Recipes
Cheddar Cheese Coins
Appetizers aren't just for parties and gatherings. Whether you just want some snacks for watching tv or something to nibble on while catching up on that novel, this is the cookbook for you. The experts at Cook's Illustrated have put together 75 "only the best" appetizer recipes to help you find something for any time of the year. All-Time Best Appetizers Cookbook makes it easy to create a spread with everything from things that can be dipped, spread, eaten by the handful or two-bite treats. These Cheddar Cheese Coins, as well as their different variations, would be perfect for a wine and cheese plate or...just to snack on. From the authors: "Why this recipe works - When it comes to homemade crackers, you need a recipe that's easy, versatile, and packs a huge flavor punch. We wanted to come up with a simple, foolproof version that would be cheesy, buttery, and just a little spicy. We started with a full 8 ounces of cheese and a touch of salt, cayenne, and paprika. We used the food processor to combine the dry ingredients and the shredded cheese, which helped to keep the coins tender by limiting the handling of the dough. Adding a little cornstarch with the flour further ensured that the coins baked up flaky and buttery. We processed the dry ingredients with chilled butter until the mixture resembled wet sand, added water, and processed until the dough came together. Next, we rolled the dough into logs, refrigerated them until firm, and then sliced them into thin coins before baking until lightly golden and perfectly crisp. With this simple technique, it's easy to vary the cheese and flavorings used to suit any taste."
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Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Pumpkin snickerdoodles are a delicious seasonal twist on a classic favorite! Pumpkin season in full swing, with all kinds of amazing spice combinations! These happy little cookies pair pumpkin with Ras el Hanout, one of our favorite "secret ingredients". The blend is an unexpected twist on traditional pumpkin spice selections. It combines just enough cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and allspice to hit the fall warm and cozy flavor profile, with some floral swirls and peppery peaks to make it unique!
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Smoky Hazelnut Chocolate Cookies
From My Two Souths and Chef Asha Gomez, we get this recipe for Smoky Hazelnut Chocolate Cookies. Her singular recipes are rooted in her love of Deep-South cooking, as well as the Southern Indian flavors of her childhood home in Kerala. This was one of the first recipes we tried. We're thrilled to share it with you. From the author: "I have no doubt that, if I allowed him to do so, Ethan would eat a jar of Nutella in one sitting. To ensure that this creamy hazelnut spread wound up as an ingredient rather than the main course, I realized I had to come up with a Nutella recipe for my boy. Given his well-practiced sweet tooth, a cookie was the obvious and easy direction to take. But, as you may have gathered, my son is his mother's boy: Ethan loves spice in every form and shape as I do. When I added a hint of sugared, smoked paprika to Nutella cookie dough, I knew I had hit it out of the park. These are now Ethan's favorite cookies, and he won't even give them time to cool before snatching them up. I think my kid has a rather grown-up sense of taste for a ten-year-old. I wonder where he got it? My favorite part of this recipe is mixing the dough with my hands, and Ethan loves to roll up his sleeves and get in on the action."
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French Macarons
Food is considered by the French to be one of life's greatest pleasures. Béatrice Peltre celebrates that with her beautiful blog and cookbooks. Her latest cookbook, My French Family Table, focuses on everyday foods that you can share with family and friends. She features healthy and creative meals that use whole grains, spices and vibrantly colorful fruits and vegetables. Bonus? They all happen to be gluten-free, too. These French macarons are no exception. Perfect for a gathering or special occasion...or just because you're craving something chocolate, you'll want to make these again and again.From the Author: "While these macarons are not complicated, they do take some time to prepare. You will feel a deep sense of accomplishment when you master them."
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Hahn Family Sweet Treats
No Thanksgiving or holiday dinner would be complete without the desserts. Pumpkin pie is par for the course, where sweet treats are concerned, but few folks stop there. Every family has their own unique preferences, and this collection of recipes has something for everyone. The applesauce cake will have even the most ardent fruitcake detractors coming back for a second slice. Perfect for the holidays, it can be made and enjoyed year round. The shortbread is recipe was adopted from a Scottish woman who lived down the street from Mom when she was growing up in Boise. We've tried other shortbread recipes, but always come back to this one. Make these and I'm sure that they will disappear as quickly as they always did in our home. These recipes brought to you by World Spice Family Favorites. Thanks, Sherrie! For more holiday treats, check out all our dessert and pastry recipes.
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Black Cardamom Pastries
Eastern European cuisine doesn't get nearly as much attention as it should Enter Mamushka: Recipes from Ukraine and Eastern Europe, by Olia Hercules! We always love to see an under-appreciated or rarely used spice get some time in the spotlight, as is the case in this recipe for Ukranian Verhuny fried pastries with Black Cardamom. This unique spice has the sharp camphor of green cardamom along side a musty, earthy flavor that complements these pastries exquisitely. A fantastic recipe! From the Author: "These are Ukrainian “angel wing” pastry crisps. Originally, they used to be fried in lard (think of Portuguese pastel de nata lard pastry). I add some ground black cardamom seeds to the sugar, but feel free to use vanilla sugar instead. "
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Szechuan Lemon Curd
We are always game to try an adventurous spice pairing, and this one came out a winner! Lemon curd is a delightful decadence, sweet-tart and intense, and made even more exceptional with a fresh zing of Szechuan pepper. In this Szechuan lemon curd, the tingle lingers on the palate after the burst of citrus flavor fades and the combination is intensely satisfying. Try it on shortbread or scones at tea time or over ice cream.There are loads of different methods for making lemon curd, but we chose this simple recipe from One Hungry Mama and barely adapted it by changing the spice. We were thrilled with the results, and you will be, too. An easy, no-fuss technique, the curd came out perfect with each round of testing. Of course we had to make it several times........
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Nutty Chocolate Chile Thumbprints
We have a new go-to cookie recipe! If you love the marriage of nuts and chocolate (and who doesn't?), try these for easy baking, gifting. These delicious morsels are topped with little bit of salt and infused with mellow chile heat. In this recipe, we've mellowed the peanut butter with some almond butter, and added just the right measure of Urfa Biber to the chocolate ganache. Enjoy a few with your next cup of tea or coffee - it's a tasty combination!
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Crunchy Coriander Granola
This crunchy coriander granola IS a breakfast champion. The mellow flavor of coriander seeds is complemented by orange zest and coconut oil in every bite, and it is perfectly toasted to give a satisfying crunch to your breakfast bowl. This sublime cereal can also serve as a base for crusts, crumbles and bars, layered with yogurt, or as a nutty topping for an ice cream sundae.
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