Spices. Just a simple aroma can bring you back to a certain moment in Grandma’s kitchen. A whiff of cumin transports you to Superbowl Sunday, where crockpots of homemade chili abound, while cinnamon brings thoughts of waking up on a snowy Christmas morning. Even more than the reminiscent smells they possess, a pinch of this or that can change the entire flavor of a meal and turn a bad cook into a good one.
Mark Brown never underestimates the power of spices and even knows a thing or two about adding flavor to your favorite meals. So much in fact, he started his own venture in the winter of 2009 called Favorite Son Spice Company. “I’ve always liked to cook and eat,” Brown says. With years of experience cooking for others and even a stint working in a kitchen after high school, Brown knew he wanted to take this love of food and cooking a little further.
After developing his own concoction of spices, seasonings and herbs (primarily for meats), Brown began selling his product at the New Hope Farmer’s Market in 2009. Since then, Favorite Son Spice Company has expanded to include things like popcorn toppings and even bloody mary mixes.
When choosing ingredients for his seasonings, Brown tries to keep it local, shopping at places like Cub Foods and Fresh and Natural Foods in Plymouth. Currently, Brown actively produces 20 different rubs, of which his favorite happens to be the garlic pepper. Some of the recipes he’s developed on his own or are developed from traditional rubs, while others come from friends and neighbors.
Currently, Brown runs Favorite Son as a home-based business, but hopes to expand by selling his products in local stores, as well as open a storefront and maybe even a restaurant someday.
“There are so many ways to use spices,” Brown says. “It’s fun and makes cooking more enjoyable.”
The Favorite Son Spice Wheel:
Garlic Pepper
On the sweet side, this rub exudes flavors of garlic and black pepper. It’s perfect for adding some flare to chicken, pork and even zucchini.
Boone Ave. Burger Mix
Exclusively designed for burgers, meatloaf and meatballs, this seasoning gives off flavors of coriander, onion and black pepper. (Tip: For best results, use 1–2 Tbsp. per lb. of ground beef.)
Sweet Basil
This rub provides a mouth-watering combination of basil, garlic and onion. Try it as a rub or a seasoning, especially on or with chicken.
Tenderfoot Chili
You’ll have people begging for the recipe once they taste this delicious seasoning. To bring up the heat, try Brown’s 5 Pepper Chili Seasoning. Hey, we warned you!
Mark’s Steak Seasoning
Otherwise known as zest in a bottle, this seasoning embodies black peppercorns ground with paprika and a hint of dill. Brown recommends not only using it as a rub for steak, but also as a seasoning for pan-fried green beans.
Salmon Rub
Mesquite and hickory flavors with a hint of raw sugar will make this rub a regular in your spice cabinet. And if salmon’s not your thing, try it with pork chops.
Hell Fire
This rub is for those that laugh in the face of the five pepper chili. Comprised of the Jolokia pepper, or Ghost Pepper (which left The Food Network’s Man vs. Food host Adam Richman in tears), this rub brings a flavorful heat to those that dare to try it.
Taco Seasoning
Using the traditional taco flavors of cumin, garlic, onion and ancho peppers, this seasoning is a must-try for your next south-of-the-border soiree. Excellent for tacos, fajitas and burritos alike, be careful, because the more you add, the spicier it will become.
Hot Mama Bloody Mary Mix
Jalapeno and cayenne peppers pack in all the zip you’ll need for the rest of the day. For a milder, but just as flavorful version, try the Mild Mary mix.
Jimmy’s Smokey and Sweet Rub
Just like it sounds, a bit of smoke flavoring and molasses make a great combination for flavoring chicken, pork or beef.
Kansas City Rib Rub
You don’t have to travel south to find a delicious rack of ribs. This traditional sweet rub also works well on chicken, steak or chops.
French Fry Seasoning
Sure to be a hit with the kiddos, this seasoning combines garlic, onion and coriander to make homemade fries that rival the golden arches. (You’ll just have to see for yourself!)
Mark Brown’s Tips for Spicing Things Up:
1. Adjust the amount of spice to suit your personal taste. If it’s too strong, try a little less. Not tasty enough? Add a little more.
2. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try mixing your favorite seasonings together to make your own signature concoction.
3. Try mixing one of Brown’s rubs with sour cream and using it as a dip.
The Rub
What’s the proper way to use a rub, you might ask? Mark Brown says there are two basic ways to spice things up. First, you can use it as a seasoning, like salt or pepper. Simply shake it over the meat or vegetable and cook it right away. Second, you can use it as a dry marinade. Just apply the rub generously to meat several hours ahead of time, and pop it in the refrigerator to flavor the meat before cooking. “You wind up with a richer, deeper, more dynamic flavor,” he says.
@
Check out Brown’s signature spices on his company's website, where you can purchase a bottle of your favorite seasoning for just $3.49. Or try a few with a three-pack for $9.99 and a five-pack for $14.99.
