I've used a few other Zatarain's products over the years, and for the "spicy" dishes, I would usually add a little more pep to them by adding this product, Zatarain's Creole Seasoning. Zatarain's is a company based in New Orleans that produces mixes (Red Beans & Rice, Dirty Rice, etc), seasonings, boils (crawfish/crab) and "frys" (Fish-Fri) and other goods for consuming.

Zatarain's Creole Seasoning has had a spot reseerved on my pantry shelf for quite a while now. I do not use it as I once did because of the sodium content (and my watching my intake more often now), but it has spiced up quite a few dishes over the years, in my home.

Zatarain's Creole Seasonings is a blend of some of the most well known spices in Creole/Cajun cooking. It comes off a tad salty to my tastes if preparing a dish (with it as a spice) in certain ways, but the blend of paprika and chili powder is really evident in almost every dish. As is the bite of the Cayenne pepper.

I've used this on several dishes. I first bought it several years ago because a friend raved on "microwaved bass" with this seasoning and lemon juice covering it. (It was divine!). I've used it in Red Beans & Rice, Dirty Rice, jambalaya, on pork ribs, and it's especially good on chicken. I've mixed it with my (dry) fish batter (or on fried chicken) to fry up some spicy fish, and it always tastes great. I would suggest not using any salt when using this product, because it has enough of a salt taste on it's own.

The ingredients are as follows:

Salt, Dextrose, Garlic, Chili powder, Cayenne pepper, Sugar, Paprika, Black pepper, Onion, Spices, Natural flavors, Silicon dioxide

Nutritional Panel:
Serving Size 1/4 tsp Servings Per Containter about 252
Calories 0
Calories From Fat 0
Total Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 270 mg
Total Carbs 0 g
Sugars 0
Protein 0 g
Vitamin A 4%

It would be a wonderful product if it didn't contain so much sodium. A teaspoon goes a long way, as far as flavoring your food. But, even a teaspoon is loaded in sodium. So, if you are watching your salt intake, you may want to steer clear of this product (or, concoct your own, minus all the salt).

I buy these at my local grocery store but they are available also at Walmart, that I know of. You can also purchase them online and I am sure the Zatarain's website sells it. One 8 oz. container usually lasts me almost a year. They cost from $1.50 to $2.00, depending on where you purchase it. It's found near the seasonings, but I've seen it with the Fish-Fri's and other Zatarain's products in some stores.

I would recommend these to anyone who likes other Zatarain's products, but not to those who are watching their sodium intake.



Zatarain's Creole Mustard Potato Salad (recipe from Zatarain's...really good!)

Ingredients
3 pounds red potatoes
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup Zatarain's® Creole Mustard
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon Zatarain's® Creole Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon (optional)
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion

Directions
1. Add potatoes to lightly salted water to cover in large saucepot. Bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain, then quarter potatoes.

2. Mix mayonnaise, Creole Mustard, sour cream, Creole Seasoning and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Add warm potatoes; toss to coat well. Add tomatoes, bacon and green onion; toss lightly. Cover.

3. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.