The Spice Lab's Award-Winning Selection of BBQ Rub and Seasoning Gift Sets Make for a Great Idea for Home Cooks and Foodies! (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

A few years ago I was introduced to The Spice Lab, thanks to my holiday gift guide.  I was looking for unique gift ideas for foodies and cooks that would make for a great stand out gift, and found myself stumbling upon the The Spice Lab website, and their wide variety of herbs and spices, salts, and more, available online at https://spices.com/.  After reaching out to the folks at The Spice Lab, they graciously sent along a spice set for me to review. From that point on, I have been hooked on their spices and regularly gift their spice and tea sets to family and friends.  And, this year, with most gift giving being done through mailed gifts, I wanted to either introduce you to The Spice Lab, or keep them on your radar, as they ship nationwide, and offer a wonderful array of spices and gift sets that are beautifully packaged and ready to gift -- no need to wrap for many of their sets, including the Taste of America, which they recently sent my way to sample and cook with.

A bow is optional -- But, this and other gift sets from The Spice Lab are packaged and ready to gift or send through the mail this holiday season. :-)

The Spice Lab’s Seasoning Collections make great gifts for those who like to cook and try new tastes and flavors, as well as foodies who are looking to expand their palettes and try new seasoning blends.  Tequila lovers will also rejoice when they unwrap pink Himalayan shot glasses (see my previous feature which features these salt shooters) on Christmas morning from The Spice Lab.  So, as you can see, you can get the majority of the people on your holiday shopping list checked off just by visiting and shopping the online The Spice Lab store. :-)  Today, though, I wanted to showcase the different seasoning gift sets available from this woman-owned and family-run business.  

Now I know what you are thinking...what sets these spices and gift sets apart from others online?  First off, The Spice Lab's award-winning line of premium spice blends and rubs are carefully crafted and can transform a simple dinner dish into a flavorful one, that will have the whole family raving about your cooking and how delicious it tastes. :-)  Even though I learned cooking and baking from my mother and Italian grandmother, it wasn't until I was out on my own at college that I started to experiment with herbs and spices. Yes, there were many fails with combining flavors or thinking a certain spice would elevate a dish, but more times than not, I found myself being introduced to unique and flavorful spices that I learned to cook and season with, and continue to use to this day.  The kitchen is my favorite room in the house, and whenever I have extra time to myself, you will usually find me in the kitchen trying out new recipes or just cooking up a tasty meal or baking sweet treats for my family.  I love food, and experimenting with flavors, and thanks to The Spice Lab, I have been able to use premium spices and herbs in my cooking, that really make my dishes pop and wow!

So, when I received the Taste of America gift set the other day from the folks at The Spice Lab, I was excited and couldn't wait to get in the kitchen to try out the four different seasoning blends that make up this collection. Included with the gift set were the following:

Buy now for only $24.95

• Key West Seafood - Flavorful blend of onion, garlic, thyme and other spices
• Everything + More - All the popular bagel toppings plush hot pepper flakes
• Fiery Southern Charm - Smoky and spicy, adding a little sass to any dish
• Chicago Chop - Super savory and smoky, perfect for pork chops, ribs and roasts

I have been having so much fun using these four different spice blends.  From adding a flavorful spice blend to shrimp to adding a hint of spice of spice to steak dishes, my family has been loving all the kicked up spice dishes I have been serving them. They have even tried to guess which spices they are tasting in each dish, or which particular spice jar from The Spice Lab I have been using. :-)  What is go great about these spice blends is that a little goes a long way, so these spices will last you through many dishes and recipes. 

In addition to the Taste of American gift set, I was also set a bottle of The Spice Lab's popular pumpkin spice. And, boy have I been having fun using this spice blend in my fall baking.  From pumpkin pies and scones, to pumpkin chocolate chip bread and muffins and even pumpkin spiced pancakes the other day, my family has been enjoying family favorite recipes I have cooked up over the years for them when "pumpkin spice" is in season.  I also was able to try out a few new recipes that I found over at the The Spice Lab website under their recipes tab, including their pumpkin cheesecake bars, which melted in our mouths and left us wanting another bar. :-)  

Like I mentioned in the beginning of my post, I have been a fan of the spices and herbs from The Spice Lab, and usually fill my pantry with their jars.  I will definitely be adding more jars of their pumpkin spice so I have to get me through all my fall and winter baking.  Plus, it gives me an excuse to get in the kitchen to try out new recipes, as I have all these amazing premium spice blends on hand. :-)

If you love to cook or bake, or just love adding a shake here and there of a tasty spice blend, I highly recommend you checking out The Spice Lab website and their product offering. Even if you are a novice cook, or finding that you have to cook more now that you are home with family during Covid, the spices and gift sets are perfect for you, as you can add them to all your dishes -- fish, chicken, steak, pork, etc.  

And, with a vast assortment of recipes and ideas available at The Spice Lab website, you can easily grab a bottle of their spice blend and see what you can cook up and season with this particular blend.  You will have so much fun experimenting with new seasoning blends and spices, and like me, will find yourself loving the premium spice blends from The Spice Lab. Once you give them a try, you will see why I love them, and they are award-winning!  So, what are you waiting for? 

Head on over to The Spice Lab website and browse their gift sets, salts and more, and start checking off all those people on your holiday shopping list. And, be sure to pick up some products for you to try and enjoy, too! :-)

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Surprise the Tequila Lovers in Your Life with the New Salt Shooters Gift Set from The Spice Lab (Review)

 Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Buy now from Amazon for only $39.95

(And, for a limited time, clip the "Save $10" coupon to Save More $$)

Now that holiday shopping is in full swing with Black Friday deals and offers kicking off today, I wanted to make your life easier with some great online gift ideas that you can score at Amazon, without having to leave your couch.  :-)  If you have tequila lover in your life on your shopping list, or you like to enjoy a nice tequila or even bloody mary shot every once and again, how about picking up and gifting (or keeping for yourself) the Salt Shooters Gift Set from The Spice Lab.  

This new Salt Shooters Gift Set comes with four Himalayan salt shot glasses, a serving tray and ceramic dish -- making it the perfect gift to gift others or yourselves this holiday season.

A great gift idea for those with an in-home bar setup

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"This beautiful set is an elegant work of art, and is sure to be a conversation starter and decorative accent for your home. The shot glasses require minimal maintenance, as they have a naturally anti bacterial surface. Just lightly rinse with water and dry with paper towel or bar towel. Never leave standing water in glasses, as the salt will naturally erode over time."

Features:

• The new, patented INSERTS solve the dilemma of too much salt in your Tequila unlike our competitors.
• These distinctive pink salts shot glasses for Tequila or bloody mary shooters or to serve individual sized appetizers such as gazpacho or ceviche without the worry of your drink or food getting too salty. 
• EASY TO CLEAN: Pink Himalayan salt is a long-lasting, naturally sanitary mineral. All these salted shot glasses require is just a little care to become your favorite party starter for years to come.
• The perfect Tequila shot. Bring this Himalayan shot glass set along to your next get together and watch the conversation flow and the party begin.
• DO NOT USE IN THE DISHWASHER: The pink shot glass has an anti-bacterial surface that's easy to clean with a damp cloth or a wire brush. Allow 24 hours to completely dry between uses. It will dissolve in the dishwasher.

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The folks at The Spice Lab sent along a sample of their salt shooters gift set recently, and my husband and I enjoyed putting these pink Himalayan salt glasses to the set with tequila shots. We were looking for a fun and unique way to welcome in the holidays and thought enjoying a few late night tequila shots in our very over salt glasses would do the trick.  :-)  Even though we have a bar in our basement, we rarely have time to go sit down there, now that everyone is home 24/7.  And, by the end of the day, my husband and I would rather just crash on the couch, than go downstairs to mix up a few drinks.  But, thanks to these salt shooters with wooden serving tray, we are able to bring up a bottle of tequila from the bar and enjoy a couple shots as we wind down our busy days, complete with a bite of lime.  

These salt shooters are not overly salty or take away from the flavor of your favorite wine. Instead, they are more of a conversation starter if you are enjoying with others. Or, if you are home like we are due to Covid, these salt shooters add a bit of fun of taking tequila shots in a unique salted shot glass, compared to your regular old glass shot glasses.

Includes 4 Pink Himalayan Salt Tequila Shot Glasses, along with wooden tray and lime slice holder

Just like with Thanksgiving, it is looking like we will all be home with our immediate family only this Christmas and New Year's. Why not add a little flare to your tequila shots or even gazpacho or ceviche shots, by serving them in a salted shooter shot glass from The Spice Lab?  My husband always has me make him ceviche for New Year's, and this year, I can't wait for him to try his ceviche in these shot glasses.  So far, we have following the illustrations on how to clean and air dry the shot glasses, and haven't experienced any leaking. These shot glasses are not meant to last forever, and will slowly break down over time as they are made out of salt. But, while you have these unique salt shot glasses, they will be a great addition to your in home bar, parties and gatherings where they will spark conversations, as well as be a fun way to enjoy a shot or two after a long day of work at-home or at the office. My husband and really enjoy taking a tequila shot and then bite a slice of lime, and love the handy wooden serving tray we can set up and bring to the coffee table in front of the couch, as we settle in for the night to watch some late night shows and just unwind.

You can learn more about the new Salt Shooters Gift Set, complete with 4 pink Himalayan salt shot glasses, wooden serving tray and lime slice holder by visiting https://spices.com/collections/creative-mixology.

 Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Moms Who Love to Cook Will Love the Gourmet Seasonings or Salt Collections from The Spice Lab This Mother's Day (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

I don't know about you, but I love being in the kitchen cooking up new and family favorite dishes to share with my family and friends.  Maybe it's my Italian roots and growing up watching the women in my life whip up amazing foods with lots of flavors, for everyone to enjoy around the table.  I can still hear my Nana saying, "Don't forget to add a little seasoning to your dish...a little pinch of this and a little pinch of that will go a long way."  :-)  I learned so much from my Nana and mom when it comes to cooking, and have even added Spanish dishes to my repertoire, as my husband is from El Salvador, and I had his mom and dad give me a few cooking lessons and recipes back when we first got together. I guess his mom thought he would lose out all his favorite Latin dishes as I would only be cooking Italian and American dishes. But, thanks to my love of cooking, which my mom and Nana instilled in me at an early age, and that I get to share with my two girls, the kitchen is my happy place, and I love trying out new cooking tools, accessories and spices...spices being a favorite of mine! 

So, when the folks at The Spice Lab reached out to see about sampling one of their seasoning collections, and include in my Mother's Day Gift Guide, I jumped at the opportunity.  I had heard about this brand, and even visited their website a few times prior, but I never had a chance to try out their product firsthand..that was until now.  I was recently sent their Taste of America Seasoning Collection, which consists of four different products, all of which will add flavor and flair to your home cooked meals.  You don't have to be a pro in the kitchen to add a kick to your favorite family dishes, when you reach for these seasonings.

The Spice Lab Seasoning Collection - Ultimate Culinary Gift Set - 

Perfect for All Around Cooking-Taste of America Gift Set

Buy now for only $29.95

The Taste of America Gift Set includes 4 Shaker Jars  consisting of the following: Chicago Chop Seasoning, Key West Seafood Seasoning, Fiery Southern Charm & Everything and More Seasoning.

• Chicago Chop - The perfect blend for pork, beef, and chicken. Chef Fiona’s Corner: Super savory and smoky, this seasoning blend really brings out the best in pork. Toss chicken wings with a little oil and this blend before baking in a hot oven. For a more intense flavor boost, let the seasoned meat rest for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight before cooking.

• Everything and More - A perfect seasoning for meats, fish and vegetables. Chef Fiona’s Corner: The possibilities are endless with this toasty topping. Slather crackers, toast or celery sticks with cream cheese and top with Everything and More. Try on halved soft-boiled eggs for a quick party appetizer. It’s great on buttered popcorn, roasted vegetables and your favorite salad.

• Key West Seafood - Flavorful blend of onion, garlic, thyme, parsley and other spices. The Spice Lab's rubs are carefully blended to enhance the flavor of your favorite sea food and fresh water fish. An excellent spice mix to use on grilled or baked salmon, scrumptious shrimp kabobs or even as a secret ingredient in crab cakes. Try as a tasty seasoning for trout, catfish or perch.Grill, broil, bake or pan fry as usual. For a fish fry, use the rub as the spices in your dry breading mixture. Dip pieces of cod or other white fish in a batter of milk, buttermilk or beer and then dredge in seasoned flour, cornmeal or cracker crumbs.

• Fiery Southern Charm - An all-around multipurpose seasoning. Chef Fiona’s Corner: Smoky and spicy, this blend adds a little sass to any dish. Try sprinkling on deviled eggs or celery sticks spread with cream cheese. Season flour to dredge fried chicken. Spice up potato salad or coleslaw. Try it on French fries in place of salt.

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I really like the assorted seasoning blends you get with this Taste of America Gift Set.  And, at under $30, it is a great way to experiment with new seasonings in the kitchen, as well as gift a set to that special foodie in your life, including your mom (or even yourself!).  

Thanks to this seasoning gift set, I have had an excuse to cook extra dishes in the kitchen, and now my husband has lunches for the entire week. :-)  From smoky and spicy chicken breast thanks to the Fiery Southern Charm seasoning, to Chicago Chop for that little extra smoky yet savory flavor to my pork chop dish, my house has smelled amazing, with each and every dish I have cooked up and added a pinch here and there of these seasonings from the Taste of America Collection from The Spice Lab. 

There are so many great seasoning gift sets, as well as salt sets available from The Spice Lab.  Make sure you give yourself time to look through each and every product listing, as there are so many great products that you will want to have handy in the kitchen.  I found myself putting together a wish-list recently of their products, in hopes to drop hints to my husband to get me, when my birthday rolls around.  :-)  

You can learn all about the different gift sets and collections available, all of which would make for great Mother's Day gift ideas this year, by visiting https://spices.com/.

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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