Seasonal Archives | Page 27 of 36

Jan, 2020

Moroccan B’stilla

Moroccan B'stilla

B’stilla, also called pastilla, is a savory-sweet pie with precious saffron in a crisp phyllo-style wrapping. It’s an indispensable menu item on festive occasions like weddings.

Formerly made with pigeons, today one of the most popular versions is filled with chicken and almonds. Alternatively, go for the simple stew version or the Chicken Olives Tagine recipe.

The B'stilla Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron

Variations

Substitute sugar with 1/3 cup soft dried prunes or apricots, finely sliced.
Alternative simple stew version:

Follow only the step under Fillings #2 until the chicken is cooked. Mix 1-2 tbsp almond butter into the sauce and serve over couscous or potatoes.

Alternatively, use the B’stilla spices for the Chicken Olives Tagine recipe here.

B’stilla

SpiceBreeze

B'stilla, also called pastilla, is a savory-sweet pie with precious saffron in a crisp phyllo-style wrapping. It's an indispensable menu item for festive occasions like weddings. Formerly made with pigeons, today one of the most popular versions is filled with chicken and almonds. Alternatively, go for the simple stew version or a different tagine recipe (see notes).

Pin Print

hands-on time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Moroccan

Servings

Ingredients

Protein

1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
3 eggs whisked

Fresh Produce

1 large onion finely chopped
2 tbsp chopped parsley

Dairy

2-4 tbsp butter

Packaged Goods/Staples

1/2 cup ground roasted almonds
1/4 cup powdered sugar^[1]
8 oz phyllo filo dough (18 sheets)

B'stilla Culinary Spice Kit

ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron

Optional Garnish

powdered sugar & cinnamon
whole almonds

Instructions

Filling #1 Almond Sugar

Mix almonds with sugar^[1]. Set aside.

Filling #2 Sauce

In a POT, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.
Add onions and fry until translucent.
Add chicken, parsley, B’stilla spices, and salt to taste. Stir-fry for 3 minutes.
Add 1 cup of water. Cook for about 20 minutes until the chicken is tender.
Take the chicken out. > Next see Filling #3.
Continue to cook the sauce uncovered over medium-low heat until no liquid is left.
Stir in eggs and cook for about 2 minutes.
Adjust salt & pepper to taste. Turn the heat off.

Filling #3 Meat

Use the chicken cooked in the step for Filling #2.
Let the chicken cool, then shred it.

Assembly

Cover a 9-inch PIE DISH with overlapping phyllo sheets and about 5 inches hanging over the edges of the dish.
Add layers of the fillings in this order: #2 (sauce), #3 (meat), #1 (almond-sugar).
Cover with the overlapping phyllo sheets.
Spread a thin layer of butter on top.

Bake

Preheat OVEN to 350°F.
Bake B’stilla for 30-40 minutes.
Let it cool a bit.

Serve

Optionally, add garnish.

Enjoy!

Notes

[1] Recommended: Substitute sugar with 1/3 cup soft dried prunes or apricots, finely chopped.

Alternative simple stew version

Follow only the step under Fillings #2 until the chicken is tender.

Mix 1-2 tbsp almond butter into the sauce and serve over couscous or potatoes.

Alternatively

Use the B’stilla spices for a different tagine recipe:

Tagine with prunes

Tagine with olives

Sep, 2019

Martinican Colombo de Poulet

SpiceBreeze

Colombo de Poulet is a popular dish in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The key ingredient is the spice bend Colombo powder (Poudre de Colombo) with brown mustard and white rice. You can find the seasoning at any market on the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. It's named after the capital of its origin, Sri Lanka.

Pin Print

hands-on time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Martinican

Servings

Ingredients

Protein

1.5 lbs chicken legs

Fresh Produce

1 acorn squash
1 sweet potato
1 lemon for juice
1 onion finely chopped
1 inch ginger grated

Packaged Goods/Staples

salt & pepper
oil
3 cups chicken broth
1 tbsp starch corn or potato

Colombo Culinary Spice Kit

Pouch [1] Anise seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, brown mustard seeds
Pouch [2] Turmeric, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, brown mustard, black pepper, cloves, white rice

Optional

chili peppers sliced

Suggested Sides

cooked rice
plantain sliced, fried
cooked kidney beans
Caribbean rice & beans recipe

Instructions

Prepare

Cut vegetables into bite-size pieces.

Marinate

Season the chicken legs with salt & pepper to taste, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp oil.
Let them rest for 30 minutes.

Fry

In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over low-medium heat.
Fry Colombo [1] spices about 1 minute until fragrant.
Scoop the spices out. Set them aside.
Fry the onions until they turn translucent.
Add the ginger and chicken legs. Reserve the remaining marinade for later.
Fry the chicken legs on all sides until they turn light brown, turning frequently.

Cook

Add the chicken broth, the remaining marinade, Colombo [2] spices, and salt to taste.
Return the fried spices.
Optionally, add chili peppers.
Cover, bring to a boil, and let cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
Add the vegetables and continue to cook for approximately 10 minutes until all ingredients are cooked.
In a CUP, dissolve 1 tbsp starch in 2 tbsp cold water.
Stir the slurry into the sauce until the sauce thickens.

Serve

Serve the chicken with sauce and rice.
Optionally, add beans and fried plantain.
Enjoy!

Notes

Substitute the chicken with fish fillets (e.g. cod, halibut, haddock, pollack, bass) or shrimp and adjust the cooking time.
Substitute the vegetables with zucchini, potatoes, eggplant, or any pumpkin. Make sure to have two different kinds.
Add Caribbean Rice and Beans as a side.

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

Sep, 2019

Indonesian Sate Ponorogo

Javanese Sate Ponorogo

SpiceBreeze

Believed to have originated on the island of Java, within the archipelago of Indonesia, sate is recognized as Indonesia’s national delicacy consisting of seasoned, skewered, and grilled meat served with a side of sweet and salty peanut sauce. An abundantly popular street food option, it comes with any type of meat from chicken to crocodile or tofu. Authenticity requires the meat grilled over a charcoal heat for its distinct flavor, making this dish perfect for grilling on a warm summer day.

Pin Print

Hands-on time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine East Javanese, Indonesian

Servings

Ingredients

1.5 lb chicken breast, thighs, or tenders
1 small onion quartered
2 cloves garlic
0.5 cup peanut or cashew butter
24 skewers *)
2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari **)
1-3 tsp brown sugar
oil salt

Optional

1 fresh chili
1 tbsp dried shrimp or anchovy paste

Sate Culinary Spice Kit

Lemongrass, ginger, galangal, chili, coriander, garlic, lemon peel, star anise, cilantro, onion, basil, cumin, white pepper, cinnamon, lemon crystals, lemon oil

Suggested Sides

Cooked or steamed Jasmine rice
English cucumber or daikon sliced
Any fresh salad of your choice.

Instructions

Sate Sauce

In a BLENDER, blend onions, garlic, and 1.25 cup of water until smooth.
Optionally, add shrimp and chilies.
In a POT, heat 0.25 cup of oil over medium heat.
Careful of splatters, stir in peanut butter.
Add the onion-garlic water and soy sauce.
Season to taste with Sate spices (start with 1 tsp), sugar, and salt.
Mix well. Cover. Bring to a boil.
Turn heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes until the sauce thickens and the oil separates on the surface. Stir frequently.

Marinade

Cut chicken into 1/4-inch thin strips.
In a BOWL, mix 2 tbsp oil with 2 tbsp sate sauce and 4 tbsp soy sauce.
Add chicken, mix well, and let marinate for 30 minutes.

Grill

Thread chicken onto skewers and grill them until they are browned on all sides.
Serve sate skewers with rice, sate sauce, cucumber, and optionally daikon.
Enjoy!

Notes

▪ Substitute chicken with sirloin beef or your preferred steak or lamb or with cubed firm tofu.

*) If using wooden skewers, soak them first for 0 minutes in water.

**) Or Indonesian kecap manis sauce, if available.

Marceline Reid-Jaques

2022-12-14

Karen Jones

2022-12-05

Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!

ann davis

2022-11-29

Jessica Brown

2022-05-22

The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Jun, 2019

Smörgåstårta – Swedish Sandwich Cake

Smörgåstårta - Swedish Sandwich Cake

Cake or Cupcakes

The recipe below is an easy version of a cake. You can also make four single “cupcakes” instead of one large cake when you assemble on top of four single slices of bread.

Decoration with no Limits

The is no limit for the cake decoration. Often used vegetables are lettuce leaves, sliced cucumber & tomatoes, and chopped chives. Other options are quartered eggs, cherries, grapes, and small shrimps.

The Smörgåstårta Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Horseradish, green peppercorns, fennel, dill, celery

Fillings Make the Difference

Popular are different fillings for each layer and rich decorations. Here are some inspirations:

Vegetarian filling: Substitute tuna with 1/2 lb of mushrooms. Cut the mushrooms in slices and cook them in some butter until they become just a bit soft.
Meat filling: Substitute tuna with 8 oz ham, cut into 1/2-inch squares, or chicken breast, cooked and shredded.
Paste layer: On one layer spread a smoked cod, salmon, shrimps, anchovy, olive, avocado, or liver pâté paste.
More fillings: Substitute tuna with chopped eggs and anchovies.

Tip: Quick DIY Mayonnaise

In Sweden, it’s often used cream fraîche for the filling, which is rarely available in the United States. It is like a mix of heavy cream and sour cream.

You can make your own mayonnaise any time at home from eggs, oil, and white vinegar:

Leave 2 eggs at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Mix eggs in a blender.
Add 1 cup of vegetable oil one tablespoon at a time.
Add 1 tsp white vinegar or more to taste.
Add salt and black pepper to taste.

For a variation, add one tsp of mustard or freshly grated horseradish.

Smörgåstårta - Swedish Sandwich Cake

SpiceBreeze

It looks like a cake with a savory decoration. The inside is a layered sandwich filled with everything you can imagine as long as you combine it with mayonnaise and eggs on sandwich bread. This recipe is one easy version. You can also make four single "cupcakes" instead of one large cake. Popular are different fillings for each layer and rich decorations. Get more recipes and inspirations on our website.

Pin Print

Cuisine Swedish

Servings

Ingredients

2 can tuna in water each 5 oz
8 oz mayonnaise
4 oz sour cream
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
12 slices sandwich bread cut into even squares
2 hard-boiled eggs chopped
1-2 lemon for juice
salt & pepper

Culinary Spice Kit Ingredients:

[Tarta] horseradish, green peppercorns, fennel, dill, celery

Instructions

A. Filling

In a BOWL, mix the Tarta Spices with 1/8 cup lemon juice.
Add mayonnaise, sour cream, cream cheese. Mix well.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Set 1 cup of the mixture aside for the “icing”.
To the remaining mixture, add eggs, vegetables, and tuna.

B. Assembly

Assembly the cake on a large serving plate
(1) With a knife, spread four slices of bread with half of the filling.
(2) Place four slices of bread on top.
(3) Spread with the remaining filling.
(4) Place the last slices of bread on top.
(5) Use the “icing” mixture to spread over the top and all sides.
(6) Cover completely with plastic wrap.
Let it rest overnight in the fridge.

C. Decoration

Decorate the cake to your taste, for instance, cover with lettuce leaves and top with tomato slices and chopped herbs. For more ideas and tips see our blog.
Enjoy!

Jun, 2019

Swedish Köttbullar

SpiceBreeze

IKEA popularized Köttbullar, Sweden's national dish, around the world. Surprisingly, in 2018, Sweden revealed that their beloved meatballs originated in Turkey. In the 18th century, King Charles XII fell in love with Turkish meatballs and brought the recipe back to Sweden. Today, Köttbullar are typically served with mashed potatoes, a creamy brown sauce, and sweet-sour sides like cucumber salad and lingonberry jam.

Pin Print

hands-on time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Swedish

Servings

Ingredients

Pickled Salad (Optional)

1 English cucumber finely sliced
1/8 cup vinegar apple cider or white vinegar
1 tbsp sweetener ^[1] or to taste
fresh parsley or dill (optional) finely chopped

Meatballs

1.25 lb ground meat ^[2]
1 egg
3/8 cup milk dairy or nut milk
1/4 cup breadcrumbs ^[3]
2 tbsp butter

Sauce (Optional)

2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour any
1 cup milk dairy or nut milk
1 cup broth any

Suggested Sides

1 jar berry jam ^[4]
mashed potatoes online recipe
boiled potatoes
any pickled vegetable that you prefer
steamed vegetables of your choice, e.g. carrots, green beans, peas and corn

Culinary Spice Kit

1 pouch Onions, allspice, white pepper, black pepper, ginger, yellow mustard

Instructions

Pickled Salad (Optional)

In a BOWL, mix 1/3 cup of water with vinegar and salt to taste. Sweeten to taste and mix well.
Add cucumber slices to the bowl and mix well to coat them evenly.
Optionally, add fresh parsley or dill for extra flavor.
Let the mixture rest in the fridge for 2 to 24 hours before serving.

Meatballs

In a BOWL, whisk the egg.
Add Köttbullar spices, milk, and breadcrumbs to the bowl. Mix well and let it soak for 10 minutes.
Add the meat and salt (1 tsp recommended) to the mixture. Knead until everything is well combined, but do not overdo it.
Form the mixture into small meatballs.
In a PAN, melt 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat.
Fry the meatballs in the pan until they are cooked through, shaking the pan occasionally to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.

Sauce (Optional)

In a small POT, melt 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat.
Add the flour and gently whisk for about 3 minutes until the mixture changes color.
While whisking continuously, gradually add the milk and broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Serve

Serve the meatballs with the salad or steamed vegetables, mashed or boiled potatoes, jam, and optional sauce.

Notes

[1] For instance, agave syrup, honey, or sugar.

[2] Use a mixture of half beef and half pork, or any meat combination to your liking.

[3] Alternative: Substitute breadcrumbs with flour or ground nuts.

[4] Lingonberry is the best choice, available, for instance, at IKEA stores. Other options:

Raspberry or blueberry jam works fine as well.
Cook cranberries with some water and sugar into a thick sauce.
Just serve with fresh raspberries or blueberries.

Marceline Reid-Jaques

2022-12-14

Karen Jones

2022-12-05

Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!

ann davis

2022-11-29

Jessica Brown

2022-05-22

The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Köttbullar

IKEA made them famous around the world: Köttbullar, the national dish of Sweden. Surprisingly, in 2018, Sweden revealed Turkey as its origin. In the 18th century, King Charles XII fell in love with Turkish meatballs and introduced them to his home country. Today, Köttbullars are usually served with mashed potatoes, creamy brown sauce, and sour-sweet sides: cucumber salad and lingonberry jam.

Shopping list

1 lb ground meat ( (half beef and pork or any to your liking))
1 lb potatoes (boiled, peeled)
1 English cucumber (finely sliced)
1 jar berry jam*)
1/4 cup breadcrumbs

You might have

1/2 cup milk (plus some for the potatoes)
2 tbsp butter
1 egg
1 tbsp agave syrup (or honey or sugar (or to taste))
1/8 cup vinegar
salt & pepper

Sauce

2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1 cup milk
1 cup broth

Optional

Fresh parsley or dill (finely chopped)

Culinary Spice Kit

Onions, white pepper, allspice, black pepper, yellow mustard, ginger

Pickled Salad

In a BOWL, mix 1/3 cup of water with the vinegar and salt to taste. Sweeten to taste. Mix well.
Add cucumber slices and mix well.
Optionally, add fresh parsley or dill.
Let it rest in the fridge for 2 to 24 hours.

Meatballs

In a BOWL, whisk the egg.
Add Köttbullar spices, milk, and breadcrumbs. Mix well. Let it soak for 10 minutes.
Add the meat and salt to taste (1 tsp recommended). Knead until everything is well combined. Don’t overdo it.
Form little meatballs.
In a PAN, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.
Fry the meatballs until they are cooked through.
Shake the PAN occasionally to brown the balls all around.

Sauce

In a small POT, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.
Add flour and gently whisk for about 3 minutes until it changes color.
Whisking continuously, add milk and broth and bring to boil over medium heat.
Turn heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Mashed potatoes

Mash the potatoes and reheat them with a little milk.
Add salt to taste.

Serve

Serve the meatballs with the salad, mashed potatoes, jam, and optional sauce. Enjoy!

*) Lingonberry is the best choice, available, for instance, at IKEA stores. Raspberry or blueberry jam works fine as well. Or, cook cranberries with some water and sugar into a thick sauce. Or, serve just with fresh raspberries or blueberries.
Substitute pickled cucumber salad with any other pickled vegetable that you prefer.
Substitute breadcrumbs with flour or ground nuts.

May, 2019

Ayurvedic Dal Salad With Chapatis

Add this healthy Indian salad to your summer menu. Its unique Ayurvedic spice blend contains amla berry powder. Top the salad with a dollop of mint raita or use the yogurt dip with grilled vegetables.

Amla Berries for a Long Life

The Indian gooseberry grows on a sacred tree, is rich in vitamin C, and has been said to support longevity.

Variations

▪ Substitute lentils with 2 cups quinoa.
▪ Substitute tomatoes and cucumber with 1/2-1 cup each of pomegranates and chopped dates.
▪ Add grated cucumber to the Mint Raita.
▪ Add Chapati bread with our recipe (see recipe below).

The Dal Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

[1] Fennel, amla berries, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, brown mustard, black pepper, asafoetida, coriander, fenugreek

[2] Mint, cumin, ajowan, asafoetida, chili

Ayurvedic Dal Salad With Chapati

SpiceBreeze

Pin Print

Cuisine Indian

Servings

Ingredients

Shopping list

1 cup lentils green or brown
1 onion quartered and sliced
1 carrot halved and sliced
8 oz cocktail tomatoes quartered
1/2 English cucumber cubed
3 green onions sliced
1 cup yogurt
1 lemon for juice
oil
salt & pepper

Optional

1 cup flour wheat, rye, buckwheat, or mixed

Culinary Spice Kit

Pouch [1] Fennel, amla berries, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, brown mustard, black pepper, asafoetida, coriander, fenugreek
Pouch [2] Mint, cumin, ajowan, asafoetida, chili

Instructions

Dal Salad

Cook lentils according to package instructions until firm.
Add onions (except green onions) and carrots for the last 5 minutes.
Add salt to taste. Drain and let cool at room temperature.
In a SALAD BOWL, mix 1 tbsp lemon juice with 1 tsp of the Dal [1] spices and 1 tbsp oil.
Add tomatoes, cucumber, and green onions. Mix well.
Add lentils with onions and carrots. Mix well.
Season with salt to taste.
Optionally, add more Dal [1] spices and/ or lemon juice to taste.
Let rest for 1/2 to 1 hour.

Mint Raita

Optionally, pour the yogurt into a strainer lined with a paper towel and a bowl underneath. Keep it in the fridge for a few hours. The drained yogurt will be wonderfully creamy.
In a BOWL, mix yogurt with Dal [2] spices and salt to taste.

Chapatis (optional)

In a BOWL, mix the flour, spices, and salt to taste (1/2 tsp recommended) with 3/8 cups of warm water and 1 tsp oil until the dough is pliable.
Cover and let rest for 30-60 minutes.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10-20 minutes.
Form small balls. Flatten them to patties.
Roll the patties out until the dough is very thin, turning each time you roll.
In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
Fry each chapati for 15-20 seconds on each side. Turn it when brown spots appear underneath.
Next, press lightly all over to blow up the chapati.
Transfer chapati to a PLATE. Cover them with a kitchen towel until all chapatis are done.

Serve

Serve Dal Salad with Mint Raita and optionally chapatis.

Notes

Variations

Substitute lentils with 2 cups quinoa.
Substitute tomatoes and cucumber with 1/2-1 cup each of pomegranates and chopped dates.
Add grated cucumber to the Mint Raita.

Category Archives: Seasonal

Jan, 2020

Moroccan B'stilla

The B'stilla Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Variations

B’stilla

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Protein

Fresh Produce

Dairy

Packaged Goods/Staples

B'stilla Culinary Spice Kit

Optional Garnish

Instructions

Filling #1 Almond Sugar

Filling #2 Sauce

Filling #3 Meat

Assembly

Bake

Serve

Enjoy!

Notes

Sep, 2019

Martinican Colombo de Poulet

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Protein

Fresh Produce

Packaged Goods/Staples

Colombo Culinary Spice Kit

Optional

Suggested Sides

Instructions

Prepare

Marinate

Fry

Cook

Serve

Notes

Enter the Culinary World

Sep, 2019

Javanese Sate Ponorogo

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Optional

Sate Culinary Spice Kit

Suggested Sides

Instructions

Sate Sauce

Marinade

Grill

Notes

Enter the Culinary World

Jun, 2019

Smörgåstårta - Swedish Sandwich Cake

Cake or Cupcakes

Decoration with no Limits

The Smörgåstårta Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Fillings Make the Difference

Tip: Quick DIY Mayonnaise

Smörgåstårta - Swedish Sandwich Cake

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Culinary Spice Kit Ingredients:

Instructions

A. Filling

B. Assembly

C. Decoration

Jun, 2019

Swedish Köttbullar

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Pickled Salad (Optional)

Meatballs

Sauce (Optional)

Suggested Sides

Culinary Spice Kit

Instructions

Pickled Salad (Optional)

Meatballs

Sauce (Optional)

Serve

Notes

Enter the Culinary World

Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredients