Scary-Good Shortbread Cookies

Boo! Now THIS is playing with food. Let your creativity run wild, or scary, or holiday with this simple shortbread recipe. There are endless flavor combinations. The shortbread is buttery and not too sweet which makes it easily adaptable to a range of flavors and a perfect pairing for your fall beverage of choice. For Halloween we've used Matcha to make the spooky Frankenstein and Advieh for the pumpkins, but adapt the recipe to your taste. If you smell a spice and it makes you think of cookies, bake with it!

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Saffron Tart Cherry Nougat

Yes, really! This stunner of a candy recipe makes a festive treat for the holidays. Sweet and chewy, tart and crunchy, it is impossible to resist. Two pinches of Saffron are enough to get a hint of color and perfectly balanced flavor, but you can always add more if a stronger flavor is desired. The pairing of saffron and sugar with the pop of tart cherries and crunch of pistachios is simply delightful. And it's so pretty! Be sure to have a good, reliable thermometer at the ready. Success with this nougat is a temperature game and cooking the eggs with the hot sugar is an essential step.

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Rose Harissa Paste

Ottolenghi fans rejoice! If you can't find the Rose Harissa Paste that is called for in some of his recipes we've got you covered so now you can make your own. We've adapted our best selling Harissa blend with addition of roses to give it a special sweetness and devised this quick and easy recipe to make Rose Harissa Paste. Use it in Ottolenghi's recipes as called for and also branch out on your own! This Rose Harissa Paste is good for roasting meats, seafood or veggies, adding to pasta dishes, or use as a condiment in burgers or quesadillas. The addition of rose water adds a floral dimension that is over-the-top good. You will want to make this recipe again and again. 

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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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Mace Gnocchi with Butternut Squash

This hearty fall fare makes a great family meal and brings together some of the best flavors of the season. Potato gnocchi and butternut squash are a perfect pair but instead of hinting at Mace in the background, we've spiced the dish boldly and it didn't disappoint. This time the brown butter and sage are in the background and they nestle in nicely as an accent. Gnocchi takes quite a bit of hands-on time and the results are worth the effort, just make sure your potatoes are baked well to start and don't over-knead the dough. The result will be pillowy goodness with spectacular flavor and full bellies around the family table.

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Georgian Potato Pancakes

Potato pancakes come in many forms but all need embellishment of some kind, right? They have to be a vehicle for something, and in this case it's Khmeli Suneli, a traditional Georgian spice blend. With a tapestry of unique flavor unlike anything you'll find this side of the Black Sea, the flavors of fenugreek seed and leaf are mixed with herbs and spices from east and west. We've added leeks to the pancake as well and the flavor is outstanding. The crispy crunch on the outside of the pancake garnished with a little sour cream makes a lovely appetizer or side dish alongside roasted meats.

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Advieh Baklava

Baklava is wonderful in any and all forms, but for some of us, it can be too sweet. Sacrilege to sweet-tooth's everywhere, I know, but when we added our Advieh spice blend to the mix it came out juuuuuust right. It is still a very sweet pastry, but the spice blend combines hints of savory cumin and coriander with roses and true cinnamon to make a well rounded flavor that complements the nuts and plays very well with the honey. Layered in a springform pan and allowed to set overnight, this dazzling dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious.

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Saffron Pear Butter

Buttery and sweet, simple yet exotic, this Saffron Pear Butter is wonderful on so many levels! With only a handful of ingredients and a straightforward process, you can make a jar to have on hand, or ramp up production and gift small jars as at the holidays or any time of year. We like to make big batches in the fall at pear harvest time and enjoy it on toast, biscuits, pound cake or as a sweet bite on a cheese board.

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Khmeli Suneli Chicken Stroganoff

To be clear, the origins of this recipe lie in the Eastern European country of Georgia, not the southern American state or the revolutionary era in Great Britain. This small country lies nestled between Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, Turkey and the Black Sea. Accordingly, its cuisine has been influenced by both eastern and western cultures, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the distinctive spice blend, Khmeli Suneli. Traditionally used in meat, grain or bean dishes, we're using it here to help liven up a traditional Georgian dish of chicken and sour cream, which you may recognize as a kind of Russian Stroganoff. We're deepening the flavor by adding mushrooms and some additional Hungarian Paprika, as well as a finishing touch of roasted walnut oil. Served over egg noodles, mashed potatoes or even cauliflower mash, you'll find this uniquely flavored dish a welcome addition to your recipe collection.

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