Infographic: Your Guide to Spices September 18 2015

When it comes to spicing up a dish - there really isn’t one “right” way to do so. Nevertheless, it’s always handy to have some recommendations. Check out our guide below and you'll be dishing out well seasoned meals in no time!

 

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

DIY Spice Infused Oil September 15 2015

Whether you’re looking to create an infused oil for personal use or are getting a jump start on DIY holiday gift planning, look no further than your pantry to create a delicious and flavorful spice infused oil! Not only are they easy to make, but they can quickly jazz up salad dressings, go great in a stir fry, and much more.

Generally, you will need about 2 tablespoons of spices per cup of oil you choose. Oil can be flavored using whole or ground spices, either on the stovetop or in the oven as detailed below:

• Stovetop: Heat your oil (like olive, peanut, grapeseed, or avocado oil) in a medium saucepan with selected spices for about 5 minutes - or until the mixture is slightly bubbling. Remove from heat to cool.
• In-oven: In an oven safe bowl or pot, heat oil and spices at 300°F for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and allow it to cool.

Once your oil mixture is cool from the above methods, strain it using a fine-mesh sieve lined with a cheesecloth, then funnel the liquid into your bottle. Infused oils should last about a month when stored properly(refrigerated) so if making for a gift, be sure to include use by date and storage instructions!

For some inspiration - try infusing your oil with your favorite La Flor spice, like crushed red pepper, achiote annatto seeds, anise seeds, coriander, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, or fennel seeds!

Back to School: 3 Dinners Under 30 Minutes September 14 2015

The flurry of fall excitement is upon us. Between the kids heading back to school, fall sports revving back up, and daily work schedules, planning hearty dinners can fall by the wayside. That’s why we wanted to share some easy under 30 minute meals you can make for your family while still staying on a tight schedule!

Homemade Sesame Chicken

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds frozen popcorn chicken
• 6 Tablespoons La Flor honey
• 4 Tablespoons ketchup
• 4 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 Tablespoons white distilled vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
• La Flor Salt and pepper, to taste
• Green onions
• La Flor Sesame seeds

Instructions: First, cook popcorn chicken as the package suggests. Then, over medium heat - whisk together honey, ketchup, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and salt and pepper in a sauce pan. Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring, and reduce to a simmer until sauce slightly thickens. Toss cooked chicken in sauce and serve over rice - finishing with a dash of sesame seeds and green onion.

One Pan Italian Pasta

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup diced sweet onion
• 1 teaspoon La Flor garlic powder
• 2-3 chicken breasts, diced
• 12 oz pasta
• 3 cups of water (or chicken broth)
• 1 envelope dry Italian dressing mix
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 tsp La Flor basil
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese

Instructions: Over medium heat, saute the onions in olive oil until soft. Then add the chicken and garlic powder - cooking until browned. Add pasta, water, dressing mix, and tomatoes and bring to a boil, cooking for 10 minutes or until water has evaporated. Finish by topping with Mozzarella cheese and basil, letting it sit until the cheese is melted before serving.

Honey-Garlic Glazed Meatballs

• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup milk
• 1½ cup dry bread crumbs
• ½ cup diced onion
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 pounds ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced (or 4 teaspoons La Flor chopped garlic)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ¾ cup ketchup
• ½ cup La Flor honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce

Instructions: Combine eggs and milk in a large bowl, then add the bread crumbs, onion and salt. Add meat into the mixture and mix well until combined. Shape the mix into 1 inch balls, placing on a nonstick cookie sheet. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. While meatballs are cooking, combine garlic and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in ketchup, honey, and soy sauce - bringing to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. After meatballs are cooked, spoon sauce over and serve.

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

#FoodieFriday - Must Make Rubs and Sauces for Labor Day September 04 2015

Celebrating the unofficial end of summer with a Labor Day BBQ? Spice things up, check out the below rubs and sauce recipes that are musts for your meats (using La Flor spices, of course):

Bring Da Heat Rub - Give your pork some heat, rub this on the night before your grill - trust us, your palate will thank you:

• 1 cup La Flor brown sugar
• 1/4 cup fine Sea Salt
• 1/4 cup La Flor garlic powder or flakes
• 1 1/14 teaspoons of granulated chipotle
• 1 teaspoon La Flor chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ancho pepper powder
• 1/2 teaspoon La Flor crushed red pepper

In a medium sized bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Then store in an air tight container until ready for use. The night prior to grilling, rub meat generously. (recipe via Kiss My Smoke)

Basic BBQ Rub - Little bit of sweet and a little bit of heat:

• 1 cup La Flor brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup kosher salt
• 1/4 cup cracked La Flor black pepper
• 1/4 cup La Flor paprika
• 2 tablespoons La Flor cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and use on your meat of choice. For more flavor, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight. (recipe via Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen)

Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce - Homemade brown sugar barbecue sauce with a spicy kick:

• 1 1/2 cup La Flor brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 1/2 tablespoon molasses
• 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoon La Flor paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon La Flor chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon La Flor salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon La Flor black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon La Flor garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon La Flor onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon La Flor crushed red pepper, optional

Cook all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat until mixture begins to boil, stirring frequently. Reduce to low heat and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove fro heat and use immediately. Transfer the remainder to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. (recipe via Baked By Rachel)

Have any DIY rubs or sauce recipes using La Flor products in your arsenal? Share with us and the rest of the La Flor community on our Facebook page!

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

How to Replace Fresh Herbs with Dried Herbs August 31 2015

Many times recipes call for a fresh helping of herbs, but what happens when you don’t have them? Can you use dried? Often times, yes! However, since dried herbs are generally more potent and concentrated than fresh herbs, it’s important you know how to do this successfully.

Keep the below tips in mind:

• Account for the change in strength: Many cooks recommend using one-third to half the amount of dried herb to fresh herb. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, you only need 1 teaspoon of dried (since 3 teaspoons equal 1 tablespoon).
• Use dried when they are most effective: Dried herbs infuse the dish during cooking, especially while simmering or sautéing. This way they have sufficient opportunity to release their flavors and rehydrate.
• Know when NOT to substitute: Sometimes, recipes state ‘do not substitute with dried herbs,’ and as such - you should follow it. It’s more than likely that the chef has experienced a completely different dish when dried herbs were used, a dish that wasn’t very palate friendly.

When using dried herbs, be sure to keep the use by date in mind. These herbs can easily spoil a dish rather than enhance it if their flavors have deteriorated. When taste is everying, it’s critical to “ACT” now to ensure your spice rack is up to date. Turn your meal into a FRESH and extraordinary culinary delight with La Flor Spices!

#FoodieFriday - Ways to Eat (& Drink) Turmeric! August 28 2015

This isn’t the first time we’ve touched on the benefits of turmeric in your diet. This highly anti-inflammatory herb has an infinite number of beneficial properties. Aiding in functions of vital organs, turmeric is said to provide defense against degenerative diseases and cancers while also promoting the absorption of antioxidants.

Commonly used in Indian cuisine, it’s certainly not limited to just that! See below for some simple ways to start including it in your everyday cooking:

1. Add it to scrambles and frittatas. New to turmeric? This is the best place to start! Take a pinch and add to your scrambled eggs, frittatas, or tofu scrambles. The color will be familiar and the flavor is subtle. Try this Scrambled Eggs with Turmeric and Black Pepper Recipe!
2. Toss it with veggies. Cauliflower, potatoes, and other root vegetables go especially well with turmeric’s slightly warm and peppery flavor. Sprinkle some turmeric on your next batch of roasted veggies or infuse half a cup of olive oil with a teaspoon of turmeric to brush onto corn on the cob in lieu of butter! Try this Cauliflower Steaks with Ginger, Turmeric, and Cumin recipe!
3. Blend it into your morning smoothies. While fresh turmeric root is especially good for fresh juices and smoothies, you will find adding some of the ground spice into your favorite smoothie will work as well. Its flavor is typically masked well in smoothies, you won’t even notice it’s there! Try this Anti-Inflammatory Frozen Watermelon Pineapple Smoothie Recipe!

Additional cooking tip - to get the most out of your turmeric intake, pair it with pepper. Black pepper improves the body’s absorption of turmeric, making small doses of the spice that much more effective!

Purchase your La Flor Turmeric online or in stores and get cooking with this miracle root! When taste is everything, La Flor is all you need to transform your everyday meal into an extraordinary culinary delight. Shop our full selection of spices, herbs, and blends on the web - keep it spicy America!

Herbs and Spices that Can Save Your Skin August 26 2015

Want to make your skin glow? If so, incorporate more spices into your diet! It will give your skincare regimen a boost while making your food taste delicious. Talk about a win-win situation!  From antioxidants to anti-inflammatory agents, the herbs and spices below have everything your skin needs to be healthy:

Chamomile to calm razor burn: A natural anti-inflammatory, chamomile has the power to reduce redness, itchiness, and swelling that can come along with beard burn. Simply steep chamomile tea in boiling water for 2-3 minutes so the anti-inflammatory enzymes can release, then place the tea bag in the fridge to cool before applying it to irritated skin.

Cinnamon for a bright complexion: Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants that fight skin damage. Feel free to add half of teaspoon to your coffee grounds before brewing for an easy antioxidant boost!

Hot peppers to fight wrinkles: Cayenne, paprika, and chili pepper do more than just heat up your taste buds. Vitamins A and C help combat free radicals - plus as we learned in our previous blog, peppers contain capsaicin which has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cancer-fighting properties. Try adding some cayenne to your guacamole, chili pepper in curry sauce, or make a rub for your meat with paprika.

Turmeric to reduce inflammation: This herb has powerful anti-inflammatory benefits due to its high concentration of curcumin. Studies have shown that curcumin may fight melanoma if applied topically. This substance inhibits angiogenesis - which is the growth of blood vessels. A lot of cancer research has been done showing curcumin to be a potent inhibitor of tumor activity. Sprinkle some into your pasta salads or soups!

Start spicing up your diet and reap the benefits the above herbs and spices have to offer. When taste is everything, La Flor is all you need to transform your everyday meal into an extraordinary culinary delight. Shop our selection of spices, herbs, and blends on the web - keep it spicy America!

Keeping Spice “NICE” August 25 2015

It’s always a good idea to take an occasional inventory of the spices in your pantry. In doing so, they should be checked for freshness to ensure they’ve retained their potency - using the “ACT” principal:

AROMA: THE NOSE KNOWS
Crush a small amount of the selected spice in the palm of your hand and sniff gently. If the aroma isn’t rich, and immediate, the spice has likely lost most of its potency. For whole spices, crush or cut the spice open in order to release its full scent.

COLOR ME FRESH
Fading herbs will fade from a vibrant green to lighter colors, and spices with a reddish hue (think chili powder, red pepper) will shade toward brown. Do remember, different herbs naturally vary in color and should not always be compared against each other for color.

TOSS WITH FLAVOR LOSS
If your spices and herbs smell or taste lackluster, don’t think twice - toss the spice. Even if the spice “should” have lasted you a bit longer, other components can come into play. Make sure all spices have their caps on tight and are stored away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight!

If after your inventory check you’re in need of some spice replacement, be sure to browse our website for products as well as visit us in stores. When taste is everything, La Flor is all you need to transform your everyday meal into a FRESH and extraordinary culinary delight - keep it spicy America!

Reasons You Should Eat More Spicy Food August 18 2015

Spice enthusiasts rejoice - in addition to rousing your taste buds, spicy foods may also lead to a longer life according to a recent seven-year study.

Observing nearly half a million people across China, a study published in BMJ found those who consumed spicy foods (mainly in form of chili peppers), once or twice a week had a 10 percent reduced risk of death compared with those who ate spicy meals less than once a week. 

What about spicy food is so special? The study points to the benefits of capsaicin, the spicy chemical in peppers, which has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cancer-fighting properties.

So if you’re not a fan of the hot stuff, it may be time you gave it a shot. Give it a go with some of the below recipes, using your trusted La Flor Spices:

• Honeydew with Sweet-Heat Lime Sauce: Mix together some lime juice, honey, chopped mint, and cayenne pepper. Then skewer some bite-sized honeydew melon pieces and serve. (Recipe here ») 
• Grilled Fish Tacos: Instead of deep-frying the fish for these tacos, coat your summer catch in a flavor-packed chile rub and grill it instead! (Recipe here »)
• Bean Burgers with Spicy Guacamole: Sure to please even the most devoted of carnivores - the cornmeal coating gives a pleasant crunch and paprika, cumin, cilantro, and guac add some Southwestern flavor! (Recipe here ») 

• Mediterranean Style Stuffed Peppers: Artichoke hearts, feta cheese, chickpeas - oh my! This Mediterranean Style stuffed peppers recipe creates a flavor unlike anything else. (Recipe here »)

Any spice fanatics have some recipes to share? Post them to our Facebook page for the rest of the La Flor community to see!

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

Tips for Organizing Your Spices August 11 2015

Sure, spring cleaning came and went - and while you may have emptied your closets and deep cleaned your home a few months back, how thorough were you with your kitchen pantry?

It doesn't take long for your spice rack to get disorganized.  Avoid fumbling through your bottles prior to your next meal - check out the below tips to help you get your cabinets back in order, stat:

Catalog Your Collection. First things first, it’s time to take an inventory of the spices you have. Check for any expired bottles (remember, while not necessarily bad, expired spices are certainly less flavorful) and see if you can condense any duplicates. With everything out and about, take the time to wipe down bottles and tighten any caps before restoring.

Decide on a Strategy. Take a moment to think about your cooking style - what spices do you use most often? If you bake more you may want these spices readily available, not stored behind other items. Some common systems people tend to use are storing baking spices separate from savory spices, whole vs. ground vs. blended, frequently used vs. infrequently used, or in alphabetical order.

Assess Your Storage. Take a look at how your kitchen is configured and how your spices can best fit. Lazy Susan’s are popular for saving space as are drawer organizers, wall-mounted spice racks, and magnetic mounting systems. Consider what options you have available and incorporate them into your strategy.

Put it All Back. Now for the fun part - time to dust off your Tetris skills and work to arrange spices accordingly. Don’t stress if some spices aren’t conforming precisely to your strategy and storage plan, keep those to the side until complete and see what other space is available.

And there you have it! Any Pinterest pros have advice on how they organize their bottles? Share with us on our Facebook page.

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

 

Photo via Flickr/Amber Karnes

5 Miracle Spices with Huge Health Benefits August 06 2015

Spices not only are key in transforming a bland meal into a flavorful dish - but many are known to pack in some unexpected health perks as well. From protection against some of the deadliest chronic conditions to simply helping to relieve stress - see below for five miracle spices with huge health benefits:

Turmeric - A distant relative of ginger, turmeric is a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine. Curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, may help reduce inflammation and ease symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Sprinkle turmeric on your egg salad, add some to chicken or seafood casseroles, or try it in a traditional curry dish.

Thyme - Popular in stews, soups, and sauces - people use thyme to treat bronchitis, whooping cough, arthritis, high blood pressure, as well as various types of cancer. The essential oil of thyme contains thymol - a naturally occurring compound that can destroy harmful organisms such as MRSA infections as studies have shown.

Ginger - Aside from helping to settle an upset stomach, this spice can also lessen muscle soreness. Gingerol, a chemical in ginger, is thought to reduce inflammation and block nerve pathways that process pain. Try using ginger in a stir fry, add some to your meat, or grate some fresh ginger over veggies or noodles.

Basil - With strong antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory properties, basil can help with cardiovascular health. The essential oils in basil have been shown to lower blood glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels. It also contains phytochemicals which studies suggest may lower cortisol - a hormone secreted when tense. Next time you’re feeling frazzled, add this herb to your tea.
 
Cinnamon - Known to bring out and warm up the flavors in the foods it’s paired with, cinnamon also works to keep your arteries healthy, manage blood sugar levels, and lower cholesterol. Studies have shown that eating half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily defuses risk factors for diabetes and heart disease within 6 weeks! Sprinkle some in your coffee, oatmeal, or peanut butter!

Start spicing up your diet and reap the benefits the above herbs and spices have to offer. When taste is everything, La Flor is all you need to transform your everyday meal into an extraordinary culinary delight. Shop our selection of spices, herbs, and blends on the web - keep it spicy America!

Coriander and Cilantro August 28 2014

 

Citrusy, minty and mildly sweet in flavor, La Flor’s all natural Coriander is used in lentils, beans, onions, potatoes, hotdogs, chili, sausages, stews and pastries.

Coriander is used in tonic and cough medicines in India still today. It is also the seed of cilantro so you can grow your own herbs with La Flor Coriander.

Enjoy and keep it spicy or in this case herby America!!!

Cayenne Pepper June 19 2014

First Post January 24 2014

La Flor Spices

 

For LI companies, Super Bowl's so close, yet too far

Originally published: January 24, 2014 7:41 PM Updated: January 24, 2014 9:08 PM By CAROL POLSKY  carol.polsky@newsday.com

La Flor Spices' general manager, Justin Latorre, left, and president Daniel Latorre inside the company's warehouse. (Jan. 24, 2014) (Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa)

 

Read the entire article here!!!

http://www.newsday.com/business/for-li-companies-super-bowl-s-so-close-yet-too-far-1.6874457