He’s Knocking on My Door

Tag: Spice Blends

  • Bringing Blackened Fish Back to My Low Sodium Diet

    Bringing Blackened Fish Back to My Low Sodium Diet

    Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase through the link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share products that I personally use or believe may be helpful. of the things I’ve missed most since switching to a low sodium lifestyle is blackened seafood.

    I’ve mentioned before that one of the reasons we moved to Southwest Florida was the seafood. I love blackened fish and shrimp, but traditional blackening seasonings can contain more sodium than I’m comfortable with.

    So, like a lot of things since being diagnosed with CHF, I started looking for another way.

    That’s when I found Tony Chachere’s No Salt Seasoning.

    I’ve been using it at home as an alternative to traditional blackening seasoning, particularly on fish and shrimp. 

    And I’ve been really happy with it.

    Getting the Flavor Back

    One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about low sodium cooking is that removing salt doesn’t have to mean removing flavor.

    You just have to find other ways to get there.

    When I cook fish or shrimp, I use this seasoning much like I would have used a traditional blackening seasoning in the past. It gives me that Cajun-style flavor I’m looking for without having to rely on the seasoning blends I used before.

    Is it exactly the same as ordering a heavily seasoned piece of blackened grouper at a waterfront restaurant?

    Probably not.

    But I can make it at home, control what goes into the meal, and enjoy something I thought I might have to give up.

    That’s a pretty good trade in my book.

    This Is What Low Sodium Living Has Become for Me

    This seasoning is a perfect example of why I created the Low Sodium Living section of this website.

    I’m not interested in spending the rest of my life eating bland chicken and steamed vegetables.

    I want food that I actually look forward to eating.

    Sometimes that means making spaghetti sauce from scratch.

    Sometimes it means buying a bread machine so I can enjoy bread again.

    And sometimes it’s as simple as finding a seasoning that lets me put fish and shrimp back on the menu.

    The goal isn’t to recreate my old diet.

    It’s finding new ways to enjoy the foods I love while making choices that work better for my health.

    Where I Use It

    Fish and shrimp are where I use this seasoning the most, but I’m going to start sharing some of the recipes where I’ve substituted it for traditional blackening seasoning.

    As I add those recipes to the site, I’ll link them here so this page becomes a place you can come back to for ideas.

    Would I recommend it?

    Absolutely.

    It’s exactly the kind of product I want to feature under Helpful Finds: something I actually use in my own kitchen that has made living with a low sodium diet a little easier.

    Living with CHF has taken some foods off my menu.

    But every once in a while, I find something that lets me put one back on.

    That’s a helpful find worth sharing.

    Where to Find It

    I purchased mine online. You can see the seasoning I use here:

    Tony Chachere’s No Salt Seasoning on Amazon

    Disclosure: If this is an affiliate link, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through it, at no additional cost to you.

  • Homemade No-Salt Sazón Seasoning

    Homemade No-Salt Sazón Seasoning

    Sazón adds a warm, savory flavor and rich color to many dishes, but packaged seasoning blends can contain more sodium than I want in a meal. I started making my own version so I could enjoy the flavor while controlling the ingredients.

    This homemade blend contains no added salt and works especially well in ground turkey, chicken, rice, beans, soups, stews, and pasta dishes. We use it in our Pasta Shells with Ground Turkey recipe instead of store-bought sazón.

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
    • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
    • 1 tablespoon ground annatto or turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Transfer the seasoning to an airtight container or spice jar and store it in a cool, dry place.

    Stir or shake the blend before each use. Start with a small amount, taste the food as it cooks, and add more as needed. Because the blend contains no salt, you can adjust the flavor without adding unwanted sodium.

    Annatto provides the color and flavor traditionally associated with sazón. Turmeric can be used as a convenient substitute, although it produces a slightly different flavor.

    Making this blend at home is quick, inexpensive, and another small way my family and I have learned to prepare flavorful food with less sodium.

  • Benson’s Table Tasty: A Salt-Free Seasoning I Actually Enjoy

    Benson’s Table Tasty: A Salt-Free Seasoning I Actually Enjoy

    Following a low-sodium diet has required plenty of compromises. The most obvious was accepting that salt could no longer be an everyday staple in our home.

    That is much easier said than done.

    You can prepare a recipe without salt, but that does not necessarily mean it will taste good. When I first changed my diet, many foods tasted bland. I tried numerous herbs, spices, and salt-free blends, but none came close to replacing the flavor I missed.

    Then I read about a seasoning called Benson’s Table Tasty.

    Deciding to Try It

    I found Table Tasty on Amazon and initially thought it was a little expensive for a bottle of seasoning. Still, I decided to give it a try.

    I’m glad I did.

    Before long, I went from ordering a small shaker to buying it by the pound. The larger bag is much more cost-effective, although I recommend trying the shaker first to make sure you like it.

    Table Tasty is technically a seasoning rather than a salt substitute. It does not contain potassium chloride, an ingredient commonly found in many salt substitutes. According to the nutrition label on my package, a ¼-teaspoon serving contains 0 milligrams of sodium and 4 milligrams of potassium. Always check the current package information because ingredients and nutrition facts can change.

    How I Use Table Tasty

    I have used Table Tasty on just about everything. It adds flavor without overpowering the food, and it works especially well on:

    • Chicken, fish, beef, and other proteins
    • Roasted or baked vegetables
    • Carrots and potatoes
    • Scrambled and hard-boiled eggs
    • Homemade popcorn

    One of my favorite uses is popcorn. I make popcorn in the microwave—I’ll share how I do that in another article—then add a little olive oil and Table Tasty.

    Is it exactly like heavily salted movie-theater popcorn? No. But it tastes pretty good, and it gives me something satisfying that fits much better into the way I need to eat now.

    My Honest Opinion

    Table Tasty does not taste exactly like regular salt, and I would not describe it as a perfect one-for-one replacement. However, of all the salt-free seasonings I have tried, it is one of the closest I have found to providing that savory flavor I was missing.

    The price of the small shaker may give you pause, but buying the larger bag brings down the cost considerably if you decide you like it. I now keep it on hand because it makes low-sodium meals easier and more enjoyable.

    Low-sodium eating still requires adjustment, but finding products like this reminds me that food does not have to be flavorless.

    You can find Benson’s Table Tasty on Amazon.

    Affiliate disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase through the link, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I purchased and use this product, and the opinions expressed here are my own.

    This article describes my personal experience and is not medical or dietary advice. Nutrition needs vary, particularly for people managing kidney or heart conditions. Check the current product label and speak with your healthcare professional about what is appropriate for you.

  • No-Salt Cajun Seasoning

    No-Salt Cajun Seasoning

    1/2 cup paprika

    1 TBSP cayenne pepper (optional)

    1/4 cup garlic powder

    2 TBSP oregano leaf

    2 TBSP freshly ground black pepper

    1 TBSP thyme leaf

    2 TBSP onion powder

    Directions

    Mix all ingredients in a bowl, jar or food processor and store in an air-tight container until ready to use.