Recipes
Puerco Pibil
Puerco Pibil is an unforgettable dish, and the time and effort to make it is worth every minute. The meat is marinated in a combination of citrus juice and achiote paste, then roasted in banana leaves. The resulting tender, flavorful morsels of meat can be used in many ways. Traditionally served in a warm tortilla with pickled red onions, the dish originates from the Mayan region of Mexico, primarily the Yucatan peninsula."Once Upon a Time in Mexico""El, you really must try this because it's puerco pibil. It's a slow-roasted pork, nothing fancy. It just happens to be my favorite, and I order it with a tequila and lime in every dive I go to in this country. And honestly, that is the best it's ever been anywhere. In fact, it's too good." - Agent Sands
Learn moreAji Pimento Cheese Crackers
These little crackers combine a range of delightful chile flavors into every bite and will add a unique twist to your snacking or appetizer lineup. The mild pimento cheese is complimented with Aji mirasol chile peppers. They are mild and fruity with hints of tamarind and tomato. The pickled jalapeño on top adds a kick- but not too much. Orange zest brings the flavors together nicely.
Learn moreMontreal Steak & Chop Mini Green Pies
Paying homage to the Canadian province where the blend originated, Montreal Steak Chop showcases both the French flair for deft seasoning, and the British love of beef. While usually associated with steak, we tried the blend in these vegetarian mini pies, with thrilling results.Perfect for appetizers, brunch or to have alongside a bowl of soup, these little pies are hearty, but not too heavy. Even the most specialized of spice blend can have hidden layers of versatility, and here the Montreal Steak Chop lends its rich flavor to an entirely vegetarian dish. Bon appétit!
Learn moreGaram 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 stewed 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.
Learn moreEverything Hummus
Jazz up your hummus with our Everything Bagel Spice! The spice blend has incredible texture and bold flavors that elevate classic hummus to a whole new level. Not your run of the mill version, we've included exotic nigella seed to make it even more interesting. Lightly salted with Pacific Sea Salt, the blend hits all the onion and garlic notes, along with playful poppy and nutty sesame. You'll want to keep sprinkling it on with every bite.
Learn moreSmoky Sunset
This bold cocktail dances in the grey area between sweet and savory. Starting from tequila as the base, we spiced this drink up with chipotle to complement the spirit's slightly earthy sweetness. Next, we added lime and grapefruit as an acidic counterpoint to the smoky heat. As a last touch, we finished the drink in style with a salty rim made of chipotle flake and alderwood smoked salt.All that's missing is a name. Perfect for a slow sip at dusk after a hot summer day, the cocktail tastes exactly like what we decided to call it: a smoky sunset.
Learn moreMystic Mule
Perfect for a hot summer evening, or anytime, really. The classic Moscow Mule needs no introduction. Fizzy and softly spicy, this delicious cocktail is typically served in a copper mug for instant ice-cold refreshment. For this variation on the drink, we used our Mystic Licorice Tea to complement the traditional flavors. Full of warm spices like licorice, cinnamon, cardamom, orange, coriander, and cloves, this tea blend adds complexity to gentle bite of ginger beer, while including a sweet finish that pairs well with the sour flavor of the lime. We suggest you make a pitcher, because these go down easy. We also used local ginger beer from Timber City, which has a strong ginger kick without too much sweetness to make this cocktail. When making the tea, we recommend brewing a strong batch to stand up to the other flavors. Approximately four teaspoons per cup of water should do the trick.
Learn moreCooling Green Tea Punch
Get ready for warm weather with this Cooling Green Tea Punch! We like to keep iced tea on hand all summer long, and this combination of green and herbal makes a wonderful cocktail base. The Rwandan Green is mild, while the peppermint is mellow and cooling. White rum, nutmeg and lime lend Caribbean flourish to make your cocktail hour feel as good as a beach vacation.
Learn moreScary-Good Shortbread Cookies
Boo! Now THIS is playing with food. Let your creativity run wild, or scary, or holiday with this simple shortbread recipe. There are endless flavor combinations. The shortbread is buttery and not too sweet which makes it easily adaptable to a range of flavors and a perfect pairing for your fall beverage of choice. For Halloween we've used Matcha to make the spooky Frankenstein and Advieh for the pumpkins, but adapt the recipe to your taste. If you smell a spice and it makes you think of cookies, bake with it!
Learn more