Recipes
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.
Learn moreSeafood Boil
Rustic and decadent, seafood boils are meant to be shared. The delicious mounds of shellfish, veggies and more bring folks together for a fabulously messy feast. This meal will have you excited to get your hands dirty! A hidden perk of this awesome meal is how little prep time is involved. Simply cut your corn, onion, and garlic, and you're ready to start! The key to such a simple dish is all in the timing. Exactly how you stagger the ingredients as you add them to a broth seasoned with our Elliott Bay Seasoning is what will make or break the dish.Once everything is cooked, lay out your feast on a picnic table and enjoy alongside some spiced butter. You can substitute almost any spice blend to suit your tastes, but for this recipe we've selected an an array that will please anyone. Butter with Garlic Salt is ideal for those who prefers something mild, while anyone our Cajun Black offers a more tangy, spicy kick.
Learn moreMary’s Salsa Roja
This is my Mom's recipe. The smell of this sauce perfumed my childhood weekly. Native to Chihuahua in Northern Mexico, this salsa roja is the base for many staple dishes in Mexican cuisine. Guajillo chiles are the foundation and they get seasoned with garden herbs like Mexican oregano, thyme, bay leaf and garlic. If you've never played with whole chiles, this sauce is a great staple to learn.
Learn moreJerk Scallop & Mango Ceviche
The fresh flavors are incredible in this Jerk Scallop & Mango Ceviche It is easy to make, and this party-sized batch will be a welcome addition to your next gathering as an appetizer or side dish. Citrus and mango are the perfect complement to the scallops, and our Jerk Seasoning brings Caribbean spicing to the mix. It has allspice, thyme, ginger and a friendly amount of habanero. The sweet mango and creamy avocado meld with the scallops, contrasted with a crunch of onion and bell pepper for the perfect bite. Cilantro and chive give additional pops of flavor in this sunny dish.
Learn moreWarm Winter Sangria
Spiced wine? Mulled cider? We say "choose both" with this Warm Winter Sangria. Mulled wine alone can be too harsh, and mulled cider too sweet. Put them together with a touch of honey and orange, and the drink comes out just right.Choose a full bodied wine whose shelf-talker boasts of black or red cherry flavors that will complement the mulling spice, but with a price that won't break the bank. Mid-shelf Pinot Noir or Cabernet are good choices, and an unfiltered and unsweetened cider is the perfect complement. We were lucky enough to have one straight out of the press and it made this Warm Winter Sangria all the more flavorful. Don't forget the Mulling Spice!
Learn moreGame Day Brisket Sliders
Nothing welcomes fall quite like a slow cooked brisket, and nothing says game-day quite like sliders! Brisket sliders combine the two and dish up an eye-catching platter of food that's sure to please the crowd. It's quick to make and simple to serve, too, so you can spend your time cheering on the team. For this round, we teamed up our Tarheel BBQ Rub with grilled onions, mustard and a pickle, the ideal trifecta of condiments for anything on a mini-bun. But this recipe was so fun to make, we are already planning out the season with more flavors like Harissa, Sassy Steak Spice and Kofte Spice. The genius of this recipe is how easy it is to make a whole mess of sliders. Simply cook the brisket a day ahead. Once you get it into the slow-cooker it is very hands off. Then, when you are ready for kick-off, just slice open a package of rolls and assemble the sliders as one big unit. You can even serve them pull-apart style, right from the pan.
Learn moreVegetable Pasta Bake
For summer gatherings, this healthy pasta bake offers an easy way to keep a large group fed and get in some vegetables along with the burgers and brats. Using a medley of fresh summer vegetables, this dinner option is hearty, but still light. The version below is Greek inspired with our El Greco herbal blend and feta cheese but you can mix is up and use Fine Herbes or Provencal Seasoned Salt and goat cheese if you're feeling joie de vivre!
Learn moreVoodoo Pimento Cheese Ball
Looking to bring the appetizer A-game to the next house party? This recipe is the ultimate game-day snack and a real fan favorite of ours. Voodoo seasoning has robust ingredients like Aleppo Pepper, brown and yellow mustard, allspice, thyme, onion, and garlic. These flavors compliment the bright pimento and rich cheese perfectly. Whip this up, set it in the center of the table, and watch it disappear!
Learn moreSmoky BBQ Pork
Pork shoulder is one of the most inexpensive cuts of meat, and you can find it almost anywhere. The lean meat is punctuated with ribbons of fat, which self-bastes the pork as it cooks slow and oh-so-low. While the meat is fabulously tender, it doesn't boast much inherent flavor...which is where our Smoky BBQ Rub comes in. This spice blend, combined with beer, forms a marinade that infuses a wonderful smoked flavor deep in to the roast - you won't believe it came from the oven!Banana leaves are a nod to traditional Mexican carnitas, effectively steaming the meat as it cooks slowly, holding in the moisture, while imparting some of their own nutty, grassy flavor. They can be purchased in many Latin and Asian markets. You can sometimes find them fresh, but they'll often be frozen, which works just as well.
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