All posts filed under: Spices

homemade_tandoori_spice_blend_3

Homemade tandoori spice blend

In the winter, I think you can take bigger and bolder turns with spices in the kitchen. Warm spices are good for a frozen soul! Today I decided to make a homemade tandoori spice blend, a spice mixture that has its origins in the Indian, Pakistani and Afghan cuisine.

Condiments_make_your_own_vinegar_harissa_and_hot_sauce

Condiments: make your own vinegar… + homemade dehydrated veggie bouillon

Condiments: make your own vinegar, harissa and hot sauce was released in Sweden in 2015, but just recently it appeared here in Holland translated and today I have the pleasure to review the book. I also have chosen a super recipe. So simple yet so incredibly useful; your own homemade dehydrated veggie bouillon!

Orange_blossom_and_rose_water

Orange blossom and rose water

Did you try the orange blossom and rose water? They often occurs in the, among others, Lebanese and North African kitchen. With its intense flavors they have to be used with care but once used to it… Oh my, a poetic flower bomb is opening up! Today I open the bottles to the magical orange blossom water and rose water. Are you joining me?

Preserved_lemons_closeup

Preserved lemons

Since only a few years I know the Moroccan (or turkish) preserved lemons. It’s an important spice in both kitchens and you often see it different tagines (simply explained as slow cooked stews in a special clay pot). I tend to add the salty lemons to salads and really like to combine them with roasted hazelnuts. Let me introduce you to the world of the salty, preserved lemons!

Zaatar

Make your own addictive Za’atar!

There are a few herbs that you almost can get addicted to. The herbmix called za’atar is one of them. It really goes with almost everything; veggies, meat, beans, thick yoghurt or with just bread and olive oil.  You name it! 

white_miso

Did you try the white miso?

Did you try miso, and even more did you try the white miso?

Top 5: Enjoy your fresh herbs longer!

As a foodie, you probably love fresh herbs just like I do. Full of taste and colors they make every plate beautiful and add that extra oumpf to your dish every time. Probably you also have ended up with some sad, hanging herbs in your refrigerator once or twice. Herbs that you can’t use anymore and just ending up in the bin. Such a waste. I have the same problem but luckily I have thought of some solutions how to deal with it. Are you interested? Here is my Top5 to enjoy your fresh herbs longer! 1. Herb oil Blend your fresh herbs with olive oil, salt and maybe some garlic depending  on how you would like to use it in the end. Decide for yourself it you prefer it rough with a texture or smooth as green oil. Easy as that. Making the oil works perfect with leaf parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, rosemary, chervil, mint… You name it! The ready-made oil can be used as part of your salad dressing, to spice up your omelette, to sprinkle on …

Sesamzaad

The magic sesame seed

Today I have chosen the sesame seed as the tastebud in the spotlight. Such a small seed but with so many possibilities!

Black garlic

Fresh, French, smoked and black garlic

During the past weekend I convinced my beloved husband to go on garlic hunt! No, we didn’t literally pick them but instead I hunted them down in the city and the surroundings. The catch comes here, a post only about garlic.

Pepper is hot!

When talking about tastebuds, pepper is not to be forgotten. So many peppers in the world: green, black, white. Pink pepper. Spanish (pimento) and cayenne pepper. Sichuan pepper. Even wild pepper… Plus a number of more. The world is to be explored when it comes to pepper! Some hot and some smokey. Some of them almost ingratiating. With their own personality and handbook.