Cauliflower Tortillas

Sorry corn, I love you, but I don't need you anymore. I have a new BFF - and it's name is cauliflower. Please don't be jealous - you'll always have a place in my kitchen, just not when it comes to making tortillas. Cauliflower, the new low-carb darling, does an amazing job at creating flavorful, flexible tortillas good enough for sandwich wraps, tacos, enchiladas - even lasagna, if seasoned properly. And that's the beauty of this recipe - you can flavor these tortillas any way you like, whether it's for Mexican food, Greek gyros, or, and here's the most amazing thing of all: as a stand-in for Caraway Rye Bread. Oh, how I've missed the unmistakable flavor of a fresh slice of rye bread! Well, I'm here to tell you that it's back on the menu, cauliflower style. All it takes is a spoonful of our Ranch seasoning and a some whole caraway seeds, and the transformation is complete. Welcome back, turkey, corned beef, and pastrami sandwiches!

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El Greco Grill

If this El Greco Grill sets the tone for this year's summer grilling, it's gonna be a GOOD year! This Greek feast features chunky vegetable skewers and shrimp in a delightful marinade of ouzo, basil and tomato along with our El Greco seasoning. Make the marinade ahead of time for maximum flavor development and you won't be disappointed. Serve family style on a big platter of rice!

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Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Fra Diavolo translates as “Brother Devil”, and refers to this spicy, tomato and seafood-based pasta dish. The tomato sauce is light, perfect for spring and the Marash Chile Flakes add a mellow heat with well rounded flavor that plays perfectly with the sweetness in the vegetables. The gentle, warming heat increases upon reheating, so keep that in mind if you’re planning for leftovers.I’ve been making this dish for many years, but only recently came across a technique that really helps bump up the flavor. More advanced cooks are well aware of how to coax the maximum amount of flavor from shrimp by utilizing the peeled shells, and now I do the same. It’s really not that difficult, and it’s amazing the difference it makes to the dish. Most Fra Diavolo recipes call for a long noodle such as linguine or spaghetti, but I prefer a corkscrew-shaped pasta, or any other shape with crevices that can capture and hold onto the sauce. Regular or gluten-free pasta works equally well here.

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Quatre Epices

Despite its name, which means "four spices" in French, this blend never seems to keep strict count on the number of its ingredients. Quatre Epices can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. Often included in paté, forcemeat and sausage making, it is equally at home in gingerbread or cake, such as in this delicious French Quatre Epices Cake, as seen in Sunset Magazine.

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English Beef Rub

English Beef Rub offers up a bold combination of cinnamon and juniper along with salt and pepper for incredible flavor! Influenced by medieval beef rubs, the intense flavors stand up to and takes the edge off of gamey flavors in meat. Perfect for elk and venison, as well as beef.One technique for tenderizing tough cuts of meat is to season them liberally and then apply weight, like a cast iron skillet, and allow the meat to sit for 24 hours before cooking. The results are tender and delicious!

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Poudre Forte

Poudre Forte is a wonderful spice mix that was used throughout medieval Europe and is still used today by culinary recreationists. The actual components may vary, but Poudre Forte, or "strong powder," is commonly based on cinnamon, clove and black pepper, some of the most important tender of the early spice trade. We've added grains of paradise to enhance the flavor. A sweetly aromatic blend with a good bite, it can be used liberally in both sweet and savory dishes.

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Cheddar Cheese Coins

Appetizers aren't just for parties and gatherings. Whether you just want some snacks for watching tv or something to nibble on while catching up on that novel, this is the cookbook for you. The experts at Cook's Illustrated have put together 75 "only the best" appetizer recipes to help you find something for any time of the year. All-Time Best Appetizers Cookbook makes it easy to create a spread with everything from things that can be dipped, spread, eaten by the handful or two-bite treats. These Cheddar Cheese Coins, as well as their different variations, would be perfect for a wine and cheese plate or...just to snack on. From the authors: "Why this recipe works - When it comes to homemade crackers, you need a recipe that's easy, versatile, and packs a huge flavor punch. We wanted to come up with a simple, foolproof version that would be cheesy, buttery, and just a little spicy. We started with a full 8 ounces of cheese and a touch of salt, cayenne, and paprika. We used the food processor to combine the dry ingredients and the shredded cheese, which helped to keep the coins tender by limiting the handling of the dough. Adding a little cornstarch with the flour further ensured that the coins baked up flaky and buttery. We processed the dry ingredients with chilled butter until the mixture resembled wet sand, added water, and processed until the dough came together. Next, we rolled the dough into logs, refrigerated them until firm, and then sliced them into thin coins before baking until lightly golden and perfectly crisp. With this simple technique, it's easy to vary the cheese and flavorings used to suit any taste."

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Pomegranate Ash with Meatballs

We have long been a fan of Naomi Duguid's cookbooks! The countries in the Persian culinary region are home to many religions, languages, cultures and politics. In culinary traditions, however, they have a deep love for food that has tart flavors and is fresh and colorful. You'll find fresh herbs at every meal and colorful ingredient used such as pomegranates and saffron. Naomi Duguid's latest book Taste of Persia shows us through delicious recipes and fascinating stories how diverse and wonderful this region is. From the author: "Ash is at the heart of Persian home cooking, a category of slow-cooked sustaining soups that are welcoming, subtle, and rewarding for cooks and eaters alike. The soups are also flexible: You can make substitutions, as long as they stay within the feel of the original. This ash is an inviting blend of legumes and rice, flavored with little lamb meatballs. A crowd-pleaser. Like most ash recipes, this one looks long, but please don’t be dismayed. Yes, it takes some time to cook, but it’s a carefree kind of thing to make: Start it on a weekend afternoon and then set it aside until shortly before you want to serve it. Or make it a day ahead, and reheat it to serve. Just make sure it comes to the table hot."

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Fried Eggplant Roll-Ups

One of the countries in the Persian culinary region that has colorful and flavorful food is Georgia. Nestled between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, Georgia has a climate similar to the Mediterranean's, and a love of vegetables blended with walnuts and vibrant herbs. This recipe from Naomi Duguid's book Taste of Persia shows up how the combination of eggplant and a rich walnut paste can make for one delicious dish. From the author: "These succulent roll-ups are one of the treasures of the Georgian table. Strips of fried eggplant are coated with spiced walnut paste and rolled up. They're best if made an hour or more ahead of time and slightly chilled, so that the filling firms up and the flavors have time to blend. Badrigiani make a great appetizer, though in Georgia they are usually served as part of a wide selection of dishes at a meal."

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