grilling 2 easy steps

Culinary Building Blocks – Grilling – Marinade

CULINARY BUILDING BLOCKS

BBQ Grill Season: Marinade

How to Boost Your Creativity

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).

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salad - bell pepper

Culinary Building Blocks – Salad Bar – Leafy Greens

CULINARY BUILDING BLOCKS

Your Salad Bar: Leafy Greens

How to Boost Your Creativity

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)
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.

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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.

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

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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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SpiceBreeze Shopping List Cards

SpiceBreeze Free Shopping List Template

SpiceBreeze Shopping List Template

Our new shopping list template is designed for staples and pantry items that appear regularly in our recipes.

To spare you the hassle of hunting for rare to find ingredients, we substitute them with standard pantry items. Of course, you can always opt for a challenge. The following staples and pantry items appear regularly in our recipes.

Now it gets even easier for you! 

Our new printed SpiceBreeze shopping list card is delivered to you each month with your new favorite recipes.

Experience How SpiceBreeze Makes Grocery Shopping a Breeze

Creating a structured shopping list involves a few steps.

  1. First, decide what items you need to purchase. If you use one or more of our recipes, this first step is checked off. 
  2. Next, categorize the items into sections. For example, you could have sections for produce, dairy, frozen foods, and canned goods. Within each section, list the items in order of importance, so that you can prioritize your purchases. This is all done for you when you use our new free shopping list card.
  3. Finally, be sure to include additional details such as quantity, size, and price range. This will help you stay organized and make sure you get exactly what you need. Here you can add to the SpiceBreeze shopping list card the ingredients from the recipe cards and go for the variations that fits your taste.

How do you Structure a Shopping List?

Structuring a shopping list is an important part of making sure that you get everything you need from the store. There are several methods for creating an organized and effective shopping list. One approach is to create categories for items that you usually buy, such as dairy, produce, canned goods, frozen foods, and snacks. Within each category, write down all the items you need, in order of importance. You can also make a master list of all the items you need, and then organize them into categories and subcategories. For example, if you are buying fruits and vegetables, you can list out those items together and then separate them into apples, oranges, potatoes, etc.

Another method is to plan meals for the week and then make a list of all the ingredients you will need for those meals. This helps you avoid buying too much of one item or forgetting something essential. Additionally, you can write down the price range for each item on your list and stick to it while shopping.

Finally, consider how you will shop – will you go to a grocery store, visit farmers markets, or buy online? That will determine how you structure your list. For example, when shopping at a grocery store, you may want to arrange items according to the store’s layout, so you don’t miss any items. When shopping online, you may want to group items by delivery date or website.

No matter how you structure your list, be sure to check off items as you add them to your cart. This will help you stay organized and make sure you don’t forget anything.

Discover simple recipes from around the world

Be Inspired. Explore your boundaries and creativity.