9
Jun, 2023
Meatballs

Culinary Building Blocks – Meatballs & Co

CULINARY BUILDING BLOCKS

Meatballs & Co.

How to Boost Your Creativity

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Table of Contents

Culinary Building Blocks to Elevate Your Meatballs

Part 1: Quick Basic Panade for Meatballs

This basic panade is great for meatballs and meat patties and can be served in a lot of different ways.
Use less ingredients for standard burger patties that are supposed to be more meaty.​

Basic Panade for 1 lb Meat

Variations for the Basic Panade

  • Bread slice:
    • add another slice
    • or substitute with one bread roll
  • Milk: Substitute with water or any other milk.
  • Onions (finely chopped): Add them raw or fry them first until soft.
  • Tip! Add seasoning paste: 1-2 tsp of mustard or any grill sauce.
  • Tip! Add 1 tbsp grated parmesan.
Popular Herbs

Spices & Herbs

Recommended spices:

  • cumin, fennel, garlic, paprika

Recommended Starting Point:

  • Herbs: dried 1 tsp or fresh 1 tbsp up to a 1/2 bunch
  • Spices: 1 tsp to 1 tbsp

Part 2: Basic Panade for Meatballs - Variations

Basic Panade for Meatballs
Panade Starch Options
Starch Options
  • breadcrumbs or panko or stale bread (roll)
  • coarse ground nuts
  • corn or potato starch
  • tapioca or arrowroot
  • flour
Panade Liquid Options
Liquid Options
  • water
  • milk, buttermilk
  • yogurt, heavy cream
  • raw egg or just the yolk
  • seasoning sauce (e.g. mustard or soy sauce)

Part 3: Choose from Plenty of Additional Ingredients

Meatballs Frequent Ingredients
Add to the Basic Panade:
  • (green) onions or shallots
  • herbs: parsley, chives, cilantro, or other herbs
  • garlic
special ingredients
Used in International Recipes:
  • baking soda or powder
  • ginger
  • fresh vegetables: tomatoes, bell pepper, jicama
  • cooked lentils
Meatballs Filling & Toppings
Used in International Recipes:
  • boiled or fried egg
  • nuts & dried fruits
  • fresh fruits (e.g. pineapple)
  • fresh, fried, or pickled vegetables (e.g. onions, eggplant, beetroot)

Part 4: Add Variety with Form, Preparation, or Serving Style

  • Cook cherry-sized balls in butter and Arabian spices.
  • Fry Balkan style finger-sized sausages.
  • Cook stuffed tennisball-sized balls in sauce and Persian spices.
Meatballs Sizes & Forms
Meatballs Preparation Methods
Meatballs Serving Styles

International Meatball Recipes

Simple Ingredients & Just Fried

Balkan Ćevapčići with Đuveč
Balkan Ćevapčići with Đuveč

Just baking soda, water, and garlic. No spices.

Let rest overnight. Fry them.

Cambodian Pahut
Cambodian Pahut

Just green onions and an Asian spice blend.

Fry them.

Persian Kabob Koobideh
Persian Kabob Koobideh

Garlic, grated onions, and a Persian spice blend.

Fry them.

Turkish Urfa Kebab
Turkish Urfa Kebab

Bell pepper, tomato, parsley, garlic, and Urfa pepper.

Fry them.

Regular Ingredients - Cook, Bake, or Fry

Moroccan Kefta Tagine
Moroccan Kefta Tagine

Cilantro, parsley, shallots, and an Arabian spice blend.

Cook in butter.

Top with eggs.

Swedish Köttbullar
Swedish Köttbullar

Egg, milk, breadcrumbs, and a Swedish spice blend.

Cook and brown in butter.

Greek Keftedes
Greek Keftedes

Egg, milk, breadcrumbs, fried garlic & onions, parsley, and a Greek spice blend.

Bake them.

Asian Buddha Bowl
Asian Buddha Bowl

Egg yolk, panko, garlic, onions, chives, and an Asian spice blend.

Coat in panko. Fry them.

Fancy Variations

Aussie Burger
Tasmanian Aussie Burger

Regular burger patties.

Add caramelized pineapple and pickled beetroots.

Serve with a tomato-kiwi salad with Tasmanian pepper.

Japanese Tsukune
Japanese Tsukune

Ginger, onions, soy sauce, egg, and starch.

Fry them. Coat with sauce.

Sprinkle with a Japanese spice blend.

Vietnamese Bánh Mì Xíu Mại
Vietnamese Bánh Mì Xíu Mại

Fried garlic and onions, jicama, starch.

Steam. Then cook in sauce with a Vietnamese spice blend.

Serve in bun with pickles.

Persian Koofteh Tabrizi
Persian Koofteh Tabrizi

Egg, onion, parsley, cooked split peas, cooked rice, and a Persian spice blend.

Optional: Fill with boiled egg,  nuts, and dried fruits.

Cook in sauce with a Persian spice blend.

6
Jun, 2023
grilling 2 easy steps

Culinary Building Blocks – Grilling – Marinade

CULINARY BUILDING BLOCKS

BBQ Grill Season: Marinade

How to Boost Your Creativity

Learn More

Fire Up Your Grill Party

Make your grill parties a smashing success with minimal effort! We’re dedicated to simplifying your cooking process and unleashing your culinary creativity. Our basic marinade recipe is the epitome of simplicity – just mix and match ingredients for endless variety. Grill or fry your marinated meat to perfection. Let this be the start of an unforgettable grill season, and enjoy every moment!

Culinary Building Blocks: Basic Grill Marinade

  1. In a CUP, add
    • spice blend and
    • wet ingredients
      (see mix & match below).
  2. Shake well.
  3. In a CONTAINER or PLASTIC BAG:
    • For meat: Coat the meat well with the marinade before grilling.
    • For vegetables: Toss the vegetables with the marinade after grilling.
  4. Let it marinate covered in the fridge for 2 to 24 hours

Mix & Match Your Ingredients

For 1 lb of Meat or Vegetables:
Basic Spice Blend Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp (smoked) paprika, ginger, or cumin
  • salt & black pepper to taste

Optionally, add one or all of the following:

  • 1 tsp herbs (basil, mint, oregano, rosemary, or thyme)
  • 1-3 tsp garlic powder (or fresh garlic)
  • to taste: chili (flakes), cayenne, or chipotle
Basic Wet Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
  • 2 tbsp oil

For variety, add one or all of the following:

  • 1 – 3 tsp sweetener (honey, maple syrup, jam, coconut sugar)
  • 1 – 3 tsp soy sauce (or a substitute)
  • 1 – 3 tsp mustard

International Marinades

Prepare to be amazed as these international recipes embrace the simplicity of our basic marinade. Its easy-to-remember formula serves as the foundation for an extraordinary array of flavors that cater to diverse palates. The thrilling assortment of dips and sides that accompany these dishes adds an extra culinary dimension.

Thai Gai Yang

Thai Gai Yang

MIX Gai Yang spices with soy sauce (3 tbsp), and sugar (1) & oil (1).

Greek Souvlaki

Greek Souvlaki

MIX Souvlaki spices with lemon juice (1 tbsp) and olive oil (2 tbsp).

Ghanaian Grill Suya

Ghanaian Suya

Optionally, MIX Suya spices with peanuts and chilies. Add oil (2 tbsp).

grill plate

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30
May, 2023
salad - bell pepper

Culinary Building Blocks – Salad Bar – Leafy Greens

CULINARY BUILDING BLOCKS

Your Salad Bar: Leafy Greens

How to Boost Your Creativity

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Table of Contents

Salad Base: Leafy Greens

leafy greens in bowl
shopping list - leafy greens

Culinary Building Blocks to Elevate Your Salad

Part 1: Mix & Match Your Ingredients

Your Ingredient Options for a Salad with a Base of Leafy Greens:

  • Base: one or more of lettuce, arugula, baby spinach, chard, collards, or kale
  • Texture Essentials: firm and soft add-ons (see suggestions below)
  • “Icing”: pickled vegetables and/or dried fruits (see suggestions below)
  • Fill Up: proteins (see suggestions below)
  • Final Touch: crunchy (see suggestions below)
Jump to the dressing
Leafy Green Salad Bar Pyramid
Culinary Building Blocks - Salad Bar - Leafy Greens
1/4 cup total per 2 servings:

Beets & Roots: beetroots, carrots, daikon, kohlrabi, parsnip, rutabaga, red radish, turnip
Cole: cabbage (green/ red, napa, savoy, bok choy), cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts
Fruits: apples or pears
Others: asparagus, bell pepper, celery stalks, cucumber, fennel, green beans, mushrooms, mung bean sprouts

soft
1/4 cup total per 2 servings:

Fresh: avocado, corn, peas,  tomatoes, or soft fruits

Fried: eggplant, leek, or mushrooms

Baked: (sweet) potatoes, yam, or pumpkin/squash/zucchini

Cheese: blue cheese, crumbled feta, or mozzarella

Culinary Building Blocks - Salad Bar - Leafy Greens
1-2 tbsp total per 2 servings:

Sour-Salty: Pickled vegetables like artichoke, beetroot, cabbage, capers, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, green beans, olives, onions

Culinary Building Blocks - Salad Bar - Leafy Greens
1-2 tbsp total per 2 servings:

Sweet: Dried fruits like apricots, cranberries, dates, figs, mango, pineapples, prunes, raisins, or any other that you have at hand.

Culinary Building Blocks - Salad Bar - Leafy Greens
8 -12 oz total per 2 servings:

Boost the salad with a protein, for instance:

  • Baked tofu or fried tempeh
  • Tuna or salmon (fresh, seared, or from a can)
  • Fried shrimp, chicken, lamb or beef steak
  • Boiled eggs or sunny-side-up
  • Roasted garbanzo beans
  • Ham, bacon, or sausages
Culinary Building Blocks - Salad Bar - Leafy Greens
1-2 tbsp total per 2 servings:

Finish with 1-2 tbsp of one of the following:

  • Baked breadcrumbs (croutons)
  • Nuts like almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, walnuts (roasted or raw)
  • Seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds, chia, flax, hemp, or sesame seeds
  • Chips or any crunchy crackers

Tip: Sprinkle on the plated salad to avoid soaking.

TIP: Add maximal 3 to 6 different ingredients.

Part 2: Basic Dressing

Basic Salad Dressing
Basic Dressing for 2

Variations for vinegar and oil: Basic Trio

Adjust oil to your taste and dietary preferences by 1 tbsp more or less.

Add maximal 3 to 6 different ingredients to the leafy greens.

Finish: Toss dressing over

  • leafy greens and
  • firm and soft ingredients.

Top with remaining ingredients.

Salad for 2
Popular Salad Herbs

Recommended pairings:

  • lemon juice & avocado or canola oil & parsley, dill, or mint
  • red balsamic vinegar & olive oil & basil or oregano

Recommended spices:

  • cumin, fennel, garlic, paprika

Recommended Starting Point:

  • Herbs: fresh 1 tbsp or dried 1 tsp
  • Spices: 1 tsp

International Salad Recipes

These international salad recipes all share the same foundation of culinary building blocks, but each one incorporates unique and flavorful spices to create a distinct culinary experience. Whether you’re looking to add some variety to your meal routine or impress guests with your worldly cooking skills, these salads are sure to deliver. So without further ado, let’s dive into the delicious world of international salads!

Lebanese Fattoush

Lebanese Fattoush

ADD cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes, fried chicken & bread.

Greek Halloumi Salad

Greek Halloumi

ADD tomatoes, orange slices, and grilled halloumi, or other firm cheese

Ahi Tuna Salad

Ahi Tuna Salad

ADD orange juice, honey or syrup, and seared ahi tuna steaks.

Discover simple recipes from around the world

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22
Apr, 2023
13 Green Recipes with Kale for Earth Day

13 Green Recipes with Kale for Earth Day

13 Green Recipes with Kale

13 Green Recipes with Kale

Acai Bowl

Brazilian Açaí Bowl

Açaí berries come from Açaí palm trees that grow in the Amazonian rainforest. It’s told that they are named after an Amazonian girl. Her name

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Ghanaian Nkatenkwan

Ghanaian Nkatenkwan

This Ghanaian dish, called Nkatenkwan or groundnut soup, is popular throughout West Africa. It is typically a creamy chicken-peanut-soup. With our variations, the soup can

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Poke Bowl

Hawaiian Poke Bowl Bar

Start now with one monthly dinner date. Limited Time! The Hawaiian word poke (Poh-keh) means ‘to slice’. Poke started off as a quick snack of

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Indian Saag Paneer

Indian Saag Paneer

This dish became popular in the United States as Palak (spinach) Paneer. Saag Paneer is more flexible as you can use and combine any green

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Gboma Dessi

Togolese Gboma Dessi

Gboma Dessi from the small African country Togo contains big loads of green spinach in a tomato stew with a distinct flavor profile. Fried chicken

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12
Mar, 2023
fenugreek seeds and fresh leaves

5 Recipes How to Use Fenugreek Seeds & Leaves

fenugreek seeds and fresh leaves

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Fenugreek

Discover a Unique Flavor Profile

Fenugreek is a plant that has been used for centuries in cooking and medicine. It is known for its distinctive sweet, bitter, and nutty flavor profile, which makes it a popular ingredient in many cuisines. Fenugreek can be used in various forms: whole or ground seeds and fresh or dried leaves. Its unique flavor profile is appreciated in Indian, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines.

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Indian methi paratha flatbread
Indian Methi Paratha (see 'Methi' for the recipe)

A Distinctive Flavor Profile

Fenugreek has a unique flavor profile that combines sweetness, bitterness, and nuttiness. The bitterness comes from the high levels of alkaloids in fenugreek seeds, while the sweetness and nuttiness are attributed to the presence of sotolon, a compound that gives fenugreek its characteristic aroma. This flavor profile makes fenugreek a versatile ingredient that can be used in many savory dishes.

Recipes with Fenugreek

Indian Mulligatawny
Indian Mulligatawny

Indian Mulligatawny

Ancient Roots

Fenugreek has been used in cooking and medicine for over 4000 years. Traditionally, in North Africa, Asia, and southern Europe, fenugreek was used for diabetes and augmenting lactation in breastfeeding women.

Fenugreek is a component of spice blends and adds flavor in the commercial production of food, drinks, and tobacco.

fenugreek ancient roots

Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds can be used in various forms, including grinding, roasting, and cooking whole. Grinding fenugreek seeds can be a challenge because the seeds are small and hard, making it difficult to grind them into a fine powder without the right equipment. Ground fenugreek seeds are commonly used in spice blends and marinade pastes. Whole fenugreek seeds are used in pickles and as part of Bengali five spice seed mix.

 
fenugreek seeds

Culinary Applications

Fenugreek is a common ingredient in Indian, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines. Some of SpiceBreeze dishes that include fenugreek as part of the spice blends are:

5 Recipes How to Use Fenugreek Seeds & Leaves

Fenugreek Leaves

Fenugreek leaves, also known as methi leaves, can be used fresh or dried, with fresh leaves commonly used in curries and stews, while dried leaves are used in spice blends and marinades. Methi has a distinct and strong aroma that is sweet, nutty, and slightly bitter, often compared to the scent of maple syrup or burnt sugar. The aroma is more pungent and earthy when the leaves are fresh, while dried leaves have a more concentrated aroma. The smell of methi is an essential part of its flavor profile and plays a significant role in the cuisine where it is commonly used.

Recommended: Indian Methi Paratha flatbread

fenugreek leaves methi

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