The Fab Four Seasonings: Fool-Proof Seasoning Method

Today I am going to share with you the “Fab Four.” The Fab Four are my best friends in cooking. Like most people, I enjoy trying something a bit different sometimes and as a home cook, this means in seasonings. Branching out a bit can be a good thing.

HOWEVER.

Your favorites are you favorites. They remind you of good times. Of love in the food. They remind us of home cooked meals at the end of a long day. Our comfort foods are there to remind us that good times were had, and we continually seek to recreate them.

Perhaps you don’t know how to recreate these flavors. Today I am going to help you reclaim that by providing you with the basis for a fool proof seasoning method that has warmed my heart and taste buds for years. Seasoning CAN be difficult…but it doesn’t have to be.

THE FAB FOUR SEASONINGS:

1. Seasoning Salt

2. Garlic Powder

3. Black Pepper

4. Onion Powder

There are a couple of things to remember when purchasing these and using these.

Purchasing Tips:

• Quality Over Quantity

  • The seasoning you buy should be of quality. This doesn’t mean super expensive (but the Penzy’s options are awesome in my opinion) BUT it does mean that you should absolutely NOT be purchasing these from dollar tree.

  • These should be around 2.50-5.00 each for a six month supply.

  • Brands: La Flor, Badia, Penzeys, 365, etc. McCormack, Lawry’s (lil salty for me)

• Replace Every Six Months

  • Dry seasonings (powdered or flaked) pretty much have a shelf life of 4-6 months. After that they lose flavor and start tasting like your cabinet. Make a solid decision on how much you will actually use and buy twice a year, simple!

• Get Them Freebies

  • Pretty much whenever I order Penzeys I get a free seasoning! Usually it is a pretty useful one and they have pretty low minimums. For example last month I ordered poppy seeds and got a free cinnamon for having an order over $5. NIIIICE.

Seasoning Use Tips:

• Don’t Be a BASIC BETTY Who Doesn’t Use Salt

  • Salt is our friend. It balances our electrolytes, it helps balance out potassium in our bodies, in the US it is sold with iodine in it as well, and it helps preserve things and brings to life other naturally occurring flavors. TOO MUCH is bad…but too little is also quite detrimental to a dish.

  • If you have hypertension.. my bad ya’ll but salt in moderation is a good choice! Concentrate on lowering the SODIUM on the nutritional facts label rather than what you shake in. Often that packs a much more deadly punch than seasoning your food.

• Salt and Pepper ALONE are Trash

  • Blend your seasonings! Don’t just use salt and pepper…its disrespectful.

  • Many herbs are complimented by the blend I listed for you. Salt and Pepper need friends!

• Use Your Sense of Smell

  • Your taste buds and your olfactory (nose) systems work together. Train yourself to be sensitive about this relationship and you will learn with trial and error how much SMELLS good.

• Elbows High, ZIG ZAG Z Motion

  • Do not shake your seasonings out vertically. The steam of soups or other hot foods can get in the tiny holes and cause clumping. Ever seen a bottle of garlic or onion powder with lumps in it? Moisture happened…very gross

  • Zig Zag Z motion for seasonings allows for even application so that your meats and veggies are covered on all sides. I hold this Z motion for 1-2 servings for no longer than 3 seconds usually.

• Use a Guide!

  • Videos help a lot. I have a few up on YouTube and on my instagram page on seasoning. It is kind of like a little dance you do with the food and it is easy to learn. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvHd6sM69SsbWZSv1dS1Dcw

  • Follow me at FoodForYummies on both platforms to learn more!

This seasoning blend works on meat, fish, or veggies. It is also great in being a cheap flavor base for soups…but I have another strategy for that in my “Elevating the Flavor Profile in a Soup” post…check it out!