March Archives | SpiceBreeze

28

Apr, 2023

Persian Kuku Kadoo

Persian Kuku Kadoo

Persian Kuku Kadoo

Persian Kuku Kadoo

SpiceBreeze

This dish looks like an omelet but gives a different taste experience. Not the eggs but the vegetables are the stars of the dish. The eggs act as a supporter, holding the dish together to create a heavenly taste thanks to the divine Persian 'advieh' spice blend from rosebud, cinnamon, cardamom, and mace. Healthy turmeric adds a beautiful yellow color.

Pin Print

hands-on time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Persian

Servings

Ingredients

6 eggs
1 lb zucchini cut into thin slices
1 onion halved and sliced
2 cloves garlic grated or chopped
1 tsp baking powder
oil
salt

Kuku Kadoo Culinary Spice Ingredients

Turmeric, rosebud, black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, mace, cardamom

Suggested Sides

fresh flatbread
yogurt seasoned with lemon juice and freshly chopped parsley
olives, whole or sliced
fresh lettuce salad with parsley, chives, and red radish slices
pomegranate seeds

Instructions

Eggs

In a large BOWL, whisk eggs.
Add baking powder and salt to taste.
Stir in about 1/2 of the Kuku Kadoo spices.

Vegetables

In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp of oil.
In several batches, fry zucchini, garlic, and onion until they become soft.
Take the vegetables out and set aside.

Bake

Preheat OVEN to 400°F.
In a PIE BAKING DISH, add the vegetables.
Keep about ten zucchini slices aside.
Pour the egg mixture over and level out.
Distribute the remaining zucchini slices on top.
Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake it for about 25 minutes until it is set.
Take off the foil after the first 10 minutes.

Serve

Serve kuku kadoo with bread, yogurt sauce, olives, salad, and/or pomegranate seeds.

Video

Notes

Substitute zucchini with asparagus, green beans, artichokes, mushrooms, potatoes, or eggplant.
Make the Kuku Sabzi recipe instead.

Marceline Reid-Jaques

2022-12-14

Karen Jones

2022-12-05

Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!

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

2022-05-22

The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

2

Dec, 2021

Turkish Biber Dolması

Turkish Biber Dolması

Turkish Biber Dolması

Turkish Biber Dolması

SpiceBreeze

Aromatic stuffed vegetables are a Turkish specialty. For Biber Dolması, small green bell peppers with thin skin are simmered in a light tomato sauce. The typical filling is a meat and rice mixture seasoned with mint, parsley, and regional dried peppers. Our blend features the mild and fruity pepper from Aleppo. For a vegetarian version combine raisin and pine nuts with rice.

Pin Print

Hands-on Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Turkish

Servings

Ingredients

Protein

6 oz ground beef ^[1] or lamb, pork, or poultry

Fresh Produce

1 onion finely chopped
1 cup parsley finely chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice
4-5 medium bell peppers green ^[2]

Packaged Goods/Staples

1.5 cups short grain rice raw, rinsed
1 cup tomato puree
3-5 cups broth of your choice
2 tbsp olive oil
salt & pepper

Biber Dolması Culinary Spice Kit

Paprika, Aleppo pepper, mint, cumin, black pepper

Suggested Sides

fresh bread
fresh lettuce salad

Instructions

1. Prepare the Broth

In a BOWL, Dissolve tomato puree in 3 cups of broth.

2. Prepare the Filling

In a BOWL, combine all remaining ingredients except the bell peppers and additional broth.
Add Biber Dolması spices and salt to taste. Mix well.

3. Prepare the Bell Peppers

Cut off the tops of each bell pepper and remove the seeds.
Fill each bell pepper with the mixture from step 2.

4. Cook

Select a POT wide enough to snugly accommodate all bell peppers in a single layer.
In the POT, arrange the filled bell peppers in the pot with their tops facing upward. Optionally, cover them with the bell pepper tops.
Pour the tomato-broth mixture from step 1 around the bell peppers.
Add more broth until it reaches about two-thirds of the height of the bell peppers. Adjust salt to taste.
Cover the pot and bring the broth to a boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Cook for approximately 30 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked.

Serve

Serve with optional sides and enjoy!

Notes

[1] Substitute meat with 1 cup of raisins and pine nuts.

[2] If you can find small thin bell peppers, double the amount of bell peppers and use a wider pot.

Optionally, substitute green bell peppers with other colored bell peppers, zucchini, or a combination of both.

Marceline Reid-Jaques

2022-12-14

Karen Jones

2022-12-05

Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!

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

2022-05-22

The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Turkish Biber Dolması

Turkish Biber Dolması

Aromatic stuffed vegetables are a Turkish specialty. For Biber Dolması, small green bell peppers with thin skin are simmered in a light tomato sauce. The typical filling is a meat and rice mixture seasoned with mint, parsley, and regional dried peppers. Our blend features the mild and fruity pepper from Aleppo. For a vegetarian version combine raisin and pine nuts with rice.

Protein

6 oz ground beef* (or lamb, pork, or poultry)

Fresh Produce

1 onion (finely chopped)
1 cup parsley (finely chopped)
1 tbsp lemon juice
4-5 medium green bell peppers**/***

Packaged Goods/Staples

1.5 cups short grain rice (raw, rinsed)
1 cup tomato puree
3-5 cups broth (of your choice)
2 tbsp olive oil
salt & pepper

Biber Dolması Culinary Spice Kit

Paprika, Aleppo pepper, mint, cumin, black pepper

Suggested Sides

fresh bread
fresh salad

Prepare

Dissolve tomato puree in 3 cups broth.
[Step 2] In a BOWL, add all remaining ingredients, except the bell peppers and broth. Add Biber Dolması spices and salt to taste. Mix well.
Of each bell pepper, cut off the top and clean out the seeds.
Fill them with the mixture from [step 2].
Find a POT that is wide enough to tightly fit all bell peppers in one layer.

Cook

In the POT, place filled bell peppers with the top up. Optionally, cover with the bell pepper top.
Pour tomato-broth around them.
Add more broth up to 2/3 of the height of the bell peppers. Add salt to taste.
Cover the POT. Bring broth to a boil.
Turn heat to medium-low.
Cook for about 30 minutes until the rice is cooked.
Enjoy!

* Substitute meat with 1 cup of raisins and pine nuts.

** If you can find small thin bell peppers, double the amount of bell peppers and use a wider pot.

*** Substitute green bell peppers with other colored bell peppers, zucchini, or both.

Main Course

Turkish

Aleppo pepper, mint, paprika

16

Mar, 2021

Spice Bag

Dublin Spice Bag

Spice Bag

Dublin Spice Bag

SpiceBreeze

Spice Bags have become a popular street food sensation in the bustling streets of Dublin. Their origins are somewhat mysterious, but Spice Bags are essentially paper bags filled with succulent fried chicken and crispy fries, generously topped with onions, occasionally bell peppers, and zesty chili slices for an added kick. Notably, Sichuan pepper often plays a role in the Chinese Five Spice blend, contributing to the bags' distinctive flavor profile. For those unfamiliar with its potency, it's advisable to start with using up to half of the provided pouch, gradually adjusting to personal taste preferences.

Pin Print

hands-on time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian, Irish

Servings

Ingredients

Protein

1.5 lbs chicken breast ^[1] bone and skinless, cut into thin strips

Fresh Produce

3 tbsp orange juice ^[2]
2 lbs potatoes ^[3] peeled, cut in stripes
1 onion peeled, halved, sliced (optional)
1 bell pepper green and/ or red, cut in thin stripes (optional)

Dairy & Eggs

1 egg

Packaged Goods/Staples

4 tbsp soy sauce ^[4]
2 cups breadcrumbs ^[5]
oil & salt
4 paper bags optional

Culinary Spice Kit

Pouch [1] Star anise, fennel, cinnamon, garlic, cloves
Pouch [2] Sichuan pepper, chilies (mild)

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

In a BOWL, mix the chicken, Spice Bag [1] spices, 3 tbsp of tamari, orange juice, and Spice Bag [2] spices to taste.
Cover and let it marinate in the fridge for 1 hour.

Potatoes

In a BOWL, mix the potatoes with 3 tbsp of oil and salt to taste.
Place the potatoes in a single layer on a non-stick BAKING SHEET.
Bake in the oven at 400°F for 30-40 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time.

Prepare the Chicken

On a PLATE, beat an egg and add salt to taste.
Coat the chicken thoroughly with the beaten egg.
On a different PLATE, spread breadcrumbs.
Coat the chicken thoroughly with the breadcrumbs.

Fry the Chicken

In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp of oil over high heat.
Fry the chicken pieces until they turn brown and crispy.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set them aside.

Fry the Vegetables

In the same PAN, fry the onion for 5 minutes over medium heat.
Add the bell pepper and 1 tbsp of tamari halfway through cooking.

Serve

Serve the chicken and potatoes in paper bags.
Top with the fried vegetables.
Enjoy!

Notes

[1] Variation: Substitute chicken with boneless pork cutlets or firm, drained tofu.

[2] Alternative: Any fruit juice of your choice.

[3] Optionally, substitute potatoes with sweet potatoes or yam or frozen fries.

[4] Visit our blog for soy sauce alternatives.

[5] Variations: panko or ground almonds.

Marceline Reid-Jaques

2022-12-14

Karen Jones

2022-12-05

Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!

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

2022-05-22

The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Expand your creativity

2

Feb, 2021

Japanese Matcha Mochi Dessert

Japanese Mochi Matcha Dessert

Mochi Matcha Dessert

Do you like the smooth, elastic, and chewy texture of mochi?

If so, then this will be your next favorite recipe. The cake has a mochi-style inside, that is a bit juicier with a slightly crunchy top.

Alternatively, make fluffy muffins or an eggless thin cake.

Matcha Mochi Dessert Culinary Spice Kit Ingredients

Matcha powder

Dry Ingredients

1.5 cups sweet rice flour

1 cup sugar

1.5 tsp baking powder

0.25 tsp salt

1.5 tbsp Mochi Matcha Dessert spices

Optional

Add 3 tbsp white chocolate chips or shredded coconut.

Wet Ingredients

1 egg, whisked

0.5 cup oil

1 cup coconut milk

Alternative

Substitute coconut milk with any other milk.

Directions

In a BOWL, mix all dry ingredients.

Add wet ingredients and mix until it’s a smooth batter without clumps.

Fill the batter into a greased 8″ x 8″ baking pan.

Bake in the OVEN at 350°F for 45 minutes. Let it cool.

Optionally, decorate with melted white chocolate.

Enjoy!

Mochi Matcha Muffins

Dry Ingredients

1.5 cups sweet rice flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

0.25 tsp salt

1.5 tbsp Mochi Matcha Dessert spices

Optional

Add 3 tbsp white chocolate chips or shredded coconut.

Wet Ingredients

2 egg, whisked

1/3 cup oil

1 cup coconut milk

Alternative

Substitute coconut milk with any other milk.

Directions

In a BOWL, mix all dry ingredients.

Add wet ingredients and mix until it’s a smooth batter without clumps.

Fill the batter into 18 greased muffin cups.

Bake in the OVEN at 350°F for 45 minutes. Let it cool.

Optionally, decorate with melted white chocolate.

Enjoy!

Mochi Matcha Eggless Thin Cake

Dry Ingredients

1 cup sweet rice flour

0.5 cup sugar

0.25 tsp baking powder

0.25 tsp salt

0.5 tbsp Mochi Matcha Dessert spices

Wet Ingredients

0.75 cup coconut milk

Alternative

Substitute coconut milk with any other milk.

Directions

In a BOWL, mix all dry ingredients.

Add milk and mix until it’s a smooth dough without clumps.

Fill the dough into a greased 8″ x 8″ baking pan.

Bake in the OVEN at 350°F for 45 minutes. Let it cool.

Optionally, decorate with melted white chocolate.

Enjoy!

4

Mar, 2020

Gboma Dessi

Togolese Gboma Dessi

Gboma Dessi

Togolese Gboma Dessi

SpiceBreeze

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 or beef is mixed in as well. That's the kind of comfort food that you can't stop eating. We just love it! Originally, the meat for Gboma Dessi is cooked before it's seasoned and fried. If you can take the time for this version (see instructions for the long version below), it adds another level of deliciousness to the dish.

Pin Print

Cuisine Togolese

Servings

Ingredients

Protein

2 lbs chicken* thighs or breast cut into 1-inch pieces
8 oz smoked protein (optional) fish. meat, or shellfish

Fresh Produce

2 medium onions chopped
3 cloves garlic finely chopped or grated
1 inch fresh ginger grated
1-3 whole fresh Habanero pepper (optional) hot
1 lb baby spinach** washed

Packaged Goods/Staples

3 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup ground pumpkin seeds** with shell if possible
oil
salt

Culinary Spice Kit

Ajowan, anise, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg

Suggested Side

Polenta, mashed potatoes, or rice.

For Optional Long Version

1 carrot cut into 2 inch pieces
1 stalk celery cut into 2 inch pieces
1 medium onion quartered
2 bunch bunch spinach (about 1.5 lbs), roughly chopped, washed (instead of the baby spinach)

Instructions

Fry Chicken*

Season the chicken on all sides with salt to taste and Gboma Dessi spices.
In a PAN, fry the chicken in oil over medium-high heat until all sides turn brown and the meat is cooked through.
Set aside and keep warm.

Cook Sauce

In a large POT, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
Add onions and garlic.
Fry over medium-low heat until soft.
Stir in tomato paste, and optionally ginger.
Add broth and ground pumpkin seeds***.
And salt and whole peppers (optional) to taste. Mix well.
Cook for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir occasionally.

Finish

Fill POT with the spinach**.
Mix gently and cook over low heat until the volume of the spinach is reduced.
Stir occasionally.
Stir in chicken and optional smoked protein.

Serve

Serve with your preferred side.
Enjoy!

Cook Chicken (for Optional Long Version)

In a POT, bring 1 quart of salted water to a boil.
Add onion quarters, carrots, celery, and chicken.
Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 30 minutes, until the chicken is tender.
Take the chicken out and strain the broth. Keep it for later.
Continue with the steps in 'Fry Chicken' above.

Cook Spinach** (for Optional Long Version)

In a POT, bring 2 quarts of salted water to a boil.
Add spinach, return to a boil, and let cook over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Drain.
Place the spinach in a BOWL with cold water. Drain.
With your hands, squeeze as much water out as possible. Set aside.

Finish (for Optional Long Version)

Follow the steps in 'Cook Sauce' above.
Add chicken and optional protein. Mix well.
Add spinach and mix gently.
Cook for about 5 minutes to reheat the spinach.

Notes

* Substitute chicken with sirloin beef, cut in thin strips.

** Substitute spinach with kale and cook until soft.

*** Substitute pumpkin seeds with your preferred nuts.

Marceline Reid-Jaques

2022-12-14

Karen Jones

2022-12-05

Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!

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

2022-05-22

The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Togolese 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 or beef is mixed in as well. That’s the kind of comfort food that you can’t stop eating. We just love it! Originally, the meat for Gboma Dessi is cooked before it’s seasoned and fried. If you can take the time for this version (see instructions for the long version below), it adds another level of deliciousness to the dish.

Protein

2 lbs chicken* thighs or breast (cut into 1-inch pieces)
8 oz smoked protein (optional) (fish. meat, or shellfish)

Fresh Produce

2 medium onions (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (finely chopped or grated)
1 inch fresh ginger (grated)
1-3 whole fresh Habanero pepper (optional) (hot)
1 lb baby spinach** (washed)

Packaged Goods/Staples

3 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup ground pumpkin seeds** (with shell if possible)
oil
salt

Culinary Spice Kit

Ajowan, anise, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg

Suggested Side

Polenta, mashed potatoes, or rice.

For Optional Long Version

1 carrot (cut into 2 inch pieces )
1 stalk celery (cut into 2 inch pieces )
1 medium onion (quartered)
2 bunch bunch spinach (about 1.5 lbs), (roughly chopped, washed (instead of the baby spinach))

Fry Chicken*

Season the chicken on all sides with salt to taste and Gboma Dessi spices.
In a PAN, fry the chicken in oil over medium-high heat until all sides turn brown and the meat is cooked through.
Set aside and keep warm.

Cook Sauce

In a large POT, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
Add onions and garlic.
Fry over medium-low heat until soft.
Stir in tomato paste, and optionally ginger.
Add broth and ground pumpkin seeds***.
And salt and whole peppers (optional) to taste. Mix well.
Cook for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir occasionally.

Finish

Fill POT with the spinach**.
Mix gently and cook over low heat until the volume of the spinach is reduced.
Stir occasionally.
Stir in chicken and optional smoked protein.

Serve

Serve with your preferred side.
Enjoy!

Cook Chicken (for Optional Long Version)

In a POT, bring 1 quart of salted water to a boil.
Add onion quarters, carrots, celery, and chicken.
Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 30 minutes, until the chicken is tender.
Take the chicken out and strain the broth. Keep it for later.
Continue with the steps in ‘Fry Chicken’ above.

Cook Spinach** (for Optional Long Version)

In a POT, bring 2 quarts of salted water to a boil.
Add spinach, return to a boil, and let cook over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Drain.
Place the spinach in a BOWL with cold water. Drain.
With your hands, squeeze as much water out as possible. Set aside.

Finish (for Optional Long Version)

Follow the steps in ‘Cook Sauce’ above.
Add chicken and optional protein. Mix well.
Add spinach and mix gently.
Cook for about 5 minutes to reheat the spinach.

* Substitute chicken with sirloin beef, cut in thin strips.

** Substitute spinach with kale and cook until soft.

*** Substitute pumpkin seeds with your preferred nuts.

Togolese

ajwan, anise, cardamom, nutmeg

3

Feb, 2019

Ghanaian Nkatenkwan

Ghanaian Nkatenkwan

Nkatenkwan

This Ghanaian dish, called Nkatenkwan or groundnut soup, is popular throughout West Africa. It’s typically a creamy chicken-peanut-soup.

A Soup With So Many Options

With our variations, the soup can be modified to your taste. For instance, use other vegetables and/ or make it a clear soup.

Grains of the Paradise

Add a finish of grains of paradise (included). They are native to West Africa, mainly from Ghana, and a mild but pungent alternative to black pepper.

Variations

Substitute okra with green beans, kale, or cabbage.

Substitute peanut butter with other nut butter.

For a clear soup, skip peanut butter.

For a preparation without food processor and more tips, please see the notes at the after the recipe instructions.

The Nkatenkwan Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

[1] Ginger, rosemary, bay leaves

[2] Grains of paradise

Ghanaian Nkatenkwan

Ghanaian Nkatenkwan

SpiceBreeze

This renowned Ghanaian delicacy, known as Nkatenkwan or groundnut soup, holds a cherished place in the culinary landscape of West Africa. Traditionally, it boasts a luscious blend of chicken and peanuts, resulting in a creamy and savory broth. However, with our array of creative adaptations, this soup becomes a canvas for personalization, allowing you to tailor it to your unique palate. For a distinctive finishing touch, we recommend sprinkling grains of paradise, indigenous to West Africa, particularly Ghana. These aromatic seeds, with their subtle yet zesty flavor, offer a delightful twist, serving as a gentle yet flavorful alternative to conventional black pepper.

Pin Print

hands-on time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Ghanaian

Servings

Ingredients

Protein

2 lbs chicken drumsticks ^[1]

Fresh Produce

2 cups okra ^[2] cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium tomatoes quartered
1 large onion quartered

Packaged Goods/Staples

5-6 cups broth chicken or vegetable
1 cup creamy peanut butter ^[3]
salt & pepper

Culinary Spice Kit

[1] Ginger, rosemary, bay leaves
[2] Grains of paradise whole

Suggested Sides

fresh bread
cooked rice
cooked sweet potatoes
cooked yam

Instructions

Step 1 - Prepare Chicken Soup

In a large POT, combine 3 cups of broth, vegetables, chicken, Nkatenkwan [1] spices, and salt & pepper to taste.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.
Turn off the heat and remove the chicken from the pot. Set it aside.

Step 2 - Blend the Soup (without Chicken)

Transfer the cooked soup to a FOOD PROCESSOR ^[4].
Blend the mixture until smooth. Set it aside.

Step 3 - Incorporate Peanut Butter and Chicken into the Soup

In the same POT, heat 2 cups of broth.
Gradually add peanut butter to the broth, stirring constantly until it dissolves and incorporates smoothly.
Pour in the blended soup and add the reserved chicken. Mix well.
If desired, adjust the consistency by adding more broth for a thinner soup.
Cook the soup over medium-low heat for an additional 20 minutes.

Serving

Before serving, sprinkle Nkatenkwan [2] spices to taste from a grinder or use them whole.
Accompany the soup with your preferred sides.
Serve and enjoy!

Notes

[1] Substitute drumsticks with 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into pieces, or beef stew. Adjust cooking time and add more broth if necessary.

[2] Substitute okra with green beans, kale, or cabbage.

[3] Substitute peanut butter with any other nut butter. If you prefer a clear soup, skip the peanut butter.

[4] Without food processor: Finely chop the onion and skip the step 2.