Smoked Brined Trout

Trout is such an underrated fish. It's hardly fishy and has such a mild, delicate flavor. This makes it perfect for our brine. Our Northwest Forest Brine is forward with spices like juniper, California bay leaf, and fennel; infusing the flaky trout from the inside and out. As if this flavor bomb wasn't enough, we heat-smoked the trout to make it really taste like the Cascade Mountains. This brine does more than keep our trout juicy, it also helps preserve it making it a delicacy, hot or cold. Feel free to use any fresh trout available in your area. We always suggest buying local, the fresher the better!For a tasty salad we dressed the trout in a sour cream-Lemon Herb Pepper dressing. Then we added it atop a mound of peppery arugula for a complete meal. Enjoy it on toast with some thinly sliced radishes!

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Chicken Nigella Caesar Pasta Salad

Our Nigella Caesar makes chicken breast juicy and brown nicely. It's also a delicious sprinkle and makes such an easy homemade dressing, only needing water and oil. This dressing is awesome to have on hand, not just for a twist on a traditional Caesar salad, but also as a marinade and sauce. In this recipe, it gets used both ways — to marinate our chicken and to coat the pasta salad. We used some summer staples like fresh tomatoes, cucumber and arugula to bring it all together. We also dabbled with some lentil gluten-free pasta for some extra protein, but feel free to use your own favorite pasta. Enjoy this salad warm or as cold leftovers, if you have any!

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Tadka Carrot and Cauliflower Salad

Sometimes we crave something hearty and filling, yet light enough to be healthy. This flavorful salad is able to achieve both! Tadka is a South Asian technique, also known as tempering, that uses hot oil or ghee to extract the essential oils out of spices. The result is a rich, flavorful, and aromatic oil — perfect to use as a dressing. For ours we use a base of Brown Mustard Seed, Yellow Mustard Seed, Cumin Seed, Turmeric, India Red Chile Flake and Asafoetida. These spices get lightly sautéed in oil, then a squeeze of lime juice and salt is added. The sauce melds together to coat the salad beautifully. The crunch from the mustard seeds and the umami from the asafoetida really makes this recipe stand out. Making this salad is quick, easy, and the ingredients are completely versatile. Beets, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale — any shreddable veggie would be delicious in this salad!Asafoetida is a great spice to use, especially if following a low-FODMAP diet. The flavor is nearly identical to that of onion and garlic, but it actually comes from the dried giant fennel resin. There is truly no spice like it!

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Nigella Caesar Artichoke Toast

Now that I sling spices instead of hash, it is nostalgic to look at old recipes from my professional chef days. This recipe and I go waaay back and it remains a brunch favorite. Over time, it has evolved into a slightly healthier version. Our vegan Nigella Caesar blend brings all the flavor of a classic Caesar dressing, without the extra egg. Nutty nigella seeds add crunch and bring the umami along with Worcestershire powder and garlic. These bold flavors pair perfectly with the leeks and artichoke hearts in the spread. This makes a delightful topping for toast or flat bread. For added brunch magic, we garnished the toast with a kale Caesar salad and a poached egg. Finish it off with a sprinkle of Pacific Flake Sea Salt for crunch and enjoy!

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Ranch Broccoli Salad

Ranch Seasoning is a summer favorite, and whether you like it as a dressing or a dipping sauce best, there is no substitute. In this salad, we chopped the classic crudité and dressed it with an easy DIY ranch dressing with buttermilk and mayonnaise. Bacon bits and crispy onions add an extra layer of flavor to take this salad over the top. A perfect salad to whip up for picnics and cookouts, it is a great summer go-to salad with plenty of hearty veggie crunch. Our Ranch Seasoning is salt and preservative free so you can adjust salt to taste and add as much of this bright and tangy seasoning as you like.

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Asparagus Mimosa

The complement of texture and flavors that come together in this simple dish are a celebration of spring. Tender asparagus is kissed with Provencal Seasoned Salt and a little char from the grill. Watercress is nested in and the salad is topped with finely grated hard boiled eggs. The fine, fluffy eggs are said to resemble mimosa flowers for which the salad is named.To keep it simple and bright, our vinaigrette combines Lemon Herb Pepper, white wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard. This dish is light, simple, and familiar. Easy to make ahead and serve cold. You can also add bacon, capers, radishes or other garnishes.

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Nigella Caesar Dressing

This genius twist on Caesar dressing is a snap to make and boasts all the flavors in a classic Caesar. The twist? We've managed to make it vegan and low cholesterol with a little spice magic. Worcestershire powder is the umami bomb instead of the traditional anchovy, and black salt with its slightly sulfurous taste opts in for the egg. This recipe makes about a half quart. It keeps well in the refrigerator and can be used for Caesar salad or a flavorful marinade for chicken or fish. Of course it wouldn't be a Caesar without the croutons so we've included a suggestion for those too. Happy Salad Season! This recipe was so delicious we added it to our permanent inventory. Now you can buy Nigella Caesar premixed on our website! Just substitute 1/4 cup in place of the spices in the dressing recipe above.

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Pear Arugula Salad With Juniper Vinaigrette

It pays to eat healthy, but it can be easy to fall into a rut. When we fall back on our tried and true recipes, the familiar can begin to feel a bit boring. Changing one ingredient while making a classic combination is an easy way to try something new and not get bored. In this recipe, we added one new spice to one of our favorite go-to salads, and it totally transformed the dish.In this pear and arugula salad, we used Juniper in the vinaigrette to add new dimensions to the dish. Vinaigrettes are wonderful for showcasing both bold and subtle flavors, making them a simple and effective way to add spices to a dish. Here, the piney taste of the juniper combines perfectly with the floral sweetness of the honey for a delicious forest vinaigrette. We kept the bold flavors going with peppery arugula, sweet pears and buttery gorgonzola for a simple salad that's anything but basic.

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Crispy Tofu Salad with Turmeric Honey Ginger Vinaigrette

If you're not a fan of tofu, this salad may convert you. Tofu is a sponge and it takes on any flavor you marinate it in, so the right seasoning can totally transform this healthy protein. We spiced it up this time, and infused the tofu overnight in soy sauce, ginger, Korean Chile and garlic. The tofu then gets pan seared for crispy caramelized edges before adding it to the salad. A turmeric honey ginger vinaigrette dresses the peppery arugula and shaved carrots. A stunning garnish puts the final touch on this delicious dish. With a quick dusting of toasted sesame seeds and Pacific sea salt, the salad is complete.

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