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Big Family Christmas Breakfast December 23 2015

When you have kids in the home (or adults, no judgement here), Christmas can be over before the morning paper hits your doorstep. Leaving nothing but a flurry of chaos and strewn about wrapping paper in its wake. If this scenario sounds all too familiar, you’ll need a good breakfast to fuel you through the rest of the day.

Keep the morning madness to a minimum! Here are some easy big family holiday breakfasts to keep everyone happy:

Christmas Breakfast Sausage Casserole - A hearty meal that is sure to impress. Key ingredients include pork sausage, white bread, eggs, and your favorite La Flor spices! Try subbing hash browns instead of the bread to take it to the next level of breakfast awesomeness.

Sweet Potato and Kale Frittata - Trying not to overindulge before the big Christmas dinner? Here's a light and delicious egg dish that's so chock full of kale - it’s practically a salad.

Make Ahead French Toast - For French Toast that tastes like pecan praline, prepare this meal on Christmas Eve and allow to refrigerate overnight. Add some La Flor cinnamon, cloves, or omit the pecans entirely if your family prefers. For firmer toast, cut back on milk.

Christmas Quiche - Start the day with a savory & veggie-heavy dish. This Christmas quiche has been tried and tested and altered in any which way possible and still yeilds fantastic results.

Apple Cider Mimosas - Let's not forget the bubbly. This two-ingredient cider mimosa will have you sufficiently buzzed before the day begins.

Choose La Flor to make mouths merry this Christmas. Explore our wide selection of spices, herbs, and seasonings on the web or look for us in store. When taste is everything, La Flor is all you need to transform your everyday meal into an extraordinary culinary delight - keep it spicy, America!

Last Minute Holiday Gifts for Foodies December 21 2015

Some people are impossible to shop for while others are happy with just about anything. We’ve rounded up some gift ideas for everyone on your list - provided they love food:

Food Box Subscription - Give a gift that will make them love you more each and every month!

HelloFresh: No more grocery shopping, no more food waste. HelloFresh is designed to bring you delicious and nutiricous home-cooked meals in under 30 minutes. Simply choose which recipes you like and HelloFresh will deliver pre-measured ingredients to your door so you can skip the trip to the super market. (Prices vary»)
Carnivore Club: Meat lovers, rejoice. Each month, Carnivore Club members receive a curated box filled with the worlds finest charcuterie. Each edition of Carnivore Club is packed with 4-6 products, delivered in a faux-wood box and accompanied by the Meat Eaters Handbook. (Prices vary, gift cards available»)

Handy Kitchen Tools - Because who doesn’t like all in one gadgets for increased efficiency?

Quench™ Bar10der The Ultimate Cocktail Tool: A zester, muddler, reamer, channel knife, jigger, stirrer, strainer, corkscrew, bottle opener, and knife—all in one. ($30; Bed Bath & Beyond»)
All-In-One Kitchen Tool Set: Have a friend who struggles to find things in his overflowing kitchen drawers? Solution. This wine sized kitchen kit complete with a funnel, lemon squeezer, spice grater, egg masher, cheese grater, egg separator, measuring cup, and a grip for hard-to-open lids. ($40; MoMA Store»)

Cooking Essentials - Because without the basics, how do you begin?

Non-stick Pans: Is there a new homeowner on your list this year? Or perhaps you’re tired of seeing dingy pans around your home. Look into a reliable, nonstick pot and pan set - like this 12 piece set from T-fal! Featuring T-fal’s Thermo-Spot Heat Indicator to show when the pan is perfectly preheated for cooking, the superior non-stick interior and exterior makes it easy to cook and clean. Plus, it’s on sale now - and available for December 23rd delivery on Amazon »
Spice Kit: What’s the easiest way to add flavor —from meats to popcorn? Spices, of course! Give your favorite foodie the gift of flavor. Round up some of your favorite La Flor spices and seasonings in a gift basket with some other cooking essentials!

6 Spices for Detoxing November 12 2015

During the holidays there are so many delicious treats abound, it’s no wonder that people start their diets after the holiday season ends. But, you can get your body back to where it once was, now, with..... spices!

Not only do spices and herbs transform your dish into a culinary delight but many pack some surprising detox benefits:

Cilantro helps with mercury detoxification, typically due to consuming too much fish. This herb is filled with minerals as well as vitamins A and K and is also proven to be an anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiseptic.

Cayenne seasoning encourages digestion and muscle movement in your intestines and helps your body absorb nutrients. It is both an antioxidant as well as an anticoagulant that helps clean the blood from unwanted toxins.

Turmeric helps in detoxing your liver because of its active ingredient, curcumin. Curcumin stimulates the production of bile in your gall bladder that is needed to eliminate toxins as well as rejuvenates liver cells that break down harmful compounds.

Cinnamon paired with honey can help in preventing the accumulation of certain fats as well as reduce inflammation in the body. Cinnamon is a good dietary fiber and an excellent source of manganese, calcium, iron and vitamin K.

Rosemary, according to a study, can protect the liver and stomach against carcinogenic and toxic ingredients. It contains phenolic antioxidant rosmarinic and essential oils which are known to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiseptic properties.

Ginger is a great source of sulfur which is important when excreting toxic substances from your body during phase two of the detoxification process. This spicy root also helps in cleansing our system, digesting and settling your stomach.

Everyday we ingest unwanted chemicals and additives without even realizing, so it’s important to filter them out regularly. Help your body bounce back this holiday season and rid any unwanted toxins by adding the above spices to your cooking!

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!

Cooking with Basil October 29 2015

One of the most widely used culinary herbs, basil truly runs the gamut in the kitchen. Not only the ultimate complement to tomatoes, basil also pairs well with onions and garlic and is commonly used in pestos, sauce, and savory desserts.

Here are some easy ways you can incorporate basil into your weekly menu:

Pesto - Go the traditional route, pair basil with garlic to whip up a delicious pesto sauce:

Basil Pesto

Pesto Pasta with Spinach and Avocado

Infused Oil - Add some flavor to your favorite olive oil!

Basil Oil

Seafood Dishes - For a match made in seafood heaven, add basil to your next shrimp or fish dish:

Pasta with Shrimp and Basil

Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Basil and Whitefish

Desserts - Basil and fruits go hand in hand, trust us!

Melon with Basil Lime Granita

Strawberry Basil Sorbet

While the above recipes call for fresh basil, should you need to substitute for the dried herb remember that one tablespoon of fresh chopped basil is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of dried.

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:

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!
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!
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!

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!!!