Category Archives: Seasonings

Seasonings

Travel Spice Packs; the essentials

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I recently read some great posts on traveling including traveling and short term rentals. My favorite was one called The 10 Spices I Bring with Me on Vacation from theKitchen.com.  I started doing this a while ago. Traveling to my Moms house, often found a missing spice. Or just not very fresh ones. It actually started with coffee, but that is another story.

So seeing the story and having my own background. I decided to put together something for the larder that you can get yourself and carry wherever you go.  Of we we had to do it the Larder way.

We are going to offer 2 versions of the Essential Spice Kit. I really have to agree with the fresh ground pepper thing, but just can’t fit a grinder into the things.

Simple 6

There is a small 6 spice kit; Six Essentials, in a cool round plastic container with pop tops to make them easy to use. Of course, the amount of spice in each slot varies a bit. But we have tried to include about one-half  ounce of each spice in the package.  The package includes Sea Salt, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Smoked Paprika, Artisanal Larder’s Devil Dirt, and Cinnamon. The container is 4 inches in diameter and 1 1/4 inches deep.

A little six pack
Preparing a little six pack

Essential 8

The larger 8 spice. Essential Eight holds between .5 to 1 ounces of each spice you do need when you travel. Each one of course varies just a bit based on the bulk of the item. The stack stands about 8 inches tall or laying on its side. The cylinder of spice is 2 inches in diameter. The Essential Eight are: Sea Salt, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, Artisanal Larder’s Devil Dirt, Cinnamon,

Get it and you are ready to go anywhere and still have your essentials. So get yours today.

Assembling the Essential 8
Assembling the Essential 8
cinnamon
Adding spices
Recipes, Seasonings

Time to make the Furikake

So this is the third batch of Furikake we are making. We have just given it to friends for tasting so far. Not like we have a tradition in my family for making this. Or, even for buying it, until the last year or so, But its become very popular in my kitchen.  We are going to start making small batches for sale very soon.

So first of all, what is it? Furikake, pronounced Foo-ree-kah-kay. I even say it right once in a while. Doesn’t matter, it tastes awesome and you really need some.  You can buy it at a lot of asian groceries. But, there is always a but, isn’t there? Well its MSG and other preservatives. I actually have nothing against it. Just prefer it without and to make it my own way. Its fresher and I tweak it the way I want.  OK, you waiting long enough. Its basically,  toasted sesame seeds, nori, bonito flakes, sea salt.  Well, and then go from there. Sometimes dried eggs, dried shrimp, and other stuff. It’s a Japanese seasoning after all. So lets not get carried away with details just yet.

I suppose you need to think of it like dry rubs. Who agrees on what should be in it? Talk to 3 people and get 4 recipes.

So I will give you some links for other recipes, in case you want to try. But here is what is going into ours today.

The main Ingredients
The main Ingredients
  • 3 Tablespoons toasted Sesame Seeds
  • 2 Sheets Nori
  • 1 Package of Bonita Flakes (.5 oz)
  • 1 Package Dried Shrimp  (3 oz)
  • 1 Tablespoon Miso
  • 1.5 Teaspoon Soy Sauce

I toasted the Sesame Seeds in a small pan. Just watched it carefully,  so they don’t burn.  Usually, I burn these things if I am not careful.

Toasting the Sesame Seeds
Toasting the Sesame Seeds

Mixing all the things

Furikake
All the things ready to make things tasty

Now its ready to use. And available at our store.