General Tso's Chicken

General Tso's Chicken is very popular in the United States, but is usually pretty sweet. This authentic version from Phoenix Claws & Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho is full of flavor and will make you want seconds.From the Author: "This version of General Tso's Chicken resembles the original created by Peng Chang-Kuei in Taiwan. Strictly speaking it is not a traditional Hunan dish, but the technique and flavors are inspired by the chef's Hunan background. It is not as sweet as the standard American version, and is laced with lots of garlic."

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Tellicherry Buttermilk Biscuits

I drew inspiration for these Tellicherry buttermilk biscuits from, My Two Souths by Asha Gomez. This enchanting cookbook was a delightful collection of recipes blending culinary traditions from Southern India and the Southern United States. A match made in heaven! I couldn't wait to cook from it! Biscuits are one of my most loved foods from down-home cooking, and adding pepper shows how easy it is to make something simple even more sensational with just one spice. I barely adapted this recipe from the original. I used shortening instead of butter for sentimental reasons. My childhood mornings were often spent watching older generations crumble it into flour while I waited for that first hot biscuit out of the oven.

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Georgian Spiced Lamb Chops with Molasses Mustard Glaze

If you're tired of the same old meat & potatoes, then whip up this delightful dinner seasoned with spice blends from Georgia. We've grilled up some spiced lamb chops with Khmeli Suneli, an exotic blend of herbs and spices, and then finished them with a bold molasses-mustard glaze. Want more? We did! Add a side of mashed potatoes with Svaneti Salt. All these bold and distinctive flavors combine wonderfully, taking comfort food to a whole new level.

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Michael's Boeuf A La Bourguignonne

Turkey dominates the center of the Thanksgiving spread, but it doesn't have to be the only protein on the table. Boeuf a la Bourguignonne is a French peasant dish from Burgundy that uses beef simmered in wine to create a hearty and pleasing stew. A nice dish for a rainy winter day, this recipe is a favorite addition to Michael's Thanksgiving table.

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Roasted Cauliflower Soup

This Fall roasted cauliflower soup will certainly grace our table more than once this season. It fills the need for belly-warming comfort without being too heavy, reminding us that Summer is just barely over and will thankfully come again. The soup was on the table in under an hour, with little active time. It would make a perfect soup-shot to begin a Thanksgiving or holiday feast, and is easily adaptable to other seasonal vegetables and seasonings.

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Tea-Rubbed Eggplant & Halloumi

For your next smorgasbord or mixed grill, try our Asian Tea Rub on eggplant and halloumi. The flavors are delightful and it's quick and easy to put together. Perfect as a side dish for the next time you use your grill, and also makes a great vegetarian entree, too!

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Tea Rubbed Roast Chicken

This tea rubbed roast chicken the best roast chicken I've ever made, and that is not a claim made lightly...The meat is moist and delicious, the pan sauce otherworldly, and all of the components come together to create a beautiful new flavor. The star is our Asian Tea Rub, delightfully balanced with an exotic depth. The blend unites all of the flavors of the dish, while the subtle smokiness of the tea brings the pan sauce to storied heights. Finally, if you have extra room in your pan, go ahead and throw in a few vegetables. We had a sweet potato and a few baby reds on hand.

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Lentil Loaf with Awesome Sauce

I've made this recipe for lentil loaf a million times. It is a go-to dish that keeps coming back around. Why? It's true the loaf is moist and flavorful, healthy, and satisfying. It's true that you can make it with just about any assortment of seasonal vegetables and spices. But the real reason is that the sauce is AWESOME. Seriously. For a family that loves to experiment with new dishes, the fact that we keep coming back to this recipe is a testament to its greatness.Credit goes to The Simple Veganista and her perfectly proportioned recipe for The Ultimate Vegetable Lentil Loaf. We've barely adapted it here. For our tastes, the secret is in the sauce, a simple blend of balsamic vinegar, ketchup and maple syrup, that pairs perfectly with all manner of flavors in the loaf. For this recipe I made it with New Mexico Chili Powder and our new Garlic Salt, but Sassy Steak Spice and Creole Seasoning also work well.

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Chicken Fried Chicken

I'll to drive over an hour for chicken fried steak - it's a weakness - and this chicken fried chicken would be equally worth the trip. Fortunately, it's an easy home-made comfort food meal so you don't have to get in the car. The chicken breasts, pounded flat into even-cooking cutlets, are delicious and the gravy... OH, the gravy is sensationally seasoned with our Cascade Mushroom Mix and Voodoo. Serve it up with garlic mashed potatoes and a green vegetable for the perfect plate.

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