Chef-Approved Tricks

5 Easy Tips to Transform Your Cooking with FN Good Food's Creations


Feeling stuck in a flavour rut? Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, our Canadian-made seasonings are your secret weapon for turning bland into grand. Here’s how to make the most of them.

1. Become a Flavour Scientist: Bloom Your Ground Seasonings. This is a chef’s secret we’re sharing with you! Before you add other ingredients, warm a little oil or butter in your pan. Sprinkle in our ground seasonings (like our Cajun Blackening or Eleven Secret Herbs & Spices) and heat for just 30-60 seconds until fragrant. This “blooming” process unlocks incredible depth and complexity, building a powerful flavour foundation for sauces, soups, and stews.

2. The Ultimate Shortcut: Use Seasoning Mixes as a Rub. Forget complicated recipes. For a no-fuss, flavour-packed meal, simply coat chicken, pork, or tofu with a drizzle of oil and a restrained handful of one of our all-natural seasonings. Our Pulled Pork Dry Rub is a fan favourite! Let it sit for 15 minutes (or even overnight) to allow the authentic Canadian flavours to penetrate, then grill, roast, or air fry for a perfectly seasoned main course every time.

3. Elevate the Everyday: Don't Just Season the Protein. The simplest way to become a better cook? Season every component of your plate! Toss roasted vegetables like potatoes or cauliflower in our gluten-free seasonings and a dash of flavoured oil before they go in the oven. Stir a pinch of your favourite blend into mayonnaise, sour cream, or yogurt for an instant flavourful dip. You’ll be amazed at how this one tip creates a harmonious and delicious healthy meal.

4. Build Layers of Flavour: Season at Every Stage. Great cooking is about building depth. Don’t wait until the end to add your Canadian-made seasonings. Add hardy, whole seasonings at the beginning of cooking to infuse the entire dish. Stir in more delicate ground seasonings in the middle of the process to let their flavour meld. Finally, finish with a light sprinkle of a fresh seasoning mix or a drizzle of our flavour vinegar right before serving for a bright, final pop of flavour.

5. Trust Your Taste Buds: Taste and Adjust as You Go! Cooking with FN Good Food seasonings is meant to be intuitive. The best tool in your kitchen is your palate! Start with a little, taste your food before serving, and don’t be afraid to add a pinch more. Our seasonings are crafted to enhance your food, not overpower it. This is how you gain confidence and create wholesome, home-cooked meals you’re proud to serve.

I have expanded the 5 tips to include...


Beyond the Salad: 5 Brilliant Ways to Use Your FN Good Food Flavoured Oils & Vinegars

Think our flavoured oils and vinegars are just for salads? Think again, my dear! These liquid flavour bombs are your fastest ticket from "simple" to "sublime." Here’s how to make them the MVP of your kitchen.

1. The Ultimate Marinade Shortcut: Oil + Vinegar = Magic. Skip the store-bought junk filled with sugar and sodium. Whisk together one of our Canadian-made flavoured oils (like Garlic or Chili) with a splash of a complementary flavour vinegar (like Raspberry or Lemon Thyme). Pour it over chicken, steak, or veggies. The oil carries flavour deep into the food while the vinegar tenderizes it, creating a restaurant-quality marinade in under a minute.

2. Create "Wow-Worthy" Finishing Drizzles. This is where the magic happens! After plating, a final drizzle of a high-quality oil or vinegar adds a burst of fresh flavour and a touch of chef-level elegance. Try an flavoured Olive Oil over seared scallops, a dash of Basil Vinegar over vanilla ice cream, or Rosemary Oil over a bowl of creamy soup. It’s the simplest way to elevate your meals from home-cooked to gourmet.

3. Whip Up Instant, Impressive Dipping Sauces. Your next charcuterie board just got a standing ovation. For a crowd-pleasing artisan dipping sauce, simply pour a pool of our Italian extra virgin olive oil into a small dish. Add a splash of a sunriped tomato & basil vinegar, a pinch of our Eleven Secret Herbs & Spices, and a crack of black pepper. Serve with crusty bread. It’s an easy appetizer that tastes like it came from a little café in Tuscany.

4. Revive Leftovers with a Flash of Flavour. Leftover roasted veggies or grilled chicken tasting a little tired? A quick splash of a bright vinegar (like our Lemon Thyme) can wake them right up! Similarly, drizzle flavoured oils over leftover pasta, pizza, or soup to add a new layer of freshness that makes them taste like a brand-new meal.

5. Sweeten the Deal with Dessert. Yes, you read that right! Fruit-infused vinegars are a secret weapon for desserts. A reduction of our strawberry vinegar makes an incredible glaze for cakes or pancakes. A few drops macerates fresh berries in minutes, making them perfect for shortcakes. It’s the gourmet touch that will have everyone asking for your secret.

Your Pure Vanilla Extract: The Baker's Secret Weapon (And So Much More!)


Our Grade A Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract is in a league of its own. Made with only two premium ingredients, it’s the pure, potent, and sugar-free essence of the vanilla bean. Here’s how to make this liquid gold the star of your kitchen.

1. The Golden Rule: Add It Off The Heat. Vanilla’s beautiful, complex flavour is delicate and can evaporate with high heat. To preserve its gorgeous aroma, always stir our pure vanilla extract into your batters, custards, and creams after you’ve taken them off the heat source. This ensures you get every last bit of that rich, authentic flavour in every single bite.

2. Double the Vanilla, Double the Wow. For baked goods where vanilla is the star (like sugar cookies, pound cake, or vanilla ice cream), don’t be shy! Because our extract has no added sugar or water, its flavour is incredibly concentrated. Using a little extra will give you a profound, deep vanilla flavour that cheap imitations could never achieve.

3. Elevate Your Morning Routine. A few drops of our pure vanilla extract can transform your daily coffee, latte, or hot chocolate into a café-style treat. Stir it into your oatmeal or yogurt along with some fresh fruit for a wholesome, naturally sweetened breakfast that feels indulgent.

4. Savoury? Yes, Savoury! Top chefs know vanilla is a fantastic flavour bridge in savoury dishes. A tiny drop (start with 1/4 tsp!) can be whisked into a glaze for salmon or carrots, adding a warm, sweet complexity that balances acidic or salty notes. It’s a next-level culinary technique that will impress any foodie.

5. Make Your Own Signature Sugar. Create your own artisan vanilla sugar in seconds. Simply place a cup of white sugar in a jar, add a few drops of our vanilla extract, shake to combine, seal it shut, and let it sit for a week. The sugar will take on the incredible aroma of vanilla, perfect for baking, rimming cocktail glasses, or sprinkling over toast.