Recipes

Cuban-Spiced Pork with Mojo Sauce

This Cuban spiced pork is an easy recipe for the slow cooker as summer slides into fall, when the comfort of a warm roast starts to sound appealing, but you're not quite ready to let go of the bright flavors of citrus and fresh herbs. Our Cuban Spice seasons the meat with cumin, oregano and orange for deep layers of flavor, with lime, orange and mint adding sunny flavors to the sauce. Serve alongside black beans and rice for a hearty meal or a green salad for lighter fare.

Provençal Vinaigrette

Romantic visions of the south of France never disappoint and neither does this playful provencal vinaigrette. Our Provencal Seasoned Salt is the star, throwing in a burst of salt and herbs that makes the other ingredients dance. I had the pleasure of growing fresh chervil in my garden this year and it was a sweet addition but don't skip the recipe if you can't find it. Marjoram is delightful as well. Enjoy this vinaigrette on your favorite summer salads - green, potato or bean!

Mojo

This Mojo recipe from Cuba!: Recipes and Stories from a Cuban Kitchen by Dan Goldberg is for garlic-lovers, but one of our regular customers described the Mojo sauce of his youth as having a fair amount more citrus. Either way, this sauce will become a favorite and you'll find excuses to use it. (Seriously. Make a double batch, as you will put it on everything!! It's great on seafood, rice, veggies...)From the Author: "Mojo is one of the primary flavoring ingredients in Cuba. At its most basic it's composed of garlic, citrus juice, oregano, and oil. Bottled sour orange juice is common throughout the Caribbean, but if you have trouble sourcing it, regular orange juice with added lime juice is a good substitute. Sunflower oil is the most common fat in Cuba, aside from lard and butter, but in this recipe we're using olive oil to further enhance the flavor of mojo-dressed recipes such as baked fish, fried plantains, and grilled chicken."

Grilled Chicken and Pineapple with Ayam Peanut Sauce

Ayam peanut chicken has been on my summer menu for years, and this updated version is the best one yet. Our Indonesian Ayam spice lends the peanut sauce a special flavor to peanut sauce that puts it over the top. The spicing is notable but not overpowering and paired with peanut and citrus makes a versatile sauce that complements grilled chicken and pineapple perfectly.Looking for more grill season recipes? Check out our recipes for Chimichurri Flank Steak or Tarheel Sliders.

Tzatziki with Dill Pollen

I love tzatziki, it has always been a favorite. Whether as a dip for crunchy vegetables or counterpoint to spicy grilled meats, the combination brings together creamy goodness from Greek yogurt and cooling cucumber alongside a puckery pow from lemon and garlic for a delightful contrast. But it wouldn't be tzatziki without the dill, and we've punched up the flavor here with the addition of dill pollen and our premium Garlic Salt.This version of the classic dip and spread was born, as so many wonderful recipes are, when I was short on ingredients and didn't have fresh dill or garlic in the house. I subbed in the dill pollen and garlic salt in a pinch and voila! The tzatziki bloomed with loads of intensity. Now I include them every time, using both fresh dill and the pollen, fresh garlic and the salt. It creates delightful dance party on the palate. Enjoy!

Chimichurri Flank Steak

2 hrs, 10 min

Our Chimichurri Spice combines a whole lot of flavors: the almost apricot flavor of aji mirasol chiles, the peppery sweetness of guajillo and New Mexico chiles, and the earthiness of oregano, cumin and bay. Together, they're an ideal flavor base to make Chimichurri sauce. Just mix it with lots of fresh herbs, citrus, plenty of garlic, vinegar and oil. You'll have a sassy sauce that begs to be put on.....everything!When used as a marinade, the grill fire tames the acidity of the vinegar, enhances the sweetness of the citrus, and intensifies the heat of the chiles. Use another drizzle of sauce to make any cut of meat, beef especially, perfectly balanced. Chimichurri gives that sweet-tart-spicy-meaty union that screams "summer food" the world over. The flavors of this sauce meld together over time, so keep some in the fridge all summer long.You can vary the selection and proportion of herbs in this recipe in so many fun and tasty ways. Increase the herbs for a thicker consistency to use for dipping and topping or play with oregano, marjoram or whatever is fresh in your market or garden.

Alison's Cranberry Chutney

This cranberry chutney is a cheerful and tasty delight. For anyone who remembers fondly the childhood thrill of a colorful canned fruit cocktail, get ready to re-live it. The chutney is easy to make and comes together in a snap with popping cranberries, crunchy celery and almonds with a topping of lemon zest. A melange of flavor and texture, this chutney does justice to the intensity of the cranberries by mixing it in good company. Serve it alongside your holiday meal and make extra! It is great on turkey sandwiches and freezes well.

Vadouvan Paste

Vadouvan Curry is a spice blend with South Indian and French influences, and the name means "sun-dried spices" in French. This fusion blend can be used just like a curry powder, or made into the iconic Vadouvan paste, a rich blend of onion, shallots and aromatics.Making Vadouvan paste takes a little doing, but is worth the effort. Some some specialty shops sell the paste for $100 per pound! A little does go a long way, and the paste is a wonderful short-cut to add fully developed curry flavors into your dish in an instant. The flavor is bold and subtle at the same time, with a meaty base surrounded by an intricate spice melange. Proportions and methods for making Vadouvan paste vary, we tried out several and liked this one best for its simplicity.Try Vadouvan paste in our Vadouvan Vegetable Pie.

South Asian Coconut Butter

If you love sauces, and want to try something new, check out Mastering Sauces by Susan Volland. This book is full of inspired and delicious sauces like this coconut "butter," using classic South Asian flavors like Turmeric and Brown Mustard Seed to add a little zing to coconut oil. From the Author: "In South India, coconut oil is the cooking oil of choice. Many dishes are garnished with a drizzle of coconut oil, popped black mustard seeds, crispy fried curry leaves, and frizzled small red onions. I like to stir these wonderful ingredients together like a compound butter and spread or melt it on various foods as the whim strikes: on savory pancakes, pilafs, or grilled whole fish."