BBQ
Chipotle Chili Powder Black Bean Burger
Meat. It tastes good, and I love it. Perhaps a bit ashamedly so, now, mostly for environmental reasons, some animal activism, and a little first-world guilt to make up the balance. Inspired by my sister, the tireless vegan, I’ve jumped on the trendy Meatless Monday bandwagon in an effort to mitigate my carbon footprint. Believe it or not, (and I’ve got a hard time believing it myself!) I’ve actually come to like it! This burger represents the best of my vegetarian/vegan efforts. Quinoa gives the black beans bulk, along with a nutty flavor and pleasing texture. The Chipotle Chili Powder adds smoke and spice, and the Epazote, that enigmatic ingredient- adds that “umami” characteristic that we so take for granted when eating meat. Most of the World Spice team shares my adoration for all things meat and cheese, but the combination of creamy avocado, tangy Vegenaise spread, and crisp, spicy Mama Lil’s peppers had us all vegans for the day. This one is a guaranteed hit, even with the most devoted carnivores.
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine quinoa and water over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Bring to a simmer, and cover until quinoa has absorbed all water.
- Add oil, onion, garlic, chili powder, and cumin seeds, and sauté together until onion has softened.
- Mash one can of the black beans with the mustard powder, tomato paste, salt, soy sauce, epazote, and cilantro, and fold the other two cans of beans in whole.
- Add in the quinoa and onion mixture, and combine thoroughly.
- Form handfuls of batter in to patty shapes, and dredge in Panko.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat, and pan-fry burgers for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until golden and crispy
- Serve on toasted buns with vegan “mayonnaise” spread, sliced avocado, crisp Romaine lettuce, and Mama Lil’s Mild Pickled Peppers.
Spicy Smoked Paprika Romesco Over Grilled Trout
Grilled trout topped with spicy romesco and slivered, toasted almonds.
My first taste of romesco was not, sadly, in Catalonia. I first encountered this crimson sauce in Walla Walla, Washington at a going away party for a dear foodie friend. I prepped ribs, halibut, and vegetables while my compatriot raced around the kitchen preparing “the sauce”. He toasted almonds, blistered heirloom tomatoes, roasted peppers and garlic, and (after several stops in the Cuisinart) it came out like ruby velvet. We served it with the halibut, where the rich sauce found its perfect match in the clean taste of the firm white fish.
That meal was my inspiration for this recipe. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but Seattle is my first city. I grew up in northeast Wisconsin, deep in the Northwoods, on the banks of the Wolf River. My home lies on Rocky Rips Road, a dead end named for the Class II whitewater that flows not 50 feet from my back porch. The rushing water was my lullaby as an infant, my playground as a child, and when I found my love for food the river continued to provide. Smallmouth bass hid out in the deep holes at the bottoms of rapids. I pulled gallons of crayfish out of the water with a pair of diving goggles and my bare hands (they’re amazing boiled like lobster and served over linguine with a spicy sauce of diced tomatoes, lemon, chiles, and heaps of garlic). My favorite, though, was the trout. It’s delicious, simple to prepare, and environmentally sustainable. You can pick up Idaho-farmed rainbow trout at many grocery stores for $5-$6/lb and they only take a few minutes to prepare. We grilled ours and served it with our very own romesco. We bumped up the sauce’s heat by adding some Pimenton Picante, spicy Spanish smoked paprika, while reducing the prep time by using jarred peppers and canned tomatoes. You wind up with a dish that’s impressive enough for date night and simple enough for any week night. It even gets Delilah’s paw of approval!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put almonds in a food processor and process for about 2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and roasted peppers and process for another 2 minutes.
- Then add vinegar, salt, Pimenton, olive oil, and lemon, processing until smooth.
- Taste and adjust salt and vinegar if needed.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate in a covered container.
Salami Wrapped Melon With Candied Fennel, Anise, Coriander and Pink Peppercorns
This easy and refreshing starter is a playful take on the favorite Italian appetizer, Prosciutto e Melone. Featuring Finocchiona Salami and Salumi Salami from our friends at Salumi Cured Meats we finish it all off with colorful, crunchy and exquisite candied anise, fennel, Indian coriander and pink peppercorns. The salty savoriness of the salami is a perfect compliment to the super sweet melon.
You’ll want a completely ripe melon for this dish so look for melon skins that are firm and free of bruising or soft spots. The stem end should not be green, and the end of the melon opposite of the stem should have a nice strong pleasant aroma.
A great offering for the upcoming Labor Day BBQ’s and picnics. Enjoy!
Salumi Wrapped Melon with Candied Seeds
Ingredients
Instructions
- For Candied Seeds:
- Toast fennel, anise and Indian coriander seeds, lightly, in a dry skillet. Transfer to a plate.
- Put sugar, water and butter in a saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Once the sugar dissolves, increase heat and boil for about 2 minutes (or until the liquid is thick and syrupy.
- Remove from heat and add the baking soda, toasted seeds and pink peppercorns. Mix rapidly to coat seeds and peppercorns with syrup.
- Pour mixture on a parchment lined cookie sheet, pressing them lightly to separate.
- Allow to cool completely and they are ready to use with the melon recipe
- Store remaining in a tightly covered container in a cool dry place.
- Slice melon in half and remove seeds
- Using a melon baller, scoop out the melon balls
- Place melon balls atop a lovely slice of salami and secure with a toothpick
- Sprinkle each melon ball with the candied seeds and pink peppercorns
- Arrange on a platter and serve
Israeli Zahtar Flatbread
After a long day of working (or running errands and doing chores), I just want something quick and easy for dinner, but it still has to be delicious… And if it’s at least somewhat healthy-ish, all the better! I don’t know about you, but I can always eat pizza, in pretty much any form. I can always find ready-made pizza dough at the store, which means my homemade pizzas or flatbreads can be made without any fuss. There’s also something incredibly soothing about rolling out pizza dough, especially after a long day. The smell of the yeast dough always takes me back to childhood when I would help my mother make bread. Working with that kind of dough has an air of tranquility to it…it’s a blank canvas, just waiting for you to do something fun, interesting and flavorful with it. I’ll roll out the dough, brush it with olive oil, then top it with spices. Now it’s ready for me to add fresh colors and flavors. I’ll rifle around in my fridge or the cupboards of my small kitchen for odds and ends of goodies that I can either put on the dough before I bake it, or after it comes out of the oven. It all depends on my mood at the moment. I have always enjoyed “playing with my food,” and this certainly fits the bill. Israeli Zahtar is my favorite spice to use for this, but I also love Dukka. The smell of the flatbread baking is heavenly, and always seems to perk me up a little bit. It’s a perfect end to a hectic day.
Israeli Flatbread, topped with the salad on the left, and an “untopped” Dukka Flatbread on the right.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Follow instructions on pizza dough package. (Sometimes you have to leave it out for 20 - 30 minutes to 'rest' at room temperature.)
- Divide into 3 portions and roll them out thinly - if you roll them into long ovals, and not rounds, they will fit on one cookie sheet. (They will cook more evenly this way.) Brush the cookie sheet with the olive oil and place the dough on it, without any of the sides touching.
- Brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle on the Israeli Zahtar. Bake in the oven until the crust is golden brown cooked through. Since there is only oil and spice on the dough, keep an eye on it so that it doesn't burn.
- While the flatbread is baking, you can make the salad that will go on top of it. Combine the rest of the ingredients (except for the lemon juice and olive oil), mixing well.
- When the flatbread is done, remove from oven. It will be easier (and less messy) if you cut the flatbread into pieces now before you put the salad on top. Put the cut up flatbread on your serving plates. Add the lemon juice and 2 Tbl. olive oil to the salad and toss to coat. Evenly top the flatbread with the salad.
- Feel free to drizzle more olive oil on top before you serve it. Or anything else you choose!
Aleppo Pepper Basil Lemonade
It’s not back-to-school-time in our backyard yet! The sun is shining, the BBQ is fired-up, and a wild game of badminton is underway. The players and onlookers are thirsty and I’ve got just the thing. This refreshing lemonade is perfect for hot summer afternoons like these. The soothing taste of fragrant basil and the zesty flavor of ruby-red Aleppo Pepper create a delicious, thirst quenching treat. The simple syrup can be used to make wonderful cocktails as well. Many thanks to Carol Peterman of SpiceCare for sharing her recipe with us.
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Ingredients
Instructions
- For Simple Syrup - Combine all of the ingredients for the simple syrup together in a medium-sized sauce pan and bring to a boil. Let the syrup boil for 5 minutes and then remove from the heat. Be sure to let cool to room temperature before using it for the lemonade. Once it has cooled, strain and refrigerate it for use in beverages.
- For Lemonade - Combine the simple syrup, fresh lemon juice and water in a large pitcher. Stir to combine, and chill until ready to serve. Pour over ice, adding fresh basil sprigs and lemon slices for a garnish.
Notes
Thank you to our good friend and spice goddess, Carol Peterman of TableFare, for this fantastic recipe!
Chaat Masala Butter and Grilled Corn
One of the best things about summer is the abundance of fresh corn on the cob. I was excited to see the first of the season’s crop available at my local Farmer’s Markets and was inspired to spice-up this classic BBQ side. Adding Chaat Masala to butter makes a perfect addition to grilled corn. This beautifully flavored butter is delicious on just about anything that comes off your grill… fish, steak, veggies, you name it!
Chaat Masala Butter and Grilled Corn
Ingredients
Instructions
- For perfectly grilled corn, heat your grill to medium. Pull the outer husks down the ear to the base, and strip away the silk from each ear of corn. Fold the husks back into place and tie the ends together with kitchen string. Place the ears of corn in a large bowl of cold water with the kosher sal for 10 minutes.
- Remove corn from the water and shake any excess water. Place the corn on the grill, close the cover and grill for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, or until kernels are tender when pierced with a paring knife. Remove the husks, slather the corn with the Chaat Masala Butter.
- For the butter, mix together the unsalted butter, the Chaat Masala and 1 tsp. Murray River Flake Salt in a small bowl . Roll butter into a log using parchment paper or transfer to a small covered container. Refrigerate until needed.
Aji Mirasol Salsa
Aji Mirasol Chiles, the dried form of the Aji Amarillo, are a unique chile pepper absent from the arsenal of many chefs. A staple of Peruvian cuisine, their uniquely fruity flavor make Aji Mirasols a versatile pepper; great in a wide variety of dishes, but especially salsa. You can use this salsa as a dip with tortilla or cassava chips, but it’s even better served with grilled meat or seafood. Aji Mirasol Salsa is the perfect accompaniment for anticuchos, the grilled meat kebabs that are classic Peruvian street food. The combination of fresh citrus, cilantro and the slightly spicy Aji Mirasol chiles just begs to be eaten with grilled halibut, shrimp, chicken, pork or goat. Try some at your next barbecue and wow your guests with one-of-a-kind South American flair!
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Snip stems from chiles, then cut lengthwise, and remove ribs and seeds. Cut chiles into 1" pieces, and place in heat-proof bowl. Pour boiling water over chiles until just covered, and allow to sit 30 minutes.
- Strain chiles, reserving liquid, and place in blender with 3/4 cup of the liquid. Add 1 tsp. salt, and blend until smooth. Strain the paste through a sieve, pushing through patiently. (The flavor and texture will be worth the effort!) Discard pulp remaining in sieve.
- Whisk in the onion and lime, and salt to taste. Add the chopped fresh cilantro, mint and parsely, and stir. Allow to sit at least 15 minutes for flavors to meld.
Creole Spiced Coleslaw
I’ll admit it… I was a little skeptical about developing a spiced coleslaw. Coleslaw is one of those things I’ve long appreciated for its’ simplicity, but boy, have I been missing out! The depth of flavor added from the Creole Spice and the bold, assertive heat of the chile flakes and Piri Piri makes the cooling quality of the mayonnaise and crisp cabbage in this slaw even more pronounced and refreshing. The classic juxtaposition of creamy, tangy, and crunchy that we love in coleslaw still sings, here, but is undeniably enhanced by the savory blend of bell pepper, celery, and onion in the Cajun ‘trinity’ tradition. This slaw is interesting and delicious enough to be served as a side dish alongside any grilled entree, or top off a juicy pulled pork or fried fish sandwich with a generous scoop. Be warned- you may never be satisfied by the original version again!
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine the cabbage, carrot, red onion and green onions in a large bowl.
- In another bowl, mix the mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, spices and sugar, stirring well. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss gently to mix. Season the slaw with celery seed, salt, and pepper.
- Chill for 2 hours in refrigerator.
Yucatan Rojo Fish Tacos
I don’t know about you, but this sunshine activates my wanderlust something fierce! Long days, hot sun… I crave a remote beach and what I like to call “barefoot cuisine.” Near the top of my travel list is a combination yoga and surfing retreat on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula… As a mum, a student, and a spice merchant, my travel budget is limited, so I have to rely on the transportive quality of food, for the time being. These tacos do just the trick! Far from the oily, breaded fish tacos you’ve had before, these are perfect summer fare, getting their flavor from beautiful swordfish, the smoke of the grill, and the tangy, complex flavor of World Spices’ Yucatan Rojo BBQ Rub. The creamy and crunchy slaw and the crisp, spicy pickled vegetables are refreshing in their acidity, and a perfect complement to the dense corn tortillas. Garnish with plenty of fresh cilantro, and if you’ve got them, slices of buttery avocado. With my eyes closed and taco in hand, the Yucatan Peninsula comes to me!
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut fish into 1 inch strips. Toss the fish and the rub into a Ziploc bag, making sure that the fish is covered with the spice. Refrigerate overnight.
- Combine all of the ingredients for the pickled veggies together in a covered container, and let them marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
- Combine all of the ingredients for the slaw together in a large bowl. Taste for seasoning (you might want to add more salt). Transfer into a covered container and refrigerate.
- Season the fish with salt and a squeeze of lime, and grill quickly over high heat, lightly brushing with a little oil once the pieces have been flipped.
- Heat the tortillas on both sides on the grill. Put a spoonful of slaw on the tortilla, then some grilled fish, then top with the pickled veggies, sliced avocado and tomatoes.
- Enjoy!
Caribbean Spice Grilled Salsa
Fresh pineapple tastes of a wild summer, its tropical sweetness tempered by raucous acidity. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find a ripe one and some folks can be overwhelmed by the tartness. My favorite way to tame pineapple is to cook it slowly until the pale yellow becomes a rich gold and the sugars take center stage, as in this grilled salsa. Make sure to place your pineapple slices away from the hottest parts of the grill; caramelized pineapple requires time (20-30 minutes) and indirect heat. Our Caribbean Spice, with the richness of allspice berries, is the perfect blend for this salsa. A bit of extra cumin adds an intense savory note that’s perfect for grilling. While I broke everything down in a food processor for the smoother texture and ease of preparation, fans of chunky salsa can chop everything together by hand. The smoky flavor from the grill counterpoints the sweetness of the pineapple and tomato perfectly, leaving you with a well balanced and delicious side for tortilla or plantain chips, chicken, and fish.
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Lightly oil the pineapple, tomato and onion, so that they won't stick to the hot grill (or grill pan). Place on the grill and cook on both sides, until almost done. (You mostly want to get good grill marks on them - that's flavor! You can also grill your citrus, too. It will make them easier to juice, and give you a little more flavor, but you might want to let them cool before you juice them.) After you take them off the grill, cut them into smaller pieces for the food processor.
- In a food processor, add the garlic and ginger and process. (This will just break them down a little bit.) Now put in the rest of the ingredients the food processor and puree. Taste for seasoning - you might want to add more salt, lime juice or Caribbean Spice, depending on your taste. Depending on how sweet your fruit is, you might want to add more honey, too.
- This is a great topping for grilled meats or fish, but is also just as good with chips.
