Recipes
Pepper and Spruce Tip Dirty Martini
The dirty martini, made by adding olive brine to the traditional recipe, is a well-loved twist on a classic cocktail. For a twist on a twist, we created this concoction which uses pickled spruce tips in addition to the usual garnish.To pickle the spruce tips, we used an infusion of Green Peppercorn, Black Vietnamese Peppercorn, and Long Pepper. The combination adds a spicy and savory punch to the natural flavor of the spruce tips. With so many strong flavors at play, it made sense to opt for a vodka martini over gin, to avoid adding the intensity of juniper to the mix.The final result is a bold martini that combines woody aromatics with rich briny notes and a slight peppery bite. Give it a try!
Learn moreCuban Picadillo
Picadillo is a Latin comfort food with many regional variations. Every country has their own version, but ground meat, olives, capers, and raisins are all staples of the dish. Picadillo can be served as a standalone, stuffed inside savory pastries, or even be used as filling for tacos. We used our Cuban Spice as the principal seasoning in this picadillo, alongside white wine and olive oil in the traditional style. Cuban cuisine typically sees the dish served alongside black beans and rice. This recipe keeps the overall heat level low, so the dish is family friendly while still full of bold flavors.
Learn moreSmoky Sunset
This bold cocktail dances in the grey area between sweet and savory. Starting from tequila as the base, we spiced this drink up with chipotle to complement the spirit's slightly earthy sweetness. Next, we added lime and grapefruit as an acidic counterpoint to the smoky heat. As a last touch, we finished the drink in style with a salty rim made of chipotle flake and alderwood smoked salt.All that's missing is a name. Perfect for a slow sip at dusk after a hot summer day, the cocktail tastes exactly like what we decided to call it: a smoky sunset.
Learn moreVegan Cardamom Strawberry Creamsicles
As the summer heats up, it's nice to have some cold treats on hand to keep you cool. These strawberry creamsicles are fruity and sweet, with just a hint of floral flavor. This taste of summer vacation is vegan, so they can be enjoyed by all.Fresh strawberries do the heavy lifting in this recipe, with coconut milk and cashews teaming up to keep the cold treats creamy. Their addition makes the strawberry base almost like custard. Cardamom Seed, commonly used in both coconut curries and fruity pastries, brings the flavors together with a delightful twist.
Learn moreSumac 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.
Learn moreSheet Pan Rose Harissa Shrimp
We don't always have time to make elaborate meals. When time is short, but you still want to feel good about what we're eating... go for the sheet pan. Sheet pan dinners are a favorite of ours for a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal. They typically have only a few ingredients, and only a few dishes get dirty in the process.For an example of just how delicious these simple recipes can be, look no further than this recipe for sheet pan shrimp! Rose Harissa is the go-to flavor bomb used to season both the shrimp and vegetables. The blend is citrus forward on a robust base of paprika and toasted spices with a sweet floral note that's delicious with green vegetables like broccoli and asparagus. This dish is full of Moroccan flavors, no one will ever guess how easy it was to make.
Learn moreCaraway Mini Pancakes
Caraway isn't the first spice that comes to mind when you think about pancakes, but it should be! These Caraway Mini Pancakes are the perfect foundation for sweet and savory toppings like summer fruit and smoked salmon. Dress them up or enjoy them with a simple drizzle of maple syrup. They're delicious. The yeast in the pancakes makes them fluffy and fragrant and brings out the earthy qualities of the caraway. A perfect secret ingredient for your next Sunday brunch, no one will expect the caraway in the pancakes, but they are certain to enjoy them.
Learn moreBlackberry-Poultry Rub Jam Grilled Cheese
When blackberries are in season they pop up everywhere. This year, in lieu of the usual pies and pastries, we decided to make something savory with these juicy berries. The result? Blackberry jam spruced up with our Poultry Rub seasoning. Don't let the name fool you, because this blend has a perfect medley of herbs to complement the star ingredient. Rosemary, thyme and sage work together to balance the sweet and tart of the blackberries while adding a subtle earthiness. We tested out our creation as a spread for grilled cheese, and it passed with flying colors. It's sweet, salty, crispy and fruity. Muenster and Swiss cheese combine for a perfect blend of melty nuttiness to pair with the jam. This sandwich is great for an indulgent lunch, and a miniature version would make a decadent appetizer around the holidays.
Learn moreEl Greco Pommes Anna
In an inspired moment of Western European fusion, we seasoned this classic French dish with our El Greco seasoning. Garden herbs like basil and oregano alongside sumac, lemon peel and garlic give this blend a bright Mediterranean flavor.The resulting potatoes are beautiful and fragrant, with the sunny aroma of a Greek kitchen. With the perfect flip, the crispy buttery layers of the pommes are a sight to behold. Pommes Anna are one of the few times where the side dish might outshine the main course! It's a dish that's tasty any time of day and can be made ahead of time to easily reheat for guests.
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