DIY BBQ Rub March 14 2016

Calling all pitmasters! It’s time to rub your meat with a blend of spices that will take your slow cooking to the next level. If you’re getting sick of the “standard” BBQ rubs, it’s time to put them down and make your own.

Ingredients:

Directions:

Mix all contents in a large bowl. Apply liberally to pork, beef or chicken approximately 1 hour prior to cooking.

#FoodieFriday Linguini Pesto March 11 2016

Why go out and spend this week’s hard earned money tonight when you can stay in, relax and cook up a delectable meal your whole family will enjoy - for just a few bucks? For a linguini pesto recipe like no other, see below. You, and your taste buds, won’t be disappointed.

Ingredients:

• Macadamia nuts
• Arugula
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Minced garlic
• La Flor sea salt
• La Flor black pepper
• Olive oil
• Linguini pasta
• Heavy cream

Directions:

The first step is to roast your macadamia nuts on a cookie sheet in the oven at 450°F for around 6 minutes. It’s vital to keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. Then take them out of the oven and set them aside for at least 5 minutes to cool down.

Using a blender, mix 2 handfuls of arugula, ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese, 2 cloves minced garlic and 4 oz extra virgin olive oil. Blend until mixture turns into a dense paste.

Cook linguini pasta for 7 minutes and drain. Using a spatula, scoop pesto paste into a pan on the stove and add 3 oz heavy cream. Stir frequently and add cooked pasta once pesto mixture comes to a boil. Plate and top with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and La Flor sea salt and black pepper to taste.

National Chili Day February 26 2016

Today is National Chili Day and Mother Nature couldn’t have planned the drastic drop in temperature here in the Northeast any better! After all, what’s better than sitting down to a large bowl of chili when the weather outside is well, chilly?

Before we get into a delicious chili recipe though, we thought it would be a good idea to let you know what to look for when shopping for the main ingredient - ground beef. Ground beef is usually made from the leftover trimmings of steaks, roasts and other cuts of beef. It is commonly differentiated by its lean-to-fat ratio - if you’ve ever noticed “80/20, 85/15, or 90/10” you know what we’re talking about. For example, “80/20” means the meat is made up of 80% lean beef and 20% fat, so if you’re looking for minimal fat intake, look for a 90/10 option. Just keep in mind that when cooked, leaner meat tends to dry out quicker.

We recommend looking for the USDA “certified organic” label. This means the livestock was raised on organic, pesticide-free feed farms with access to pasture. There’s also no antibiotics or growth hormones.

One more important thing to look for when buying ground beef is the color of the meat. It should be a nice “cherry red” color but don’t be alarmed if you notice some brown when you open the package.

The Recipe (Serves 6-8)

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• 1 8-oz can of tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp. La Flor chili powder
• 1 tsp. La Flor cumin
• 1 tsp. La Flor oregano
• 1 tsp. La Flor sea salt
• ¼ tsp. La Flor cayenne pepper
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 can black beans
• Shredded cheddar
• Chopped onions
• Tortilla chips

Directions

In a large pot, place ground beef and garlic. Cook over medium heat until the meat browns and then add tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, sea salt and cayenne pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about an hour and then add beans and simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Serve with shredded cheddar, chopped onions and tortilla chips for dipping!

When taste is everything, La Flor is all you need to transform National Chili Day into an extraordinary culinary delight. Shop our selection of spices, herbs, and blends on the web - keep it spicy, America!

Celebrate National Margarita Day! February 22 2016

Grab the salt. Grab the limes. Grab the (insert your favorite Tequila here) and get ready to celebrate because it’s National Margarita Day!

Because it’s Monday, and let’s face it who likes Mondays, there couldn’t be a better time to stay in the city after work to grab a margarita and chow down on a bowl of chips and guac? Here are a few places in Manhattan where you can celebrate this wonderful day:

Rosa Mexicano

This authentic Mexican restaurant takes pride in their regional Mexican cuisine that exemplifies Mexico’s diverse regional culinary landscapes. Their menu changes daily so be sure to check your location for today’s specials.

Empellon Al Pastor

Specializing in the classic margarita, this is the go-to spot in East Village. Take advantage of one or all nine tacos while you enjoy your cold beverage during happy hour from 5:30 to 6:30pm.

Dos Caminos

Looking to expand your palate when it comes to your favorite Mexican drink? Dos Caminos offers ten different flavors of margaritas including two frozen options. You won’t be disappointed.

Can’t stay late today? Celebrate at home with this delicious guacamole recipe:

Ingredients

• Ripe, fresh avocados
• Limes
• Medium tomatoes
• Medium white onion
• Fresh garlic
• Cilantro
• La Flor Black Pepper
• La Flor Sea Salt
• La Flor Ground Cumin
• La Flor Cayenne Pepper

Directions

Mash avocados in a large bowl with a fork. Then add lime juice, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, cilantro and seasonings to taste. Serve right away with your favorite tortilla chips. Wash it all down with a delicious margarita (if you’re 21 or older, of course).

Winter Foods To Warm You Up February 02 2016

What’s better than coming inside to a warm bowl of soup after spending hours out in the cold? Not much if you ask us. Although we’ve seen drastic swings in temperatures so far this winter, we know the cold weather will rear its head once again. But don’t worry, these winter recipes will help warm up your bones and your appetite this season:

Lots of people - especially those who work full-time - find themselves ripping through the cabinets to put together some sort of meal during the week. Or they simply order out. Weeknight dinners don’t have to be so stressful, or so expensive, if you just plan ahead. And most of these recipes can be prepared in an hour or less so that “I don’t have enough time to cook a meal” excuse won’t work here.

1. Butternut Squash Soup: Sit down a bowl of piping hot creamy butternut squash soup. If this doesn’t warm you up, we don’t know what will. Recipe Here: http://bit.ly/1PSxNYF
   La Flor products needed: La Flor Cayenne Pepper, La Flor Black Pepper
2. Spaghetti With Turkey Chili: Combine two winter staples, spaghetti and chili, and you have yourself a meal you won’t want to stop eating. Pile your plate high and top it off with sour cream and hot sauce to give your taste buds a kick. Recipe Here: http://bit.ly/1PSxZY1
   La Flor products needed: La Flor  Sea Salt, La Flor Don Diego Special Habanero Blend
3. Four Cheese Pasta With Ham and Peas: Creamy pasta. Ham. Cheese. What more do you need? Recipe Here: http://bit.ly/1nAoLTE
   La Flor products needed: La Flor Sea Salt, La Flor Black Pepper
4. Chicken Cordon Bleu: This quick and easy recipe takes the stress and time out of the traditional meal, yet it still tastes amazing! Recipe Here: http://bit.ly/1P3wumj
   La Flor products needed: La Flor Sea Salt, La Flor Black Pepper, La Flor Parsley Flakes