browse

COLLABORATOR SPICE BLENDS

Balkan Medley is a versatile blend that can be used in a variety of dishes - from seasoning a stew, to using it as a rub for grilled meats, to sprinkling on top of appetizer dips. As its name suggests, it is inspired by the traditional cuisine found amongst the Balkan Peninsula countries - from grandma’s kitchen, to a street food vendor, to a fancy restaurant. With its herbal notes including thyme and oregano, this blend will elevate your meals and is the perfect addition to your spice cabinet. Use this blend to make: • Grilled chicken kebabs • Sprinkled on top of Feta Dip • On your morning buttered toast Tips: This blend does not contain salt so add salt and pepper to taste. Do not burn as it can become bitter!

This Cinnasational Spice Blend is an all purpose baking blend that can be added to any baked good! Cinnamon is the star of the show but nutmeg, allspice and cloves pack their own punch creating a well rounded spice mix. From cinnamon rolls to cobbler, this blend is the perfect addition to any and every baking recipe! A few of my favorite ways to use the Cinnasational Spice Blend: • Swap out the cinnamon for this blend in your next batch snickerdoodles • Spice up your favorite banana bread by adding 1 ½ teaspoons to recipe • Add a couple of teaspoons to your next summer crisp or cobbler Tips: Whisk this blend in with the flour and other dry ingredients when adding it to a recipe so it is evenly distributed. To make a spiced simple syrup, mix it in with the sugar before adding the water so it does not separate.

When creating this spice blend, I was inspired by my childhood growing up in a West Indian household, which is why it’s named Harvest Spice; for the cozy feeling of home and nostalgia the aroma of this blend invokes. The spices I used for this blend were all part of the dishes we enjoyed, especially during the holidays when the sweet scent of cinnamon, warm clove, citrusy cardamom, aromatic nutmeg, and peppery allspice permeated the air. I wanted this blend to pull double duty in the kitchen, so I added earthy coriander and the subdued bite of white pepper to bridge the gap between sweet and savory. This incredibly versatile spice blend has limitless uses:

Breakfast recipes such as French toast or baked oatmeal

Baked goods such as pies, cakes, and cookies

Meat and poultry dishes, like Moroccan-inspired stews

Tips:

Add Harvest Spice to dry ingredients for sweet treats, then follow the recipe as instructed.

When preparing your savory dishes, add the spices after the aromatics have softened and sautee briefly to avoid burning. This method allows the flavors to bloom and be efficiently distributed throughout the dish.

Let’s travel to the Iberian peninsula of Spain and Portugal with this super versatile rich and smoky Iberian Infusion blend! This paprika-forward blend is well-rounded with smoky, sweet and flavorful chile notes, paired with alliaceous spices for a more complete blend. I’ve added some brightness with sumac and oregano, and warmth from cinnamon and cacao.  The perfect blend for appetizers, mains and snacks:

Cook into stews or use as a rub for meats or on seafood!

Infuse into sauces or dips or dust snacks like popcorn or salted chips!

Coat vegetables before roasting or use as a base for rice dishes (like Paella)!

Tips:

Stovetop cooking: adding the blend to oil helps dissolve the pigment and flavor compounds, while intensifying the flavors. Add it closer to the beginning to allow the color and flavor to permeate the final dish better.

CAUTION: Do not burn/scorch - it can become very bitter. Add sugar to the dish for more sweetness and to balance out smokiness.

Salt your dishes well: this blend contains no salt, allowing you to add that umami using other ingredients (salt, broth, mushrooms, etc.,). It’s also versatile enough to add to already-salted snacks, like chips, popcorn or olives.

Kerala Curry Masala is an aromatic blend of 5 inevitable spices in Kerala cooking. This spice blend gives the depth and flavor to majority of the dishes. This is a staple blend of spices needed in a Kerala kitchen. The freshly roasted spices, when ground to a coarse powder, is then added to many dishes including vegetarian or non-vegetarian to impart the perfect aromatic touch and to elevate the flavors to another level. This curry masala is one of the spice blends that you could add towards the end of preparing a dish. A batch of Kerala Curry Masala when stored in air tight container can go a long way.

This elevated lemon pepper seasoning deserves a key spot in your pantry! Between the leading flavors of bright citrus from the fresh lemon zest and the woody, elevated heat you get from the long pepper, this lemon pepper spice blend is truly unlike anything you’ve ever had. This is the perfect blend for a multitude of meals (and more): • Use on top of meats or seafood! • Sprinkle over your favorite roasted veggies (such as asparagus or broccolini)! • Toss it with pasta! • Sprinkle it on popcorn! ... and so much more!

I wanted to create a multi-purpose blend that would transport me to the tropics, and I believe that this is it! A hint of sweetness from mango juice powder, the tang of hibiscus, the mild spiciness of guajillo chilies, the earthiness of cumin, and a hint of exotic je ne sais quoi from coriander and allspice make this blend sing. It’s delicious as a dry spice rub on all kinds of proteins—Just add salt to taste. Also, try adding it to sauces, dressings, and marinades, or use it as a dry dip for raw veggies.

Pain d'épices flavor holds cherished childhood memories for me. It has a special place in my heart and kitchen. The combination of seven aromatic spices and sweet flavors evokes coziness and nostalgia, making it a delightful treat. The rich, warm flavors of pain d'épices uniquely transport us back to comforting moments. The balance between each spice creates a unique flavor. I created this unique blend with the rustic French spice cake of the same name in mind, but you can use it in other sweet recipes for fall and winter. You can sprinkle it on an apple stew or use it in a more elaborate recipe, bringing an extraordinary aroma to your kitchen. This blend is perfect for fall and winter baked desserts or beverage treats. A dash of pain d'épices blend on baked sweet potatoes or pumpkin smash adds all the aromas. It's citrusy, woody, tangy, and a bit pungent. It's the perfect blend for: • baked desserts • fall fruits stews • beverage treats

This blend of hibiscus, lavender, and rosemary brings the flavors of a summer garden right to your pantry. Between the antioxidants in the hibiscus and the calming properties of lavender and rosemary, you’ll feel like you just had a spa day every time you use it. Here are some suggestions to get you started: • Steep in hot water to make an herbal tisane • Steep in a 1:1 sugar:water mixture to make a flavored simple syrup you can use in cocktails, mocktails, or even drizzled over ice cream • Infuse clear spirits such as gin, vodka, or rum for vibrant color and additional flavor • Simmer in a saucepan of water on low heat for aromatherapy Cheers!

When Selefina asked me to collaborate with them on a spice blend, I immediately thought of garlic and onion. I season basically everything with garlic and always add extra onion too! These two ingredients pack so much flavor-- pungent, but also a little sweet, with tons of umami. Sweet + Zesty Onion Mix was inspired by an onion soup mix, full of bold onion and garlic flavor. I’ve added two types of paprika and sriracha salt for depth of flavor and just a hint of spice. This savory all-purpose seasoning can be used anywhere you’d use garlic and/or onion powder. Usage ideas: • creamy soups, sauces, and dips • chili (or other hearty stews) • marinade for chicken (or other protein) Usage tip: This spice mix is best when added to a liquid, to soften up the dried onion and garlic pieces. Think soups, sauces, dips, marinades, etc.