Wow Jfain. I had to google a couple of your spices to see what they could be used for. Like Sumac. I didn't know that was a spice, lol. I remember as a kid grabbing a red cone and my hand swelled. I am thinking allergic so I'm not going to try that one.

I do have several McCormick blends and I also take the grinders that they have for their pepper and salt mixes and reuse them for other blends. If you twist them just right the tops come off and can be reused.

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I do have several McCormick blends and I also take the grinders that they have for their pepper and salt mixes and reuse them for other blends. If you twist them just right the tops come off and can be reused.[/QUOTE]

I do that too. I suggested it on another forum though and was told that this was ridiculous. No one could get those grinders open to reuse them. How rude! :eek:

Cathy- I like garlic powder and cinnamon too. My most-used, go-to shaker is a blend I toss together that's simply salt, ground celery-seed, garlic powder and a smidgen of cayenne. I use this as a "spice-all" for everything from eggs to roast chicken, chops, steak, etc. My next fav store-bought blend used on much more than just seafood is "Old Bay".

IC... the kitchen you describe sounds like positively one of the worst-ever. I worked in commercial kitchens for over 25 years and I am proud to say that I came up as a kid in kitchens where a strict sense of cleanliness was instilled in us yungins! I had chronic red/dry/chapped hands for years on end due to constantly having my hands in bleach-buckets! Every kitchen I ever worked in was spotless- and almost every staff I was ever a part of were made up of pretty conscientious folks (gratefully!) 'tho I know some real doozies, operated by slobs who just don't give a damn, exist! YUCH!

I grew up working in the same types of kitchens Kevin. I guess that's why I was so shocked to see the condition of the place above.