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.

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Sichuan Gong Bao Chicken

Sichuan Gong Bao

Chinese Sichuan
Gong Bao

Picture this: Panda Express Kung Pao, crafted with genuine flavors and boasting several advantages.   

You Are In Control

Firstly, you’re in the know about every ingredient, steering clear of artificial flavor enhancers. Secondly, customize the dish by picking your preferred vegetables or experimenting with new combinations. Thirdly, take command of the spice level to suit your palate. Lastly, select the protein that fits your preferences. Whether paired with noodles, rice, or both, it’s a flavorful adventure awaiting your culinary exploration! 

Spice Blend

Garlic, ginger, Sichuan pepper, mild chili pepper

Traditional stir fried Chicken Gung Bao

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Gong Bao Ingredients at a Glance

Here are the essential ingredients at a glance for enhancing the flavor of your chosen protein. The necessary seasonings range from 1 tablespoon of dry sherry or cooking wine to 3 tablespoons of soy sauce (alternative options available). Include two types of vegetables and green onions for added freshness. While peanuts are recommended, you can also substitute them with cashews for a delightful twist.

gong bao main seasonings
gong bao main ingredients
gong bao substitute veggies
cashews
Sichuan Gong Bao Chicken

Sichuan Gong Bao

SpiceBreeze
"Gong Bao" is a classic, spicy dish originating in the Sichuan Province in Southwest China, named after a former governor of Sichuan. Unlike the Westernized version, also known as Kung Pao, its signature spice is Sichuan peppercorn. Don't be surprised; this pepper is not hot but causes a slight numbing sensation on the tongue. Add fresh chili pepper to taste for the desired level of heat.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese, Sichuan
Servings 3
Calories 317 kcal

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1.25 lbs chicken breast or tenders [1] cut into 0.5-inch chunks

Fresh Produce, cut into 0.5-inch pieces

  • 1 small red bell pepper [2]
  • 1 small zucchini [2]
  • 6 green onions Keep the chopped green part separate for later.

Dry Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 2-3 tbsp sugar [3] for sauce
  • 3 tbsp corn- or potato starch 1 tbsp for sauce, 2 tbsp for chicken

Liquid Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 1 tbsp dry sherry or cooking wine [4] for marinade
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce [5] 2 for marinade, 1 for sauce
  • 0.25 cup chicken broth or stock for sauce
  • 3 tbsp vinegar for sauce
  • oil 2 tsp for sauce, 2 tbsp for frying

Optional

  • 1 chili pepper finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup peanuts or cashews roasted recommended
  • salt & pepper

Gong Bao Culinary Spice Kit

  • Garlic, ginger, Sichuan pepper (don’t use during pregnancy), mild chili pepper

Suggested Sides

  • cooked or steamed rice
  • long noodles

Instructions
 

CONTAINER - Soy-Sherry Marinade

  • In a CONTAINER, mix 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp sherry.
  • Add chicken and mix well. Cover.
  • Keep in the fridge overnight. Stir halfway.

CUP - Mix the Sauce

  • In a CUP, mix 2 tbsp sugar, Gong Bao spices, 1 tbsp starch, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp vinegar, 0.25 cup broth, and 2 tsp oil.
  • Optionally, add more sugar and/or chili peppers to your taste. Set aside.

PAN - Fry Chicken

  • In a large PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over high heat until right before smoking.
  • Mix chicken with 2 tbsp starch.
  • Add it to the PAN and stir-fry until it's slightly brown.

PAN - Fry Vegetables

  • Reduce heat to medium.
  • Add vegetables. Fry until all ingredients are tender.

PAN - Thicken Sauce

  • Stir the sauce well and add it to the PAN.
  • Stir and toss until the sauce thickens.
  • Lastly, stir in the nuts (optional).

Serve

  • Serve with your preferred side and sprinkle with the green parts of the onions.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

[1] Substitute chicken with boneless pork chops, beef sirloin, shrimp, tempeh, or tofu.
[2] Substitute bell peppers and/ or zucchini with bok choy, green beans, sugar snap peas, bamboo shoots, green asparagus, small broccoli florets, cauliflower rice, or shredded root vegetables. Substitute green onions with leek.
[3] Substitute sugar with agave syrup, honey, or your preferred sweetener.
[4] Substitute with dry wine or lager beer. Or use 1 tbsp apple juice with a few drops of white vinegar.
[5] For alternatives, visit our blog.

Nutrition

Serving: 207gSodium: 789mgSugar: 4.8gFiber: 6.4gCalories: 317kcalMonounsaturated Fat: 6.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.7gSaturated Fat: 3.6gFat: 14.6gProtein: 10gCarbohydrates: 39.4g

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Bavarian Oabatzda

German Bavarian Obatzda

Bavarian Oabatzda

Bavarian Obatzda

SpiceBreeze
200 years ago, the beer garden started as an extension of a brewery, where the brewery could sell beer directly to the consumer instead of delivering it to pubs. Last century, a Bavarian brewery owner created Obatzda to make use of overripe Camembert cheese. Today, Obatzda is a popular Bavarian beer garden dish that is served with pretzels and beer. You can also shake up your mac and cheese with this new taste.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine German
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz ripe Brie or Camembert cheese
  • 4 oz whipped cream cheese with chives
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp soft butter
  • 1 beer blonde or your favorite
  • salt & pepper

Obatzda Culinary Spice Kit

  • Pouch [1] Caraway, paprika
  • Pouch [2] Cayenne pepper

Suggested Sides

  • 1 jar German pickles or sauerkraut
  • 3-6 pretzels or slices of rye bread

Optional

  • 1/4 cup chives for garnish

For Obatzda ‘Mac & Cheese’

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni cooked
  • 1/2 cup cream

For Obatzda Stuffed Chicken

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • tooth picks
  • oil

Instructions
 

Obatzda cream

  • Mash Brie or Camembert cheese with a fork.
  • Mix with butter, cream cheese, and chopped onions.
  • Season to taste with Obatzda [1] and [2] spices, salt, and pepper.
  • Add 4 tbsp beer and mix until it becomes a smooth cream.
  • Let rest for 30-60 minutes.

Serve

  • Serve with pickles or sauerkraut and pretzels or German style rye bread.

Variation: Obatzda ‘Mac & Cheese’

  • In a PAN, heat cream and stir in Obatzda cream.
  • Mix until it becomes a smooth sauce.
  • Add macaroni and mix well.

Variation: Obatzda Stuffed Chicken

  • Cut a horizontal slit into the chicken breast to form a pocket.
  • Fill with Obatzda cream. Close with tooth picks.
  • In a PAN, heat oil and fry chicken on medium until cooked through and browned.
    Chicken stuffed with obatzda cream
  • Alternative: Grill or bake the stuffed chicken.
  • Enjoy!

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Indian Rice Korma

Indian Rice Korma

Indian Rice Korma

Indian Rice Korma

SpiceBreeze
Korma is a staple on Indian family dinner tables. The spice blend around coriander and cumin is rather simple compared to complex Indian curries. It develops a magically addicting flavor in its combination with toasted cardamom pods and golden turmeric.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1 can garbanzo beans

Fresh Produce

  • 2 carrots diced
  • 1 cup peas frozen
  • 2 onions chopped
  • 1 inch ginger chopped

Dairy

  • 2 tbsp butter or ghee

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 2 cups Basmati rice
  • salt

Korma Culinary Spice Kit

  • [1] Cardamom pods
  • [2] Coriander, cumin, turmeric

Instructions
 

  • In a PAN (with LID), heat the butter.
  • Add Korma [1] spices and stir-fry for 1 minute.
  • Add onions and stir-fry until they turn golden. Be careful not to burn the butter.
  • Add ginger, garbanzo beans, and carrots. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
  • Add rice and stir constantly for 2 minutes.
  • Add Korma [2] spices, 3 cups of water, peas, and salt and fresh chilies to taste. Mix well.
  • Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and let cook for 15 minutes.
  • Please don’t lift the LID before the rice is ready to serve!
  • Turn off heat. Keep the PAN still covered and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • Substitute garbanzo beans with 0.5 lb chicken breast, cut in 0.5 inch cubes.
 

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Szechuan Chicken

American Style Sichuan Chicken

Sichuan Chicken

American Style Sichuan Chicken

SpiceBreeze
A look at McDonald’s Szechuan sauce reveals that it consists basically of high fructose corn syrup, water, tomato paste, different kinds of vinegar, soy sauce, oil, garlic, chili peppers, “spices”, and artificial flavors and colors. We took on the challenge to make our own Szechuan aka Sichuan sauce healthy with ingredients and seasoning.
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Shopping List

  • 1.5 lb skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips or chicken wings
  • 2 cup bread crumbs for instance, panko, or substitute with almond meal
  • 1 frisee lettuce
  • 2 cups jasmine rice

Pantry Items

  • 1 orange for juice
  • tamari or soy sauce
  • vinegar (rice, balsamic or else)
  • agave syrup or sugar
  • tomato paste
  • oil recommended: sesame oil
  • salt & pepper

Sichuan Culinary Spice Kit Ingredients

  • Pouch [1] Tangerine peel, garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, Sichuan pepper (don’t use during pregnancy), star anise
  • Pouch [2] Bird’s eye chili pepper

Instructions
 

Chicken marinade

  • In a BOWL, mix chicken with 2 tbsp tamari and 2 tbsp orange juice. Let marinate for 30 minutes.

Rice

  • Cook rice according to package instructions.

Szechuan aka Sichuan sauce

  • In a small POT, heat 1 tbsp oil on medium-low heat.
  • Fry Sichuan [2] spices for 30 seconds.
  • Take the spices out, if you prefer a mild sauce.
  • Careful of splatters, add 2 tbsp syrup, 2 tbsp tamari, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 cup water, and Sichuan [1] spices.
  • Stir in 1 tsp tomato paste.
  • Cook for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens.
  • Add salt, syrup or vinegar to taste.

Breading

  • On a PLATE, beat the egg.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Coat the chicken thoroughly.
  • On a different PLATE, spread bread crumbs and coat the chicken thoroughly.

Fry

  • In a PAN, heat 1 inch of oil.
  • Fry the chicken over medium-high heat until it’s cooked through and turned crispy.

Serve

  • Serve the chicken nuggets on lettuce leaves with rice and dip them into the Sichuan sauce.

Notes

Variations:
Substitute the chicken with mozzarella sticks, vegetable sticks, boneless pork cutlets (cut into 1-inch squares), or shrimp.

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Ahi Tuna Salad

Californian Seared Ahi Tuna Salad

Californian Aji Tuna Salad​

Californian Seared Ahi Tuna Salad

SpiceBreeze
Seared Ahi Tuna Salad is served in most Southern Californian microbrewery restaurants. Enjoy this fast to prepare and delicious dish at home. If you cannot find fresh tuna, just cook the tuna through or make the dish with fresh salmon or chicken breast.
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Californian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • salt & pepper

Salad Base

  • 1 lb mixed lettuce salad of your choice (cut in 1 inch slices)

Salad Dressing

  • balsamic vinegar
  • 1 orange (for juice)
  • syrup or honey (optional)
  • olive oil

Protein

  • 3-4 Ahi tuna steaks (fresh sushi-quality)
  • vegetable oil

Suggested Side

  • fresh baguette

Ahi Tuna Culinary Spice Kit

  • pouch [1] smoked paprika, oregano, black pepper, white pepper
  • pouch [2] Chipotle chili

Instructions
 

Protein

  • Season both sides of the tuna steaks with Ahi Tuna [1] spices, and salt and Ahi Tuna [2] spices to taste.
  • In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil until smoking hot.
  • Add tuna steaks. Cook each side for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. The inside will still be rare.
  • If you want the tuna fully cooked, turn the heat to medium and cook until done.
  • Cut the tuna steaks into slices of about 1/4 inch.

Salad

  • In a BOWL, place lettuce.
  • In a CUP, mix 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar with 1 tbsp fresh orange juice. Add syrup to taste (optional).
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Mix with 1 tbsp olive oil.
  • Toss it over the lettuce and mix well.

Serve

  • Place salad on plates and the tuna slices on top. Serve with fresh baguette.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Variations:
  • Substitute tuna with:
    1. salmon, shrimps, or chicken.
  • Add vegetables to the salad, e.g.:
    1. 2 carrots, thin 1 inch long stripes
      1 cup capers, the smallest available
      1 cup edamame beans

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