Review - Just Simply Good Stuff Seasonings, Part 1
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Few things can perk up the "same old same old" like a good seasoning or rub, and one of the top meat enhancers I've used in recent memory is the Just Simply Good Stuff lineup of spice mixes. They were kind enough to send me some seasonings, and in this review I'll cover their Original Rub, Original Rub Smoky Jalapeno, and Smoky Mesquite Salt, which are all terrific in their own right and come with my highest recommendation.
Ingredients:
Original Rub - Onion, Garlic, Salt, Sugar, Soy, Sesame Seed, Red Pepper, Spices.
Original Rub Smoky Jalapeno - Onion, Garlic, Salt, Jalapeno, Red Pepper, Sugar, Soy, Sesame Seed, Spices.
Smoky Mesquite Salt - Smoky Mesquite Maltodextrin, Salt
Aroma:
Original Rub - This has a wonderful blend of smells, similar to other seasoning salts but having noticeable traces of sesame seeds, black pepper, and even possibly even dried lemon zest. Sprinkle this on steaks or chops and you'll get compliments when the aromas travel out of your kitchen.
Original Rub Smoky Jalapeno - a lot like the Original Rub, but more of an overall salty smell. It's not peppery in a hot chile sort-of way, so this won't make your or your dinner guests' eyes tear up like pepper gas exploded in your house. Light and ambrosial.
Smoky Mesquite Salt - just like the name. Faint whiffs of mesquite flavoring dance with the light salty odors. Easy and pleasant.
Appearance and Texture:
Just one glance at the photos and you'll see that there are a wide array of colors, shapes, and textures in the seasonings. The Original Rub and Smoky Jalapeno look almost identical:
Original Rub
Original Rub Smoky Jalapeno
Smoky Mesquite Salt - large grains about the size of salt that is found on soft pretzels.
Taste Straight Up:
After pouring bits of both the Original Rub and Smoky Jalapeno on my hand, I was satisfied that neither were too salty. I don't like spice mixes that are over-reliant on regular salt (or MSG, which none of these seasonings thankfully contain) to dominate the flavor. The fusion of all the ingredients are nicely balanced. The sesame seeds are a perfect little topper to an already great-tasting blend of sweet, garlicky, oniony, peppery perfection.
It was time to see if this could hold up in "important", real-life situations; it was grilling time!
I liberally doused a couple of healthy-sized pork steaks with the Original Rub.
Plus one with the Smoky Jalapeno Rub.
I also threw some dogs on the BBQ grill for the kids. In addition to the rub I sprinkled on the steaks before initially laying them on the grill, I also gave them a good dusting or two after turning them over. When cooking time was over and we chowed down, the meat had gotten rave reviews from everyone, even the bites of pork steak we gave the kids (and you know how irritatingly finicky the young'uns can be).
How does the Smoky Mesquite Salt fare on meat? I gave a couple of chicken breasts the once (and twice) over with the seasoning and pan fried 'em:
I rarely like chicken "by itself" (without heavy-duty grilling, saucing, marinading, or frying) to be appetizing, but the Smoky Mesquite Salt did an admirable job at flavoring the breast meat with a light and smoky taste.
My favorite application of the three? Throw them all together! I coated some plain (unbreaded) chicken breast tender slivers with the mixture of Just Simply Good Stuff Original Rub, Original Rub Smoky Jalapeno and Smoky Mesquite Salt and proceeded to grill them inside.
It created an completely mouth-watering and beautiful "crust" on the outside and gave me some of the best-tasting chicken - of ANY kind - I've had in months. I scarfed down every bite and wanted more immediately.
Heat:
In the Original Rub and Smoky Mesquite Salt, there is no heat to speak of. In the Original Rub Smoky Jalapeno, there is a small bit of spicy kick that is very welcome and shouldn't be too much for those with mild tongues. It really does depend on how much you put on the meat. Coat it like I did the chicken above and the Jalapeno's heat definitely warms the tongue. Apply it lightly and it should be fine for chile wimps and kids.
Overall:
To call themselves "Just Simply Good Stuff" is a huge understatement - this seasoning is bottom-line incredible. The company sells these as well as many other spice and seasonings on their website for around $5.99 for a five-ounce bottle, and is worth every penny, at least for the ones I've reviewed here.
In the next few weeks I'll test out Just Simply Good Stuff's Chile Chili mix as well as a few other blends they have to offer.
Related Articles:
Spicy Food Reviews - Hot Sauce Reviews, Hot Snacks, Hot Wings, Seasonings, BBQ Sauces, Condiments, and More
Comments
2009-06-21 19:44:29
2009-10-30 18:07:48
Robin Carter
JSGS!
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