Learning something new.

[Claire]

I'm a believer in using an occasional shortcut. Sure, from-scratch stock is better. But sometimes it doesn't work that way. So I keep containers of Swanson's (or whatever I can get locally) in the pantry. I like to put Lipton's soup mixes in my meat loaf or meatballs to "beef" up the flavor. And don't we all like a taste of childhood sometimes? Sometimes those re-visits to childhood, though, can be disastrously salty (the last time I bought rice-a-roni, for example). So you need to be judicious.

[Dawgluver]

Originally Posted by chopper

Auto correct changed my scratch to scotch. I actually don't make it from scotch!!!

Nothing wrong with scotch!

I like Lipton too. Costco has a great chicken broth (when we can get there) with less sodium than Swanson Reduced Sodium.

Hidden Valley dry ranch dressing mix in yogurt is good too.

Ain't it the truth, so much salt in stuff.

[pacanis]

Ranch dressing packets are good things to have laying around. It makes for a nice dry seasoning for chicken, too, or melted in butter and poured on chicken wings.

[Claire]

I used to season quite a bit with Ranch Valley, but, in fact, I discovered Penzeys creamy peppercorn and green goddess seasonings and like them better. Oh, and from another line, I like Good Seasons Italian, Zesty Italian, and Garlic & Herb -- for dressings, but also to season other things. With all of them, no other salt needed. My favorite artichoke dip (much requested for parties) is made with it.

[Dawgluver]

Originally Posted by Claire

I used to season quite a bit with Ranch Valley, but, in fact, I discovered Penzeys creamy peppercorn and green goddess seasonings and like them better. Oh, and from another line, I like Good Seasons Italian, Zesty Italian, and Garlic & Herb -- for dressings, but also to season other things. With all of them, no other salt needed. My favorite artichoke dip (much requested for parties) is made with it.

Penzeys truly rocks! I have most of their spices (hence the dedicated free standing spice cabinet) but have not tried their dressings yet. Good Seasons rocks as well! Still loving the HV.

[Zhizara]

Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing Mix is the only seasoning I use in my potato salad. Along with a capful of vinegar per packet. It was always asked for when having a pot luck picnic, and I never had any leftover.

[pacanis]

Originally Posted by Dawgluver

Penzeys truly rocks! I have most of their spices (hence the dedicated free standing spice cabinet) but have not tried their dressings yet. Good Seasons rocks as well! Still loving the HV.

I didn't even know they had dry dressing seasoning packets.

[Dawgluver]

Originally Posted by Zhizara

Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing Mix is the only seasoning I use in my potato salad. Along with a capful of vinegar per packet. It was always asked for when having a pot luck picnic, and I never had any leftover.

I made my last potato salad using your trick, Zhizara, and you were right, absolutely delicious!

[Dawgluver]

Not sure if they're in packets, might be in the little jars or pouches.

[pacanis]

Originally Posted by Dawgluver

Not sure they're in packets, they might be in the little jars or pouches.

I guess I meant that they even had premixed dressings.
Seems like I searched their before for herbs de provence and could not find it, and now they have it. Maybe they are expanding or I'm just not aware of all they have.