Moroccan Mkaouara

Moroccan Mkaouara

Moroccan Mkaouara

Moroccan Mkaouara

Mkaouara is a popular Moroccan Kefta Tagine with cherry-sized meatballs and eggs. Tomatoes are not supposed to be added to this sauce. It’s just pure gravy from the juicy meatballs. Comfort food at its best. For a faster version, you can form the meatballs a bit larger.

Variations
  • Substitute broccoli with zucchini, pumpkin, green beans, turnips, or a fresh salad.
  • Substitute cilantro with parsley.
  • Substitute beef with veal or pork.
The Mkaouara Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Paprika, cumin, cinnamon, mint, black pepper, chili


Moroccan Kefta Tagine

Mkaouara Gnocchi

Moroccan Mkaouara

For a change and quick dinner fix, add the Mkaouara spice blend to a tomato sauce for gnocchi.  

Moroccan Mkaouara

Moroccan Mkaouara

SpiceBreeze
Mkaouara is a popular Moroccan Kefta Tagine with cherry-sized meatballs and eggs. Tomatoes are not supposed to be added to this sauce. It's just pure gravy from the juicy meatballs. Comfort food at its best. For a faster version, you can form the meatballs a bit larger.
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Moroccan
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Shopping list

  • 2 lbs ground meat beef or lamb or half-half
  • 1 cup parsley and cilantro chopped (packed full, save some for garnish), half-half
  • 10 oz broccoli florets
  • 4-6 pieces of bread e.g. naan
  • 1 shallot or small onion finely chopped
  • 2 - 4 eggs
  • 2 oz butter
  • salt

Mkaouara Culinary Spice Kit

  • Paprika, cumin, cinnamon, mint, black pepper, chili

Suggested Sides

  • baguette, ciabatta, or any flatbread
  • fresh salad
  • carrots, pumpkin, or turnips baked
  • broccoli, zucchini, or green beans  cooked

Instructions
 

Prepare

  • In a LARGE BOWL, mix herbs and shallot, Mkaouara spices, and salt to taste (1 tsp recommended).
  • Add meat and knead well.
  • Form little cherry-sized meatballs.

Cook

  • In a PAN, melt 2 tbsp butter.
  • Distribute meatballs in one layer*).
  • Cover the PAN with a LID and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes.
  • In a SMALL BOWL, crack the eggs.
  • Gently slide the eggs one by one on top of the meatballs, each in a different corner. Add salt to taste.
  • Cover the PAN and cook until the egg white is cooked.

Serve

  • Serve Mkaouara in the PAN or on a large PLATE. Sprinkle it with the reserved herbs.
  • Add bread and other sides on separate plates.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

*) If your PAN is not large enough, cook the meatballs in two batches with some extra butter.
  • Substitute cilantro with parsley.
  • Substitute meat with veal or pork.
  • Substitute meat with poultry. Add 2 tbsp butter to the PAN.
 
Lebanese Chicken Shawarma

Lebanese Shawarma

Lebanese Chicken Shawarma

Chicken Shawarma

Bring this popular dish to your home. Chicken Shawarma with sumac and baharat spices makes a good party dish and burger-alternative. If you can marinate the chicken in advance, it will intensify the flavor.

Yogurt for Mayonnaise

The dressing basis is made with yogurt instead of mayonnaise. It’s lighter and makes up for the double oil in the chicken preparation. You might sprinkle it with extra sumac.

Not Just For Chicken

If you are not a chicken fan, mix the Shawarma Spices [1] in any other beef or vegetables dish. It always turns out delicious! We recommend this Mediterranean combination:

Greek Salad with Lebanese Potatoes
  • In a BOWL, add romaine lettuce with tomatoes, cucumber, and tomatoes. Season with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and Greek oregano. Add feta cheese and/ or black olives. Mix well.
  • Cut potatoes in the size of large French fries. Mix with Shawarma Spices [1], salt to taste, and 3 tbsp olive oil. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes, turning midway.
The Shawarma Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

[1] Sumac, allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, fenugreek , nutmeg, ginger

[2] Mint leaves

[3] Paprika

Greek Salad with Lebanese Potatoes
Lebanese Chicken Shawarma

Lebanese Shawarma

SpiceBreeze
Lebanese Shawarma is a culinary gem from the Middle East. Marinated meat, slow-roasted on a vertical spit, combines fragrant spices to create an aromatic masterpiece. Tender slices of the crispy, seasoned meat are wrapped in a soft pita bread and complemented by tangy pickles, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and delectable tahini or garlic sauce. Lebanese Shawarma transcends borders, captivating food enthusiasts with its irresistible taste and creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more. Embark on a culinary journey and savor the essence of Lebanon with every bite of this timeless Middle Eastern delight.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Lebanese
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Shopping list

  • 1 lbs chicken breast skin- and boneless
  • 1 cup yogurt plain
  • 3-8 pita breads

You might have

  • 4 cloves garlic peeled and grated
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • oil & salt

Suggested vegetables

  • 1 onion peeled and sliced
  • 1 cucumber sliced
  • 3 tomato/es sliced
  • 1/2 head red cabbage shredded
  • 1 romaine lettuce shredded

Culinary Spice Kit

  • Pouch [1] Sumac, allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, fenugreek, nutmeg, ginger
  • Pouch [2] Mint
  • Pouch [3] Paprika

Instructions
 

  • Preheat OVEN to 425°F. *
  • Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes.
  • In a BOWL, mix 2 tbsp oil with Shawarma Spices [1] and salt to taste (1 tsp recommended). Add chicken, mix well until evenly coated.
  • On a BAKING SHEET lined with aluminum foil, spread chicken evenly.
  • Roast in the OVEN for 15 minutes, turning pieces midway.
    Shawarma Step 1
  • For the dressing, in a BOWL, mix yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt to taste, Shawarma Spices [2], and ½ tsp oil.
  • Cut the roasted chicken in thin slices. Toss with Shawarma Spices [3].
    Shawarma Step 2
  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large PAN. Quickly stir-fry the chicken slices until all sides are brown and crisp.
  • Serve on pita bread topped with vegetables and yogurt dressing.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

* If you have time to prepare the chicken in advance, marinate (step 2-3) and let it rest in a covered BOWL in the refrigerator up to 24 hours.
Filipino Chicken Inasal

Filipino Chicken Inasal

Chicken Inasal
From Bacolod

Chicken Inasal from the Filipino City of Bacolod has an earthy-peppery taste with a hint of nutmeg and a slight citrus flavor. 

Colored With Lipstick

The key ingredient is annatto or achiote powder. This spice from the “lipstick tree” colors the chicken orange-red and is very popular in Latin and Filipino cooking.

The Inasal Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Annatto, lemongrass, lemon peel, ginger

Chili Vinegar Dipping Sauce

Optionally, add a chili vinegar dipping sauce made with fresh or dried chilies:

1 cup vinegar
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, grated
1-2 fresh red chilis, finely sliced, or red chili flakes to taste
1 tbsp agave syrup or sugar
salt & pepper to taste

In a BOWL, mix all ingredients. 
Cover and set aside in the fridge for 1-3 days.

Filipino Chicken Inasal
Pickled Vegetables

Instead or in addition to the tomato mango salad try this typical Filipino side of pickled vegetables.

Ingredients

Pickling Sauce

2 tbsp white vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
1-2 tsp soy sauce or tamari or fish sauce

Vegetables & Spices

1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
1 orange or red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 shallot or small onion
1-2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 inch ginger, thinly sliced
1 tsp lemongrass powder or 1/2 tsp lemon zest

 

Directions

Pickling Sauce

In a small POT, heat 2 tbsp water and the vinegar. Add sugar and cook over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Let cool. Mix in soy sauce or fish sauce to taste.

Finish

In a JAR, add all vegetables and spices. 

Fill with the pickling sauce until all ingredients are covered. 

Store

Cover and set aside in the fridge for 1-3 days.

Greek Moussaka

Greek Moussaka

Greek
Moussaka

Eggplant Potato Casserole

Moussaka may not have originated in Greece, but it has undoubtedly become the most iconic Greek dish.

This authentic Moussaka is a rich, flavorful casserole featuring layers of tender eggplant and seasoned ground lamb, all topped with a velvety béchamel sauce.

Spice Blend

Black pepper, thyme, cinnamon, bay leaves

Casseroles: Greek Moussaka

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Quick Moussaka a la Kleftiko

For a delightful twist, try pairing it with Kleftiko, a succulent lamb dish slow-cooked in parchment paper. It’s easy to prepare, fun to eat, and brings a robust Moussaka flavor to the table.

Vegetarian Moussaka

Substitute lentils for lamb to enjoy a hearty, plant-based version of this classic dish.

What You Need for Moussaka

.

Main Ingredients

eggplants
potato
ground meat

Alternative Ingredients

zucchini and yellow squash
sweet potatoes
lasagna pasta sheets
lentil trio

Sauce Ingredients

butter in pot
flour
milk
one egg
Greek Moussaka

Greek Moussaka

SpiceBreeze
Moussaka may not have originated in Greece, but it has undoubtedly become the most iconic Greek dish.
This authentic Moussaka is a rich, flavorful casserole featuring layers of tender eggplant and seasoned ground lamb, all topped with a velvety béchamel sauce.
For a delightful twist, try pairing it with Kleftiko, a succulent lamb dish slow-cooked in parchment paper. It’s easy to prepare, fun to eat, and brings a robust Moussaka flavor to the table.
Vegetarian option: Substitute lentils for lamb to enjoy a hearty, plant-based version of this classic dish.
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1 lb ground meat [1] lamb or beef recommended

Fresh Produce/Dairy

  • 1/2 large eggplant cut lengthwise into thin 1/4 slices
  • 1/2 lb large potatoes cut into thin 1/4 slices
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes fresh or from can
  • 1 lettuce of your choice; for salad (optional)

Packaged Goods

  • 2 tbsp red wine [2] for the protein (optional)

Cherry-Picked Staples [Fat, Liquid, Dairy]

  • olive oil for frying
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1-2 tbsp grated cheese of your choice [3]
  • 1 egg or substitute
  • 1 cup milk dairy or nut milk

Cherry-Picked Staples [Salty, Sour, Sweet]

  • salt & pepper
  • 1 orange for salad dressing (optional)

Cherry-Picked Staples [Coating, Aroma]

  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped

Moussaka Culinary Spice Kit

  • 1 pouch Black pepper, thyme, cinnamon, bay leaves

Instructions
 

1. Prepare the Eggplants

  • You need: eggplants, salt
  • In a BOWL, add eggplant and a pinch of salt. Cover with cold water. Let rest for 15 minutes. Drain and dry the eggplants with kitchen paper.

2. Fry the Vegetables [4]

  • You need: olive oil, potatoes, eggplants
  • In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
  • Fry potatoes in several batches until all potatoes are almost cooked.
  • Note: For an authentic taste, try not to brown the potatoes!
  • Fry eggplants in several batches until they turn slightly brown.

3. Fry the Protein

  • You need: chopped onion, chopped garlic, Moussaka Spices, meat, salt
  • In the meantime, in another PAN, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook until they are fragrant.
  • Add meat or lentils, Moussaka Spices, and salt to taste.
  • Stir-fry until meat is crumbled.
  • Optionally, add wine and cook over medium heat until all liquid is absorbed.
  • Add tomatoes and 1/4 cup of water.
  • Cook over medium heat until all liquid is absorbed.

4. Prepare the Sauce (shortly before baking)

  • You need: 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour, 1-2 cups of cold milk, 1 egg, 1-2 tbsp cheese (opt.), salt, nutmeg (opt.).
  • In a POT, melt 2 tbsp of butter over low heat.
  • Note: Pay attention not to burn the butter.
  • Gradually add 2 tbsp of flour, stirring constantly until smooth.
  • Add 1 cup of cold milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  • Note: For a thicker topping, add another cup of milk.
  • Continue to cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the mixture from sticking to the pot.
  • Quickly stir in 1 egg until fully incorporated.
  • Optionally, add 1-2 tbsp of grated cheese.
  • Season with salt to taste. Optionally, add a pinch of nutmeg.
  • Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the oven is heated and your Moussaka is assembled for baking.

5. Assemble & Bake

  • Preheat the OVEN to 350°F.
  • In a BAKING DISH, place single layers in this order:
  • - potatoes, sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste
  • - eggplants, sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste
  • - cooked meat or lentils
  • If you use a small BAKING DISH, you can repeat the layers.
  • Pour the sauce over the Moussaka layers.
  • Bake in oven for 30-60 minutes until the sauce has set and the top turned slightly brown.

6. Salad (Optional)

  • Mix 3 tbsp orange juice, 1 tbsp oil, salt & pepper to taste. Toss over lettuce.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

[1] Substitute meat with a can of black lentils or sautéed mushrooms or sautéed onions and rice.
[2] Substitute wine with grape juice or other fruit juice.
[3] Recommended cheese: Swiss, gruyere, or parmesan.
[4] Tip to reduce the amount of oil: cook or bake one or more of the vegetables.

Enter the Culinary World

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Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Moussaka a la Kleftiko

Greek Moussaka a la Kleftiko

Greek Moussaka a la Kleftiko

Greek Moussaka a la Kleftiko

SpiceBreeze
Though Moussaka doesn’t origin in Greece, it became the best known of all Greek dishes. Authentic Moussaka is a casserole made with ground lamb and eggplant covered with a thick layer of béchamel sauce. The latter is quite tricky to master. This recipe is a combination with Kleftiko, a lamb dish baked in parchment paper. It’s easy to prepare, fun to eat, and has a rich Moussaka flavor.
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Shopping list

  • 1.5 lb lamb chops or beef sirloin steaks
  • 1/2 inch large eggplant cut lengthwise into thin 1/4 slices
  • 1/2 lb potatoes cut into thin 1/4 slices
  • 2 tbsp red wine
  • 2 tomato/es cut into 1/4 inch slices
  • 1 cup grated cheese of your choice
  • 1 lettuce of your choice

You might have

  • 1 onion sliced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic sliced
  • 1 orange for juice
  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper

Culinary Spice Kit

  • Black pepper thyme, cinnamon, bay leaves

Instructions
 

Prepare

  • In a large BOWL, add eggplant and a pinch of salt. Cover with cold water. Let rest for 15 minutes. Drain.
  • Season lamb with salt to taste.
  • In a BOWL, mix 7 tbsp oil, wine, and about half of the Moussaka Spices.
  • Preheat OVEN to 400°F.

Create 3 packets, each as follows:

  • On an 8-inch PLATE, place (1) ALUMINUM FOIL and (2) BAKING PAPER, each a sheet of about 20 inches long.
  • Staple: eggplant, lamb, tomato, garlic.
  • Place potatoes and onions around.
  • Drizzle with 3 tbsp of the oil mixture.
  • Season with salt and sprinkle with cheese.
  • Close BAKING PAPER, then FOIL
  • Place the packets on a baking rack.

Bake

  • Bake about 60 minutes until cooked.

Salad

  • Mix 3 tbsp orange juice, 1 tbsp oil, salt & pepper to taste. Toss over lettuce.

Serve

  • Serve salad with packets.
  • Enjoy!

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Italian Spaghetti Napolitana

Italian Spaghetti Napolitana

Italian Spaghetti Napolitana

Italian Spaghetti Napolitana

SpiceBreeze
Despite the name of this dish, it didn't originate in Naples. It's a variation of pasta al pomodoro (noodles with tomatoes), a basic Italian meal. This Napolitana spice blend adds the Mediterranean aroma of mixed herbs. Optionally, try a variation with vegetables or meat (Spaghetti Bolognese).
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1 lb ground meat [1] optional

Fresh Produce

  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 8 oz vegetables [2] finely cut (optional)
  • 1 cup basil or parsley leaves for garnish

Dairy

  • 1/2 cup cheese [3] finely grated (optional)

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 1 can tomatoes [4] 17-18 oz
  • 1 lb spaghetti or capellini, bucatini, or other noodles of your choice
  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper

Napolitana Culinary Spice Kit

  • Onion, garlic, oregano, basil, marjoram, sage, chili, celery

Suggested Sides

  • lettuce or cucumber salad with a mild dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, and salt & pepper

Instructions
 

Sauce

  • In a POT, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Add onions and fry them until they are translucent.
  • Careful of splatters, add tomatoes and Napolitana spices.
  • Optionally, add ground meat and stir until it's crumbled.
  • Optionally, add finely cut vegetables. Mix well.
  • Cover and bring to a boil.
  • Turn heat to medium-low.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Cover and cook for 30-90 minutes.

Noodles

  • Cook the noodles according to package instructions.

Serve

  • Pour Napolitana sauce over the noodles.
  • Optionally, sprinkle with cheese, and garnish with basil or parsley leaves.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

[1] beef, pork, lamb, poultry, or a mix of it
[2] recommended: carrots, turnip, or parsnip; eggplant
[3] recommended: parmesan
[4] The ingredients in the can should be only tomatoes and no seasoning.

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