Indonesian Nasi Goreng

Indonesian Nasi Goreng

Indonesian Nasi Goreng

Indonesian Nasi Goreng

SpiceBreeze
Indonesian nasi goreng is second on the list of the world’s most delicious meals (voted by CNN readers). Because its original purpose was to use up leftovers, it’s best prepared with rice from the day before and you can be creative with your choice of vegetables. Optionally, add meat or shrimp. We recommend giving tempeh a try. For any combination, the earthy aromatic taste of galangal makes this dish outstanding.
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indonesian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Shopping list

  • 2-3 cups vegetables of your choice (see notes) finely chopped or thinly sliced
  • 4 cups rice cooked on a previous day
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • soy sauce or tamari (see notes)
  • agave syrup or sugar
  • vegetable oil
  • salt

Optional

  • 0.5-1 lb shrimp precooked
  • 1 bunch green onions finely sliced
  • 1 cup peanuts finely chopped
  • fish sauce or anchovy paste to taste
  • 1 lemon for juice
  • 1 cup fried onions

Nasi Goreng Culinary Spice Kit

  • Galangal, turmeric, black pepper, nutmeg, amchoor, tamarind

Instructions
 

  • In a large PAN, heat 3 tbsp oil.
  • Fry onions and garlic over medium heat until onions turn slightly brown.
  • Add vegetables and fry them over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes (see notes) until they are almost cooked.
  • Add 2 tbsp soy sauce (see notes), Nasi Goreng spices, 1 tbsp syrup, and salt to taste.

Optional

  • Add 1-2 tbsp anchovy paste or 1-2 tsp fish sauce. Add shrimp. Mix well.

Finish

  • Add the rice. Stir over medium heat until the rice is well blended with all ingredients and reheated.

Optional

  • Garnish with green onions and peanuts.
  • Sprinkle with lemon juice, fried onions, and/or add a fried egg.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Vegetables

  • For instance: carrots, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, cauliflower or broccoli florets, peas, zucchini, mung bean sprouts.
  • Leftover vegetables are fine as well. Reduce the frying time accordingly.

Soy Sauce or Tamari

  •  Substitutes with a similar taste are: coconut aminos, liquid aminos, or Worcestershire sauce.

Variations

  • Add 0.5-1 lb chicken breast or tempeh, cut into 1/4 inch strips or cubes, together with the vegetables.
  • Place a fried egg on top of the rice. 
  • Add any pickled vegetables as a side.
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

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Goan Vindaloo

Goan Vindaloo

white poppy seeds

Whispers of Sweetness

Exploring White Poppy Seeds as a Culinary Thickener

White poppy seeds, derived from the opium poppy plant Papaver somniferum, are tiny, kidney-shaped seeds with a mild, nutty flavor. 

Unlike their darker counterparts, white poppy seeds lack the characteristic bitterness, making them a popular choice for culinary use in various cuisines worldwide. These seeds are often used as a thickening agent, flavoring agent, or garnish in dishes ranging from baked goods to savory dishes. 

Additionally, they are prized for their nutritional benefits, containing essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, along with healthy fats and dietary fiber. Whether incorporated into desserts, bread, or savory dishes, white poppy seeds add both texture and subtle flavor, enhancing the culinary experience.

garlic
ginger
mustard
onion chopped and whole
Goan Vindaloo

Goan Vindaloo

SpiceBreeze
Vindaloo is a worldwide popular dish from Goa, India. Its origin is the Portuguese dish "carne de vinho e alhos" (meat cooked in wine vinegar and garlic). The sour-spicy dish came to Goa with Portuguese explorers in the 15th century and was adapted to the local taste and ingredients.
We recommend to try it with pork or lamb, though it takes a bit longer to cook. Vindaloo is usually very hot. Our spice blend has only a little kick, not hot at all. You can adjust the heat level to taste with fresh chilies.
Customer Review: "I ventured to make the Vindaloo Indian dish. Wow, it was really tasty. I chose to use chicken for my meat and just pretty much followed the directions and kicked the heat up to my liking with some Jalapeno peppers. I was surprised that the chicken breast chunks were still tender, I was afraid they might be rubbery but they weren't. Very savory taste. Yum!"
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Goan
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 1 .25 lbs chicken thighs or breast cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large onion halved and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 head garlic smashed or grated
  • 1 inch ginger grated
  • 1/4 cup vinegar wine or apple cider
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • sugar brown recommended
  • oil
  • salt & pepper

Suggested Sides

  • Boiled potatoes, rice, or naan bread
  • Roasted cauliflower, cooked peas, or pickles

Optional

  • Fresh chilies to taste chopped

Culinary Spice Kit

  • Cumin, coriander, turmeric, white poppy seeds, cinnamon, cloves, Kashmiri chili

Instructions
 

Marinade

  • Season the meat with salt & pepper to taste.
  • In a BOWL, combine garlic, ginger, vinegar, mustard, chilies (optional), and Vindaloo spices.
  • Add the meat and mix until all meat is well coated with the marinade.
  • Cover and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to 24 hours.

Cook

  • In a POT, heat 2 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Fry the onions until they turn brown.
  • Add meat. Fry the meat for 5 minutes over high heat, stirring constantly.
  • Cover the POT. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat. Stir frequently.
  • Add 1 tsp sugar and 1 cup of hot water. Mix well.
  • Cook for about 30 minutes over medium-low heat until the meat is falling apart. Stir occasionally.
  • Add more sugar and/ or vinegar to taste.
  • Serve with your preferred sides.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • Optionally, start with 1/8 cup vinegar for the marinade and add more vinegar to taste during the cooking.
  • Substitute the chicken with duck or with lamb or pork stew meat. Adjust the cooking time in the last step.
  • Substitute the chicken with garbanzo beans and/or cubed vegetables (for instance eggplant, cauliflower, and/or sweet potatoes).  
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

Sichuan Hotpot

Chinese Sichuan Hotpot

Sichuan Hotpot

Chinese Sichuan Hotpot

SpiceBreeze
Warming hotpot is one of the most popular dishes of the Chinese province Sichuan (aka Szechuan). The Sichuanese love to get together with family and friends spending hours sitting around the simmering pot, eating, and chatting.
Asian groceries offer hotpot bases with ingredients like monosodium glutamate and artificial flavors. The mild SpiceBreeze hotpot seasoning uses only pure and freshly ground spices.
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 2 quarts bone broth homemade or good quality store-bought
  • 1 can tomato paste 6 oz
  • 2 small onions finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic grated or pressed
  • 1 inch ginger sliced
  • 1-2 tbsp sugar or honey, or syrup
  • salt
  • vegetable oil
  • 4 strainer cups or slotted spoons

Hotpot Culinary Spice Kit

  • Fennel, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, black peppercorn, Sichuan peppercorn (not recommended during pregnancy)

Suggested Dipping Ingredients

  • ▪ thinly sliced meat of your liking
  • ▪ large shrimp, sliced fish filet, or squid
  • ▪ a variety of mushrooms, bok choy, savoy or napa cabbage, (sweet) potatoes, mung bean sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli florets

Suggested Sides

  • ▪ cilantro, green onions, watercress, radish
  • ▪ dipping sauces (see notes)

Instructions
 

  • In a medium POT, heat 1/4 cup of oil.
  • Fry onions over medium-low heat until translucent.
  • Add garlic and ginger.
  • Fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add tomato paste, 1 tbsp sugar, and Hotpot spices.
  • Stir-fry for 5 minutes.
  • Add broth, and salt and sugar to taste.
  • Mix well. Bring to a boil. Turn off.

Serve

  • Place POT on a small stove in the center of the dining table. Keep the soup gently boiling.
  • Place your choice of dipping ingredients, dipping sauces, and sides on separate plates around it.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Variations
  • Add chili peppers to taste to half of or all of the pot.
  • Substitute tomato paste with 1 cup of beer.
Alternative Dishes
Use the Hotpot spices for one of these recipes:
Sichuan beef (Use all of the Hotpot spices per recipe.)
Dublin spice bag (Use all of the Hotpot spices per recipe and add chili powder to taste.)
Taiwanese ló͘-bah-png (Use about 1 tbsp of the Hotpot spices per recipe.)
Basic Dipping Sauces
  • Mix 1 tbsp each of soy sauce or tamari, rice or apple cider vinegar, and water. Optionally, add to taste green onions, cilantro, ginger, garlic, chilis (all finely chopped), or make several sauces with different combinations.
  • Mix 1/2 cup each of tahini, soy sauce or tamari, and rice or apple cider vinegar. Add 1-2 cups of water to taste. Optionally, add sugar, mustard, and/or sesame seeds to taste.
  • Mix 1/4 cup each of minced garlic, lemon juice, and vegetable oil. Add salt to taste.
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

Japanese Shichimi Shrimp

Japanese Shichimi Shrimp

Japanese Shichimi Shrimp

Japanese Shichimi Shrimp

SpiceBreeze
Shichimi Togarashi is as popular in Japan as salt & pepper is in the US. It is often mixed with seaweed and salt and can be very spicy. The spice blend goes well with any grilled meat or vegetables and with salads or rice. Our shrimp recipe has many variations, such as chicken and vegetarian proteins. Alternatively, use Shichimi Togarashi as a tabletop condiment. Just use it as soon as convenient for optimal flavor.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1.25 lb raw shrimp peeled and deveined

Fresh Produce

  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 cup chives finely chopped
  • 1 lettuce of your choice
  • 2 cups grated daikon or cucumber
  • 2-3 lemons for juice

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • vegetable oil
  • salt & pepper

Shichimi Shrimp Culinary Spice Kit

  • pouch [1] Orange peel, white and black sesame seeds, chili pepper, poppy seeds, paprika, seaweed, ginger
  • pouch [2] Sichuan pepper not recommended during pregnancy

Suggested Sides

  • jasmine rice

Instructions
 

Spice Blend

  • In a CUP, mix your individual Shichimi Togarashi blend:
  • Pour in all Shichimi [1] spices.
  • Add Shichimi [2] spices to taste.

Marinade

  • In a BOWL, mix garlic, chives, your Shichimi Togarashi blend, salt to taste, and 1/2 cup of oil.
  • Add shrimp and mix well. Cover.
  • Let it marinate in the fridge for 2 hours.

Fry

  • Heat a PAN to medium-high.
  • Add the shrimp.
  • Fry for 2-4 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp, stirring occasionally.

Salad

  • Distribute lettuce on plates.
  • Place grated daikon or cucumber on top.
  • Sprinkle with lemon juice and salt to taste.
  • Serve shrimp on top of the salad and the rice in small bowls.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • Substitute shrimp with fish, squid, chicken, tofu, or tempeh, cut into thin strips.
  • Substitute daikon with turnips or carrots.
  • Substitute rice with quinoa or fresh bread.
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

Spice up Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Casseroles from Around the World

Spice Things Up for Thanksgiving

With Three Casseroles from Around the World

Thanksgiving is a time for family, laughs, and a scrumptious feast. Every year, we look forward to the classic turkey dinner, stuffing, and the usual sides. Why not spice things up a bit? 

Make your table a celebration of global flavors with exciting casseroles from around the world.

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Pastel de Choclo

The South American dish Pastel de Choclo (corn pie) will be right at home on your Thanksgiving dinner table. Similar to shepherd’s pie, this casserole features a main layer of beef or chicken but seasoned with a blend that is based on Peruvian peppers. The combination of additional ingredients is quite surprising with olives and hard-boiled eggs, and optional raisins. However, the best is the topping of sweet corn blended with basil and milk.

Pastel de Choclo is typically baked in a shallow clay pot, but a regular casserole dish or even a cast-iron skillet works just as well.

The wonderful thing about this dish is that it’s incredibly versatile and easy to whip up. Add or skip a layer, or make it vegetarian – the choice is yours.

Tip: Substitute the meat with turkey leftovers.

Bobotie

Rich and flavorful, bobotie is a popular South African dish. It was most likely influenced by the Malaysian and Dutch cuisine. The creamy meatloaf balances a sweet-sour-spicy flavor.

Bobotie consists of a savory minced meat base (lamb or beef) thickened with almonds and a thin top layer of an egg-milk mixture. The spice blend with dried mango (amchoor) really brings the flavors of this dish to life.

Don’t miss the apricot-ginger chutney to accompany this unique casserole.

Cranberry sauce is a classic Thanksgiving side dish that’s easy to make from scratch. All you need are fresh cranberries, a sweetener of your choice, and some common spices.

See the easy steps here.

The classic Italian lasagna (ital: lasagne) makes a familiar yet flavorful addition to your holiday meal. Like many other casseroles from around the world, our lasagna is fast and easy to prepare (in a pan instead of an oven), and you can easily customize the ingredients to your liking.

Lasagna features alternating layers of lasagna pasta, ricotta cheese, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Spices like oregano, garlic, onion, marjoram, a pinch of chile and celery, and fresh basil round up this Mediterranean dish.

Serve alongside your other Thanksgiving dishes, or make it the main course for Black Friday lunch.

 

These three casseroles will bring global flavors to your table while complementing the usual Thanksgiving fare. Give one (or all) a try this year to make your holiday meal a memorable one.

Moroccan Poulet aux Meslalla

Moroccan Poulet aux Meslalla

Moroccan Poulet aux Meslalla

Moroccan Poulet aux Meslalla

SpiceBreeze
Poulet aux Meslalla is a stew of chicken and olives with a slightly lemony gravy, also called olive chicken tagine. Tagines are originally cooked in the earthenware tagine pot. This recipe is the simplest version with a pure flavor dominated by saffron, lemons, and olives (or meslalla). The smell of saffron feels like home in a Moroccan family kitchen.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Moroccan
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1.5 lb chicken without bones, skin on (*)

Fresh Produce

  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 0.5 lb potatoes cut into wedges
  • 0.5 cup parsley chopped
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 0.5 cup green olives
  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper

Poulet aux Meslalla Culinary Spice Kit

  • Paprika, cumin, garlic, ginger, saffron

Instructions
 

  • Cut chicken into pieces of about 2.5 x 2.5 inches.
  • In a large POT, add 2 tbsp olive oil, chicken, onions, Poulet aux Meslalla spices, and salt & pepper to taste. Mix well.
  • Add broth. Cover. Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 40 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add a bit of water if necessary.
  • Add potatoes and continue to cook for 10 minutes.
  • Add the olives and lemon juice. Mix well.
  • Continue to cook for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the parsley.
  • Serve with your preferred salad and fresh bread to soak up the gravy.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

(*) If you prefer in-bone pieces, increase the amount to 2 lbs in total. 
Suggested Sides
  • baguette, white bread loaf, or flatbread
  • lettuce salad or cucumber-tomato-salad
Variations
  • Substitute the chicken with veal or lamb and adjust the cooking time.
  • Substitute half or all of the parsley with cilantro.
  • Use olives that are marinated in garlic.
  • Make Ras el Hanout or vegetarian Couscous aux Sept Légumes instead.
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