Showing posts with label spices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spices. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Roasted Spaghetti Squash

So easy and a wonderful substitute for pasta for those of us who can't indulge in durum wheat!

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash

Method:

Cut the squash in half, lengthwise.

  • An easy way to do this is to score it along it's entire length on both sides with a paring knife, then stick your big chef's knife in the groove and on into the middle of the squash.  Ease the knife down the scoring line and it will crack open pretty easily.


Once it's open, scoop out the seeds and stringy bits.

Place face down on a parchment-lined baking sheet and put about 1/4 cup water on the pan.

Bake for about an hour at 350*.

Take out, flip the squash over and allow to cool some.

When ready to "make spaghetti," use a fork and ease it around the perimeter of the squash between the skin and the flesh.  You'll see the strands take shape.  Keep loosening it and then "fluff" it with the fork.

This can be served with any kind of pasta sauce.  I usually put butter on it before adding the sauce, kinda like what you do with olive oil or butter on traditional pasta.

It can also be used just as a vegetable side-dish with additions of butter, cinnamon, nuts, seeds, dried fruit.  Use your imagination!

I'm surprised at how good this stuff is!


Thursday, August 8, 2013

DIY Chai Tea Mix

Pretty easy for a great take on Chai!

What you need:

1 cinnamon stick
1 piece fresh ginger
7 whole cardamom pods
2 whole star anise pods
10 whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon orange zest

10 organic green or black tea bags
4 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup honey
1 Tablespoon vanilla

Bring the water to a boil, add all the spices and the tea bags.  Remove from heat, cover and let steep for 15 minutes.  Strain.

Add the honey and vanilla and mix well.

When cool, pour into a jar and store in the fridge.  When you want some chai, use one part tea to one part milk or half and half, either hot or over ice.  If you want it stronger, use 2 parts tea to one part milk.

The concentrate will keep for about 2 weeks in the fridge.