Replacing White Rice With Quinoa February 16 2016

Getting sick of white rice? Although it’s a staple in lots of different dishes from around the world, you can replace it with a variety of other grains that are more beneficial to your health. Take quinoa for example, it’s higher in B-vitamins and is a rich source of protein and fiber and with all that said, it still tastes great!

The next time recipe calls for white rice, either as a side or main dish, try replacing it with quinoa. Here are a few examples:

Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad: the possibilities are endless when it comes to Tex-Mex and quinoa’s versatility makes it the perfect substitute for white rice. Mix a cup of it with diced tomatoes, green chile peppers, garbanzo beans and chopped avocados and eat it in a bowl or wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Lemon Butter Quinoa: this recipe is extremely simple and goes well with just about any chicken or fish. Melt butter in a saucepan, add quinoa, vegetable broth, chopped garlic, and lemon and then season with La Flor’s Parsley Flakes.

Teriyaki Salmon Over Quinoa: feeling fishy? Try marinating your salmon in a thick teriyaki glaze and baking in the oven until it flakes apart with a fork. Then serve it over a bed of quinoa for a delectable meal you and your friends will love.

Valentine's Day Teriyaki Rib Eye February 12 2016

It’s Valentine’s Day weekend and LOVE is in the air! What are you cooking up for your significant other this Sunday? For those of you who have already created a menu, we’re sure it will come out great. But for those who need a last minute idea, we’re here to save you - you can thank us later!

This Teriyaki Rib Eye Recipe will surely light up you love’s taste buds and maybe even create that extra spark you’re looking for. Just don’t overcook the steak or you might find yourself in the dog house.

Ingredients: 

• Teriyaki Sauce
• Honey
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• La Flor Onion Powder
• La Flor Garlic Powder
• 2 (6 ounce) Beef Rib Eye Steaks

Preparation:

In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp. Teriyaki sauce with 1 ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Rub approx. 1 tsp. olive oil on each steak and then add teriyaki-worcestershire mixture. Season with onion and garlic powder to taste. Let the steaks marinate for about 2 hours and then fire up the grill. Cook over high heat for approximately 4 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 140° (this will give you a medium-rare steak). Coat steaks with a light layer of honey for the final 2 minutes of grilling.

National Soup Day February 04 2016

No soup for you! Unless you’re like us and you’re celebrating National Soup Day today - then you can enjoy all the warm, delicious soup you’d like! Whether you like a nice cup of soup as a starter or a hearty bowl for your main course we’ve got some extra special recipes for you to try.

Not-So-Classic Chicken Noodle: most chicken noodle soup recipes call for chicken stock, carrots, shredded chicken meat and egg noodles, but not this one. Although you will need the basic ingredients, we like to kick ours up a notch. Substitute egg noodles with penne pasta or spaghetti, and marinate your chicken in La Flor’s Don Diego hot sauce. Don’t forget to add a dash of La Flor’s Chicken Bouillon for flavor.

Larry The Lobster Bisque: the two ingredients in lobster bisque are lobsters and bisque, right? Well, yes. But there’s a bunch of other delicious ingredients that come together to provide you with that mouth-watering flavor. Search for your favorite recipe online and then add sweet corn kernels and a touch of La Flor’s Cayenne Pepper to taste.

Burly Beef Barley: whether you’re outdoors chopping wood all day or doing something a little less macho, there’s nothing like sitting down to a cup or bowl of beef barley soup. Trim and chop boneless chuck roast, slice your carrots and celery, add mushrooms and don’t forget the La Flor Beef Bouillon.

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

#FoodieFriday - Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Parmesan Meatballs January 29 2016

Having people over this weekend and don’t know what to make for them? Enjoy your night together with this Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Parmesan Meatballs as the perfect side dish to any meal.

Ingredients: adapted from Life in the Lofthouse

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon La Flor parsley
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 teaspoons La Flor garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon La Flor black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese cut into ½ inch cubes
• 1 jar marinara sauce (24 ounces)

1. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with nonstick spray and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients except chicken, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce. Note, only use 1/4 cup breadcrumbs during this step and save the remainder for step 6.
3. Gentle combine the ground chicken and mixture with your hands. Form 12 meatballs by rolling about 2 tablespoons of chicken mixture in your hands, shaping into a ball.
4. Press one cube of mozzarella cheese into the center of the meatball and press mixture around to hide the cheese.
5. Repeat with remaining chicken mixture and mozzarella.
6. Pour remaining breadcrumbs onto a large plate and roll each meatball into the crumbs. Then place each meatball into the muffin tin.
7. Bake meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked.
8. Heat the marinara sauce and serve immediately once meatballs are ready.

These tasty bites do well frozen for up to 2 months and can be reheated in the oven or in a crock pot.

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!

Recipes for a Snow Day January 23 2016

Jonas isn’t stopping anytime soon and as such it’s better (and safer) to stay home, cue up the next episode of [insert favorite TV series here], and raid your pantry.

Not sure where to begin? We’ve got some belly-warming recipes perfect for fueling you through your Netflix binge:

Sopa de Ajo Castellana (Castilian Garlic Soup) - The perfect companion to a cold winter’s day. This classic soup hails from the Castilian region of Spain, featuring serrano ham, La Flor's paprika, cumin and black pepper - and a lot of garlic. Recipe here » 

Mexican Hot Chocolate - Not your kid’s hot chocolate, that’s for sure. Here we include some mezcal and La Flor’s cinnamon and cayenne to spice things up. Recipe here » 

Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika - A simple beef stew featuring your favorite cold brew and La Flor paprika. This will take a little over 2 hours to make - start now and it’ll be ready just in time for dinner. Recipe here » 

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

Score A Touchdown With These Game Day Dips January 14 2016

Whether you’re in it for the game or in it for the food, playoff football is a wonderful time of year. Let’s face it, what’s better than hanging out with your best buds while chowing down on some delicious grub while the game is on the big screen? Don’t fumble the ball with a standard salsa or jar of queso - although we can’t lie they can taste pretty darn good. Score a touchdown and wow your guests with these gourmet game day dips:

Kicked Up Tzatziki: mix a grated cucumber with 2 cups of Greek yogurt and 1 small minced garlic clove. Then add 1 diced jalapeno, 1 diced tomato, ½ tablespoon of La Flor ground cumin and 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro.

Get Crabby: if you’re like us and just can’t get enough crab, this is the dip for you! Mix 8 ounces of crabmeat and cream cheese, ¼ cup of heavy cream, ½ cup of parmesan and muenster and just a bit of lemon juice. Then mince 1 garlic clove and throw in some La Flor black pepper , ½ cup of basil and parsley and bake on 375°F for about 30 minutes.

Wing Attack: what’s a football game without wings? There’s nothing better than a crispy buffalo chicken wing to accompany that cold beer, but this time we’re taking the dip to the next level. Mix up ¼ cup of sour cream and red onion with ⅓ cup buttermilk, ½ cup mayo, 1 clove minced garlic and 1 tablespoon chives, parsley and chipotles. Then toss in some La Flor Adobo and season with salt.

Stone Ground Honey Mustard Salmon January 13 2016

Salmon is making a name for itself as a delectable trendy fish these days, and the best part is there are so many ways to prepare it. Today, we’re going to focus on a stone ground honey mustard salmon recipe that will feed about 10 people. So gather your close friends for a dinner party and this recipe is sure to leave their mouths watering and their bellies full.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 lbs of fresh, skinless filet of salmon
• La Flor Garlic Powder
• Stone Ground Mustard
• Dijon Mustard
• Natural Clover Honey

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Season with La Flor Garlic powder.
3. In a small bowl, mix equal parts stone ground mustard and dijon mustard. (You’ll want to make enough to spread over the entire filet.)
4. Spread mustard mixture over fish and drizzle with natural clover honey.
5. Bake, uncovered in a 450°F oven for about 12-15 minutes or until fish begins to flake when tested with a fork.

Serve fish over your choice of rice or accompany with vegetables for a main dish your guests will love.

Spice Up Your Weekday Lunch January 12 2016

Turkey sandwich - bland. PB&J - boring. Hot pocket - need we say more? For those of us battling with the daily 9 - 5, crafting a culinary masterpiece for lunch sounds like a terrible joke. But believe it or not, there are a bunch of ways you can take that boring brown bag and fill it with something you’ll actually look forward to after those morning meetings.

1. Chicken & Avocado Sandwich: take your boring turkey on white bread and kiss it goodbye. Substitute sliced turkey with cooked chicken breast, cut up a quarter of an avocado and a few slices of tomato and you’ve got yourself a simple, yet delicious sandwich. Add a pinch salt and a dash of pepper for some extra flavor and you can even take it to the next level by creating an herb mayo dipping sauce with our basil leaves.
2. Buffalo Chicken Salad: prefer a lighter lunch option? Put your own spin on a buffalo chicken salad by seasoning the chicken with our chili powder and cayenne pepper. Chop up some lettuce, add a few diced tomatoes and pack your favorite blue cheese dressing on the side.
3. Homemade Burrito Bowl: why order out when you’ve already got your own burrito bowl? This simple recipe calls for your favorite choice of rice, diced chicken or chop meat seasoned with some adobo picante, sour cream and shredded cheese. Load up a container with all of the above and you’ll surely make your coworkers jealous.

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

Cheers to a Spicy New Year! December 31 2015

A bottle of bubbly and New Year’s Eve go hand in hand. This year - try spicing things up. We have some La Flor spice infused Champagne recipes to help you countdown to midnight - cheers to a spicy New Year!

Spiced Citrus Champagne - (serves 12, recipe adopted from The Kitchn)


• 1 cup water
• 
1/2 cup La Flor honey
• 
Zest of 2 lemons, cut into long strips

• 1 tablespoon La Flor lemon juice
• 
4 whole La Flor star anise

• 4 La Flor cinnamon sticks

• 12 La Flor whole cloves
• 
1/2 cup fresh orange juice

• Champagne, or dry sparkling white wine

Bring water, honey, lemon zest and juice, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes. Cool syrup.

Serve each glass of sparkling wine with 1 tablespoon spiced syrup and a splash of orange juice, to taste. Garnish with a slice of star fruit or a lemon twist.

Spiced Apple Cider Champagne Cocktails - (serves 2, recipe adopted from Dishing Up the Dirt)

• 2 ounces Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack Tennessee Cider (you can sub apple brandy)
• 2 ounce fresh apple cider
• 3-4 ounces chilled champagne
• La Flor cinnamon stick to garnish

A multi layer drink, add the Tennessee Cider to the base of the glass, then champagne, and finish with a splash of fresh apple cider. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Clove Spiced Champagne - (yields enough syrup for one bottle of champagne or sparking wine, recipe adapted from Gilded Fork)

• 4 cups apple or white grape juice

• 1 teaspoon La Flor whole cloves, crushed
• 
1 teaspoon crystallized ginger, chopped

• ½ teaspoon La Flor allspice, crushed

• 2 tablespoons orange zest, pith completely removed

• ¼ of one whole vanilla bean, left intact
• 1 bottle of dry champagne or sparkling wine
• 
4×4” square of cheesecloth

• Kitchen twine

Place all spices, zest, and vanilla bean into a sachet made from a double thickness of standard cheesecloth - tie off with kitchen twine.

*If you do not have a cheesecloth/kitchen twine - add all ingredients to the sauce pan with juice as instructed below..

In a small sauce pan, heat your 4 cups of juice over medium heat until it begins to boil. Add sachet to the juice, reduce heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Remove the sachet, and pour syrup through a fine mesh sieve (or coffee filter is no sachet was used) into a glass container. Refrigerate until ready - note the syrup will become thicker as it cools.

To serve, add 1 part spiced syrup to 2 parts champagne or sparkling wine. 

Celebrate Bacon Day! December 30 2015

Time to go hog-wild - it’s Bacon Day.  Easily one of the tastiest holidays to celebrate, get into the spirit with some of these bacon themed recipes »

Bacon Pudding Shots: Where your dreams of combining dessert, booze and bacon come true.
La Flor products needed: La Flor Salt and La Flor Honey

Bacon Pancakes: Sweet, savory, perfect.
La Flor products needed: La Flor Salt

Bacon Meatballs: For a secret bacon surprise.
La Flor products needed: La Flor Salt, La Flor Paprika, La Flor Oregano, and La Flor Black Pepper

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: What better way to eat your veggies?
La Flor products needed: La Flor Salt and La Flor Pepper

Maple Pepper Bacon Strips with Boston Lager Glaze: For your regular straight up bacon, with a Sam Adams twist.
La Flor products needed: La Flor Honey

PB&B: An Elvis inspired lunchtime staple.
La Flor products needed: La Flor Honey

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

New Year's Eve Appetizers December 30 2015

Aside from good booze, a large crowd, and bedazzled decor, you’ll also need some good eats planned for tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve party.

Keep guests satiated before the big count down with these apps and hors d’oeuvres:

Guacamole - Just grab some chips and have our La Flor cumin, cayenne, and salt ready and you’ll be well on your way to creating the “best guac you’ve ever tasted!!” - or so says several reviewers. (Recipe here »)

Mini Stuffed Peppers - Calling for only three ingredients, mini bell peppers, garlic & herb seasoned chèvre goat cheese, and La Flor honey - this just might be your new go-to appetizer recipe. (Recipe here »)

Swedish Meatballs - With key ingredients like our La Flor allspice, nutmeg, salt & pepper, dress these up as you wish and serve with toothpicks. (Recipe here »)

Baked Onion Rings with Hot Ranch Dip -  A fan favorite without the greasy guilt. Have our La Flor cayenne pepper, paprika, nutmeg, brown sugar, salt & pepper ready. For an extra kick, choose La FLor’s Don Diego Hot Sauce! (Recipe here »)

Bacon Wrapped Smokies - Cocktail sausages, bacon, and caramelized La Flor brown sugar - what can go wrong? Nothing. (Recipe here »)

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

Last Minute Holiday Treats December 24 2015

Twas the night before Christmas, when you remember dessert was not part of the things you picked up for tomorrow. Don’t panic - we’ve rounded up some oh-so-easy holiday treat recipes that can be ready in under 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Gingerbread Cheesecake Dip - Cool Whip, cream cheese, La Flor brown sugar, and La Flor cinnamon are just a few of the items needed to make this fluffy concoction. Recipe here »

Perfect Vanilla Almond Cut-out Cookies - Because yes, they’re perfect. Easy, fuss-free, and easy to decorate (should you choose) - just have some La Flor vanilla extract on hand to get started. Recipe here »

Crunchy Chocolate Treats - A classic dessert dilemma: chocolate or peanut butter? These no-bake, bite-sized treats are the perfect resolution. Recipe here »

Spiced Brookies: Half-brownie, half-cookie, and spiced up with La Flor cinnamon and La Flor cayenne pepper. Recipe here »

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!

Spiced Christmas Cocktails December 24 2015

Thirsty Thursday and Christmas Eve? #Winning. Refresh your guests while toasting to good cheer with these spiced holiday cocktails:

PDT’s Gingerbread Man - Enjoy your favorite gingerbread man in liquid form thanks to The King’s Ginger, a high-strength Scotch-based ginger liqueur and La Flor’s cinnamon spice. Recipe here »

Spiced Chocolate Stout Beer Cocktail - An ice-cold refresher, take your favorite chocolate stout, add some brandy and your favorite La Flor spices to create the beer-lover’s new favorite cocktail. Recipe here »

Mulled Port & Lemon - If you find mulled wine too heavy, try this refreshing alternative Christmas drink. Our cinnamon sticks, cloves, and anise will come in handy. Recipe here »

Homemade (Rum-infused) Horchata - the drink of the gods just got better thanks to this booze infused recipe. Have some La Flor ground cinnamon, La Flor nutmeg, and La Flor vanilla extract on hand! Recipe here »

Spiced Holiday Punch - This mocktail is alcohol free and is perfect for holiday entertaining. Start with an apple juice that has been simmered with La Flor cinnamon, La Flor nutmeg, and La Flor cloves. Recipe here » 

Choose La Flor to make mouths merry this Christmas. Our spices are the perfect way to give your holiday cocktails some extra oomph. Explore our wide selection of spices, herbs, and seasonings on the web or look for us in store. Keep it spicy, America!

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!

#FoodieFriday - National Cookie Day December 04 2015

If being Friday isn’t a good enough reason to celebrate, then let’s add the fact that today is also National Cookie day!

Before you run out and pick up your favorite store bought sweet treats, check out some of these homemade recipes to curb your sweet tooth this weekend »

• Peanut Butter Cookies will always satisfy your craving of sweets with one bite.
• You can never go wrong with the reigning champ, Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
• Craving a cinnamon treat? Snickerdoodles are the way to go.
• Sweet and spicy with a satisfying chew, Chewy Molasses-Spice Cookies are the perfect alternative to gingerbread.
• Banana-Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies is the perfect balance between two of the most popular flavors

Spice Up Your Thanksgiving Leftovers December 01 2015

Thanksgiving is probably the most anticipated foodie holiday of the year - with a feast that takes days of preparation yet only minutes of consumption. If you’re still staring at Turkey Day leftovers in your fridge and can’t bear the thought of the same meal for the fifth night in a row - we have some ways for you to spice things up:

When you think of fried rice, chicken or pork may flood your mind, but with all of this year's leftovers - why not try some turkey friend rice! You can even throw in some of your leftover vegetables to create your new favorite fried rice recipe.

Ingredients

• Oil
• ½ cup small onion, diced
• 1 cup leftover vegetables, chopped
• 1 cup turkey, chopped
• 2 cups rice
• ½ - ¾ cup sliced green onions
• 1-2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
• 2 lightly beaten eggs
• La Flor ground pepper, to taste
• Slice green onions, for garnish

Don’t know what to do with all the cranberry sauce? By turning it into a Cranberry Orange Walnut Relish, you've got the perfect, delicious topping for dessert tarts!

Ingredients

• ¾ cup orange juice
• ½ sugar
• 4 tablespoons maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon La Flor cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon La Flor nutmeg
• 2 teaspoon orange zest
• ½ teaspoon La Flor vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon La Flor salt
• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• ⅓ cup golden raisins
• ⅔ walnut pieces

As your leftover turkey starts to dwindle, make some mini turkey pot pies with the scraps. It's the perfect way to finish up whatever you have left in your fridge!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 small onion
• ¼ cup of flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 pound boneless turkey
• ½ cup peas
• ¼ teaspoon La Flor dried thyme
• La Flor black pepper, to taste
• 2 pounds pie dough

What's your favorite way to reinvent leftovers? Share with the La Flor community on our Facebook page!

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

Spice Up Your Thanksgiving Dessert November 23 2015

The final countdown begins! With Thanksgiving just days away, chances are you already have a written list of your favorite, traditional recipes. But if you’re seeking a fresh taste to satisfy your sweet tooth, try these mouth-watering pies as the perfect addition to your holiday dessert menu:

Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie: This light and sweet recipe brings a special twist to your average pumpkin pie.

• 31/2 cup milk
• 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
• 1 (15 oz) canned pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon La Flor ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon table salt
• ½ teaspoon ground La Flor nutmeg
• 4 large pasteurized eggs
• ½ teaspoon La Flor ground ginger
• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 ¼ cups sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons La Flor vanilla extract

Recipe instructions here »

Pecan Pie Tarts: If pecan and cream cheese based flavors are what you’re craving this holiday season, then these delicate treats are for you. So sweet, yet so simple to accomplish!

• 6 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup butter (softened)
• ½ cups La Flor brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons La Flor vanilla extract
• ¾ cups chopped pecans

Recipe instructions here »

Apple Pie with Rosemary and Honey: Want to switch up your traditional apple pie? This unique dessert offers a blend of sweet and refreshing flavors to wow your guests!

• 2 ¼ all purpose flour
• 2 stick cold unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoon cold unsalted butter
• ½ cups light-brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons cold milk4 medium Granny Smith apples
• 4 medium Macintosh apples
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon La Flor ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 tablespoons instant tapioca
• ½ La Flor honey
• 1 large egg
• Coarse sugar
• Extra-sharp Cheddar (optional)

Recipe instructions here »

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

#FoodieFriday - Make Your Own Brine November 20 2015

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, you are probably thinking of new ways to prepare the perfect dinner - or at least battle against moisture loss while preparing your bird. Your best chance at success? Brine.

When your food is brined correctly it can improve texture, flavor, and enhance the moisture retention. But where to begin? A recipe for starters:

For directions on how to make this recipe check out the Food Networks full guide on how to brine your way to the best Turkey dinner.

Have any brine recipes using La Flor spices to share? Comment 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!

DIY Spice Blends November 09 2015

Have you been in the middle of cooking only to find you’ve run out of a spice blend your recipe calls for? Not to worry - there’s a good chance you have its components sitting in your pantry already.

Should you find yourself in a bind, take a look at the below popular spice blends and how you can re-create them:

Chili Powder: Ideal for soups, sauces, dry rubs and marinades - if you happen to run out at home, try combining 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (may need more if you want to increase the heat), 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon  dried oregano, and 2 teaspoon ground cumin.

Herbs de Provence: Either in a marinade or as a dried rub, herbes de provence make a great seasoning for grilled meats, fish, and vegetables. This blend typically includes: 3 tablespoons dried oregano, 3 tablespoons thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon basil leaves, 1 teaspoon sage, 3 tablespoons savory, 1 teaspoon rosemary.

Garam Masala: A hallmark of many Southeast Asian dishes - Garam Masala is traditionally made from whole spices, toasted and ground. But if you are in a pinch, try mixing 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon ground pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice. 

Curry Powder: Used in soups, sauces, rice - or really anything else you’d like to add some flavor to! Combine 3 tablespoons paprika, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons ground fennel seed, 2 teaspoons ground yellow mustard, 2 teaspoons ground red pepper, 1 tablespoon ground coriander, 1 tablespoon ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves.

Cajun Spice: This blend if good for more than just gumbo and jambalaya - use at as a dry run for chicken, fish, steak, or pork or give your popcorn or fries a kick! Mix 1 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes.

Making your own spice and seasoning blends gives you complete freedom in how much or how little of a spice you want included. Feel free to experiment with the above recipes until you find a mix that you like best!

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!

Spice Up Your Boring Sandwich - National Sandwich Day! November 03 2015

No matter how you slice it, sandwiches are a lunch time staple. But over time, these brown bag favorites can get rather predictable.

In honor of National Sandwich Day, spice things up this week! Try out some of the below ways to take your sandwich game up a notch:

Spicy Homemade PB&J - Because cayenne pepper and peanut butter are a match made in heaven. You’ll need some shelled peanuts, La Flor cayenne pepper, La Flor brown sugar, and peanut oil for this DIY recipe.

DIY Flavored Mayonnaise - A simple way to add an extra layer of flavor? Just add some ingredients to your store-bought mayo! Think plain spices like La Flor paprika or spice blends like La Flor curry powder.

Avocado Tuna Salad - Yup, you read that right. The Healthy Maven gave us an avocado lover’s dream - make sure you have our cumin, dill and salt and pepper on hand before testing this recipe.

HOT Grilled Cheese - For our hot sauce lovers, grab some of our Don Diego Hot Sauce and add it to your next grilled cheese creation! Lightly brush some on your slices of bread, add cheese, and press together. Then butter the top and bottom of your sandwich and cook in a skillet until the cheese has melted and each side is golden brown.

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:

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:

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

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.

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!

Ancient Grains to Try October 20 2015

Ancient grains - like farro, millet, spelt, and quinoa - have not only existed but have largely been unchanged for millennia. In recent years, the popularity of these “ancient grains” has skyrocketed - and for good reason. Incorporating more grain varieties into one’s diet offers a wealth of nutrients while equally making meals more interesting!

Get to know some of the most popular ancient grains below and how you can start adding them to your meals:

Millet-  This gluten-free grain is packed with magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese and is available in white, gray, yellow, and red varieties. Its mild and slightly nutty flavor mixes well with veggies, chicken and some of your favorite La Flor Herbs and Spices for a savory dinner. This recipe of Millet-Stuffed Peppers is easy to make and is ready in less than an hour.

Spelt- This ancient grain that originated back in 5,000 B.C. contains 5.5 grams of protein as well as 3.8 grams of fiber in just a half-cup. Most often, you’ll find this wheat variety in breads, bagels, tortillas, and pastas. Try making some Spelt Biscuits as your next side dish.

Farro- An ancient variety of wheat, farro is still commonly used throughout Italy. It is a high fiber whole grain with a woody but hearty flavor that mixes well in hearty soups and stews. This slow-cooker Mediterranean Kale & Cannellini Stew with Farro recipe is sure to please.

Quinoa- Often referred to as a grain, quinoa is actually a gluten-free seed that can be used in place of pasta, couscous, or oats in your breakfast - taking on the flavor of whatever it is cooked with. Start your day the healthier way with this Strawberry Kiwi Quinoa Breakfast Parfait.

Looking to start switching up your grain varieties? Be sure to purchase La Flor's Quinoa. To cook, bring 2 cups of water and 1 cup of uncooked La Flor Quinoa to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed (15 - 20 minutes).

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!

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!