What is it? Organic Garlic and Herb Seasoning from the Simply Better range at Dunnes Stores (€3/55g).
What’s good about it? The herbs, spices, garlic and onion in the mixture are all organic, along with Atlantic sea salt. It is a very convenient way to bring a lot of flavour to a dish quickly. It’s a coarse textured blend, with salt, black pepper, fennel seeds, chilli, thyme, rosemary, onion and garlic in the mix.
How do I use it? It’s very versatile, but particularly good with chicken, as a pre-cooking seasoning or rub. Joyce Hickey, who recommended it to me, calls it “fairy dust” and she uses it in a delicious chicken, tarragon and mushroom pasta sauce. It is also excellent sprinkled liberally on potatoes before roasting. If I find I have too many onions, I slice them, season liberally with this and some olive oil before airfrying or oven cooking, and store in the fridge (covered in more olive oil), ready to use in pasta sauces and as a sandwich filling.
Where can I buy it? It is on sale in 85 branches of Dunnes Stores nationwide and online at dunnesstoresgrocery.com.
I feel we’re close now, Meghan, so I can speak freely. The right pitch is crucial in lifestyle hucksterism like yours
As Fergus Finlay and Tom Clonan’s spat escalates, Sarah McInerney relishes the radio gold
No, the Irish who come to Australia are not the ‘worst’
An Irishman in Spain: ‘Salaries are much lower here, but my mental health is far better’
Anything else? This is part of a range of dried herbs, spices and seasoning blends. The harissa spice seasoning (a favourite of chef Neven Maguire’s), the spicy pepper and herb seasoning, and the dried oregano are particularly good. All are organic.
Send your Shelf Help product suggestions to marieclaire.digby@irishtimes.com