Recipes
Aleppo Pepper Muhammara
This eastern Mediterranean dish is the perfect example of that regions ability to take simple ingredients like nuts, peppers and olive oil... and make something magical by adding a spice such as Aleppo Pepper. The sweet and sharp Aleppo chile has a moderate heat and fruity flavor that brings a taste of the sunny Mediterranean to every bite. An elegant alternative to hummus, Muhammara will be the easy holiday hors d'oeuvre that your guests adore.
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Pumpkin Kale Enchiladas
Last October, the shop was bedecked with lovely heirloom pumpkins. Once they had seen the end of their lives as decorations, we roasted them and added them to everything -- and I mean everything! This recipe was conceived to please the vegetarian we had on staff at the time, as well as all of the ardent carnivores we always have around. It's the best of our pumpkin experimentation and was the first dish to disappear at our most recent tasting.Cooking with whole chile pods can be intimidating, if you've never done it, but it isn't difficult and the flavors are unparalleled. It should be mentioned that "chile" is not synonymous with heat. In this sauce, darkly sweet Anchos complement the roasted pumpkin, while Pasilla Negro and Mulato provide an earthy base to support the sharpness of the kale. Just a touch of smoke is added with the Pasilla Oaxaca, producing a rich and complex concoction that is remarkably mild. If you like your Latin fare a little spicier, you can customize the heat level with a pinch or two of Chipotle Flakes.
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Indian Coriander Energy Bars
Sometimes I get so busy doing things that I forget to eat breakfast and/or lunch. I know, I shouldn't do that, but I do. I've tried various power or energy bars, but I found them to be too sweet, lacking in flavor, or really just not very healthy. So I made my own.For this recipe, I set out to make an energy bar that tasted good, was high in all of the "good" stuff we're supposed to be eating every day, and was full of things that I loved, like Indian Coriander Seed. I'm also a huge fan of chia seeds, and using them eliminated the need to use oil or eggs in the bars. Chia seeds are full of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, calcium, iron, fiber, and are a source of natural extended energy. I will admit to sometimes putting chocolate chips in them, but chocolate is good for you, too, right?
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Kofte Spice Stuffed Zucchini
Zucchini season has officially begun in the Pacific Northwest, and boy is it a successful one this year. The markets are full of this fine summer squash and I was recently gifted a zucchini from the family garden which is about the size of my torso. I needed to find something delicious to do with my bounty, and stuffed zucchini was just the thing.This Turkish-influenced recipe looks and tastes impressive, but requires little effort to make aside from tossing a few things together and leaving it to cook. Of course since this is a Turkish recipe, my favorite spice blend to pair it with is Kofte Spice - the peppermint and savory are a refreshing addition on warm summer days. A filling dinner for three or a starter for 6, all you need is three medium sized zucchinis (or one monster one).
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Chaat Masala Butter and Grilled Corn
One of the best things about summer is the abundance of fresh corn on the cob. I was excited to see the first of the season's crop available at my local Farmer's Markets and was inspired to spice-up this classic BBQ side. Adding Chaat Masala to butter makes a perfect accompaniment to grilled corn. This beautifully flavored butter is delicious on just about anything that comes off your grill... fish, steak, veggies, you name it!
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Creole-Spiced Coleslaw
I'll admit it... I was a little skeptical about developing a spiced coleslaw. Coleslaw is one of those things I've long appreciated for its' simplicity, but boy, have I been missing out! The depth of flavor added from the Creole Spice and the bold, assertive heat of the chile flakes and Piri Piri makes the cooling quality of the mayonnaise and crisp cabbage in this slaw even more pronounced and refreshing. The classic juxtaposition of creamy, tangy, and crunchy that we love in coleslaw still sings here, but is undeniably enhanced by the savory blend of bell pepper, celery, and onion in the Cajun 'trinity' tradition.This slaw is interesting and delicious enough to be served as a side dish alongside any grilled entree, or top off a juicy pulled pork or fried fish sandwich with a generous scoop. Be warned- you may never be satisfied by the original version again!
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Svaneti Seasoned Salt Kale Chips
I adore kale. The moment I discovered this particular leafy green it immediately beat out broccoli and chard at the top of my favorite vegetable list. Luckily for me it is available practically year-round here in the Northwest, and right now there are some exceptionally beautiful bunches showing up in the Farmer's Markets and grocery stores.My favorite way to prepare kale is to bake it into chips with a little bit of salt to bring out its natural savory flavor. Whether you are new to kale chips or they are an old favorite, you'll love mixing it up with some seasoning salt. Along with our Svaneti Seasoned Salt, my favorites are Voodoo, Osaka Seasoned Salt, Tuscan Rosemary Salt and America's Seasoned Salt.
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Caribbean Spice Grilled Salsa
Fresh pineapple tastes of a wild summer, its tropical sweetness tempered by raucous acidity. Our favorite way to tame the fruit is to cook it slowly until the pale yellow becomes a rich gold and the sugars take center stage, as in this grilled salsa.Our Caribbean Spice, with the richness of allspice berries, is the perfect blend for this salsa. A bit of extra cumin adds an intense savory note that’s perfect for grilling. The smoky flavor from the grill counterpoints the sweetness of the pineapple and tomato perfectly, leaving you with a well balanced and delicious side for tortilla or plantain chips, as well as chicken or fish.
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Berbere Ketchup
Folks just love their ketchup. Whether it's for fries, hashbrowns or barbecues, there's always a bottle in the refrigerator. Next time you find yourself in need of this essential condiment, use our simple recipe to make this version at home.We like our this recipe spicy, so we've added one of our favorite blends to it. Berbere is most commonly used in North African stews or roasted meats, but it has an affinity for ketchup. We like to keep some on hand all summer for dipping fries, topping burgers and hot dogs, or to use as a "secret ingredient" in BBQ sauces.
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