Spicy Chicken Casserole

Spicy Chicken Casserole 

Pistachio Biscotti - Cardamom from Selefina

 Cardamom is spice derived from the seed pods of plants in the ginger family. It is known for its distinctive, warm, and aromatic flavor, and is widely used in both sweet and savory dishes, especially in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. 

Selefina Cardamom pairs well with fruits that aren't overly sweet, have a balance of sweetness and acidity, or have a natural earthy or warm flavor profile.  Common pairings include  apples, pears, oranges and apricots. Berries like cherries, blueberries, and raspberries also work well with cardamom.

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Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti

Selefina Seasoned Crackers

Seasoned Crackers

Taco Salad and Chicken Kabobs - Flavor Seed

I am sharing a few more recipes, using Flavor Seed seasoning packets

These seasonings are USDA Certified Organic, Certified Kosher, Gluten Free, Filler Free, Preservative Free and contain NO ingredients known to be allergenic.

 

Flavor Seed - Blueberry Sugar

Flavor Seed generously sent me some of their fine products to try and review and I am sharing some of the seasonings I have used so far.

These seasonings are USDA Certified Organic, Certified Kosher, Gluten Free, Filler Free, Preservative Free and contain NO ingredients known to be allergenic.

For 15% off your first order use this link:   https://www.flavorseed.com/PANDORA. 

Selefina Spices: Zucchini Salsa, Dill Butter, Apple Galette

Selefina Spices and Herbs sent me some of their seasonings to sample and review.  

You can purchase single portion packets on their website to try before ordering gift sets or bundles.

One unique feature they offer is a selection of Recipe Samplers

Their Recipe Samplers include an abbreviated recipe card and a selection of Try-Me Samples, which are small spice pouches that will include enough spice to help make the recipe. All samplers have a QR code that links to the full recipe on their website and all are conveniently priced at $2. 

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The first spice I tried was Ancho Chili Powder and I made Zucchini-Tomato Salsa

Zuccini-Tomato Salsa

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1/2 c diced zucchini

1/4 c diced red onion

1 t minced garlic

1 T chopped cilantro (or more to your liking)

Juice of one lime

1/2 t  Selefina ancho chili pepper powder

Salt

Mix all together and refrigerate for an hour to blend flavors.  Serve cold

This salsa can also be served on fajitas, tacos, scrambled eggs, burgers, fish, and even on a taco salad!

Ancho chilies are dried Poblano peppers, a mild, sweet flavor and this seasoning was perfect for a bowl of fresh salsa.  Buy it here.

 

Let's Salsa!!

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Have you ever made flavored butter?  Here's an easy recipe for buttering corn on the cob!

Dill Butter

3 T unsalted butter

1 t Selefina Garlic Salt

1 t Selefina Dill Weed

1 t chopped fresh chives

1/2 t black pepper

Melt the butter and stir in all other ingredients.  Brush on hot corn on the cob, baked potatoes or steamed broccoli.  

You can also pour into butter molds and chill!

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Selefina Cardamom pairs well with fruits that aren't overly sweet, have a balance of sweetness and acidity, or have a natural earthy or warm flavor profile.  Common pairings include apples, pears, oranges and apricots.  Berries like cherries, blueberries, and raspberries also work well with cardamom.

Apple Galette

3 c apples, sliced thin

1/4 c sugar

1 T flour

1/2 t ground cardamom

1/2 t vanilla

1/2 T butter, cut into little chunks plus 1 T melted

2 T sugar for dusting

premade pie crust

Toss the first 5 ingredients into a plastic bag and shake to coat the apples well.  Roll 

out premade pie crust on a cookie sheet, covered with parchment paper.  Arrange the 

apples on the pie crust leaving a 1 1/2"- 2" border all around.  Fold the edges up and 

pleat.  Dot with chunks of butter and brush melted butter over pie crust, dust crust 

with sugar.  Bake 25-30 minutes at 425°.  Let sit for 10-15 minutes to cool and let 

juices thicken.  Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

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Selefina's "Try Me Samples" are only $.50 and a superb way to try new flavors!  Check out their website and stay tuned for more recipes where I will use more of their flavors in my food prep!

Selefina's Recipe Samplers are perfect for trying new recipes.  If you are creating a gift basket for a fund raiser or a gift for a friend, tuck a few of these inside!  A few of these tied in a bow as a last minute hostess gift would be well appreciated.

Thank you Selefina for letting me try out some new flavors in my food prep!

Strawberry Mint Lemonade and Strawberry Mint Mojito

Here is an easy way to prepare two summer mocktails or cocktails, using fresh mint:

Herbal Vinegar

Herbal vinegars are so simple to make.  They make a nice little gift, especially if you put a bottle in a basket with the makings for a salad.  Or you can add a nice olive oil and your favorite recipe to make salad dressing!

Herbs, herbs, herbs.....

I am constantly cutting back my oregano, basil and parsley.  Some I use fresh, some I freeze, some I dry in the microwave.  The plants get out of control at this time of year and I want to savor as much as I can.   

Drying herbs in the microwave is very quick and easy.  I wash and dry the leaves and lay them on a paper plate or paper towel:

10 on the 10th - Gardening

This month's theme for 10 on the 10th is Gardening.  This is where we spend under $10 related to the theme.  This is also a blog hop so I hope you will visit the bloggers at the bottom of this post!

I am not much of a gardener, but I do like planting herbs.  I found this Mackenzie-Childs creamer a few years ago at a thrift shop for $5.  It has a small chip on the bottom and each year I have planted an herb in it and sat it out on my patio.

The varnish and stain on the wood handle has been stripped by the weather:

I used Old English Scratch Cover and re-stained the handle:

This only took a few minutes and then I applied some varnish to protect the wood!

The rosemary plant was only $2.99 at Trader Joes:

This quick little project cost me less than $10 and I will have fresh rosemary all summer!

Here's a recipe for delicious Rosemary Chicken Breasts

Visit my friends to see their "Under $10 Gardening" ideas:

Allyson - Southern Sunflowers

Barb - French Ethereal

Cindy - Cloches & Lavender

Tammy - Patina & Paint

Ann - Apple Street Cottage

Terrie - Decorate and More with Tip

and me!

Basil.....

If you love the scent of basil, then you will love this seasonal soap I found at Trader Joe's:

It smells SO GOOD!

And speaking of basil, I also bought a basil plant there and it will be planted outside soon.

A few tips for growing basil:

• Basil will grow best in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, though it can perform well in partial sun, too.
• Soil should be moist but well-drained.
• Basil works great in containers or raised beds, as these allow for better drainage.
• If you’re planning on cooking with these plants, plant in clean soil, don’t use insecticides, and grow them away from driveways and busy streets so that exhaust won’t settle on the plants.

Here are a few recipes using fresh basil:

Basil Lime Coolers

Tomato Salad

Basil Pesto

I think basil is my favorite herb!  What's yours?

It's almost CHIVE time.....

When Chives flower in the spring, the first batch should be cut down because they are very woody - BUT - save the flowers!

This pretty, light purple, edible flower has a light onion flavor. Chive blossoms can be tossed in a salad or, more commonly, used to garnish a dish.

But I prefer to make a vinegar with them:

I strain the vinegar and pour it into pretty jars - perfect for little gifts or to make a dressing:

Here's a simple recipe for a delicious dressing for salads:

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons chive vinegar 
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
• 2 medium cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

As you know, I am not much of a gardener, but chives need no care at all and I use them all summer long!

Another gift from Raw Rutes....

After the holidays Raw Rutes sent me this cute Kitchen Herb Hanger and the Herb Stripping Tool:

I look forward to spring when my herb garden comes alive and I can enjoy my herb garden and use these gifts!

Until then, here are a few tips for planning your herb garden:

Herbs are very easy to grow with a little sunshine, soil that drains well, some watering, and a little fertilizer or compost. Herbs can be grown in pots; however, the plants always prefer to be in the ground where they can spread out.

Parsley and Basil

Herbs that are commonly planted together are sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, lavender, and oregano, among others. Basil is a great companion to a wide variety of herbs and plants like parsley, rosemary, oregano.

You should avoid planting mint with other herbs due to its invasive properties.  I plant mine in pots and put the pots in the ground!

Chives

Some like plenty of water (such as chives, mint, chervil, coriander, Vietnamese coriander) and others like a well-drained soil (such as rosemary, thyme, sage, bay, and oregano).

Oregano

The herbs that love the sun are: basil, chives, dill, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, thyme.

Oregano

Obviously I have Spring Fever!  

If you need an herb stripping tool, I highly recommend buying this one from Raw Rutes!