Indian Saag Paneer

Indian Saag Paneer

Saag Paneer

Indian Saag Paneer

This dish became popular in the United States as Palak (spinach) Paneer. Saag Paneer is more flexible as you can use and combine any green leaves you like. 

Paneer is an Indian fresh cheese similar to unsalted cottage cheese. It melts not easily. We included in this recipe plenty of options for an even delicious dish if you can’t find paneer.

Variations
  • Substitute paneer with tofu, feta, garbanzo beans (drained can), or cottage cheese, and/or serve it over boiled potatoes.
  • If you don’t have a food processor, chopped the leaves finely. Or use baby leaves and use them whole for more texture.
The Saag Paneer Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Cumin, coriander, garlic, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, white pepper

Indian Saag Paneer
Saag Paneer

Indian Saag Paneer

SpiceBreeze
This dish became popular in the United States as Palak (spinach) Paneer. Saag Paneer is more flexible. You can use and combine any green leaves you like. Paneer is an Indian fresh cheese that doesn’t melt easily. Its taste is similar to unsalted cottage cheese. We included in this recipe plenty of options to substitute paneer for an even delicious dish. 
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 18 oz baby leaves from kale, spinach, chard, and/ or collard greens*
  • 12 oz paneer or halloumi cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 onion finely chopped or grated
  • butter or vegetable oil or ghee
  • salt & pepper

Saag Paneer Culinary Spice Kit

  • Cumin, coriander, garlic, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, white pepper

Optional

  • 1-2 green chilies chopped
  • additional garlic to taste grated
  • 1-2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1-4 tbsp heavy cream or yogurt

Suggested Sides

  • naan or other fresh flatbread
  • cooked Basmati rice
  • boiled potatoes

Instructions
 

Prepare

  • In a large POT, bring 4 quarts of water to boil.
  • Add leaves and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Drain and let cool.
  • In a FOOD PROCESSOR, grind leaves with a cup of water into a smooth puree.
  • Optionally, add green chilies.

Cook

  • In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp butter over medium-low heat.
  • Fry onions with a dash of salt until they turn translucent.
  • Stir in Saag Paneer spices.
  • Optionally, add garlic to taste.
  • Add leaves puree and salt & pepper to taste.
  • If using tofu, chicken, or garbanzo beans, add them now.
  • Add some water if you like the dish more liquid. Mix well.
  • Cook 5 minutes over medium-low heat.
  • Add paneer cubes. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Optional

  • Optionally, finish the dish to taste with lemon juice, and/ or heavy cream or yogurt.

Serve

  • Serve with bread, rice, or over potatoes.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

* Alternatively, use 3 bunch of green leaves, chopped.
Tip
â–ª Fry paneer shortly before adding it to the dish.
Variations
▪ Substitute paneer with feta or cottage cheese. Don’t cook it. Add it to the plated dish.
â–ª Substitute paneer with 1 lb cubed chicken or tofu, or 1 can garbanzo beans. Season & fry them shortly before adding them to the dish.
 
Asian Buddha Bowl

Asian Buddha Bowl

Buddha Bowl

Buddha Bowl

The ‘Buddha Bowl’ is a contemporary trend of colorful vegetarian one-bowl meals. Crisp quinoa balls with nigella seeds are the stars of our vegetable bowl finished with an orange ginger dressing. 

Nigella and Quinoa for Your Health

Healthy nigella in protein-rich quinoa balls fit just right. If you are new to quinoa or short in time, you can simply add quinoa to your bowl and sprinkle the spice blend on top. For your convenience, find the recipe for a version with meatballs at the end of this page.

Your Selection of Vegetables

What kind of vegetables are best for your Buddha Bowl? It really depends on which vegetables you have available and what you prefer. Get inspired by the following recommendations:

Classic: Lettuce leaves, sliced red radish, sliced cucumber, tomato slices, and bell pepper strips.

Healthy XXL: kale chopped, baby spinach, radicchio sliced, endives sliced, and edamame.

Latino vibe: black beans, fresh corn, cilantro, tomato cubes, cucumber cubes, grilled sweet potato cubes.

The Buddha Bowl Culinary Spice Kit includes the following spices:

Coarse brown mustard, nigella seeds

nigella seeds
Nigella
Buddha Bowl

Asian Buddha Bowl

SpiceBreeze
This trending 'Buddha Bowl' is a colorful and contemporary vegetarian one-bowl meal. Healthy nigella in protein-rich quinoa balls fit in just right. If you are new to quinoa or short in time, you can simply add quinoa to your bowl and sprinkle the spice blend on top. For your convenience, find a meatball version and more options on our website.
 
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Shopping list

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 cup panko or any fine breadcrumbs
  • 1/8 cup chives finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup orange jam
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 inch ginger grated
  • 1 lemon for juice
  • vegetable oil
  • salt & pepper
  • Your selection of vegetables for the salad

Culinary Spice Kit

  • Coarse brown mustard, nigella seeds

Instructions
 

Cook

  • Cook quinoa according to package instructions.

Salad dressing

  • In a small POT, heat orange jam with 1/2 cup of water, half of the ginger, and salt to taste.
  • Cook over slow heat for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in 1/2-1 tsp lemon juice. Set aside to cool.

Prepare balls

  • In a BOWL, combine onions, garlic, half of the ginger, chives, and Buddha Spices.
  • Add quinoa, salt & pepper to taste. Mix well.
  • Add 2 or more tbsp panko as needed to absorb most of the liquid.
  • Form little balls in the size of 1-inch diameter.
  • On a PLATE, roll the balls in the remaining panko until they are coated on all sides.

Fry

  • In a PAN, heat 4 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Fry quinoa balls on all sides until they turn brown and crisp.

Serve

  • Distribute salad in bowls.
  • Add quinoa balls and pour the dressing on top.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Variations
  • Make meatballs from poultry, pork, or veal instead of quinoa balls.
  • For the coating, add 2 tbsp or more sesame seeds to the panko.
  • Substitute chives with parsley or cilantro.

Buddha Bowl with Meatballs

SpiceBreeze
Cuisine Asian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Shopping list

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1/8 cup chives finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup panko or any fine breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup orange jam
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic grated or chopped
  • 1 inch ginger grated or chopped
  • vegetable oil
  • salt & pepper
  • Your selection of vegetables for the salad

Culinary Spice Kit

  • Coarse brown mustard, nigella seeds

Instructions
 

Salad dressing

  • In a small POT, heat orange jam with 1/2 cup of water, half of the ginger, and salt to taste.
  • Cook over slow heat for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in 1/2-1 tsp lemon juice. Set aside to cool.

Prepare

  • In a BOWL, combine egg yolk, onions, garlic, chives, tbsp panko, and Buddha Spices.
  • Add ground meat, salt & pepper to taste. Knead well.
  • Add more panko as needed to absorb most of the liquid.
  • Form little balls in the size of 0.5-inch diameter.
  • On a PLATE, roll the balls in the remaining panko until they are coated on all sides.

Fry

  • In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Add balls and fry them on all sides until they turn brown and are cooked through.

Serve

  • Distribute salad in bowls.
  • Add meatballs and pour the dressing on top.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Variations
  • Use a different ground meat: chicken, pork, or veal.
  • For the coating, substitute 2 tbsp white sesame seeds for the panko.
  • Substitute chives with parsley or cilantro.
Black Tahini

Tahini

 

Black Tahini

Tahini

SpiceBreeze
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

Shopping list for Tahini Paste (optional)

  • 1 cup sesame seeds
  • 1/4-1/2 cup olive oil

Shopping list for Tahini Sauce

  • 1 cup tahini paste store-bought or see additional recipe below
  • 2-5 cloves garlic peeled and grated
  • 1/4-1/2 cup lime or lemon juice

Instructions
 

Tahini paste (Optional)

  • In a PAN, over medium heat, roast sesame seeds until they turn golden brown. Stir frequently and be careful, not to burn the seeds!
  • In a FOOD PROCESSOR, mix sesame seeds and 1/4 cup of oil into a paste.
  • Add slowly more oil if necessary, 1/2 tbsp at a time.
  • The ideal paste should be just liquidy enough that it doesn't stick to a spoon. Though, it doesn't have to be perfect.

Tahini sauce

  • In a BOWL, mix tahini paste with 1/4 cup of water.
  • Add garlic, salt and lime juice to taste.
  • Depending on how liquid your tahini paste is, you might need to add more water. The sauce should be liquid enough to pour it over the falafel, but not watery.
Bengali Shukto

Bengali Shukto

Bengali Shukto

Bengali Shukto

SpiceBreeze
Shukto is a must on any festive Bengali dinner menu. It has a slight bitterness balanced with the sweetness of sugar. If you are not up for this, try a Panch Phoron recipe from our website. Panch Phoron is a Bengali five-spice blend. It's always used whole. The seeds are fried in oil until they pop and release their aromatic flavor.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Bengali
Servings 3 servings

Ingredients
  

Protein - Optional

  • 1 lb chicken thighs or breast cut into 1-inch pieces

Fresh Produce

  • 1 large potato
  • 1 large turnip see notes
  • 1 medium zucchini or squash
  • 1 small eggplant
  • 1 cup green beans

Staples Group 3: Breading, Onion & Co

  • 1 inch ginger peeled and grated

Suggested Sides

  • cooked rice recommended: Basmati
  • flat bread naan or chapati

Culinary Spice Kit

  • 1 pouch Shukto [1] seeds Panch Phoron: Cumin, fennel, fenugreek, brown and yellow mustard, nigella seeds
  • 1 pouch Shukto [2] spice blend Yellow and brown mustard, ajowan, bay leaves

Instructions
 

Rice

  • If using rice, cook rice according to package instructions.

Prepare

  • Cut all vegetables into bite-size pieces.

Fry

  • In a large PAN, heat 6 tbsp oil.
  • Add Shukto [1] spices and ginger. Stir-fry 30 seconds until seeds start to pop.
  • Optional: Add chicken and salt to taste. Fry until all sides turn slightly brown.
  • Add potato, turnip, and salt to taste. Fry until they turn slightly brown.
  • Add all remaining vegetables and salt to taste. Fry until they turn slightly brown.

Cook

  • In a small CUP, dissolve Shukto [2] spices in 2 tbsp of water.
  • Add this spice paste and 1 cup of milk to the PAN. Cover. Bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium-low.
  • Cook for 5-10 minutes until vegetables and optional chicken are cooked.
  • Add 1-3 tsp sugar to taste.
  • Serve with rice or bread. Enjoy!

Notes

Variation:

Substitute turnip with daikon or 1 bunch radish.
Substitute one of the vegetables with 1 plantain or 1 sweet potato.
 

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Orange Semolina Cake

Mastic Orange Semolina Cake

Orange Semolina Cake

Orange Semolina Cake

SpiceBreeze
Cuisine Greek
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

Shopping list for the batter

  • 1.5 cup semolina
  • 0.5 cup sugar use to taste: up to 0.25less or more
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 0.25-0.5 tsp ground small mastic tears
  • 1.5 cup yogurt
  • 0.5 c milk
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Shopping list for the syrup

  • 0.75 cup sugar use to taste: 0.25less or up to 0.75more
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 3 green cardamom pods optional
  • 1 stick cinnamon optional

Shopping list for garnish (optional)

  • 1 orange halved and sliced
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup ice cream vanilla or orange flavor

Instructions
 

Syrup

  • In a small POT, add bring 0.5 cup of water to boil.
  • Stir in sugar until dissolved.
  • Optional: Add cardamom or cinnamon.
  • Mix in orange juice. Return to a boil.
  • Turn heat to low and cook slowly for about 10 minutes. The syrup shall have thickened but still be runny.
  • Remove and let cool.

Batter

  • In a BOWL, mix semolina with sugar, baking soda, and mastic.
  • Add yogurt, milk, and lemon juice.
  • With an ELECTRIC MIXER, beat until the batter is creamy.

Bake

  • Preheat OVEN to 350°F.
  • Spread a thinly layer of butter onto a BAKING PAN.
  • Pour the batter into the BAKING PAN.
  • Bake for about 1 to 1.5 hours until its baked and lightly golden.
  • If the top turns brown before it fully baked, cover the pan with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
  • Take the BAKING PAN out.
  • Pour syrup over hot cake.
  • Let cool.

Serve

  • Sprinkle cake with powdered sugar.
  • Serve cake with orange slices and/or ice cream.

Notes

Here are some Greek cake recipes. For all you can add ground mastic tears to the batter to get this special flavor:

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Rice porridge with grilled vegetables

Savory Rice Porridge

Rice porridge with grilled vegetables

Savory Rice Porridge

SpiceBreeze
Cuisine Greek
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb grilled meat and/or grilled vegetables
  • 2 cups rice
  • 4 cups broth
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 lemon for juice
  • 1 tbsp parsley chopped
  • 4 tomato/es chopped
  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • green cardamom pods
  • 1/2-1 tsp ground mastic
  • salt

Instructions
 

Rice

  • In a POT, add rice, broth, cardamom and salt to taste.
  • Cover. Bring to boil. Turn heat to low. Cook until rice is done.
  • Optional: Add 1/2 cup milk and cook about 5 minutes until the rice thickens
  • Take cardamom out.

Mastic Butter

  • In a small POT, melt butter with ground mastic to taste over low heat.

Serve

  • Drizzle butter over plated rice.
  • Serve with grilled meat and/or veggies.
  • Add a tomato salad seasoned with 1 tbsp lemon juice, fresh parsley, and garlic. No oil.

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Savory Rice Porridge

Savory Rice Porridge

  • 1 lb grilled meat and/or grilled vegetables
  • 2 cups rice
  • 4 cups broth
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 lemon for juice
  • 1 tbsp parsley (chopped)
  • 4 tomato/es (chopped)
  • 1 clove garlic (grated)
  • green cardamom pods
  • 1/2-1 tsp ground mastic
  • salt

Rice

  1. In a POT, add rice, broth, cardamom and salt to taste.
  2. Cover. Bring to boil. Turn heat to low. Cook until rice is done.
  3. Optional: Add 1/2 cup milk and cook about 5 minutes until the rice thickens
  4. Take cardamom out.

Mastic Butter

  1. In a small POT, melt butter with ground mastic to taste over low heat.

Serve

  1. Drizzle butter over plated rice.
  2. Serve with grilled meat and/or veggies.
  3. Add a tomato salad seasoned with 1 tbsp lemon juice, fresh parsley, and garlic. No oil.