Aleppo Pepper has quickly become one of our favourite spices. It’s smokey and earthy; a little sweet and a little spicy. It can be used as a flavour enhancer or a finisher – sprinkled on a dish at the end. Aleppo Pepper and Sumac can…

Harissa has quickly become one of our favourite condiments. Spice Blend or Paste, it is a Moroccan cooking staple. There are as many recipes for Harissa as there are cooks and families, if you want to make your own. We generally purchase Harissa du Cap…

Harissa often includes sun-dried peppers such as cayenne and/or Serrano. It has a deep flavour, with a bit of heat; yet not as sweet as Aleppo Pepper and not as hot as Sriracha. We have both the spice blend the paste, which is a staple…

Black Beans are native to Mexico and a staple on the table. This is a pantry side dish to any Mexican meal, using canned Black Beans and a few spices. “Refried” doesn’t actually mean they are fried twice. Refried or “Refritos” is the Spanish word…

Gyro’s – an Ancient Greek street food made with pork, were fashioned after Turkish Donair’s, cooked on a vertical spit or a Persian sword over a fire. True Gyro’s are thinly slices of meat cut straight from the cone. Middle Eastern Shawarma’s, again very similar,…

When you aren’t quite ready to give up the fall bounty, but it’s time to warm the house with the oven. Reminiscent of street food, served with pitas or a side of turmeric coloured rice, this chicken dish comes together quickly with bold flavours and…

Rice Pilaf involves cooking with stock, spices, and vegetables vs. water. Use any type of long grain rice you prefer and your imagination. In some countries Rice Pilaf is the main course, in others a side dish. Basmati Rice or Jasmine Rice work equally well…

Lentils come in a range of colours and sizes, and each has its own characteristics and applications. Red Lentils are great for soups and stews. They have less starch then yellow and are creamy when cooked down. Red lentils are not the ones to choose…

Ground Tortilla chips have a Big Crunch and are a bit messy, but the coating is so good and so easy! Dip the cooked chicken in Sriracha Mayonnaise, your favourite hot sauces, or serve as is with Potato Salad, Coleslaw or Strawberry and Chèvre Salad.

Kofta’s are a favourite Middle Eastern dish, made from ground meat and spices. We first tried Kofta’s during our diving trip to the Red Sea – Sharm el Sheik, Egypt. Egypt has coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea, the Nile River and the Red Sea. Egyptian…