Entries Tagged 'Low sodium products' ↓

I’ve tried many salt free seasonings over the years. Some good, some downright awful, but none quite so remarkable as Benson’s Table Tasty. Its surprisingly salty taste (with NO actual salt) has lead me to wonder about Benson’s other seasonings. Could they be as good? In the interest of science and deliciousness, I’ve decided to try them all.

Meet our first contestant. BRAVADO.

Bravado’s package reads: Our medium hot, spicy chili seasoning is a robust blend of 18 different herbs and spices including a variety of chili peppers for a very unique taste.  Use in all your favorite meat or vegetable chili recipes. Bravado is ALL NATURAL. No Salt, No Sugar, No MSG, No Preservatives. Made in the USA.

The beauty of chili stems from its simplicity and versatility. To truly put Bravado to the test, I wanted to see how well it flavored not just basic chili, but its compadres as well. So I made four different types, with varying amounts of Bravado seasoning.  Standard chili con carne with beef, Ground turkey chili, Vegetarian chili with beans, and Vegetarian chili made with soy tempeh. 

After sampling all four, here’s the verdict. I like spice. I like flavor. Benson’s Bravado has both. The hotness is not overwhelming, and can be adjusted simply by adding more or less of the seasoning. In addition, Bravado’s unique blend of herbs and spices adds a slightly different dimension to each type of chili - depending upon the base. Whereas most chili seasoning pretty much tastes the same, regardless of what it’s added to, Bravado’s herbs not only enhance but buoy the chili flavor, adding something else altogether. The aroma itself is so appealing, I even tried it out of hand. Can you say that for your average salt free blend?

I am impressed. Benson’s Bravado is more than a simple chili seasoning. It offers Tex Mex flavor that adapts, enhancing taste without salt and other additives. BRAVO! for Bravado.

I’ve been meaning to put this up FOREVER! But with the kitchen remodel and the worst Meniere’s episode I’ve had in years, well.. you know how it goes. Fortunately I am once again back to normal. This last episode has really inspired me to resume posting in earnest on The Daily Dish. Let’s hope I can keep it up!

About a month ago, I made a pilgrimage south to Trader Joe’s. It had been a year since we’d left Philly, a year since I’d last stepped foot in those hallowed Hawaiian-printed halls.. and I was thrilled to be back. The closest store is in Peabody, Mass. About an hour and a half from Portland. Not too bad, but certainly a long enough drive to discourage me from doing it more than once or twice a month, at most. After a year’s absence, I was sad to see TJs has discontinued at least one favorite; their bottled peppermint castile soap is no longer available. My husband & I swore by this, not only as a body wash, but also as our favorite biodegradable all-purpose cleaner. I know TJs is very responsive to consumer requests; I’ll have to write and ask for a reinstatement.

Fortunately I found several new products that I am THRILLED to share!

As someone who loves all things Mexican & spicy, I am sold on Trader Joe’s Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa. Not only is it salt-free, but it’s every bit as delicious as its salt-laden brothers. Full of smoky flavor, the perfect partner to unsalted tortilla chips, tacos, you name it. With a mere 30 mg of sodium per 2 T. serving (!!) feel free to eat as much as you want. And at $2.29 for a whopping 16 oz. it’s a buy that can’t be beat. Did I mention it’s also GLUTEN & FAT FREE. Oh yes..

When you want to turn up the fire, try Trader Jose’s Hot Chipotle Salsa instead.

40 mg of sodium per serving AND only $1.99??! ¡Ay, caramba!!

And I’d be remiss not to share the most delicious spread I’ve found in years. Trader Joe’s Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic. The color alone’s enough to stop you in your tracks.

I’ve eaten this on plain toast, but it’s out of this world spread over some garlicky hummus and tabouleh. Only 50 mg of sodium per tablespoon. $1.99 for 12 whole ounces. At Trader Joe’s, wonders never cease!

Click HERE to find a Trader Joe’s near you.

When Debbie Benson contacted me several months ago, asking whether I’d be interested in taste-testing her salt free seasoning, I said OF COURSE! In the interim, however, my husband got a new job - moving us 400 miles north, and said seasoning got lost in the shuffle. Fortunately, Debbie’s sample was UNEARTHED yesterday (Earth Day!) and promptly put to the test on a batch of popcorn.

Above is a bottle of Table Tasty, the Benson’s blend that we sampled (one of NINE salt free seasonings available). The website states:

Table Tasty is an all natural no potassium gourmet salt substitute. A nice salty taste and no bitter aftertaste. This blend started our business. We wanted a really good popcorn seasoning. Also good sprinkled on raw or cooked foods where you miss the salt taste, such as eggs, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, corn-on-the-cob. It also helps take care of those salt cravings. Use at the table instead of the salt shaker. This heart healthy seasoning is better for you than salt and it really tastes great!

No Potassium Salt Substitute Ingredients:
Nutritional yeast extract (No Candida Albicans, No Msg), carrot, red bell pepper, onion, lemon, arrowroot, garlic, celery, dill, paprika, allspice, sweet basil and parsley

I’ve been using salt-free blends since being diagnosed with Meniere’s. I’m familiar with Mrs. Dash, Bell’s, and others. All good. But none of them - even the best I’ve found, taste remotely salty. My doctor warned against using potassium-based salt substitutes, so I’ve avoided those. Besides, having tried them in the past - I know they taste terrible.

But Benson’s Table Tasty? You won’t believe your taste buds. Really. This seasoning unleashes a whole new world of flavor for those on a low sodium diet. WHY? Because it tastes salty. S_A_L_T_Y.

At first taste, you simply can’t believe this is a salt-free seasoning. And I mean, seriously - Table Tasty tastes like it has salt IN IT. I stuck my pinkie in, dipped and licked. Having trained myself to avoid salt at all costs, I must admit - I was shocked. I looked at the package and information brochure three times to establish that it was indeed SALT FREE. After regaining my composure, I called in my kids. We sprinkled it all over the popcorn. They looked at me skeptically. I tasted, they followed, and then, WOW. My two young daughters - one of whom eats NOTHING - she is so picky - wolfed the popcorn down by handfuls and begged for more. These are kids who can eat DORITOS!!! They know their snack food. And they were inhaling this seasoning like it was the best thing EVER. Because it is.

And let me tell you - I have no stake whatsoever in this company. I am not being compensated for this endorsement. Though I’m more than willing to taste-test more samples; I would LOVE to try the rest!!

If you’d like to try them too, contact Benson’s today. www.BensonsGourmetSeasonings.com
or call Toll Free 1-800-325-5619.