLux

Turkish peppers (pul biber) in soups, sambal oelek, sambal brandal, with chicken - love them all.

capaul42

Typically we only use sea salt for most things. My SO has crohn's and most seasonings cause a reaction for him, including pepper. Since I do the cooking, I make sure I use minimal seasoning for his portion and only break out the works when I'm cooking just for myself.

cwolfman13

It depends on what I'm making...I have a whole cupboard dedicated to spices and herbs. What I use depends on what the dish is supposed to taste like.

spongebobelaine

Thanks all!
I don't live in the states but I will try to look for Mrs dash.
I'm not good at gardening probably will kill the herbs
Someone told me spicy sauce is low calorie but I don't know which one she is talking about. Is all spicy sauce low calorie?

ObsidianMist

there's a certain brand of Italian seasoning that I absolutely adore and will put on anything. I can't recall the brand right now. currently I have Mrs. Dash lemon pepper seasoning in the cupboard and it's quite good. I love lemon and lime on my food

DeficitDuchess

spongebobelaine wrote: »

Thanks all!
I don't live in the states but I will try to look for Mrs dash.
I'm not good at gardening probably will kill the herbs
Someone told me spicy sauce is low calorie but I don't know which one she is talking about. Is all spicy sauce low calorie?

Hot sauce while low in calories, is typically high in sodium. How about just adding some jalapenos instead?

StacyChrz

I love the salt free Mrs. Dash options. Also, as a wedding gift we got spices from a company called Penzey's. They offer a variety of spice blends, some with and some without salt. They are a mail order company so it doesn't matter as much where you live.

www.penzeys.com

Lounmoun

What are you cooking?
Most spices or herbs are very low calorie so just experiment. Try different ethnic recipes.
I have a cabinet full of spices. I use garlic and onions a lot in cooking.
Vinegars, lemon juice, lime juice, salsa, hot sauce don't add many calories.

lovematthewchristopher

Club house sodium free vegetable seasoning, i put it on everything! I also use black pepper, cinnamon, sage, poultry seasoning, basil, oregano, garlic, and whatever else i can get my hands on. I love flavorful food, so i have a full cupboard dedicated to spices, and experiment a lot when i cook!

spongebobelaine

Checked out Mrs dash website, their spice seems so delish. Too bad I cant get them in my country

lucys1225

Look at penzeys website. They have the best, in my opinion.

ValerieMartini2Olives

My favorite new veggie is this:
Brussels sprouts with a little bacon fat and lemon-pepper grinder. Omgggg

NaturalNancy

My staples for salads, veggies, beans and fish or meat are;
- Salt
- Pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika (sometimes)

(- Fresh rosemary for white potatoes)

Keep adding until you think it tastes good.
I also use onions whenever possible.

64heyjude

Fresh Basil, oregano & italian flatleaf parsley. Fiesta brand lemon and herb seasoning is great on almost anything.

Kamikazeflutterby

I have a full spice shelf, an herb garden, and I use a lot of vinegar. My favorite right now is sherry vinegar, but we also have balsamic, red wine, rice wine, apple cider, and malt vinegar.

Also, when it counts I use olive oil, sesame oil, butter, or bacon grease. I include the fats with the seasoning because they really do add to the flavor, and help carry the spices. A tablespoon of oil in a dish for four people is only 30 calories per serving.

Tubbs216

spongebobelaine wrote: »

I'm right now just using black pepper and salt. I have tried some dried herbs but I really can't taste anything.
Any low calorie seasoning you can think of?
Thanks very much

Are they old? They turn to a vaguely scented dust after a while, especially if they're not sealed well. Buy a couple of new ones and see if they taste better. I love rosemary, or even just a general Italian-type seasoning.

PatsPrincess07

lemon juice with S&P

Suzanne106

Salt, pepper and lots of different spices. Trial and error. Some spices are much more flavorful than others so it might take some time to find some good ones.

jgnatca

Here's a DIY spice blend to make your own Mrs. Dash.

http://www.food.com/recipe/mrs-dash-seasoning-20729

If a spice isn't doing it for you try double next time.

I put a little fresh crushed garlic in nearly everything savoury.

AnnPT77

Some other options I like: Vinegar (there are various types with different flavors), citrus juices (not just lemon, but also lime or orange), prepared mustard (most are low in calories - check the label), smoked paprika, flavorful low-sodium broth, cumin/turmeric, chopped pickles, hot peppers (milder ones if you're not up for major heat), even unsweetened cocoa powder (in tomato-based sauces as well as with sweeter things), onions that have been slowly browned in a heavy pan.

Oven-roasting veggies gives them a richer flavor on their own, too, if you let them get a little browned.

You can also check into the characteristic spice blends that go with various national cuisines. Pick up a cookbook (even at the library) and check out what makes Mexican food taste Mexican, or Italian food taste Italian. Indian cooking has a rich tradition of spices, and the Asian cuisines have their own flavors.

Get spices/herbs at a bulk food or health food store so you can get smaller quantities to try, and they're usually fresher, too. Or try fresh herbs from the market, and grow your own if you decide you like them.

I like to make a fake Asian peanut sauce with PB2 peanut butter powder, maybe a bit of toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar and soy sauce, and use it on veggies. I'd add chopped garlic, chopped green onions, and/or fresh ginger if I had some on hand, and often add hot sauce.

mkakids

My favorites are lemon pepper and italian blends.

anlymc13

Creole, garlic, salt, pepper, onion, cumin, tumeric, ginger, chili powder, italian seasoning, cilantro, and smoked paprika are all staples in our home. The garlic goes in EVERYTHING! !

hyIianprincess

Garlic salt, onion powder, italian seasoning and cumin are my favorites.

holmes1416

Toasted cumin seeds, smoked paprika, toasted pine nuts/sesame seeds/sunflower seeds (not a seasoning but add a lot of flavor for low calories), lots of fresh chopped herbs are some of my favorites. Japanese rice seasonings are fun, and are also great on salads. Almost anything benefits from a squeeze of lemon (or a dash of balsamic) and some salt. And for summer I absolutely love a simple dressing of sumac, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, olive oil, mint, salt/pepper. Olive oil has fat but is so good for you so I drizzle it on lots of things at the end!!