Recipes
Duck Confit Mole Tacos
Duck Confit Mole Tacos? Yes, really!! This dish brings together two epic indulgences - duck confit and mole, and the result is a decadent taco that is simply over the top. Both dishes are pretty labor intensive so we figured why not? Go big or get out of the kitchen...this recipe is project cooking at it's funnest.First we cured duck legs in cumin, coriander, and orange to compliment the richness of the mole, and the meat ultimately came out juicy, tender, and caramelized to perfection. Confit is similar to carnitas in that the meat is immersed and cooked in lard, a great companion for mole and great in a taco. The duck legs need to cure in the refrigerator for two days before making the confit so it's not a last minute or even 30 minute meal, but the result is worth the wait.Then onward to the mole. Mole by itself is a labor of love, but our Mole Olé spice gives you a leg up there with pre-blended chilies, chocolate, sesame and more. The sauce has grilled vegetables and more chocolate added in too, for layers of blended flavor to blanket the meat.For the finish, we rounded up all our favorite taco toppings and enjoyed the feast. Check out our video for an overview of this fun and fantastic decadent taco.
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Achiote Paste
Fun alert! Spices offer so many ways to play with flavor and texture, and making achiote paste is a great one. Made with a combination of annatto seeds, spices and a little bit of liquid to bind it together, the paste can be used in a variety of rubs, marinades and sauces. Annatto seeds are the star and they provide an earthy flavor and deep red color to your food. The seeds are very hard and most easily ground in a high speed blender or electric spice grinder. Alternatively, you can put some elbow grease behind your mortar & pestle or molcajete to get the job done. Use the paste made fresh, keep it in the fridge or freeze in ice cube shapes so you'll always have some of this fantastic flavor on hand. The paste is traditionally formed into a brick for easy use.
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Arabic Chicken Kabsa
Kabsa is thought of as the national dish of many Arab states. Consisting of rice, meat, spices and often vegetables, all the ingredients in Kabsa are traditionally cooked in a single pot. The protein often varies by region, and can include beef, goat, or even camel. Chicken is among the most common, though, and it's what we've stuck to here. We'll save the camel for next time.The spices are the star of the show in these Middle Eastern dishes, which use varied seasonings to create wide arrays of amazing flavor. Black lemon, or loomi, makes this simple chicken and rice version a standout. We toast the spices and pan seared chicken thighs to enrich the broth for the rice. The resulting Kabsa has many layers of flavor and makes an amazing one-pot dinner for a large group or family!
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Garam Masala Meatballs with Mango Chutney
These meatballs are sweet, spicy, fruity and tangy. We seasoned our meatballs with an all purpose blend, Indian Garam Masala. For the chutney, we used some over-ripened mangoes and chopped dried tart cherries, although dried cranberries would be delicious, too. Making it the perfect sauce adding warmth and bite from nigella seeds and cayenne. Chutney has a lot of uses and is normally used to add sweet and sour tang to Indian dishes. Next we strewed the meatballs in the chutney. After 45 minutes of simmering these meatballs melt in your mouth! We used beef here, but lamb would be delicious, too! Add a toothpick to them for an easy appetizer or serve over basmati rice.
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Juniper Duck Breast Pastrami
Make your own pastrami! Easy? Yes. Impressive? Yes. Delicious? YES!!!! This pastrami will bring Pacific Northwest flavors to your charcuterie board and guests clamoring for more. Juniper berries impart sweet, piney flavors with citrus top notes that play perfectly with European Coriander Seed. The smoky layers on the crust hint at a campfire flavored with Alderwood Smoked Salt and honey. This pastrami has turned many into duck lovers and will be the first to go on your smorgasbord. Use for charcuterie plates, sandwiches and pasta dishes. Tasty cold.
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Za'atar Khachapuri
This popular Georgian pastry will soon become one of your favorite comfort foods! Khachapuri is a boat-shaped bread filled with cheese, egg, and other ingredients. After baking, the crust can then be ripped off and dipped into the filling. It's a perfect dish for brunch time cravings or a happy hour snack. This recipe combines a three cheese blend with Green Za'atar, a mix of toasted sesame seeds, thyme, sumac, dill and oregano. The grassy, nutty notes of the Za'atar neatly compliment the cheese and egg.Why stop there, though? One of the best qualities of Khackapuri is the endless flavor variations you can try. Try making this recipe with Syrian Za'atar or or Svaneti Seasoned Salt instead. This was our first Khachapuri attempt, but it certainly won't be our last.
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Clarified Milk Punch
Mixolology is much more than a hobby to me, and the chef in me loves this drink because of all the science involved. The key to the punch's clarity is the milk proteins, which cling to all of the impurities in the mixture. Once strained, the result is a flavorful elixir that will impress any foodie or bartender. Although it's plenty boozy, it's smooth and evolves with every sip. If you love cocktails, this is a must try!The base of the punch is rum, apple brandy, and whiskey. We spiced the base with Keemun black tea, allspice, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom, then we juiced a couple lemons and combined. With the alcohol and acid, the milk will start to curdle. Let the mixture set over night, then strain and run through a coffee filter. This drink packs a lot of hidden flavor, so we find it's best served simply on ice with a lemon peel.
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Rooibos Banana Bread
Pairing the right drink with your food can make all the difference in the world. Have you ever had a meal where the wine shined and the food tasted better with every sip? That's what will happen when you pair warm banana bread with a cup of Rooibos tea.These two are such a good combination, we decided to put some rooibos in the banana bread, too! The tea gives the bread a warm, nutty flavor and an aftertaste of honeysuckle. The hot cup of rooibos will taste even more Rooibos-y next to this delicious treat. It's a perfect snack that won't get you wired on caffeine. Now, you get to drink your Rooibos and eat it too!
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Golden Turmeric Granola with Dried Berries
Start your day with this powerhouse of nutrition and flavor. We've infused coconut oil with Turmeric and Star Anise to turn everyday granola into a beautiful ambrosia with whole Indian Coriander Seed seeds and tart dried fruit. There are no limits to what you can do with this fancy cereal! Use our Golden Turmeric Granola as a base for dessert crusts or energy bars and enjoy every bite. It really is about more than just the looks! The unexpected flavor of Indian coriander is delightful and the little pops of chopped dried tart cherries are so welcome! If you don't have any dried tart cherries, you can substitute dried blueberries, or chopped dried cranberries for the same flavor.
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