Indian Saag Paneer

Indian Saag Paneer

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 leaves you like. 

Paneer is an Indian fresh cheese similar to unsalted cottage cheese. It melts not easily. We included in this recipe plenty of options for an even delicious dish if you can’t find paneer.

Variations
  • Substitute paneer with tofu, feta, garbanzo beans (drained can), or cottage cheese, and/or serve it over boiled potatoes.
  • If you don’t have a food processor, chopped the leaves finely. Or use baby leaves and use them whole for more texture.
The Saag Paneer Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Cumin, coriander, garlic, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, white pepper

Indian Saag Paneer
Saag Paneer

Indian Saag Paneer

SpiceBreeze
This dish became popular in the United States as Palak (spinach) Paneer. Saag Paneer is more flexible. You can use and combine any green leaves you like. Paneer is an Indian fresh cheese that doesn’t melt easily. Its taste is similar to unsalted cottage cheese. We included in this recipe plenty of options to substitute paneer for an even delicious dish. 
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 18 oz baby leaves from kale, spinach, chard, and/ or collard greens*
  • 12 oz paneer or halloumi cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 onion finely chopped or grated
  • butter or vegetable oil or ghee
  • salt & pepper

Saag Paneer Culinary Spice Kit

  • Cumin, coriander, garlic, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, white pepper

Optional

  • 1-2 green chilies chopped
  • additional garlic to taste grated
  • 1-2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1-4 tbsp heavy cream or yogurt

Suggested Sides

  • naan or other fresh flatbread
  • cooked Basmati rice
  • boiled potatoes

Instructions
 

Prepare

  • In a large POT, bring 4 quarts of water to boil.
  • Add leaves and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Drain and let cool.
  • In a FOOD PROCESSOR, grind leaves with a cup of water into a smooth puree.
  • Optionally, add green chilies.

Cook

  • In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp butter over medium-low heat.
  • Fry onions with a dash of salt until they turn translucent.
  • Stir in Saag Paneer spices.
  • Optionally, add garlic to taste.
  • Add leaves puree and salt & pepper to taste.
  • If using tofu, chicken, or garbanzo beans, add them now.
  • Add some water if you like the dish more liquid. Mix well.
  • Cook 5 minutes over medium-low heat.
  • Add paneer cubes. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Optional

  • Optionally, finish the dish to taste with lemon juice, and/ or heavy cream or yogurt.

Serve

  • Serve with bread, rice, or over potatoes.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

* Alternatively, use 3 bunch of green leaves, chopped.
Tip
▪ Fry paneer shortly before adding it to the dish.
Variations
▪ Substitute paneer with feta or cottage cheese. Don’t cook it. Add it to the plated dish.
▪ Substitute paneer with 1 lb cubed chicken or tofu, or 1 can garbanzo beans. Season & fry them shortly before adding them to the dish.
 
Tunesian Qalat Daqqa

Tunisian Qalat Daqqa

Tunesian Qalat Daqqa

Tunisian Qalat Daqqa

SpiceBreeze
Qalat Daqqa is a Tunisian five-spice blend. Our version adds exotic rosebuds. The most significant part of Qalat Daqqa is a rare spice from West Africa ‘grains of paradise’, also known as malagueta or Guinea pepper. This seasoning staple is versatile and great on meat or vegetables for grilling or in hearty soups and stews.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Tunisian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1 lb ground meat [1] beef or lamb
  • 1 cup garbanzo beans from a can

Produce

  • 2 large tomatoes quartered
  • 8 oz baby carrots or pumpkin cut into 1-inch cubes

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • salt
  • 3 cups couscous [2] plain

Qalat Daqqa Culinary Spice Kit

  • Black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, grains of paradise, cinnamon, rosebuds

Instructions
 

  • In a POT, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Fry onions until translucent.
  • Add meat and stir-fry for a couple of minutes.
  • Add 1 cup of water, garbanzo beans, vegetables, Qalat Daqqa spices and salt to taste.
  • Mix well. Cover. Cook over low heat for 30 minutes. Occasionally, stir and check for water.
  • Prepare couscous according to package instructions.
  • Serve stew over couscous.
  • Optionally, serve with mint tea.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

[1] Options to substitute the ground meat:
  • stew meat, and cook for about 2 hours.
  • chicken, cut into 1-inch cubes.
  • zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and/or eggplant.
[2] Substitute couscous with orzo pasta, buckwheat, bulgur, pearl couscous, or quinoa.
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

 

Tunesian Qalat Daqqa

Tunisian Qalat Daqqa

Qalat Daqqa is a Tunisian five-spice blend. Our version adds exotic rosebuds. The most significant part of Qalat Daqqa is a rare spice from West Africa ‘grains of paradise’, also known as malagueta or Guinea pepper. This seasoning staple is versatile and great on meat or vegetables for grilling or in hearty soups and stews.

Protein

  • 1 lb ground meat (beef or lamb)
  • 1 cup garbanzo beans (from a can)

Produce

  • 2 large tomatoes (quartered)
  • 8 oz baby carrots or pumpkin (cut into 1-inch cubes)

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • olive oil
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • salt
  • 3 cups couscous (plain)

Qalat Daqqa Culinary Spice Kit

  • Black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, grains of paradise, cinnamon, rosebuds
  1. In a POT, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.

  2. Fry onions until translucent.
  3. Add meat and stir-fry for a couple of minutes.
  4. Add 1 cup of water, garbanzo beans, vegetables, Qalat Daqqa spices and salt to taste.

  5. Mix well. Cover.
  6. Cook over low heat for 30 minutes.
  7. Occasionally, stir and check for water.
  8. Prepare couscous according to package instructions.

  9. Serve stew over couscous

  10. Optionally, serve with mint tea.
  11. Enjoy!

Substitute ground meat with stew meat, and cook for about 2 hours.
Substitute ground meat with chicken, cut into 1-inch cubes.
Substitute meat with zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and/or eggplant.
Substitute couscous with orzo pasta, buckwheat, bulgur, pearl couscous, or quinoa.

Main Course
Tunesian
grains of paradise, nutmeg, rosebud
Asian Buddha Bowl

Asian Buddha Bowl

Buddha Bowl

Buddha Bowl

The ‘Buddha Bowl’ is a contemporary trend of colorful vegetarian one-bowl meals. Crisp quinoa balls with nigella seeds are the stars of our vegetable bowl finished with an orange ginger dressing. 

Nigella and Quinoa for Your Health

Healthy nigella in protein-rich quinoa balls fit just right. If you are new to quinoa or short in time, you can simply add quinoa to your bowl and sprinkle the spice blend on top. For your convenience, find the recipe for a version with meatballs at the end of this page.

Your Selection of Vegetables

What kind of vegetables are best for your Buddha Bowl? It really depends on which vegetables you have available and what you prefer. Get inspired by the following recommendations:

Classic: Lettuce leaves, sliced red radish, sliced cucumber, tomato slices, and bell pepper strips.

Healthy XXL: kale chopped, baby spinach, radicchio sliced, endives sliced, and edamame.

Latino vibe: black beans, fresh corn, cilantro, tomato cubes, cucumber cubes, grilled sweet potato cubes.

The Buddha Bowl Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Coarse brown mustard, nigella seeds

nigella seeds
Nigella
Buddha Bowl

Asian Buddha Bowl

SpiceBreeze
This trending 'Buddha Bowl' is a colorful and contemporary vegetarian one-bowl meal. Healthy nigella in protein-rich quinoa balls fit in just right. If you are new to quinoa or short in time, you can simply add quinoa to your bowl and sprinkle the spice blend on top. For your convenience, find a meatball version and more options on our website.
 
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Shopping list

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 cup panko or any fine breadcrumbs
  • 1/8 cup chives finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup orange jam
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 inch ginger grated
  • 1 lemon for juice
  • vegetable oil
  • salt & pepper
  • Your selection of vegetables for the salad

Culinary Spice Kit

  • Coarse brown mustard, nigella seeds

Instructions
 

Cook

  • Cook quinoa according to package instructions.

Salad dressing

  • In a small POT, heat orange jam with 1/2 cup of water, half of the ginger, and salt to taste.
  • Cook over slow heat for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in 1/2-1 tsp lemon juice. Set aside to cool.

Prepare balls

  • In a BOWL, combine onions, garlic, half of the ginger, chives, and Buddha Spices.
  • Add quinoa, salt & pepper to taste. Mix well.
  • Add 2 or more tbsp panko as needed to absorb most of the liquid.
  • Form little balls in the size of 1-inch diameter.
  • On a PLATE, roll the balls in the remaining panko until they are coated on all sides.

Fry

  • In a PAN, heat 4 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Fry quinoa balls on all sides until they turn brown and crisp.

Serve

  • Distribute salad in bowls.
  • Add quinoa balls and pour the dressing on top.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Variations
  • Make meatballs from poultry, pork, or veal instead of quinoa balls.
  • For the coating, add 2 tbsp or more sesame seeds to the panko.
  • Substitute chives with parsley or cilantro.

Buddha Bowl with Meatballs

SpiceBreeze
Cuisine Asian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Shopping list

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1/8 cup chives finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup panko or any fine breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup orange jam
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic grated or chopped
  • 1 inch ginger grated or chopped
  • vegetable oil
  • salt & pepper
  • Your selection of vegetables for the salad

Culinary Spice Kit

  • Coarse brown mustard, nigella seeds

Instructions
 

Salad dressing

  • In a small POT, heat orange jam with 1/2 cup of water, half of the ginger, and salt to taste.
  • Cook over slow heat for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in 1/2-1 tsp lemon juice. Set aside to cool.

Prepare

  • In a BOWL, combine egg yolk, onions, garlic, chives, tbsp panko, and Buddha Spices.
  • Add ground meat, salt & pepper to taste. Knead well.
  • Add more panko as needed to absorb most of the liquid.
  • Form little balls in the size of 0.5-inch diameter.
  • On a PLATE, roll the balls in the remaining panko until they are coated on all sides.

Fry

  • In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Add balls and fry them on all sides until they turn brown and are cooked through.

Serve

  • Distribute salad in bowls.
  • Add meatballs and pour the dressing on top.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Variations
  • Use a different ground meat: chicken, pork, or veal.
  • For the coating, substitute 2 tbsp white sesame seeds for the panko.
  • Substitute chives with parsley or cilantro.
Laotian Larb

Loatian Larb

larb plated

Larb Summer Salad

This simple fresh summer dish is a specialty from Laos. Larb is an exotic sour-salty salad with cooked ground meat and fresh herbs.

Larb likes it hot

Larb is originally very hot and served with unseasoned vegetables to balance the intense flavor. Our seasoning provides the basic with a mild hotness. Add as many fresh chilies as you can take.

Variations
  •  Substitute beef with any other ground meat, or vegetables (recipes below).
  • Substitute 2 green onions with 1/2 red onion.
  • If not using fish sauce, add 1-3 tbsp anchovy paste.
  • Add chopped cilantro or Thai basil.
The Larb Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Lemongrass, amchoor, garlic, lemon peel, chili, coriander,  ginger, star anise, cilantro, onion, basil, cumin, white peppercorn, cinnamon, lemon oil

Larb dipping
Larb dipping

Laotian Larb

SpiceBreeze
This simple fresh dish is a specialty from Laos and one of our summer favorites. Larb or laap is an aromatic sour-salty salad with raw or cooked ground meat. We go with the latter and an exotic blend of lemongrass, amchoor (green mango), and dried herbs. We recommend adding fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor. It's best with rice and unseasoned salad.
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Laotian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground meat beef, pork, or poultry
  • 4 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 lettuce sliced
  • 1 English cucumber sliced
  • 2-4 limes or lemons for juice
  • 4 cups rice cooked; recommended: jasmine rice
  • 1-2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

Optional

  • 1 tbsp jasmine rice uncooked
  • 1-3 tsp sugar palm or brown
  • 1-3 tbsp chopped herbs (mint, cilantro, and/or Thai basil)
  • 1-3 fresh red chilies sliced
  • 4 oz mung bean sprouts
  • 1 cup cashew or peanuts chopped

Larb Culinary Spice Kit

  • Lemongrass, amchoor, garlic, lemon peel, chili, coriander, ginger, star anise, cilantro, onion, basil, cumin, mint, white peppercorn, cinnamon, lemon oil

Instructions
 

Optional preparation

  • In a PAN, toast 1 tbsp uncooked rice over medium heat until it turns golden brown.
  • Transfer to a spice grinder and grind until fine. Set aside.

Cook meat

  • In a PAN, cook ground meat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it’s crumbled and fully cooked.
  • Turn heat off.

Season

  • Add Larb spices and onions. Mix well.
  • Add to taste: 1-3 tbsp lime juice and
  • 1-2 tbsp soy sauce. Mix well.

Optionally

  • Optionally, add chopped herbs (recommended), 1-3 tsp sugar, toasted ground rice, and/or chilies to taste. Mix well.

Serve

  • Transfer larb salad to a SERVING BOWL.
  • Serve with rice, lettuce, cucumber slices, and optional mung bean sprouts.

Optionally

  • Optionally, sprinkle with chopped nuts.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

▪ Substitute 2 green onions with 1/2 red onion.
▪ Substitute soy sauce with 1-3 tsp fish sauce or add 1-3 tbsp anchovy paste.

Vegetarian Versions

Substitute meat and the 'cook meat'-step in the instructions as follows:
1) Cauliflower Larb
  • In a FOOD PROCESSOR, chop 1 head raw cauliflower into rice-size pieces.
  • In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Fry cauliflower until cooked but still a bit crisp.
  • Turn heat off.
2) Mushroom Larb
  • Chop 1 lb of your favorite mushrooms into about pea-size pieces.
  • In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Cook mushrooms until they are cooked.
  • Turn heat off.
Cuban Vaca Frita

Cuban Vaca Frita

Cuban Vaca Frita

Viva Vaca Frita

This popular Cuban dish is fresh and juicy. Vaca Frita is very easy to cook. Though it takes some patience.

The Secret is Cooking

The key to Vaca Frita or “fried beef” is slow cooked beef the Cuban way. Quick frying is the second and last step in the preparation.

Good for Two Different Dishes

Our tip: After cooking the meat, keep the cooking water. It’s a delicious broth that you can use to make another dinner. Peel and cut potatoes and root vegetables into the same size: either 1/4 inch for fast cooking or 1 inch for fast cutting. Cook them in the broth to create a Cuban style soup.

Variations
  • Substitute beef with chicken breast.
  • Vaca Frita with Mojo Sauce (see recipe below).
  • Add traditional black beans and fried plantains to the dish (see recipe below).
The Vaca Frita Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Cumin, orange peel, ancho chili, oregano

Cuban Vaca Frita
Vaca Frita Pizza
Cuban Vaca Frita

Cuban Vaca Frita

SpiceBreeze
This popular Cuban dish is fresh and juicy. It is very easy to cook, though it takes some patience. The key to vaca frita or "fried beef" is slow-cooked beef the Cuban way. You can prepare this step in advance. Quick frying is the second and last step in the preparation.
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cuban
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1.25 lb brisket or skirt steak [1]

Fresh Produce - For Soup

  • 1 green bell pepper quartered
  • 1 large onion quartered
  • 2 cloves garlic halved

Fresh Produce - For Frying

  • 1 green bell pepper halved & sliced
  • 1 large onion halved & sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 limes or lemons for juice

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper

Vaca Frita Culinary Spice Kit

  • Cumin, orange peel, ancho chili, oregano

Suggested Sides

  • cooked rice
  • a fresh salad
  • black beans see notes [4] for recipe
  • fried plantains see notes [5] for recipe

Instructions
 

Soup - Cook Meat

  • In a POT, add meat, the quartered bell pepper, onion, garlic, and salt to taste.
  • Cover with water. Close and bring to a boil.
  • Turn heat to low. Cook at least for 2 hours until the meat starts to fall apart.

Prepare - Shred Meat

  • Take the meat out.
  • Tip: Keep the broth in the fridge and use within a week.
  • Shred the meat into 1/2-inch thick chunks. Set aside.

Fry - Fry Vegetables

  • If cooking variation [3]: Fry onions and bell peppers separately. 
  • In a PAN, heat 1/2 cup of oil over medium heat.
  • Fry sliced bell pepper and onion with a pinch of salt until the onions are translucent.
  • Scoop the vegetables out. Set aside.
  • Keep the remaining oil in the PAN.

Fry - Fry Meat

  • In the same PAN, add meat chunks, chopped garlic, and Vaca Frita spices.
  • Fry over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes until the meat is golden brown but not crisp.

Finish - For Variations [4]

  • If cooking variation [3]: Return only the bell peppers to the PAN and don't use lime juice. 
  • Return the fried vegetables to the PAN to reheat. [2]
  • Turn off. Add 2-3 tbsp lime juice and salt & pepper to taste.

If Cooking Variation [3]: Mix the Mojo Sauce

  • In a BOWL, add fried onions and season with lime juice and (optionally) chili or chipotle to taste.

Serve

  • If cooking variation [3]: Top plated meat with Mojo sauce. 
  • Serve with your preferred sides.
  • Optionally, add more lime juice.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

[1] Substitute beef with chicken thighs. 
[2] Optionally, add up to 1 cup of the broth.

[3] Recipe changes for variation with Mojo Sauce (spiced fried onions):

  • [3.1] Fry onions and bell peppers separately.
  • [3.2] Return only the bell peppers to the PAN and don't use lime juice.
  • [3.3] Mix the Mojo Sauce: In a BOWL, add fried onions and season with lime juice and (optionally) chili or chipotle to taste.
  • [3.4] Top with Mojo sauce.

[4] Black Beans side

  • In a POT, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Add 1 can black beans (rinsed).
  • Season to taste with salt, cumin, and black pepper.
  • Fry beans for a couple of minutes.
  • Add 1/2 cup of the broth.
  • Cover the POT and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes.

[5] Fried Plantains side

  • Peel 2-3 plantains and cut them into 1/2 inch slices.
  • In a PAN, heat 1/4 cup of oil over medium heat.
  • Fry plantain slices until they turn golden on both sides.
  • Season with salt to taste.
Indian Pumpkin Sambar

Indian Pumpkin Sambar

Indian Pumpkin Sambar

Indian Pumpkin Sambar

SpiceBreeze
Sambar is an Indian stew abundant in hearty pulses and seasonal vegetables, with a bright tart flavor from tamarind. A staple in South Indian cuisine, it is simple, gluten free, and can be plant-based - or not - with each family having their own creative spin on ingredients.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 2-3 cups cooked yellow pigeon peas [1]

Produce

  • 1 large onion halved and sliced
  • 12 oz pumpkin [2] cut into about 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tomato chopped

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 2 cups broth vegetarian or chicken
  • vegetable oil or ghee
  • salt & pepper

Pumpkin Sambar Culinary Spice Kit

  • Tamarind, coriander, cumin, black mustard, turmeric, fenugreek, asafoetida

Optional

  • chili pepper
  • lemon juice
  • sweetener of your choice
  • 1-2 cups cooked shredded chicken or thinly sliced mild sausages

Suggested Sides (See also Serving Suggestions)

  • 2-4 cups cooked rice basmati recommended
  • bread slices
  • noodles of your choice

Instructions
 

Soup - Fry Aroma Veggies

  • In a POT, heat 2 tbsp oil.
  • Fry onions over medium-low heat until they turn translucent.

Soup - Cook Veggies

  • Careful of splatters, add pumpkin [2], tomato, broth, and Sambar spices.
  • Add salt, pepper, and chili (opt.) to taste.
  • Cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Cook until the pumpkin is almost cooked.

Soup - Add Pulses

  • Add 2 cups cooked pigeon peas. If you like the soup richer, add more.
  • Adjust salt & pepper to taste. Mix well.
  • Cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Continue to cook until the pumpkin is tender.

Soup - Finishing

  • Adjust sour- or sweetness to taste.

Soup - Toppings

  • Optionally, top with cooked shredded chicken or thinly sliced mild sausages.

Serving Suggestions

  • Add rice to taste into your soup or eat soup with some slices of bread.
  • Alternative: Add small noodles into your soup or pour soup over long noodles.

Notes

[1] Substitute pigeon peas with yellow or red split lentils.
[2] Substitute pumpkin with (sweet) potatoes, cauliflower, root vegetables, or green beans, or a mix of it.
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity