Posted by MSC on 4/18/2013
to Chicken
Delicious roasted chicken with four flavorful herbs - savory, rosemary, basil and thyme. Check out the handy Herb Collection too, packed in an attractive burlap bag. Herb Collection
Slow Cooked Beef Short Ribs are an inexpensive and delicious treat. The trick is to cook low and slow to break down the meat into fall off the bone goodness.
Slow cooking a tough piece of meat low and slow will break it into fall off the bone deliciousness. Click here to check out the details!
Posted by MSC on 1/10/2013
to Seafood
I was in the mood for something light and healthy and a little sweet and spicy. I went shopping around at our local grocery and was disappointed I couldn't find a ripe mango, my first choice. I couldn't find any good looking peaches either, so I opted for two cans of no syrup, no sugar added peaches. But I can't WAIT to duplicate this recipe in the summer when our Michigan peaches come in to season. This hit the spot, definitely a little zip, and we served it over a bed of cilantro cous cous. We will keep this on the short list of favorites. Click here to see the details.
After a perpetual food binge through the holidays, I feel like I need a little healthy living. Last night I arrived home and decided to throw something together with quinoa, one of my favorite "sides", but tonight it was going to take center stage. Did you know that quinoa may be a good choice for vegans as it has a high calcium content and is gluten free? It is also a great source of protein. Simple but tasty with our Evening in Tuscany spice blend, avocado and tomato, I enjoyed my Tuscan Quinoa. Simple to prepare, easy to clean up, and reasonably healthy, I think this recipe will be in my regular rotation!
Posted by Spice Girl on 12/16/2012
to Drinks!
Having friends over during the holidays? Fun to have a signature drink to enjoy! We played around with our new Lemon White Tea and created a mar"tea"ni that is splendid, if we do say so ourselves. Give it a whirl, it may just become your new signature cocktail. Looking for a nifty gift with a little homemade touch? How about adding the syrup to a mason jar, adding a twine tie and a tag and giving it with a bottle of vodka and a couple of martini glasses?
Quick to make and delicious our Awesome Onion Soup mix helps you create a yummy spinach artichoke dip - pair it with some crusty italian bread and you've got a great holiday appetizer. Our Awesome Onion Soup mix is all natural, preservative, MSG, gluten free, low salt AND vegetarian. You can combine it with sour cream too for a quick dip! Click here to get the recipe!
Thanksgiving is almost here! One of my favorite holidays - low stress, friends, family, and lots of cooking fun! We've got an awesome stuffing blend that'll make creating your new family favorite a snap. Here is a basic recipe for you to tweak:
On a chilly, grey fall day and with a cold settling in, I was in the mood for comfort food from my childhood. With a little research in to other recipes online and a little trial and error, I think I came up with a pretty good gluten free and low carb nod to the traditional beef stroganoff. Super easy and your kitchen will smell divine!
Posted by Spice Girl on 10/31/2012
to Sweets
In honor of Halloween, we dug up a little research on traditional Halloween festivities and fare.
In the days surrounding October 31st, many cultures developed days of recognition. All Saints Day, Day of the Dead, All Hallows' Eve, All Souls' Day, Samhain, Snap Apple Night, etc... Some are pagan celebrations, others are closely tied to religion. Many of these traditions have influenced what the US now recognizes as Halloween.
One interesting tradition was making Soul Cake to offer to the spirits. In some cultures, people believed that these cakes would nourish the souls of those on their way to the otherworld. Others believed if they did not offer food to the dead that they would impart evil onto the living. Whatever the reason, today we can enjoy Soul Cakes for what they are for sure - delicious.
Posted by Spice Girl on 10/31/2012
to Snacks
One of my favorite things about fall is all the great harvest foods. Squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pies, etc... And one of the best of these? Delicious and nutritious roasted pumpkin seeds! I love them srinkled on top of soups or just by the handful.
We've got some great recipe ideas, click here!
Have you tried fennel pollen? Unreal. It ranks (to me), right up there with truffle salt as a seasoning I just don't want to go without. Now I am not a HUGE black licorice fan, and I know that that flavor is probably what you have in mind. Oh no, it is so much more. It has aptly been described as "culinary fairy dust" for its magical qualities. Try it on just about everything, but just try it. Today we tried it in a slow cooker on a pork roast. And how'd it taste? Unreal.
M. came home raving about the Chicken Tikka Masala he enjoyed at a friend's house, so I set out last Sunday to come up with a good slow cooker version, with an eye on the health factor. (We are being careful with our simple carb intake, trying to eat local whenever possible, and also stick with natural ingredients.) What to do for a good rice substitute? We hodge-podged one together from some ideas we found online, and we LOVE cauliflower rice. Cauliflower rice? Well, not exactly, but cut in to small bits and steamed it surely is a delicious base over which to serve the Chicken Tikka Masala.
Posted by Spice Girl on 10/29/2012
to Soup
On a cold and windy day it is always nice to come home to the smell of a nice, hot soup. Spend a few minutes in the morning to prep and this delicious treat will be ready to go! We've been working hard on keeping an eye on our carbs - not too much bread and certainly not pizza - so a soup with the flavor we've been missing really hit the spot!
Posted by Spice Girl on 10/24/2012
to Drinks!
A brilliant fall morning is upon us! I woke up early and whipped up a pumpkin spice latte to enjoy before cracking in to the work emails. A delicious and warm start to the day! Click here to see the easy recipe.
Posted by Spice Girl on 10/12/2012
to Soup
Something a little different than the traditional red chili was on my mind the other day, and green chili fit the bill. A cold and damp day is a great time to slow cook a batch. It's even better the next day!
It's getting chilly here in Michigan and this time of year always makes me think about warm, yummy meals made in the Crock Pot!
Our It's All Greek to Me blend is a flavorful but mild blend that is great as a dry rub, to make a sauce for gyros, or my FAV use - for slow cooked chicken! We were really proud when our recipe was featured in our local YMCA fundraisre cook book this year too! Click here for the details!
Posted by MSC on 9/30/2012
to Salad
What I suspect will be the very last of the Michigan roma tomatoes this year were calling my name today. A fresh, bright, crisp fall day just begged for a hearty and (reasonably) healthy salad. The Wild Harvest Oregano Viniagrette is such a versatily dressing - be sure to make enough to use it on other things - it's DELICIOUS as a marinade for chicken, too!
Posted by Spice Girl on 9/8/2012
to Soup
Ahhh, it's football season, school is back in session and the air is crisp. What could that mean? Time to make a big pot of chili! Beans or no beans, hot pepper, mild peppers, a dash of this or that. Chili has more variations than imaginable. What is your favorite? We've got a great base to help get you started!
Posted by Spice Girl on 8/28/2012
to Veggies!
Ahhh, the delicious bounty of summer harvest! Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes!
Thanks to a friend/neighbor/urban farmer, we have baskets filled with vine ripened Michigan tomatoes. Some of our favorite uses:
Sliced and served on whole wheat toast spread with cream cheese. Top with a couple of basil leaves and a dash of Smoked Sea Salt Chopped and added to diced onions and jalapeno - add a touch of Milford's Mexican Blast for a fresh and light salsa A classic BLT. Never lets you down. I relish this time of year and add a tomato to just about every meal. BUT, I can't keep up! And though I love to cook, I just haven't mastered the preserving angle like so many of my friends. So I tried making an easy tomato sauce that I could throw into pasta, onto pizza, etc... HOLY COW!!! I am in love! The roasting adds an intense tomato flavor with a little sweetness! Click here to check out how you can make it too!
Posted by The Spice Girl on 8/21/2012
Quick and easy to make and ADDICTIVE! Try pickling red onions with your favorite spices, here's a basic recipe to get you started! Click here! 
Posted by Spice Girl on 8/18/2012
to Seafood
With friends from the east coast, we've been thinking about putting together a proper seafood boil. Though the traditional lobsters were a little too spendy for our budget, I think we enjoyed the shrimp, clams and mussels nearly as much! And the fun part? Tape down your tables (outside!) with newspapers, wash up, and dump all the fixings in the middle. You'll enjoy a delicious treat with your fingers! Easy clean up and silly fun!
Posted by The Spice Girl on 8/11/2012
to Veggies!
Delicious and nutritious kale chips sprinkled with Malt Salt is the perfect salty snack!
Every once in a while I come across a blend that really nails it. Recado Rojo, my love. Save the flashy allure of the Bourbon Smoked Series, set aside the decadence of my first love, Truffle Salt. The Recado Rojo is becoming one of those stand bys I go to when I want an all around crowd pleaser. It is at the same time earthy, yet bright with it's rich combination of achiote, coriander, cumin, allspices, Mexican oregano, sea salt, black pepper, garlic, cinnamon, lemon peel and cloves. I love to use it on pork chops, tenderloin, or pork roast. If you research this Mexican original from the Yucatan region, you'll find some fun ways of preparing with pork wrapped in banana leaves, richly coated in the Recado Rojo blend. Since I don't usually have banana leaves handy, I've improvised a bit on the traditional to make it my own way, and cook it right on the grill. Check out my new favorite: Recado Rojo Grilled Pork Chops.
Posted by Spice Girl on 7/25/2012
to Veggies!
An Evening in Tuscany - conjures up beautiful visions of sunsets, fresh, delicious foods, a great glass of wine, romantic setting? That is what we envision as we dine on the bounty of the summer with our "Evening in Tuscany" blend. Check out some great usage ideas!
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