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Started By
Message
Oak Grove vs Zatarain's
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:07 pm
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:07 pm
Yes, I use mixes during the week, and usually further doctor them up. I enjoy instant-esque jambalaya from time to time when I don't have much time to cook.
I normally use Zatarain's, not out of any loyalty, just because it is the best one I have tried. But after all the Oak Grove love and Zatarain's hate around here, I decided to give Oak Grove a try. (Fully expecting to like it more.) This time I decide to just make chicken and sausage with no extras, which I sometimes do when I am feeling lazy, to compare the two brands.
The results: Oak Grove was good, but Zatarain's had better color, a more complex, yet somehow more harmonious, flavor, and rice that cooked with better texture consistency. And oddly enough, this was the exact opinion throughout my family.
So here is my thought/question; I can see how one might prefer the distinct flavor of Oak Grove. But how can anyone justify calling Zatarain's outright bad and calling Oak Grove good? That boggles my mind. I was so ready to much prefer Oak Grove... It's first time the food and drink board has really let me down.
I normally use Zatarain's, not out of any loyalty, just because it is the best one I have tried. But after all the Oak Grove love and Zatarain's hate around here, I decided to give Oak Grove a try. (Fully expecting to like it more.) This time I decide to just make chicken and sausage with no extras, which I sometimes do when I am feeling lazy, to compare the two brands.
The results: Oak Grove was good, but Zatarain's had better color, a more complex, yet somehow more harmonious, flavor, and rice that cooked with better texture consistency. And oddly enough, this was the exact opinion throughout my family.
So here is my thought/question; I can see how one might prefer the distinct flavor of Oak Grove. But how can anyone justify calling Zatarain's outright bad and calling Oak Grove good? That boggles my mind. I was so ready to much prefer Oak Grove... It's first time the food and drink board has really let me down.
6
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:16 pm to Tigercat
If Oak Grove is produced at a facility off of Jones Creek, ONeal or Coursey; then it is better than anything competitive in its nature, according to some important people on the FB.
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:28 pm to Dixie
i like the louisiana fish fry one. its got better flavor and i support tonys seafood
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:30 pm to Tigercat
probably b/c you and your family are from NOLA and were raised on shitty jambalaya, hence the preference for Zat's.
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:31 pm to Dixie
quote:
If Oak Grove is produced at a facility off of Jones Creek, ONeal or Coursey; then it is better than anything competitive in its nature
i thought it was from Ascension Parish? maybe not.
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:34 pm to el tigre
Oak Grove is a legitimate jambalaya. It's better than a lot of versions I have had.
Zatarain's is absolute crap, IMO.
Zatarain's is absolute crap, IMO.
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:36 pm to Tigercat
I just found the Zatarain's mixes I've tried too salty for my taste. I also don't like tomato-based jambalayas (prefer brown ones) and it seems like Zat's has that flavor.
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:42 pm to Tigercat
quote:
So here is my thought/question; I can see how one might prefer the distinct flavor of Oak Grove. But how can anyone justify calling Zatarain's outright bad and calling Oak Grove good? That boggles my mind. I was so ready to much prefer Oak Grove... It's first time the food and drink board has really let me down.
I guess everyone has their opinion and you gave yours. I respect that.
Now I got a question. Did you put any kind of tomato sauce in your Jam?
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:45 pm to el tigre
quote:
probably b/c you and your family are from NOLA and were raised on shitty jambalaya, hence the preference for Zat's.
True on where I was raised, but the extended family is legit with the powers of cajun cooking, not creole cooking. I grew up on plenty of great pots of jambalaya. (I also cook a pretty good one myself.)
It is true that Zats is more creole jambalaya than Oak Grove is creole, but it is also, again: better spiced, more colorful, and uses better rice. I don't see how I can prefer any boxed jambalaya, creole or cajun lookalike they may be, when they come up short on seasoning mix and rice quality. Simple as that.
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:47 pm to pochejp
quote:
Now I got a question. Did you put any kind of tomato sauce in your Jam?
No tomato touches my jambalaya or gumbo. No okra in my gumbo either, for the record.
Posted on 8/12/09 at 7:59 pm to Tigercat
quote:
No tomato touches my jambalaya or gumbo. No okra in my gumbo either, for the record.
I'm with you on that. One day when you get a chance to cook a little bigger pot of Jam try this recipe.
Pot of Jambalaya
Posted on 8/12/09 at 8:29 pm to Tigercat
I really enjoy Oak Grove jambalaya mix
Around Christmas we receive about 20 of those Louisiana gift baskets from business folks. All of them contain some type of Jambalaya mix. Oak Grove is the only one I enjoy. The rest I doctor up into some type of non jambalaya type rice dish that is edible.
But to each his own
Around Christmas we receive about 20 of those Louisiana gift baskets from business folks. All of them contain some type of Jambalaya mix. Oak Grove is the only one I enjoy. The rest I doctor up into some type of non jambalaya type rice dish that is edible.
But to each his own
Posted on 8/12/09 at 8:47 pm to tigerfoot
I can not add to this thread.
I think I've used a jamabalaya mix twice in my life. Both time camping in the woods on hunting trips. and I was pretty drunk my the time we ate.. it was oak grove, it was good, but anything would have been at the time..
Isn't Zaterains now owned my McCormick ?
I think I've used a jamabalaya mix twice in my life. Both time camping in the woods on hunting trips. and I was pretty drunk my the time we ate.. it was oak grove, it was good, but anything would have been at the time..
Isn't Zaterains now owned my McCormick ?
Posted on 8/12/09 at 8:56 pm to Kajungee
I prefer Oak Grove.
Posted on 8/12/09 at 11:12 pm to TthomasJR
Tried both Oak grove is better
Posted on 8/12/09 at 11:41 pm to pmac012
Wow, normally my taste buds are pretty much in the average, I guess this is one case where that isn't true. (Or maybe I tried an old package?) Can understand differing taste preferences, but still don't see where Zat's would be considered bad quality when they have actual little pieces of onion and bell pepper in it, compared to a complete powder mix for Oak Grove. To each his/her own.
Posted on 8/13/09 at 12:02 am to Tigercat
+1 for Oak Grove
Closest to homemade you can get. Has anyone tried their Gumbo mix?
Closest to homemade you can get. Has anyone tried their Gumbo mix?
Posted on 8/13/09 at 5:56 am to MissLouTigah
quote:and I would agree that zat is crap. The mix out of Pierre part is better than both.
Oak Grove is a legitimate jambalaya. It's better than a lot of versions I have had.
Posted on 8/13/09 at 7:35 am to Tigercat
quote:
but still don't see where Zat's would be considered bad quality when they have actual little pieces of onion and bell pepper in it, compared to a complete powder mix for Oak Grove
I actually agree with you but then I'm a Yankee so what do I know.
Oak Grove is good but you have to doctor it up. Zat is fine without any doctoring, although I like Zat Red Beans and Rice better than their jamb.
Posted on 8/13/09 at 7:45 am to el tigre
quote:
probably b/c you and your family are from NOLA and were raised on shitty jambalaya, hence the preference for Zat's.
Damn ET..............bad day with the Harem?
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