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#FoodieFriday - Fall Harvest Foods October 23 2015

The leaves aren’t the only thing in transition come fall, your local produce stands are making a switch as well. Gone are the fresh fruits and berries of summer - instead you’ll find root vegetables and gourds a plenty.

Stock up on some fall harvest foods and try out the below recipes:

Pumpkin: Not just for pies, pumpkins can be used in a plethora of dinner recipes. A great source of vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants, pumpkins can be boiled, roasted or steamed, and turned savory for stews and other side dishes.

Recipes to try:

Pumpkin Chili

Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Pumpkin Waffles with Apple Cider Syrup

Butternut Squash: Whether you want to roast it, sauté it, or simmer it in a soup with your favorite herbs, this gourd should be a central component to your meals. It’s hearty, loaded with fiber and important vitamins A and C, and is extremely versatile!

Recipes to try:
Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Pasta
Slow Cooker Blissful Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut Squash, Kale, and Crunchy Pepitas Tacos

Sweet Potatoes: This sweet tasting starch hits its peak in the fall! Often mistaken for yams, sweet potatoes are in fact a fiber, potassium, and vitamin packed tuber of their own. They can be boiled, roasted, or baked and work well as part of a main dish (or side).

Recipes to try:
Sweet Potato, Ricotta & Arugula Flatbread
Loaded Sweet-Potato Skins
Sweet Potato Casserole

Brussels Sprouts: Best in the fall and winter, brussels sprouts are a good source of protein, iron and potassium. Simply roast some up to really enjoy this green veggie powerhouse.

Recipes to try:
Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese
Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts
Crispy Shredded Sprouts, Cider Short Rib, And Caramelized Shallot Pizza

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!

Pumpkin Seed Recipes October 14 2015

Whether you're a pumpkin carving Picasso or are simply giving your artistic ability a chance, one thing's for sure - post jack-o-lantern carving leaves us with a mess of pumpkin parts. But rather than tossing them to the side and ultimately to the curb, collect the seeds instead!

The usual salt and pepper recipe certainly isn't the only thing they're good for - here's a list of other ways that you can enjoy your pumpkin’s leftovers this fall:

To begin:

Gather up your seeds in a colander, rinse in cool water, and pat dry. Then line them on a rimmed baking sheet and place them in the oven at 300 degrees. Bake them until they are dry throughout (about 50-60 minutes) and remove from the heat, raising the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Transfer your cool seeds to a bowl, choose a flavoring below and then pop them back into the oven for another 10-15 more minutes.

Options:

Maple Mocha - because sweet and salty never tasted so good!

2 tablespoons of coconut oil
2 tablespoons of maple syrup
1 tablespoon of coffee grounds
1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
½ tablespoon of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of La Flor cinnamon
½ teaspoon of La Flor nutmeg

Gingerbread - because it’s not just for winter

4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter
2 tablespoons of La Flor brown sugar
2 teaspoons of La Flor cinnamon
½ teaspoon of ginger
½ teaspoon of La Flor allspice
½ teaspoon of La Flor nutmeg
¼ teaspoon of La Flor ground cloves

Rosemary Parmesan - for the cheese lovers in the audience

2 tablespoons of extra-virgin Olive Oil
2 tablespoons of La Flor rosemary
¼ cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon of La Flor garlic powder
Season with La Flor salt and pepper to taste

Curry-Sriracha - for the spice obsessed!

2 tablespoons sriracha
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon of La Flor curry powder
½ teaspoon of La Flor paprika
Season with La Flor salt and pepper to taste

For more pumpkin seed recipes that you’ll love, check out Real Simple’s list.

Spices for Fall Cooking September 30 2015

Although no spice is off limits for fall cooking, there are some that are especially suitable. And no, we’re not just talking apple or pumpkin spice - there are plenty of other flavors that are key for cooking this season:

Nutmeg- With a nutty yet strong sweet flavor - you can add this to any dish from sweet to savory. Need a dip for the big game? This baked creamy spinach dip will definitely switch things up.
Cinnamon- Sweet and pungent with an earthy flavor - cinnamon is great to mix with fruits and deserts but that’s not all! Apple cider beef stew gives cinnamon a whole new meaning.
Ginger- Hot yet sweet, even a little woody, ginger is key for desserts, drinks, and savory dishes. The famous dessert that we have all come to know and love is gingerbread cookies but wait until you taste ginger spice cookies.
Cloves- They have a strong, bitter yet sweet and almost hot aroma. Don’t know what to cook with cloves? This recipe of baked sweet potatoes with a hint of cloves would be a hit at Thanksgiving.
Allspice- A happy combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves - a great fall meal that you can enjoy with some allspice would be marinated pork with caramelized fennel.

These spices can certainly be used year round, but really enhance the flavors fall dishes bring. Do you have any go to fall recipes with particular spices or seasonings? Share with 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 selection of spices, herbs, and blends on the web - keep it spicy America!

How to Use Cinnamon Sticks September 24 2015

Fall is back! As the weather cools off and the leaves begin to change color, the urge to indulge in some delicious fall treats is overwhelming. You're probably thinking we're about to rattle off 20 pumpkin spice recipes, but we're not that basic.

Frankly, we can't think of a better ingredient to highlight in the fall than cinnamon. So bust out your flannels and over-sized sweaters, get ready to add some cinnamon to your autumn cooking:

Add it to your warm beverage - While you can always add a cinnamon stick to your coffee or tea for a kick of flavor, try steeping it in hot water for a cup of comforting cinnamon tea. It can also double as a stirrer for your hot cocoa, cider, and hot toddies!

Toss some in your crockpot - Adding a cinnamon stick into your slow cooker with meat (like a roast, chicken, or short ribs) can add another delicious flavor to your meal.

Flavor your oats - Instead of topping your morning oatmeal with cinnamon powder - include a cinnamon stick in the pot while cooking (just make sure to remove before serving).

Make some homemade applesauce - It IS apple picking season after all, so grab a few pounds of your favorite apples, a cinnamon stick, and get cookin! Try this recipe here »

When taste is everything, La Flor is all you need to transform your everyday meal into an extraordinary culinary delight. Stock up on your cinnamon sticks this season, simply purchase online or shop in stores!