Recipes
Sumac Strawberries with Jasmine Pearl Pound Cake
In college, a friend from Azerbaijan first introduced me to Sumac. The deep reddish-purple spice is sour and bright, and makes for a beautiful garnish. Ever since then, I've always thought of it as a curious and versatile alternative to lemon.That substitution takes center stage in this luscious summer desert. Sumac and strawberries make an excellent flavor pairing, with the tartness of the spice balancing the berries. As a subtle twist, we added the delicate floral taste of Jasmine Pearl green tea to the syrup and cake batter. The tea adds some complexity to the dish, and scents your whole house with a flowery aroma as a bonus. For no mess plating we dished these up like a trifle, to display the beautiful layers.
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Portuguese Ginjinha
Ginjinha, or Ginja for short, is a liqueur made from an infusion of sour cherries, also called ginja berries. After a friend from Lisbon introduced us to this delicious concoction, we waited almost a year Pacific Northwest cherries to be in season so we could try to make our own. Our recipe for this liqueur is spiced with Cassia Stick Cinnamon and Cloves to add a spicy, aromatic bite.Traditionally served in shot glasses for a slow sip with a tart cherry garnish, Ginjinha is also a great ingredient in other cocktails. Try using some in a batch of sangria, or add a bit to your Manhattan for a sweet and spicy twist. As soon as we tried it, Ginjinha quickly became a bar cart staple for its versatility and unique flavor.
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Kashmiri Garam Masala Papaya Smoothie
On the way to our storefront behind the Pike Place Market, we're fortunate to be greeted each day by a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. Papaya is a fruit normally enjoyed on a tropical vacation, but the ones at Frank's Quality Produce looked absolutely perfect. Since nothing says summer like a tropical smoothie, we decided to give pick some up and try it out.Papaya is buttery and sweet, with a flavor akin to cantaloupe. To add a spicy twist, we turned to Kashmiri Garam Masala, a delicious and fragrant spice blend containing cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, cloves, and mace. A touch of Turmeric balances the sweetness, while frozen banana and chia seeds round the flavor. Bursting with tropical sweetness, this smoothie will have have you feeling just a little bit closer to paradise.
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Emerald Mojito
We've mixed some Mojito magic here using a simple syrup made with our Emerald Mist tea! Peppermint and spearmint are the main flavors in the syrup, along with with licorice, cloves, and ginger. Combined with fresh lime to make it a Mojito, this drink is delicious virgin or classically spiked with rum. Kick back and enjoy it on a hot summer day. Don't feel up for that much mixology? Emerald Mist makes a fantastic iced tea for summer all on it's own.
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Cooling 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.
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Lavender Dulce de Leche Stuffed Crepes
We love an excuse to eat dessert any time of day. These decadent crepes are bursting with spring flavors, and look amazing on a brunch buffet. Each crepe is stuffed full of Lavender Dulce de Leche. French Lavender is bright, floral and woodsy; it's best with assertive flavors. To complement it, we spiked the batter with Moroccan Meyer Lemon Paste, and ran it through a blender. You can do this the night before for a breezy morning. Tastes like spring is here!
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Saffron Lemonade
We often get asked how to use Saffron, and this is one of our favorite and unique ways. A little goes a long way with this flavorful brew and it is so easy to make. The sunshine in this cup shines all on its own but it also mixes well with all manner of spirits, sweet or savory. Truth be told we've tried it with everything from Mezcal to Vanilla Vodka and they are all fantastic.
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Nigella Watermelon Salad
Nothing says summer quite like watermelon, and this salad has all the right flavors to complement it. Juicy watermelon chunks are dressed with lime juice for an unbelievable sweet/tart pairing. Nutty arugula and savory onion hints from the nigella seeds add a hint of savory crunch. And because my crowd is always game for a little extra summer heat, a sprinkle of Marash chile flakes round out the finish. This salad is easy to whip up for a weeknight side dish and scales up nicely for a crowd pleasing BBQ or picnic.
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Kashmiri Curry S’mores with Toasted Cumin Marshmallows
These S’mores add a global flavor twist to an old favorite. The hints of savory complement the sweet with mild Kashmiri Curry. in the graham cracker and toasted cumin in the marshmallow. They smell amazing and are a great activity around a camp fire. Charring and roasting the marshmallows brings out the toasted cumin flavor. If the outdoors aren’t your thing you can achieve the same result at home using a blow torch to impress your friends.These marshmallows work with more than S’mores, use them to top your favorite cocoa or mocha, or even sweet potato casserole. This unique spin on marshmallows is fragrant, slightly savory and will add depth of flavor to your favorite recipes.The staff favorite used orange dark chocolate in the S’mores but the possibilities are endless. Once you master the toasted cumin marshmallow and Kashmiri Curry graham crackers you will be able to substitute them in all your favorite treats.
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