Baking with Holiday Spice Blends
Holiday Spices
Cooking with spices is something that most people do on a daily basis, but cooking with holiday spices usually happens only a few times a year. Which spices are reserved for this special time?
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Chai Spice
- Gingerbread spice
These are just some examples of what spices can be used around the holidays.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin Pie Spice can be used for many different things. It can be used for the obvious pumpkin pie, can be added to coffee, used in a pancake batter, used to make muffins, and much more. It is a blend of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg which makes it give you that warm and cozy feeling when you smell it.
Chai Spice
Chai is a spice is a combination of ginger, cardamon, cinnamon, black pepper, and anise to create the perfect blend of warm spices. It can be used to make hot drinks and baking. Baking with holiday spice blends such as this one will make you feel warm all Winter long.
Gingerbread Spice
Gingerbread is one of the most famous beloved holiday cookies. It is a combination of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. This warm and lovely mixture creates the flavor of the holidays. Use gingerbread spice in cookies, breads, and cakes. Cooking with spices, especially gingerbread, is a sure-fire way to make you feel in the mood for the holidays.
Baking with holiday spice blends is so much more than just cooking with spices. It turns your holiday cooking into warm memories for years to come. That is why baking with your favorite herbs and spices is a special occasion that is reserved for the holidays. Need some holiday recipes? Find some here!
Read more about herbs and spices here!
What is Nutmeg?
Nutmeg is typically ground from evergreen tree seeds. It can be cultivated from any species within the genus myristica. It is made from the seed, and mace is made from the leftover webbing around the shell. Nutmeg has many uses. It was a staple of 18th-century cooking, and many people currently add it to sweet foods like cookies, oatmeal, and cake. Those who are wondering how this spice tastes should consider purchasing some raw seeds and grinding them for the freshest taste.
Cooking
You should grate nutmeg fresh to preserve the flavor. If the natural oils dry out, then the taste will disappear. Whole seeds should be covered and stored in a cool place. An entire seed should provide approximately two or three teaspoons of ground spice. This spice also goes well with dairy products. It is often used in custards, puddings, and warm milk. Ice cream from Grenada often includes a lot of of this wonderful spice. Cooking with nutmeg is relatively simple. This spice can actually be used in just about any recipe. Some people add this spice to grilled steaks or popovers. Those who are considering cooking with this spice should start by using small amounts. Large quantities can overpower the flavor of a dish.
Baking
For delicious and timeless desserts, try baking with nutmeg. Try baking a cake can be made from nutmeg, sour cream, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and eggs. You can shop online to find a specialty product that suits your specific needs. This spice can be combined with:
- Pepper
- Chili
- Cumin
- Fennel
When baking it’s important to remember that a small amount goes a long way.
How to Shop Nutmeg Online
It’s pretty easy to shop this spice online because the it’s inexpensive and easy to find. If you’re looking for a specialty product, then you may want to examine an online store that specializes in different spices. This spice has a very unique flavor and aroma. Learn more about the history of nutmeg, here.
Why Buy Spices Online vs. the Store
Gone are the days when you had no choice but to venture out to the store for your shopping needs. Today, online is the primary way consumers shop. But let me ask you when was the last time you went online to restock on cumin? You more than likely haven’t because you probably needed the cumin right this instant! There are several reasons why you should skip the store shelves and choose to buy spices online instead.
The first reason why to buy spices online is variety.
- Online retailers offer many unique and uncommon spices.
- Broaden your horizons on new spices, like Wattleseed or Grains of Paradise.
- Browse hundreds of spices and mix up your flavor pallet!
The second reason why to buy spices online is you’ll gain knowledge about the spice.
- Product descriptions can include culture, country of origin, and traditional uses.
- Read about where and how the spice is sourced.
- Understand the flavor profile and explore recipes to use it in!
The third reason why to buy spices online is you’ll omit the middle man.
- The process and production of spices is long: grower, harvester, initial processor, local traders, large processors, wholesalers, retailers, and last, you.
- The more hands the spice passes through the higher the cost.
- Buying straight from the source will ensure you’re buying spices fresh since they’re getting to you faster.
The fourth reason why to buy spices online is that you’ll be buying spices fresh and of higher quality.
- Did you know the turnaround time from picking to shelf is often 12-18 months?!
- Spices off the shelf will not be as robust since within a few months they lose flavor.
- Buying spices fresh will guarantee more flavor, aroma, and life.
- Buy spices whole for the longest shelf life and to avoid fillers, such as flours & stems, often included in ground spices.
So maybe it’s time to reexamine your spice cupboard… are some collecting dust? Toss them and check out online spice retailers for a restock of fresher, higher-quality spices. You’ll surely taste the difference and see why you should buy spices online vs. the store!
Must-Have Spices for the Holidays
Here is a list of herbs and spices to bring the spirit of the holidays to your home. These are simply the must-have spices for the holidays. You can do a quick google search of holiday spices online to find the best place to buy spices online.
Mulling Whole SpicesSome more common ingredients include:
Oranges
Cinnamon
Cloves
Honey
Sage
Star Anise
Pumpkin Spice
It can be used to make a deliciously cozy fall drink and is a key ingredient in the pinnacle of all holiday meals, Pie. You can find a pre-made spice mix in the grocery store, but they are often $5 for a few teaspoons. There is no need to purchase those overpriced plastic containers of pre-mixed herbs and spices from the store. Do a quick search for holiday spices online to find the best place to buy spices online. You won’t even have to leave your house!
You can make your own with just a few ingredients:
Cinnamon
Ginger
Nutmeg
Cloves
Allspice
These are just a few of the must-have spices for the holidays. If you can’t find any of these herbs and spices in your local store, check out the best place to buy spices online.
Tips For Buying Spices Online
• Expert staff will advise on the unique differences between spices and spice blends.
• Tips and ideas are available for buying the spices you need and how to use them perfectly.
• Support in choosing your precise spice blend to get the exact flavor profile you need for your recipe.
Cost Optimization
• Option to buy whole spices, individual spices, and spice blends at bulk prices.
• Buy a little or a lot—you can get the exact amount you need without buying the whole jar. Additionally, you can buy larger quantities of spices you use frequently at a bulk price.
Freshness of Spices
• Buying spices such as peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and other varieties can ensure several years of use. Pre-ground spices lose flavor much more quickly.
• Whole spices can easily be ground manually or with a spice grinder, which can also be purchased with an online specialty shop so you’ll have exactly what you need.
• Although spices don’t expire for safety reasons, the freshness of jarred, ground and whole spices at your local grocery store can’t be guaranteed. Spices and spice blends at an online store are freshly stocked.
Must-Have Spices For Vegan Cooking
Are you a vegan cook? Here are all the must-have spices for vegan cooking!
Spices For Vegan Cooking
1. Tumeric
Tumeric has a slightly peppery, ginger flavor. You can use it fresh or in the most common form, powder. It’s mainly used in Thai and Indian dishes. It has health benefits too like fighting inflammation.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is used in many different types of dessert dishes especially in fall and winter ones. It’s great to pair with sweeter foods like fruits, but it also adds flavor to teas and even bread. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help stabilize blood sugars as well.
3. Red Pepper Flakes
Red Pepper Flakes are commonly used in Spanish and Italian dishes and are known for their extra kick of spice. They are full of antioxidants, help with suppressing appetite, boost your metabolism, and help in inflammation.
4. Cumin
Cumin is extremely popular when it comes to spices for vegan cooking. It has an earthy flavor and is used commonly in Mexican, Indian, and Middle Eastern dishes. It has health benefits like being a source of iron, magnesium, and helps with digestion.
5. Garlic
Garlic may be a basic ingredient for cooking, but it adds a ton of flavor to any dish. You can mince it fresh from cloves or use the powder. It has tons of health benefits beginning with vitamins, helping with colds, and reducing blood pressure.
As you can see, adding these must-have spices to your dishes will improve on any recipe and even gives you some added health bonuses. Hopefully, this list helps you when you make your next trip to the grocery store and you will have an idea of what spice to buy based on the dish you are making. For more information check out this video.
Delicious Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
Finding the best baked chicken thighs recipe.
When people think about cooking chicken and all the chicken spices and chicken seasoning, most times they think you can only find it at fancy restaurants. This is simply because most of your home-cooks tend to feel very insecure about cooking raw meat, more specifically poultry. They tend to worry about things like spreading germs by touching the raw meat, ending up with a dish that has soggy skin, over or under seasoning the meat, and even serving undercooked meat and having their guests or family members get sick. This makes home-cooks cook the meat until it is tough like shoe leather which just adds to the other worries that they already have. Let’s now get to the baked chicken thighs recipe!
Restaurant-Style Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
Take a deep breath. We are going to go over a simple restaurant-style chicken thighs recipe that will make all of your cooking fears disappear. This will make you feel like Ina Garten, or Martha Stewart whomever you prefer. This recipe is ridiculously delicious and will become your new favorite thing to make for parties and even everyday suppers.
When it comes to cooking any kind of chicken it does not take much to overcook it. With that being said you defiantly do not want to serve undercooked chicken either. With this recipe make sure you preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. After that put a 12- 14 inch cast iron skillet on the stove over medium heat and add olive oil. Next, make sure the skin is dry and sprinkle the meat with garlic salt and black pepper before placing it in the skillet skin side down. Using the tongs flip the thighs and add thyme, rosemary, and lemon slices. At last place the whole thing in the oven for 15- 18 minutes. See! It’s Simple.
Find more recipes here.
Pumpkin Rigatoni Recipe
With the fall holidays right around the corner, everyone starts reaching for their all-time favorite pumpkin spice recipes. What do you do if you have someone that does not really like pumpkin spice? What do you do? Here is a pumpkin rigatoni recipe that will knock your socks off. It is a creamy, silky, pumpkin- sauce- bathed rigatoni that is sprinkled with some rosemary walnuts that might just replace your pumpkin spice recipes.
This pumpkin pasta is amazing. It has a warm and toasty meal, fall flavors, garlic and rosemary and butter, and big floppy rigatoni noodles. This pumpkin rigatoni recipe can be used for supper tonight, lunch tomorrow, and even be stretched much farther than that. This recipe keeps you full, tastes amazingly reheated, and taste so good that you wouldn’t mind doing a little celebration dance.
This recipe is done in two parts. The first thing you have to do is make your rosemary walnut crispies and before you even ask yes you might want to make a double batch to have some for salads and things like that. First, you want to set your oven to preheat at 375 degrees F and send the walnuts through a food processor till they have a chopped texture. After that place them on a sheet pan and roast them for 8- 10 minutes. Then toss them in some brown sugar, salt, black pepper, butter, and most importantly fresh rosemary. This gives the walnuts a burst of flavor that makes it really hard to not eat them straight off the pan.
Okay, now that you have your walnuts done, time to move on to your pasta. Cook the pasta according to the box then drain and return to the pot. For the sauce, you should heat the butter in a skillet over low heat. Then add some garlic and sauté until fragrant (Tip: be careful not to brown the garlic or it will taste bitter.) After that add pumpkin and broth and let it simmer until it is smooth. Then add some cream and salt and allow it to simmer till the sauce covers the back of a spoon. Finally, add a little lemon juice if you want, mix with your pasta, top with your walnuts and enjoy. See it really is as simple as it sounds. Now you have a holiday dish that everyone will love and that is both healthy and filling.
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Great Spices to Grill Veggies
Grilled Zucchini and Corn
One delicious and simple combination from the Spice Blog consists of a few simple steps. The key is to prep the vegetables and allows time for marinating, getting the grill going, and getting the perfect grill marks. With only a handful of steps, some patience, and some knowledge of great spices, you will be able to create low-fat, nutritious dishes with the wonderful, warm quality of cooking with a grill right away.
Spices for Veggie Recipes
Maybe you like simple salt and pepper. Maybe you love spice and heat. Possibly you’re more into fresh herbs or citrus. However, you grill veggies, knowing a few spices for veggie recipes will optimize how you can combine your flavors.
Here is one simple mix to add some flavor and depth to your cooking:
- 2T Hungarian paprika
- 1t fresh black pepper
- 1t dried thyme
- 1t dried rosemary
- 2t garlic powder
- 1/2t ground chipotle pepper
Simply mix the ingredients together and season your veggies after they’ve been prepared but an hour before you plan to grill veggies so they have a chance to marinate.
Other great spices for prepping veggies include ones with an ethnic twist such as this Thai version:
- 1.5c packed cilantro
- 8 peeled cloves of garlic
- 2T fish or soy sauce
- 1T water
- 1t fresh black pepper
- 1t chili garlic sauce
- 1/3c vegetable oil
- 2lbs vegetables, cut into pieces
Process all the ingredients except the oil and vegetables in a processor and blend. Add the oil as it mixes. Toss the vegetables in the paste then let them sit an hour while preparing the grill. Serve with rice or noodles and enjoy!
Grinding spices: Cardamom
This experience can be said of any spice, whether it’s cinnamon, nutmeg, or a dried herb. One particularly refreshing – and absolutely ancient – spice to try at grinding is cardamom, a pod that is perfect floating in coffee or in sweet or savory dishes, as explained here. To get an idea of how to test out these flavors and your mill, let’s check out an example of savory cardamom recipes perfect for dinner:
Spiced Chicken and Rice Pilaf
- 4 chicken legs
- 2-1/2T cooking oil
- Ground cardamom
- Salt to taste
- 1/8t fresh black pepper
- 1T butter, quartered
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1-1/2c basmati rice
- 1/4c raisins
- 2-1/4c stock
- 1/4c apple juice
Heat the oven to 450F. Coat 1T of oil on the chicken and season as desired. Roast it in a pan with a pad of butter on each leg about 30 minutes. Heat the rest of the oil in a pan, sauté the onion, then add the rice and spices, stirring well. Add raisins, broth, and salt to taste, boiling and simmering for 20 minutes while covered. Take the pan from the heat with the cover on for 5 more minutes before stirring it with a fork. Take out the chicken and remove the fat from the pan, putting it back on the heat with the juice and some spices, stirring until 2T is left. Serve the chicken with a side of rice, drizzled with the reduced sauce.
Cardamom recipes can be found in various places around the world and always offer incredible spice depth whether that recipe is for a cold or hot drink, a dessert, or meat, salad, or rice dish. In addition, practicing grinding spices means your recipes will explode with unmatched flavors.