Recipes
Cardamom Pear Upside-Down Cake
This ultra moist cardamom pear cake is rich and delicious, with almond flour and coconut oil forming the base. The cardamom and a hint of ginger complement the pears, and when you bring all these layers of flavor and texture together the result is a fantastic dessert you don't have to feel bad about eating!
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Yucatan Rojo Pulled Pork
The classic flavors of the Yucatan shine in this easy slow cooker sensation. In this Yucatan Rojo BBQ Rub pulled pork, bright citrus and earthy spices infuse every bite. The pull-apart tender meat is delicious in a variety of ways, too. Use it as a taco filling alongside a crunchy cabbage slaw or piled high on a bun for sandwiches or sliders.
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Chicken Vindaloo
Many of us grew up having grandmothers who were wonderful cooks, so we were happy to find this cookbook full of grandmotherly love. In Her Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Grandmas Around the World, is a memorable compendium of portraits featuring grandmothers around the world alongside their signature family recipes. This chicken vindaloo recipe comes to the book, and to us, courtesy of Grace Estibero, 82, who grew up in the South Indian state of Goa. If you love a good spicy dish, this one is absolutely delicious!From the Author: "Typical of Indian cooking, chicken vindaloo is a hot dish, which was originally introduced to Goa by the Portuguese. Often served on special occasions, this dish is traditionally prepared with pork, but I am sure you will be fully satisfied with this chicken version."
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Dukkah Scones
I love reinventing the scone with new flavors, especially savory ones. Dukkah is an exotic spice blend, traditionally used as a dip for bread with olive oil. In these scones, it adds just a hint of hazelnut and a bold boost of cumin and coriander, plus some herbal accents. Fresh dill and shaved parmesan round out the flavor profile, with a touch of flaky salt on top. These hearty Dukkah scones are wonderful for brunch, snacking or in a weekday lunch box.
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Szechuan Compound Butter
This delicious Szechuan compound butter neatly captures the elusive flavor of Szechuan pepper. The mild peppery bite is in perfect balance, and the tingly aftertaste lingers in the most pleasant way. A hint of lemon and scallion complete the flavor profile.We enjoyed a generous dollop on a couple of New York steaks with a simple green salad on the side, and the Szechuan sensation was the highlight of the meal. This compound butter would also be delicious on seafood, chicken or grilled vegetables.
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Szechuan Lemon Curd
We are always game to try an adventurous spice pairing, and this one came out a winner! Lemon curd is a delightful decadence, sweet-tart and intense, and made even more exceptional with a fresh zing of Szechuan pepper. In this Szechuan lemon curd, the tingle lingers on the palate after the burst of citrus flavor fades and the combination is intensely satisfying. Try it on shortbread or scones at tea time or over ice cream.There are loads of different methods for making lemon curd, but we chose this simple recipe from One Hungry Mama and barely adapted it by changing the spice. We were thrilled with the results, and you will be, too. An easy, no-fuss technique, the curd came out perfect with each round of testing. Of course we had to make it several times........
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Za'atar Lamb Chops
This simple recipe is quick and flavorful. The classic combination of Green Za'atar and lamb is always a winner, and we've also paired both fresh and dried herbs in the marinade for maximum flavor. Oregano was the fresh herb of choice for this version, but rosemary, marjoram or a mixture would also be wonderful. Pick your favorite!
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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."
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Fried Potatoes with Harissa Tehina
Zahav is a popular Middle Eastern restaurant in Philadelphia, and its owner Michael Solomonov wrote a fantastic cookbook using recipes that he serves at the restaurant, as well as at his home. Cowritten by James Cook, Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking reinterprets the type of Israeli Cuisine served at the restaurant, but makes it more manageable for American kitchens. We're especially excited about this inventive recipe for fried potatoes using Harissa, a perennial favorite here at the shop!From the Authors: "This dish happened by serendipity. At Zahav, our Israeli pickles come packed in huge cans with a ton of excess pickle juice. One day, in a passion for brining, I decided to throw some peeled potatoes into that leftover pickle juice. A day later, I drained and fried the potatoes, ending up with the most amazing French fries ever. The potatoes were seasoned from within with a garlicky tang from the pickle juice. Deep-frying can be an undertaking, so when I make this dish at home, I just slice the potatoes into rounds and pan-fry them on both sides in a cast iron skillet until they’re nice and crispy. I serve the potatoes with tehina augmented with harissa, the North African condiment based on dried chiles that’s a staple on the Israeli table. In my harissa, I use ground Aleppo pepper from Syria, which has a fruity flavor and is not screamingly hot, so you can appreciate the pepper’s earthy undertones. I thin the sauce with a little more pickle juice to cut through the richness and echo the flavor of the potatoes. I’ll bet there’s a jar in your fridge, with a lonely pickle or two bobbing in a sea of brine. This recipe is the perfect way to put those pickles out of their misery."
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