Recipes
Banana Upside Down Cake
We're used to having Pineapple Upside Down Cake, but one made with bananas?This Banana Upside-Down Cake from Brazilian Barbecue & Beyond sounded so delicious that we just had to make it, and it's sooo good and easy to make!From the authors: "In Brazil there are many types of banana cakes: cuca, a German cake with a rich, crumbly topping; banana bread; bolo cakes, which are sometimes made in a ring shape and often spread with cinnamon; and our favorite, the upside-down cake. Like the French tarte tatin, this indulgent cake is cooked with a layer of caramelized bananas at the bottom, then turned upside-down to show its sticky-sweet banana topping. Perfect as a teatime treat."
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Chile & Cumin Hanger Steak
We love all kinds of barbecue, and especially love exploring delicious barbecue from around the world. Brazil has a history of great barbecue, so we were glad when we found cookbook, Brazilian Barbecue & Beyond. This recipe is easy to make, which we always appreciate. You can make the marinade ahead of time, and then marinate the steak overnight, grilling the next day. From Brazilian Barbecue & Beyond: "At traditional Brazilian churrascarias, rock salt is usually sprinkled on the side of meat that faces the grill, then knocked off just before serving. It’s tasty just like that, but we’ve adapted our steak to include a bit more spice. Our Chili & Cumin Marinade is a blend of vinegar, cumin seeds, oregano, and red pepper flakes; we use it to marinate all our steaks, but it’s equally good on lamb or fish."
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Caraway Kraut
Fermented food just continues to become more popular every year. We were glad to find this local cookbook, Fresh & Fermented: 85 Delicious Ways to Make Fermented Carrots, Kraut, and Kimchi Part of Every Meal by Julie O’Brien and Richard Climenhage. Here's a sneak peek at one of their recipes...From the Author: "We didn’t start making Caraway Kraut until our third year in business—we just weren’t sure if our customers would like the distinctive caraway flavor. When we started experimenting, however, it took just one test batch to convince us that Caraway Kraut belonged in Firefly’s lineup of fermented foods.Caraway Kraut contributes its pleasing earthy taste to some of the recipes in this book and also makes a great side dish for grilled meats or mashed potatoes. It’s the perfect addition to the classic Reuben (of course) and adds intrigue to potato salads and coleslaws too. Whirl it with fresh avocado for a simple sandwich spread or as a dip for chips and veggies. (The acid does double duty—it adds flavor and keeps the avocado from getting brown.)Caraway Kraut brine, which results from the fermentation process, is a delicious tonic on its own. For hundreds of years people have been drinking sauerkraut brine to heal ulcers or temper hangovers—it’s a well-known Russian remedy—and that inspired us to start bottling and selling the extra brine as our first Tummy Tonic."
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Steve's Sweet and Spicy Drumsticks
We are always on the lookout for new and interesting spice combinations, and this one is fabulous! It came from our globe trotting friend and fan, Steve R., and features the savory spice blend Tabil along with Piri Piri Blend and Smokin' Hot Garlic Pepper bringing the heat. The drumsticks get a quick brine to help them retain moisture and the spices flow into a sweet citrus sauce that hits all the hot-sour-salty-sweet flavors that shine in Asian cuisine. Steve was inspired by his travels - and love of street food - to create this fusion BBQ sauce, and we are so happy that he shared this recipe! We're planning to try it on wings next.
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Sassy Short Ribs
We love all things sassy, and these short ribs are no exception. The bold flavor of our Sassy Steak Spice is infused into every bite along with orange marmalade and fresh oregano for an impeccable flavor combination. The great charm in this dish is the layers of flavor developed by adding spices in stages along the way, and finishing with fresh herbs... who says you can't have it all? The melt-in-your-mouth beef is pretty good too.
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Take Out-Fake Out: Lemon Chicken
Many foods convey a sense of place, and Chinese take-out is no exception. There's no better place than home on a stormy night to receive warm cartons of delicious lemon chicken dripping with sauce. Sadly, some of us live outside the delivery area and that's where take out-fake out saves the day.While it may not be as easy as dialing up the Chelsea Big Wok, this juicy crockpot lemon chicken is the next best thing. Set it and forget it, and at the end of the day just stir fry your favorite vegetables to serve alongside and enjoy. We have tried many spice blends in this dish and they are ALL fantastic, so whether you are in the mood for a little Indonesian Ayam or Bulgogi Spice, take your pick, it is hard to go wrong with lemon chicken.
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Nutty Chocolate Chile Thumbprints
We have a new go-to cookie recipe! If you love the marriage of nuts and chocolate (and who doesn't?), try these for easy baking, gifting. These delicious morsels are topped with little bit of salt and infused with mellow chile heat. In this recipe, we've mellowed the peanut butter with some almond butter, and added just the right measure of Urfa Biber to the chocolate ganache. Enjoy a few with your next cup of tea or coffee - it's a tasty combination!
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Curry Bread Pudding with Cardamom Cream
Who says you have to make curry with your curry? No one! This warm winter pudding was inspired by our friends at Hunger Restaurant, and since trying theirs, we have come up with some delightful variations of our own. We've added diced apples to replace the traditional raisins - pears are nice, too - and infused a mild amount of spice into the custard and cream. Enjoy with coffee, chai or your favorite toddy; nothing says holiday like bread pudding. This is also a decadent treat for brunch, too.
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Heavenly Hawaij Mushroom Soup
This Heavenly Hawaij Soup is the perfect starter for a long holiday feast. Combining aromatic spices, earthy mushrooms and velvety cream, it is as decadent as holiday fare should be. Cardamom, turmeric and saffron are the essential spice elements of the Yemenese blend Hawaij, and they play wonderfully in this exotic mushroom soup. Serve as elegant soup shots to start a meal or by the bowl as a first course. It's a leftover that will have you sneaking back to the kitchen in the middle of the night!
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