My Favorite McCormick Gourmet Spices and a Big Giveaway

I have a question for you.  What are your favorite dried herbs and spices and how do you like to use them?  I use so many, so often, it’s really hard for me to pick favorites, but I thought I’d share a few that I seem to turn to most often lately.

Smoked Paprika – I sprinkle smoked paprika on all kinds of things when I want to add a smoky flavor without any heat, but one of my favorite ways to use it is on deviled eggs.  Delicious!  It was also really great mixed with butter and brushed over the top of these Cheddar, Parmesan, and Cracked Pepper Scones.

Roasted Saigon Cinnamon – If you’re a cinnamon lover, you have to try the McCormick Gourmet Roasted Saigon Cinnamon. I love it in both sweet and savory dishes and the extra intense flavor means that just a sprinkle goes a long way.  I love it on oatmeal or stirred into sweetened Greek yogurt.  It was fantastic in these Sour Cream Cinnamon Streusel Muffins with Pecan Filling.

Roasted Ground Cumin – I really am in love with the entire line of McCormick Gourmet Roasted Spices.  In my kitchen, cumin is probably the most-used spice.  I used to toast cumin seeds and grind them myself, but now I don’t have to!  Give it a try in these Smoky Spiced Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon.

Roasted Ground Coriander – It took me a while to appreciate and understand how to use coriander, but now it’s one of my favorite spices.  I love the intense warm citrus flavor in this roasted version.  It tastes great with carrots, especially mixed with butter.  If you’re new to coriander, try it in these Spiced Turkey Burgers with Green Olives and Feta.

Chinese Five Spice – I’m new to using Chinese Five Spice, but I fell in love with it the second I opened the bottle. Although traditionally used with meats and in stir-fry dishes, I’ve been using it to flavor these Sweet and Spicy Chinese Five Spice Roasted Almonds.

Mediterranean Spiced Sea Salt – Now that grilling season is here, I have to mention this spiced sea salt.  It’s a spice blend with natural sea salt and Mediterranean spices, including garlic, basil, oregano, lemon peel, red bell pepper and a hint of red pepper.  When I don’t have time to marinate chicken breasts, I just brush them with olive oil, add a squeeze of lemon, and sprinkle them with Mediterranean spiced sea salt before throwing them on the grill.  Quick, simple, and delicious!  You could also try it in this Mediterranean White Bean Bruschetta.

So, how would you like to win a new supply of McCormick Gourmet spices, including this cool rack!?  Well, I’m giving away THREE sets of spices!  This is definitely the most exciting giveaway I’ve ever done, and if you like to cook, you understand why I feel that way.  McCormick Gourmet will send three lucky winners a box full of their spices and a stainless steel, swiveling spice rack to store them.  Follow the directions below to enter the drawing – each of you can enter up to three times!

How to Enter The McCormick Gourmet Spice Rack Giveaway:

UPDATE: The contest has ended and the comments on this post have been closed. Winners will be notified by e-mail.  Thank you!

1. For your first entry, leave a comment telling me about your favorite dried herb or spice and how you like to use it.

2. For a second entry, follow Pinch My Salt on Twitter then come back here and leave a second comment telling me you’ve done so (if you already follow me on twitter, that’s fine, just say so in the second comment).

3. For a third entry, follow Pinch My Salt on Facebook then come back here and leave a third comment telling me you’ve done so (if you already follow me on Facebook, that’s fine, just say so in the third comment).

4. Contest ends Sunday, May 1 at 8pm Pacific.  Three winners will be randomly chosen (using random.org) and will be notified by e-mail.  Giveaway is provided by McCormick Gourmet.

Disclaimer: I have been chosen by McCormick to participate in the McCormick Real Gourmets program. I have been paid by them and I received a big box full of McCormick Gourmet spices. I have been using McCormick Gourmet for years, and am thrilled for the opportunity to explore more of their spices and blends.