spices Archives - falafelandcaviar.com Wed, 13 Mar 2024 07:00:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 Try Making Eggplant Curry With This Perfect Recipe https://falafelandcaviar.com/try-making-eggplant-curry-with-this-perfect-recipe/ Sat, 16 Mar 2024 12:04:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=19788 Try this delectable eggplant curry recipe, which elegantly showcases the rich flavors of Indian cuisine. With its velvety texture and robust spices, this dish offers a delightful fusion of savory and aromatic notes that will tantalize your taste buds. Let’s delve into the kitchen and create a sumptuous curry that will leave you craving more. […]

The post Try Making Eggplant Curry With This Perfect Recipe appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Try this delectable eggplant curry recipe, which elegantly showcases the rich flavors of Indian cuisine. With its velvety texture and robust spices, this dish offers a delightful fusion of savory and aromatic notes that will tantalize your taste buds. Let’s delve into the kitchen and create a sumptuous curry that will leave you craving more.

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium-sized eggplants, diced into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant. Add diced tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and garam masala over the tomato mixture. Stir well to combine. Add diced eggplant to the skillet, stirring to coat the eggplant with the spice mixture. Cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the eggplant to soften slightly.
  4. Pour in 1/2 cup of water, cover the skillet, and let the curry simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender. Season with salt to taste, and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving. Serve your curry hot, with steamed rice or naan bread, and enjoy the explosion of flavors in every bite!

The post Try Making Eggplant Curry With This Perfect Recipe appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Flavor Boosters: Elevating Your Dishes With Unexpected Ingredients https://falafelandcaviar.com/flavor-boosters-elevating-your-dishes-with-unexpected-ingredients/ Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:23:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=19733 Bored of using the same old salt and pepper? Prepare to ditch the ordinary and embark on a flavor-filled adventure with unexpected ingredients that will take your dishes to the next level. Check out these three surprising flavor boosters to revolutionize your cooking game. Gochujang Paste For a punch of umami-rich flavor to your dishes, […]

The post Flavor Boosters: Elevating Your Dishes With Unexpected Ingredients appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Bored of using the same old salt and pepper? Prepare to ditch the ordinary and embark on a flavor-filled adventure with unexpected ingredients that will take your dishes to the next level. Check out these three surprising flavor boosters to revolutionize your cooking game.

Gochujang Paste

For a punch of umami-rich flavor to your dishes, use gochujang paste. A staple in Korean cuisine, this fermented chili paste combines a variety of flavors from sweet to tangy. Use it to spice up marinades, sauces, soups, and even stir-fries.

Sumac

Give your dishes a burst of brightness with sumac, a tangy spice derived from dried berries. With its vibrant red hue and citrusy flavor, sumac adds a zesty kick to salads, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and even dips like hummus and tzatziki.

Miso Paste

Take your savory dishes to the next level with miso paste, a traditional Japanese ingredient made from fermented soybeans. Known for its umami-ness, miso adds depth and complexity to soups, stews, dressings, and marinades. 

The post Flavor Boosters: Elevating Your Dishes With Unexpected Ingredients appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Three Great Ways to Elevate a Rice Dish https://falafelandcaviar.com/three-great-ways-to-elevate-a-rice-dish/ Thu, 14 Dec 2023 16:25:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=18815 Rice is a very common side dish across the world commonly served alongside meat, chicken, fish, and curries. However, when cooked or spiced right, one has the ability to transform any rice from just a side piece to the main event. Keep reading for a few culinary suggestions to elevate your rice. Toppings Add a […]

The post Three Great Ways to Elevate a Rice Dish appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Rice is a very common side dish across the world commonly served alongside meat, chicken, fish, and curries. However, when cooked or spiced right, one has the ability to transform any rice from just a side piece to the main event. Keep reading for a few culinary suggestions to elevate your rice.

Toppings

Add a variety of delicious toppings to your rice such as dried fruit, slivered nuts, and spice blends. Many Mediterranean stores sell spice blends and rice toppings that are amazing on top of cooked rice or even cooked with the rice. This toppings have the ability to transform an ordinary rice into a unique culinary experience.

Spices

Cook your rice with several aromatic spices such as turmeric, cumin seeds, and paprika. When cooked with the crunchy rice before adding the water, the rice will take on the flavor of anything you put into it. This is a great way to create a side dish that matches the flavors of what your serving!

Veggies and Meat

Cook your rice with various veggies or meat to make the ultimate one-pot experience. This is an exceptional way to not only reduce the amount of kitchen ware you’ll have to wash later, but will also transform your rice into a heavenly comfort food.

The post Three Great Ways to Elevate a Rice Dish appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Spice Up Your Cooking With These Spice Blends From Minimalist Baker https://falafelandcaviar.com/spice-up-your-cooking-with-these-spice-blends-from-minimalist-baker/ Sat, 15 Apr 2023 08:34:04 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=17716 Just a pinch of the right spices can take a bland dish and transform it into a culinary masterpiece. However, pre-mixed spice blends can be expensive and may not always cater to your individual preferences. While it may seem intimidating, creating your own spice blends is actually quite simple and a great way to save […]

The post Spice Up Your Cooking With These Spice Blends From Minimalist Baker appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Just a pinch of the right spices can take a bland dish and transform it into a culinary masterpiece. However, pre-mixed spice blends can be expensive and may not always cater to your individual preferences. While it may seem intimidating, creating your own spice blends is actually quite simple and a great way to save money in the kitchen. You can certainly play around with whatever spices you have on hand, but if you’re in need of some inspiration, Minimalist Baker has some versatile, flavorful recipes that are a great place to start. Here are a few we especially love.

Everything Bagel Seasoning

Good for so much more than just bagels, this blend adds salty, savory punch to anything it’s sprinkled on. It’s based on Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning and is easy to throw together in just a few minutes. We love it on avocado toast or even over Asian dishes.

5-Minute Caffeine-Free Chai Spice Mix

Chai means tea, and while this recipe was technically created as a drink mix to be served with some steamed milk, we’ve found it makes a lovely addition to curries and even baked goods. Cinnamon and cardamom provide warmth and comfort, while ginger and black pepper add a flavorful kick.

Tandoori Masala Spice Mix

For beans, tofu, veggies, and more, we love this zix-ingredient, Indian-inspired blend. Masala is a Hindi and Urdu word used to describe a mixture of ground spices. The spices in this recipe create a zesty, smoky flavor, but there is no set definition of what a masala needs to include. Feel free to play around with the ratios and experiment with each spice.

The post Spice Up Your Cooking With These Spice Blends From Minimalist Baker appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Dukkah Spice is So Good You’ll Want to Put it on Everything https://falafelandcaviar.com/dukkah-spice-is-so-good-youll-want-to-put-it-on-everything/ Tue, 18 Oct 2022 08:05:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=17141 Under-seasoned food is bland and unappetizing, but over-seasoned food can be just as unpleasant. It’s important to strike a balance of flavors. This dukkah spice is the perfect blend of North African and Middle Eastern flavors, making it ideal on avocado toast, hummus, chicken, vegetables, or dipped into with olive oil and crusty bread. View […]

The post Dukkah Spice is So Good You’ll Want to Put it on Everything appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Under-seasoned food is bland and unappetizing, but over-seasoned food can be just as unpleasant. It’s important to strike a balance of flavors. This dukkah spice is the perfect blend of North African and Middle Eastern flavors, making it ideal on avocado toast, hummus, chicken, vegetables, or dipped into with olive oil and crusty bread.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds
  • 2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Heat a small to medium skillet over low-medium heat. Add the pumpkin seeds and toast, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes until they begin to pop and puff up slightly. Reduce the heat to low.
  2. Add the sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns and toast, stirring frequently until fragrant and the sesame seeds begin turning light brown.. Transfer to a mortar and pestle or small food processor. 
  3. Add salt and crush or pulse the mixture into a coarse meal, making sure to break up any whole peppercorns. Taste and adjust as needed, adding more salt to taste, cumin seeds for smokiness, coriander seeds for brightness, or sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds for crunch.
  4. Let cool fully before transferring to a jar. The dukkah will keep in a sealed container for at least 3 months (or longer) at room temperature, or refrigerate to keep fresh even longer.

The post Dukkah Spice is So Good You’ll Want to Put it on Everything appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Is Grinding Your Own Spices Worth It? https://falafelandcaviar.com/is-grinding-your-own-spices-worth-it/ Fri, 11 Mar 2022 08:20:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16301 When we look in our spice drawers at all the little bottles of powder, we often don’t think about where each spice actually comes from and what it looks like pre-ground. But buying spices whole and grinding them yourself can unlock major flavor potential that you can’t really get with a powder that’s been sitting […]

The post Is Grinding Your Own Spices Worth It? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> When we look in our spice drawers at all the little bottles of powder, we often don’t think about where each spice actually comes from and what it looks like pre-ground. But buying spices whole and grinding them yourself can unlock major flavor potential that you can’t really get with a powder that’s been sitting in your cabinet for 3 years. At the same time, buying whole can be expensive, and grinding at home is time and energy-consuming. So, is grinding spices yourself worthwhile?

You may have noticed that in coffee shops, coffee is ground fresh because it’s at its most flavorful the moment it’s ground. The same is true for spices. As soon as you grind them, they begin to lose flavor. So if your main priority is maximum flavor, then it may indeed be worth it to buy your spices whole and a grinder or mortar and pestle to grind at home. You’ll need to add far less of a fresh-ground spice to a dish than pre-ground for the same potency.

At the same time, grinding your spice with a mortar and pestle takes a lot of effort. Even grinding all your spices in a blade grinder can add time and steps to your recipe. That’s fine if you have time, but if you’re just cooking yourself dinner after a long day then you probably want to maximize convenience—your dish will still taste great if you add the right amount of pre-ground spices.

All in all, it’s probably a good idea to have whole versions of your favorite spices in the cupboard to fresh-grind when you have time or want to really highlight a certain flavor. But fresh-grinding everything every time isn’t necessarily plausible, and that’s okay.

The post Is Grinding Your Own Spices Worth It? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> How to Get the Most Out of Your Spices in Indian Food https://falafelandcaviar.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-spices-in-indian-food/ Tue, 05 Oct 2021 08:54:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16381 Spices are absolutely essential to any Indian dish, and Indian food has a diverse range of spice profiles across dishes and regions. If you cook a lot of Indian cuisine, then you probably go through your spices somewhat quickly. There’s no way to really avoid this, and of course spices are meant to be used—there’s […]

The post How to Get the Most Out of Your Spices in Indian Food appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Spices are absolutely essential to any Indian dish, and Indian food has a diverse range of spice profiles across dishes and regions. If you cook a lot of Indian cuisine, then you probably go through your spices somewhat quickly. There’s no way to really avoid this, and of course spices are meant to be used—there’s nothing wrong with having to restock often. But here’s how to help your spices go as far as they can.

Marinate the Protein

Whether you’re using tofu, fish, or chicken, marinating it beforehand will make a huge difference. You can use whole spices (combined with plain yogurt or some other liquid) if you have them on hand and leave your protein in the fridge for at least a few hours. This way it will soak up a ton of flavor on its own and you won’t need to worry too much about getting it flavored during cooking.

Toast Your Spices

One step which may seem trivial is toasting your spices before you add any liquid or water-emitting vegetables. You’ll usually do it after sautéing your onions and garlic-ginger paste. Simply sprinkle on your desired spices and mix up with the onions, allowing to toast for around 30 seconds before adding the next ingredient. This will help really bring out the flavors in the spices and make your kitchen smell great.

Add in the Marinade

In many cases, adding in a bit of the marinade to your curry or broth will add a ton of flavor as well. Just be sure to get it up to boiling to kill off any trace of the raw meat you marinated, if you used meat. If this is something you’d like to try, you may want to use powdered spices for your marinade rather than whole so that you don’t end up with whole spices in your finished dish.

The post How to Get the Most Out of Your Spices in Indian Food appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Surprising Uses for Cinnamon in the Kitchen https://falafelandcaviar.com/surprising-uses-for-cinnamon-in-the-kitchen/ Mon, 24 Aug 2020 06:04:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=15034 When you think of cinnamon, what sort of recipe comes to mind? If you are like most, cinnamon is probably first and foremost an ingredient in warm-tasting desserts that you are likely to enjoy during the colder parts of the year. While it’s true that this is cinnamon’s most common application in the kitchen, the […]

The post Surprising Uses for Cinnamon in the Kitchen appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> When you think of cinnamon, what sort of recipe comes to mind? If you are like most, cinnamon is probably first and foremost an ingredient in warm-tasting desserts that you are likely to enjoy during the colder parts of the year.

While it’s true that this is cinnamon’s most common application in the kitchen, the reality is that this spice is much more versatile than you might think. Try using it in these three ways, and you might be surprised at how great it works.

Pasta Sauce

Believe it or not, cinnamon is sometimes used as an ingredient in meat sauces by immigrant communities such as the Greek one in the United States. It’s a unique flavor, but this savory taste is actually unexpectedly good especially in a meaty sauce.

View this post on Instagram

Cinnamon🌿Day 6 of kitchen herbs as medicine. 💚 Sweet, warming, moistening Cinnamon. When taken in large doses, It supports metabolic function, stops excessive sweating, and lowers blood glucose levels. 🍯 It mildly thins the blood and increases circulation, balancing temperature throughout the body. Think of cinnamon when you’re feeling hot and cold, or cold and clammy and sweaty. It also nourishes and tones the intestinal wall, and can help relieve diarrhea. 🧡 It is one of the few demulcent kitchen herbs. When you suck on a cinnamon stick for a while, it gets a sort of slipperiness to it, and that is what demulcent means. This indicates that it is soothing to dry and irritated mucous membranes, such as really dry and scratchy throat. It is also antimicrobial, and it can help alleviate toothaches, and decrease harmful bacteria in the mouth. 😁 You would have to take quite a bit of cinnamon for a therapeutic dose. You can increase the amount you put in recipes for mild effect, and consider making cinnamon tea once in a while, when it’s needed. Always do your own research and pay attention to how your body reacts when using any remedy-herbal, pharmaceutical, or other. 🐒 One of the things I love about herbal medicine is that you get to spend a little time to make something for yourself, and to pay attention to the taste and sensations. And it often tastes and feels so good! ☕ I hope these posts have been inspiring you to get curious about your herbs and spices, to cook with ones you don’t always reach for, and maybe in larger amounts. Or inspiring you to make a cup of tea, and spend time enjoying that. ❤ #getcurious #teatime #herbalmedicine #kitchenherbs #herbsandspices #cinnamon #cinnamomum #demulcent #soothing #bloodsugar #hotandcold #folkmedicine #homeremedies #herbaltea #naturaldelights #culinary #usewhatyouhave #cinnamonstick #bark

A post shared by Caitlin Vliet (@bonobo.botanicals) on

Sweet and Savory Meat Dishes

During cold weather, one of my favorite ways to prepare pork chops is to bake them with a sweet and savory cinnamon apple sauce. The possibilities are endless for implementing cinnamon in meat dishes, from dry rubs to marinades. Experiment and find what works best for you.

Coffee Enhancer

Are you looking to spice up (literally) your coffee in the morning? Adding a bit of cinnamon along with milk and sugar creates a delicious drink that is easy to become addicted to. You don’t have to go to a coffee shop to enjoy unique coffee creations–the key is sometimes as simple as using a kitchen staple like cinnamon.

The post Surprising Uses for Cinnamon in the Kitchen appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> How to Cool Down Spicy Food https://falafelandcaviar.com/how-to-cool-down-spicy-food/ Tue, 18 Feb 2020 12:29:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=14219 Imagine this: you spent hours slaving over a nice dinner for your family and when it’s finally done you’re starving and can’t wait to dig in. However, when you give your dish one final taste before serving, you realize it’s way too spicy. What can you do? How can you save your dinner at the […]

The post How to Cool Down Spicy Food appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Imagine this: you spent hours slaving over a nice dinner for your family and when it’s finally done you’re starving and can’t wait to dig in. However, when you give your dish one final taste before serving, you realize it’s way too spicy. What can you do? How can you save your dinner at the last minute?

A Splash Of Dairy

A few tablespoons of milk, yogurt or sour cream can do wonders to a spicy dish and help counteract the fiery flavors.

Add Something Sweet

Sugars can quickly help neutralize spicy flavors. Adding some honey, maple syrup or sugar to a dish can tone down the heat. Be careful, though—you don’t want your dish to go from too spicy to too sweet!

Acidic Liquids

Throwing in some acid-like ingredients such as vinegar, lemon, or tomatoes can cut through the intense heat of the dish.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8UBQTXhef3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Serve With a Carb

If you feel like you’ve tried everything and there’s still no way to cool down your meal, don’t worry. Serving the spicy dish with rice, pasta, potatoes, or other starchy foods can make the spiciness a little easier on your guests.

The post How to Cool Down Spicy Food appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> How Long Do Spices Stay Fresh? https://falafelandcaviar.com/how-long-do-spices-stay-fresh/ Thu, 13 Feb 2020 12:24:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=14102 Are you a spice lover? Having a wide variety of these flavor-packed ingredients in your kitchen is a great way to ensure that your meals will never be boring. It’s easy to have a cabinet full of spices, but are you paying attention to the freshness of these ingredients? A key to always ensuring that […]

The post How Long Do Spices Stay Fresh? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Are you a spice lover? Having a wide variety of these flavor-packed ingredients in your kitchen is a great way to ensure that your meals will never be boring.

View this post on Instagram

🇬🇧I recently did an article for the local paper, an introduction to spices kind of thing. It was also a little practice in taking better photos, something I must work on this year. I chose these 7 spices as storecupboard essentials for Indian cookery. Cardamom and cinnamon for flavouring rice, cumin and coriander to be freshly ground, turmeric, chilli powder and garam masala. I reckon you can't go wrong with this lot when cooking a simple curry with rice. 🇫🇷 7 épices essentielles pour la cuisson du curry et du riz pilaf – Cardamome vert, coriandre, cumin, cannelle, garam masala, piment, curcuma #spices #indianspices #freshspices #cardamom #corianderseeds #cuminseeds #cinnamon #garammasala #chillipowder #turmeric #indiancooking #indiancookeryclasses #epicesindiennes #epices #epicesdumonde #cardamome #cannelle #curcuma #atelierdecuisineindienne #coursdecuisineindienne #cuisineindienne

A post shared by Adele Swann (@chillisandspice) on

It’s easy to have a cabinet full of spices, but are you paying attention to the freshness of these ingredients? A key to always ensuring that your dishes stay delicious is to do your best to maintain the maximum level of freshness in your spice kitchen.

Unfortunately, it’s far too easy to keep certain little-used spices in your cabinet without touching them for months, or even years. We recently found some white pepper in our spice cabinet that hadn’t been touched for over 5 years!

So, how long do spices stay fresh until you need to replace them with new ones?

As a general rule, there are three different guidelines to follow to know how long spices stay good.

If we are talking about whole spices, they will usually be good after being purchased for about 4 to 5 years. This includes things like cinnamon sticks and whole pepper kernels.

Ground spices don’t stay fresh for quite so long. In fact, they usually lose their aroma and flavor about 2 to 3 years after being sold.

View this post on Instagram

💥NEW COLLECTION!💥 Here’s a peek at the FIRST Spicewalla Collection of 2020, For the Health of It! Featuring 6 gorgeous, good-for-ya spices chosen for their tried and true health benefits (release date TBD). We’ll be talking more about these spices in the coming weeks and how they can be used to support wellness (they’re good for more than cheffing up your favorite meal, promise!). And keep an eye out this month for special features on recipes, collections, and other spices we think should be on deck in your kitchen year-round…ya know, just for the health of it! 😘⁣ ⁣ ALSO! Anyone (visually) know spices like the back of their hand? The first person to guess all 6 spices shown here, IN ORDER (left to right), will get their very own, For the Health of It Collection!…Fo’ FREE! Drop your best guess(es) in the comments. 🙌 Ya have till Sunday, 11:59pm! Good luck!

A post shared by Spicewalla (@spicewalla) on

Dried herbs aren’t technically spices, but they are often grouped in the same category and kept in the same place in your kitchen. However, they are the shortest-lived option, staying fresh for only about 1 to 2 years.

So, start paying attention to the freshness of your herbs and spices if you want to keep your dishes delicious!

The post How Long Do Spices Stay Fresh? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> ersion="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> spices Archives - falafelandcaviar.com Wed, 13 Mar 2024 07:00:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 Try Making Eggplant Curry With This Perfect Recipe https://falafelandcaviar.com/try-making-eggplant-curry-with-this-perfect-recipe/ Sat, 16 Mar 2024 12:04:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=19788 Try this delectable eggplant curry recipe, which elegantly showcases the rich flavors of Indian cuisine. With its velvety texture and robust spices, this dish offers a delightful fusion of savory and aromatic notes that will tantalize your taste buds. Let’s delve into the kitchen and create a sumptuous curry that will leave you craving more. […]

The post Try Making Eggplant Curry With This Perfect Recipe appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Try this delectable eggplant curry recipe, which elegantly showcases the rich flavors of Indian cuisine. With its velvety texture and robust spices, this dish offers a delightful fusion of savory and aromatic notes that will tantalize your taste buds. Let’s delve into the kitchen and create a sumptuous curry that will leave you craving more.

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium-sized eggplants, diced into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant. Add diced tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and garam masala over the tomato mixture. Stir well to combine. Add diced eggplant to the skillet, stirring to coat the eggplant with the spice mixture. Cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the eggplant to soften slightly.
  4. Pour in 1/2 cup of water, cover the skillet, and let the curry simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender. Season with salt to taste, and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving. Serve your curry hot, with steamed rice or naan bread, and enjoy the explosion of flavors in every bite!

The post Try Making Eggplant Curry With This Perfect Recipe appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Flavor Boosters: Elevating Your Dishes With Unexpected Ingredients https://falafelandcaviar.com/flavor-boosters-elevating-your-dishes-with-unexpected-ingredients/ Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:23:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=19733 Bored of using the same old salt and pepper? Prepare to ditch the ordinary and embark on a flavor-filled adventure with unexpected ingredients that will take your dishes to the next level. Check out these three surprising flavor boosters to revolutionize your cooking game. Gochujang Paste For a punch of umami-rich flavor to your dishes, […]

The post Flavor Boosters: Elevating Your Dishes With Unexpected Ingredients appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Bored of using the same old salt and pepper? Prepare to ditch the ordinary and embark on a flavor-filled adventure with unexpected ingredients that will take your dishes to the next level. Check out these three surprising flavor boosters to revolutionize your cooking game.

Gochujang Paste

For a punch of umami-rich flavor to your dishes, use gochujang paste. A staple in Korean cuisine, this fermented chili paste combines a variety of flavors from sweet to tangy. Use it to spice up marinades, sauces, soups, and even stir-fries.

Sumac

Give your dishes a burst of brightness with sumac, a tangy spice derived from dried berries. With its vibrant red hue and citrusy flavor, sumac adds a zesty kick to salads, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and even dips like hummus and tzatziki.

Miso Paste

Take your savory dishes to the next level with miso paste, a traditional Japanese ingredient made from fermented soybeans. Known for its umami-ness, miso adds depth and complexity to soups, stews, dressings, and marinades. 

The post Flavor Boosters: Elevating Your Dishes With Unexpected Ingredients appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Three Great Ways to Elevate a Rice Dish https://falafelandcaviar.com/three-great-ways-to-elevate-a-rice-dish/ Thu, 14 Dec 2023 16:25:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=18815 Rice is a very common side dish across the world commonly served alongside meat, chicken, fish, and curries. However, when cooked or spiced right, one has the ability to transform any rice from just a side piece to the main event. Keep reading for a few culinary suggestions to elevate your rice. Toppings Add a […]

The post Three Great Ways to Elevate a Rice Dish appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Rice is a very common side dish across the world commonly served alongside meat, chicken, fish, and curries. However, when cooked or spiced right, one has the ability to transform any rice from just a side piece to the main event. Keep reading for a few culinary suggestions to elevate your rice.

Toppings

Add a variety of delicious toppings to your rice such as dried fruit, slivered nuts, and spice blends. Many Mediterranean stores sell spice blends and rice toppings that are amazing on top of cooked rice or even cooked with the rice. This toppings have the ability to transform an ordinary rice into a unique culinary experience.

Spices

Cook your rice with several aromatic spices such as turmeric, cumin seeds, and paprika. When cooked with the crunchy rice before adding the water, the rice will take on the flavor of anything you put into it. This is a great way to create a side dish that matches the flavors of what your serving!

Veggies and Meat

Cook your rice with various veggies or meat to make the ultimate one-pot experience. This is an exceptional way to not only reduce the amount of kitchen ware you’ll have to wash later, but will also transform your rice into a heavenly comfort food.

The post Three Great Ways to Elevate a Rice Dish appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Spice Up Your Cooking With These Spice Blends From Minimalist Baker https://falafelandcaviar.com/spice-up-your-cooking-with-these-spice-blends-from-minimalist-baker/ Sat, 15 Apr 2023 08:34:04 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=17716 Just a pinch of the right spices can take a bland dish and transform it into a culinary masterpiece. However, pre-mixed spice blends can be expensive and may not always cater to your individual preferences. While it may seem intimidating, creating your own spice blends is actually quite simple and a great way to save […]

The post Spice Up Your Cooking With These Spice Blends From Minimalist Baker appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Just a pinch of the right spices can take a bland dish and transform it into a culinary masterpiece. However, pre-mixed spice blends can be expensive and may not always cater to your individual preferences. While it may seem intimidating, creating your own spice blends is actually quite simple and a great way to save money in the kitchen. You can certainly play around with whatever spices you have on hand, but if you’re in need of some inspiration, Minimalist Baker has some versatile, flavorful recipes that are a great place to start. Here are a few we especially love.

Everything Bagel Seasoning

Good for so much more than just bagels, this blend adds salty, savory punch to anything it’s sprinkled on. It’s based on Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning and is easy to throw together in just a few minutes. We love it on avocado toast or even over Asian dishes.

5-Minute Caffeine-Free Chai Spice Mix

Chai means tea, and while this recipe was technically created as a drink mix to be served with some steamed milk, we’ve found it makes a lovely addition to curries and even baked goods. Cinnamon and cardamom provide warmth and comfort, while ginger and black pepper add a flavorful kick.

Tandoori Masala Spice Mix

For beans, tofu, veggies, and more, we love this zix-ingredient, Indian-inspired blend. Masala is a Hindi and Urdu word used to describe a mixture of ground spices. The spices in this recipe create a zesty, smoky flavor, but there is no set definition of what a masala needs to include. Feel free to play around with the ratios and experiment with each spice.

The post Spice Up Your Cooking With These Spice Blends From Minimalist Baker appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Dukkah Spice is So Good You’ll Want to Put it on Everything https://falafelandcaviar.com/dukkah-spice-is-so-good-youll-want-to-put-it-on-everything/ Tue, 18 Oct 2022 08:05:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=17141 Under-seasoned food is bland and unappetizing, but over-seasoned food can be just as unpleasant. It’s important to strike a balance of flavors. This dukkah spice is the perfect blend of North African and Middle Eastern flavors, making it ideal on avocado toast, hummus, chicken, vegetables, or dipped into with olive oil and crusty bread. View […]

The post Dukkah Spice is So Good You’ll Want to Put it on Everything appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Under-seasoned food is bland and unappetizing, but over-seasoned food can be just as unpleasant. It’s important to strike a balance of flavors. This dukkah spice is the perfect blend of North African and Middle Eastern flavors, making it ideal on avocado toast, hummus, chicken, vegetables, or dipped into with olive oil and crusty bread.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds
  • 2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Heat a small to medium skillet over low-medium heat. Add the pumpkin seeds and toast, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes until they begin to pop and puff up slightly. Reduce the heat to low.
  2. Add the sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns and toast, stirring frequently until fragrant and the sesame seeds begin turning light brown.. Transfer to a mortar and pestle or small food processor. 
  3. Add salt and crush or pulse the mixture into a coarse meal, making sure to break up any whole peppercorns. Taste and adjust as needed, adding more salt to taste, cumin seeds for smokiness, coriander seeds for brightness, or sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds for crunch.
  4. Let cool fully before transferring to a jar. The dukkah will keep in a sealed container for at least 3 months (or longer) at room temperature, or refrigerate to keep fresh even longer.

The post Dukkah Spice is So Good You’ll Want to Put it on Everything appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Is Grinding Your Own Spices Worth It? https://falafelandcaviar.com/is-grinding-your-own-spices-worth-it/ Fri, 11 Mar 2022 08:20:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16301 When we look in our spice drawers at all the little bottles of powder, we often don’t think about where each spice actually comes from and what it looks like pre-ground. But buying spices whole and grinding them yourself can unlock major flavor potential that you can’t really get with a powder that’s been sitting […]

The post Is Grinding Your Own Spices Worth It? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> When we look in our spice drawers at all the little bottles of powder, we often don’t think about where each spice actually comes from and what it looks like pre-ground. But buying spices whole and grinding them yourself can unlock major flavor potential that you can’t really get with a powder that’s been sitting in your cabinet for 3 years. At the same time, buying whole can be expensive, and grinding at home is time and energy-consuming. So, is grinding spices yourself worthwhile?

You may have noticed that in coffee shops, coffee is ground fresh because it’s at its most flavorful the moment it’s ground. The same is true for spices. As soon as you grind them, they begin to lose flavor. So if your main priority is maximum flavor, then it may indeed be worth it to buy your spices whole and a grinder or mortar and pestle to grind at home. You’ll need to add far less of a fresh-ground spice to a dish than pre-ground for the same potency.

At the same time, grinding your spice with a mortar and pestle takes a lot of effort. Even grinding all your spices in a blade grinder can add time and steps to your recipe. That’s fine if you have time, but if you’re just cooking yourself dinner after a long day then you probably want to maximize convenience—your dish will still taste great if you add the right amount of pre-ground spices.

All in all, it’s probably a good idea to have whole versions of your favorite spices in the cupboard to fresh-grind when you have time or want to really highlight a certain flavor. But fresh-grinding everything every time isn’t necessarily plausible, and that’s okay.

The post Is Grinding Your Own Spices Worth It? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> How to Get the Most Out of Your Spices in Indian Food https://falafelandcaviar.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-spices-in-indian-food/ Tue, 05 Oct 2021 08:54:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=16381 Spices are absolutely essential to any Indian dish, and Indian food has a diverse range of spice profiles across dishes and regions. If you cook a lot of Indian cuisine, then you probably go through your spices somewhat quickly. There’s no way to really avoid this, and of course spices are meant to be used—there’s […]

The post How to Get the Most Out of Your Spices in Indian Food appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Spices are absolutely essential to any Indian dish, and Indian food has a diverse range of spice profiles across dishes and regions. If you cook a lot of Indian cuisine, then you probably go through your spices somewhat quickly. There’s no way to really avoid this, and of course spices are meant to be used—there’s nothing wrong with having to restock often. But here’s how to help your spices go as far as they can.

Marinate the Protein

Whether you’re using tofu, fish, or chicken, marinating it beforehand will make a huge difference. You can use whole spices (combined with plain yogurt or some other liquid) if you have them on hand and leave your protein in the fridge for at least a few hours. This way it will soak up a ton of flavor on its own and you won’t need to worry too much about getting it flavored during cooking.

Toast Your Spices

One step which may seem trivial is toasting your spices before you add any liquid or water-emitting vegetables. You’ll usually do it after sautéing your onions and garlic-ginger paste. Simply sprinkle on your desired spices and mix up with the onions, allowing to toast for around 30 seconds before adding the next ingredient. This will help really bring out the flavors in the spices and make your kitchen smell great.

Add in the Marinade

In many cases, adding in a bit of the marinade to your curry or broth will add a ton of flavor as well. Just be sure to get it up to boiling to kill off any trace of the raw meat you marinated, if you used meat. If this is something you’d like to try, you may want to use powdered spices for your marinade rather than whole so that you don’t end up with whole spices in your finished dish.

The post How to Get the Most Out of Your Spices in Indian Food appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Surprising Uses for Cinnamon in the Kitchen https://falafelandcaviar.com/surprising-uses-for-cinnamon-in-the-kitchen/ Mon, 24 Aug 2020 06:04:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=15034 When you think of cinnamon, what sort of recipe comes to mind? If you are like most, cinnamon is probably first and foremost an ingredient in warm-tasting desserts that you are likely to enjoy during the colder parts of the year. While it’s true that this is cinnamon’s most common application in the kitchen, the […]

The post Surprising Uses for Cinnamon in the Kitchen appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> When you think of cinnamon, what sort of recipe comes to mind? If you are like most, cinnamon is probably first and foremost an ingredient in warm-tasting desserts that you are likely to enjoy during the colder parts of the year.

While it’s true that this is cinnamon’s most common application in the kitchen, the reality is that this spice is much more versatile than you might think. Try using it in these three ways, and you might be surprised at how great it works.

Pasta Sauce

Believe it or not, cinnamon is sometimes used as an ingredient in meat sauces by immigrant communities such as the Greek one in the United States. It’s a unique flavor, but this savory taste is actually unexpectedly good especially in a meaty sauce.

View this post on Instagram

Cinnamon🌿Day 6 of kitchen herbs as medicine. 💚 Sweet, warming, moistening Cinnamon. When taken in large doses, It supports metabolic function, stops excessive sweating, and lowers blood glucose levels. 🍯 It mildly thins the blood and increases circulation, balancing temperature throughout the body. Think of cinnamon when you’re feeling hot and cold, or cold and clammy and sweaty. It also nourishes and tones the intestinal wall, and can help relieve diarrhea. 🧡 It is one of the few demulcent kitchen herbs. When you suck on a cinnamon stick for a while, it gets a sort of slipperiness to it, and that is what demulcent means. This indicates that it is soothing to dry and irritated mucous membranes, such as really dry and scratchy throat. It is also antimicrobial, and it can help alleviate toothaches, and decrease harmful bacteria in the mouth. 😁 You would have to take quite a bit of cinnamon for a therapeutic dose. You can increase the amount you put in recipes for mild effect, and consider making cinnamon tea once in a while, when it’s needed. Always do your own research and pay attention to how your body reacts when using any remedy-herbal, pharmaceutical, or other. 🐒 One of the things I love about herbal medicine is that you get to spend a little time to make something for yourself, and to pay attention to the taste and sensations. And it often tastes and feels so good! ☕ I hope these posts have been inspiring you to get curious about your herbs and spices, to cook with ones you don’t always reach for, and maybe in larger amounts. Or inspiring you to make a cup of tea, and spend time enjoying that. ❤ #getcurious #teatime #herbalmedicine #kitchenherbs #herbsandspices #cinnamon #cinnamomum #demulcent #soothing #bloodsugar #hotandcold #folkmedicine #homeremedies #herbaltea #naturaldelights #culinary #usewhatyouhave #cinnamonstick #bark

A post shared by Caitlin Vliet (@bonobo.botanicals) on

Sweet and Savory Meat Dishes

During cold weather, one of my favorite ways to prepare pork chops is to bake them with a sweet and savory cinnamon apple sauce. The possibilities are endless for implementing cinnamon in meat dishes, from dry rubs to marinades. Experiment and find what works best for you.

Coffee Enhancer

Are you looking to spice up (literally) your coffee in the morning? Adding a bit of cinnamon along with milk and sugar creates a delicious drink that is easy to become addicted to. You don’t have to go to a coffee shop to enjoy unique coffee creations–the key is sometimes as simple as using a kitchen staple like cinnamon.

The post Surprising Uses for Cinnamon in the Kitchen appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> How to Cool Down Spicy Food https://falafelandcaviar.com/how-to-cool-down-spicy-food/ Tue, 18 Feb 2020 12:29:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=14219 Imagine this: you spent hours slaving over a nice dinner for your family and when it’s finally done you’re starving and can’t wait to dig in. However, when you give your dish one final taste before serving, you realize it’s way too spicy. What can you do? How can you save your dinner at the […]

The post How to Cool Down Spicy Food appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Imagine this: you spent hours slaving over a nice dinner for your family and when it’s finally done you’re starving and can’t wait to dig in. However, when you give your dish one final taste before serving, you realize it’s way too spicy. What can you do? How can you save your dinner at the last minute?

A Splash Of Dairy

A few tablespoons of milk, yogurt or sour cream can do wonders to a spicy dish and help counteract the fiery flavors.

Add Something Sweet

Sugars can quickly help neutralize spicy flavors. Adding some honey, maple syrup or sugar to a dish can tone down the heat. Be careful, though—you don’t want your dish to go from too spicy to too sweet!

Acidic Liquids

Throwing in some acid-like ingredients such as vinegar, lemon, or tomatoes can cut through the intense heat of the dish.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8UBQTXhef3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Serve With a Carb

If you feel like you’ve tried everything and there’s still no way to cool down your meal, don’t worry. Serving the spicy dish with rice, pasta, potatoes, or other starchy foods can make the spiciness a little easier on your guests.

The post How to Cool Down Spicy Food appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> How Long Do Spices Stay Fresh? https://falafelandcaviar.com/how-long-do-spices-stay-fresh/ Thu, 13 Feb 2020 12:24:00 +0000 https://falafelandcaviar.com/?p=14102 Are you a spice lover? Having a wide variety of these flavor-packed ingredients in your kitchen is a great way to ensure that your meals will never be boring. It’s easy to have a cabinet full of spices, but are you paying attention to the freshness of these ingredients? A key to always ensuring that […]

The post How Long Do Spices Stay Fresh? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]> Are you a spice lover? Having a wide variety of these flavor-packed ingredients in your kitchen is a great way to ensure that your meals will never be boring.

View this post on Instagram

🇬🇧I recently did an article for the local paper, an introduction to spices kind of thing. It was also a little practice in taking better photos, something I must work on this year. I chose these 7 spices as storecupboard essentials for Indian cookery. Cardamom and cinnamon for flavouring rice, cumin and coriander to be freshly ground, turmeric, chilli powder and garam masala. I reckon you can't go wrong with this lot when cooking a simple curry with rice. 🇫🇷 7 épices essentielles pour la cuisson du curry et du riz pilaf – Cardamome vert, coriandre, cumin, cannelle, garam masala, piment, curcuma #spices #indianspices #freshspices #cardamom #corianderseeds #cuminseeds #cinnamon #garammasala #chillipowder #turmeric #indiancooking #indiancookeryclasses #epicesindiennes #epices #epicesdumonde #cardamome #cannelle #curcuma #atelierdecuisineindienne #coursdecuisineindienne #cuisineindienne

A post shared by Adele Swann (@chillisandspice) on

It’s easy to have a cabinet full of spices, but are you paying attention to the freshness of these ingredients? A key to always ensuring that your dishes stay delicious is to do your best to maintain the maximum level of freshness in your spice kitchen.

Unfortunately, it’s far too easy to keep certain little-used spices in your cabinet without touching them for months, or even years. We recently found some white pepper in our spice cabinet that hadn’t been touched for over 5 years!

So, how long do spices stay fresh until you need to replace them with new ones?

As a general rule, there are three different guidelines to follow to know how long spices stay good.

If we are talking about whole spices, they will usually be good after being purchased for about 4 to 5 years. This includes things like cinnamon sticks and whole pepper kernels.

Ground spices don’t stay fresh for quite so long. In fact, they usually lose their aroma and flavor about 2 to 3 years after being sold.

View this post on Instagram

💥NEW COLLECTION!💥 Here’s a peek at the FIRST Spicewalla Collection of 2020, For the Health of It! Featuring 6 gorgeous, good-for-ya spices chosen for their tried and true health benefits (release date TBD). We’ll be talking more about these spices in the coming weeks and how they can be used to support wellness (they’re good for more than cheffing up your favorite meal, promise!). And keep an eye out this month for special features on recipes, collections, and other spices we think should be on deck in your kitchen year-round…ya know, just for the health of it! 😘⁣ ⁣ ALSO! Anyone (visually) know spices like the back of their hand? The first person to guess all 6 spices shown here, IN ORDER (left to right), will get their very own, For the Health of It Collection!…Fo’ FREE! Drop your best guess(es) in the comments. 🙌 Ya have till Sunday, 11:59pm! Good luck!

A post shared by Spicewalla (@spicewalla) on

Dried herbs aren’t technically spices, but they are often grouped in the same category and kept in the same place in your kitchen. However, they are the shortest-lived option, staying fresh for only about 1 to 2 years.

So, start paying attention to the freshness of your herbs and spices if you want to keep your dishes delicious!

The post How Long Do Spices Stay Fresh? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

]]>