Tastes From Home

Latkes... known by many names including "Potato Pancakes," are a comfort food in many cultures around the world. Our recipe features fresh zucchini, and is reminiscent of the classic old-world recipe where potatoes were not readily available. Plus, it's a great way to add a healthy serving of green to your meal. 

Click on the photo to make this recipe

with Christina on "Tastes From Home" 

INGREDIENTS

2 slices White Bread---we like tuscan or potato bread

Unsalted butter, softened

The Original Seasoning

3 slices Bacon

1 tablespoon or so Banana Bam

1 medium ripe Banana, sliced into strips about ¼ “ thick

Special Equipment: Cast Iron Skillet or Flattop Griddle

 INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the skillet or griddle to a medium high heat.
2. Cook the bacon. For this sandwich, we like to use the microwave for quick crisping. So, line a microwave safe plate with a paper towel. Then place the three slices of bacon on top and cover them with another paper towel. Place in the microwave for three minutes or until crispy--this time will vary based on your oven. When it’s done, sprinkle with The Original seasoning and set aside.
3. Spread butter on the outside of the bread and place one piece on the grill butter side down.
4. Then top with a generous amount of peanut butter spreading to about ⅛ “ of the edge so it doesn’t ooze out while grilling.
5. Then spread a dollop of Banana BAM jam on top of the peanut butter.
6. Next, top with the banana strips and add a little more Banana BAM on top of the strips. Then add the bacon strips followed by the other slice of bread.
7. Check the sandwich and if golden and toasty, flip over to grill the other side.

As the warm days of summer and their bounties of fresh goodness start to fade into fall I thought it would be lovely to capture some of our favorite flavors in a summery roll cake.

If you know us, you know we LUV peach anything and with the addition of blueberry and chantilly cream, well, you have our full attention! This cake is light and creamy with just a hint of fruity sweetness and bakes in less than 15 minutes.

Inspired by lazy summer days of the past when I would idle away afternoons with my little one hunting roly-poly bugs at the park, digging for treasures at the beach, or just lying back in the grass letting our imaginations find pictures in the clouds. Moments like these are priceless memories, and part of what makes summertime so special to me.

This cake is a perfect treat that's airy enough to leave room in your belly for a second slice before you go chasing rainbows or get lost in another great book. So, if you feel like slowing down, unplugging and baking a cake "just because," give this recipe a try. 

Serves 4-8

¼ teaspoon salt

For the Filling:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons of jam---plus a few extra tablespoons to spread on the cake. 
(Citrus Blues Summer LUV! or ANY of your favorites!
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup chopped fresh fruit---peaches, blueberries, raspberries

Additional ingredient for assembly:
½ cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375º

DIRECTIONS:
Line a jelly roll pan (15 x10x1) w/parchment paper & spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Add eggs to a mixing bowl and beat on high speed until thick & lemony in color, about 5 minutes.
Gradually beat in sugar.
Add water and vanilla on low speed.
Measure flour, then remove 1 tablespoon and replace with 1 tablespoon of corn starch. (This will aid in preventing cake from cracking when it's rolled.)
Sift together all dry ingredients: (flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.)
Slowly add dry ingredients to the egg mixture, beating just until the batter is smooth.
Pour batter into the prepared pan spreading out evenly to corners.
Bake @ 375º for 12-15 minutes, until a wooden toothpick comes out clean and the cake springs.
Watch closely! This cake can overbake in seconds!!!!
While cake bakes, spread a large (at least 10x15,) clean, smooth, tea towel or flour sack on the counter.
Spread a generous coat of the confectioner’s sugar to cover the cloth, this will assist releasing the thin cake from the towel when it is time to roll!
When the cake is done, loosen from the pan and immediately invert on top of the powdered sugar covered towel.
Remove the pan and the parchment paper and gently roll the cake lengthwise.
Transfer cake to refrigerator and cool completely. At least 30 minutes.
While the cake cools, make the filling by whipping the heavy cream until it forms fluffy peaks, then whip in the jam and vanilla.
Carefully unroll the cooled cake and paint a thin layer of jam onto the cake to the edges, then add a layer of the whipped cream.
Sprinkle the cake with fruit pieces and immediately re-roll tightly.
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. This ensures the filling is set and results in beautiful slices!
To prep for service trim the ends off of the cake to reveal a sharp edge and a beautiful swirl.
Place on a platter, and If desired dust lightly with powdered sugar and add any other tasty embellishments of your choice.

Enjoy!

Note: Wrapped well, this cake can be frozen to savor at a later date. Just double wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. When you're ready to have another slice or two, remove from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator for a couple hours! How great is that?  

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

• 2 fresh avocados
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh jalapeño, minced
• 2 tablespoons white or red onion, finely chopped 
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt*

PREPARATION

In a medium bowl, mash avocados together with onions, jalapeños and cilantro. Add lime juice and stir well to incorporate all ingredients. Sprinkle with sea salt. Taste and adjust as your palate desires. Serve with our "Nacho Ordinary Steak n' Potatoes," "Turkey Enchiladas or just enjoy with chips.

Want a brisket so juicy it will melt in your mouth and so EASY it seems effortless?

Our California inspired recipe immersed in homemade BBQ sauce goodness will give your friends and family something to savor. Even better the next day in sandwiches!

 Makes 6 - 8 Servings

INGREDIENTS

5 lbs. Beef Brisket

5 Large Cloves Fresh Garlic,  chopped

1 Large Onion, coarsely chopped

1 14 oz. Can Tomato Sauce

2 T "The Original" seasoning

1 Cup Brown Sugar

3 T  Red Wine Vinegar

1 T Colman’s™ Dry Mustard

3 T Worcestershire Sauce 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 250ºF.

In saucepan on medium heat, mix together tomato sauce, "The Original," vinegar, sugar, mustard & Worcestershire. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer and let cook until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary to your taste---add more seasoning if you like it spicier, or sugar if you like it sweeter. Put brisket in shallow baking pan and sprinkle with chopped onion and garlic. Slather with BBQ sauce. Cover and place in oven for 5 hours. Remove and let rest before slicing.

ENJOY!

This is the ONLY brownies recipe I've used for more than 25 years… It's gooey. It's chewy. It's simple and simply delicious adapting well to flavor additions like this variation that elevates the chocolate with a hint of fruitiness and a salty finish. Give it a try and you'll taste why.

INGREDIENTS

¾ c unsalted butter, melted

¼ c unsalted butter, for greasing pan or substitute with cooking spray

1 ½ c sugar

1 ½ t ground vanilla beans, preferred or pure vanilla extract is acceptable

3 eggs, room temperature

¾ c all-purpose flour

½ c Cocoa Powder *

½ t baking powder

½ t Black Hawaiian Salt

½ c semi-sweet chocolate chips *

½ c white chocolate chips *

¾ c chopped walnuts, optional

½ c of jam like "Oh Razzzberries! or "Tangerine LUV" 

DIRECTIONS

• Heat oven to 325º.

• Grease square or rectangular pan roughly 9" x 9" with the additional butter. 

• In medium bowl, blend melted butter, sugar and vanilla. 

• Add eggs, beat well with spoon. 

• In separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder. Gradually add to egg mixture, beating until well blended. 

• Stir in chocolate chips---and nuts if desired. Spread into prepared pan.

• To add a fruity burst of flavor, dollop three large spoonfuls of jam across top of batter. With butter knife, swirl the jam into the batter.

• Bake 45-50 mins or until toothpick comes out clean and brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan.

Cool completely, cut into mini squares and serve. To turn them into an even sweeter treat, add a scoop of your favorite deep chocolate gelato or rich vanilla bean ice cream!

Enjoy!

*Note: Our preferred chocolate for baking and more is Ghirardelli, the 3rd oldest chocolate maker in the United States and proudly produced in California since 1852. 

On Super Bowl Sunday, Americans consume almost 1.5 billion chicken wings. That's A LOT OF birds!

However, not too long ago, these flappers were considered scrap meat used almost exclusively for making stocks and sauces

and not served as the finger licking delicacy that we’ve come to love. 

We’ve taken inspiration from some of our favorite wings flavors to create two new wing recipes that we think have real game West Coast Hotties pay homage to classic Buffalo Wings with a California kick of extra heat and spice. The Kojo Spiced Wings get their depth of flavor from coffee and smoked ancho chilis and a sticky sweet finish from a flavorfully spiced glaze that marries two of our most popular jams. Both are baked in the oven and ready in about an hour. Serve separately or create a toothsome pairing that will surely delight the taste buds of even the most erudite wing connoisseur.

Each recipe serves About 4

West Coast Hotties With Animal Style Sauce 

INGREDIENTS

• 1½  lbs chicken wings
• 1 tablespoon SriRaCha CHA Gourmet Sea Salt
• 1½ teaspoons  Pure Paleo Gourmet Seasoning
• ½  teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
• ½ teaspoon baking powder - Aluminum Free*
• Fresh veggie sticks: celery, carrots, peppers, cucumbers 
• Blue Cheese Cooling Dip

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup sriracha hot pepper sauce
• ½  teaspoon Pure Paleo Gourmet Seasoning
• ½ teaspoon SriRaCha CHA Gourmet Sea Salt
• ½ teaspoon Fresh lemon juice
• Fresh cracked pepper

For the Blue Cheese Cooling Dip:

• ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
• ½ cup plain whole-milk yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Can be made a day in advance-- but if your house is like mine, it won't last so better make a double batch!

Kojo Spiced Wings With Sweet Sticky Sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ lbs. chicken wings
• 1 tablespoon Kojo Gourmet Seasoning
• 2 teaspoons The Original Gourmet Seasoning
• ½  teaspoon Baking Powder---Aluminum Free*
• 1-2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped

For the sauce:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or vegetable oil
• 2 large garlic cloves, crushed & minced, about 1 teaspoon
• 1 1” piece fresh ginger, peeled & grated, about 1 teaspoon
• 1-2 whole chili, cayenne or chili de arbol; fresh or dried 
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• ½ cup water
• ⅓ Cup Just Peachey Gourmet Jam
• 2 tablespoons Jalapeno Madness Gourmet Jam
• cornstarch slurry---2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup water
• Sriracha sauce, optional

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400º.
2. In two separate bowls, combine seasoning ingredients. Set aside.
3. If necessary, trim and prep chicken wings: using a very sharp knife, find the joint between the wing tip and the middle section of the wing and slice through it. If you can slice the joint correctly you won’t have to apply much pressure. Make a similar cut in the joint between the drumstick and the middle section. Again, it should slice pretty easily if you go through the joint. Learn how to discern this intersection on the meat and avoid chopping through the bone. That said, remember, a good butcher is an ace in your culinary pocket! IF YOUR MARKET HAS AN ONSITE BUTCHER, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR EXPERTISE. LET THEM DO THIS WORK EXPERTLY FOR YOU.
4. Once the wings are prepped, sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the wings making sure each wing is coated evenly in flavor. Set aside for 15-30 minutes or even overnight to intensify the flavor.
5. Place a wire rack inside a large rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment or foil paper. (You’ll thank me later for an easier clean up!)
6. Arrange wings on the prepared rack spread out in a single layer.DO NOT CROWD THE PAN.
7. Place wings in the oven and bake for 40 minutes, turning each wing midway through cooking time to ensure evenly crisped skin.
8. While wings bake, prepare sauces. In one saucepan, melt butter and add garlic, ginger and chili pepper. Saute about 3-5 minutes until garlic and ginger soften. Add liquids and jams. Bring to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens. About 7-10 minutes. Taste and adjust heat with a squirt of sriracha sauce if you like it hotter. Set aside. Meanwhile, in another saucepan, on medium heat, melt butter and add sriracha sauce, seasoning and salt. Stir well. Taste and adjust heat if necessary. Add the fresh cracked pepper and fresh lemon juice. Set aside.
9. When the wings finish baking, remove them from the oven and turn on the broiler.
10. Take the Kojo Spiced Wings and toss in the sweet sticky sauce to coat evenly. Return those wings to the rack in a single layer and broil until glaze is glossy and lightly caramelized, turning every couple minutes to make sure they char, but don’t burn; approximately 5-7 minutes. Plate and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
11. Toss the West Coast Hotties in the animal style sauce and keep warm until the sticky wings are caramelized. Plate and serve immediately with fresh veggie sticks and blue cheese cooling dip.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

First, brown your beef--tastes better if u do.
Next, add all ingredients to crock pot & let cook 3 to 4 hours, or until u can tear apart with fork or with hand potato masher. It might take longer.
Remember, if u let it cook too long it gets mushy & u don't want that. Don't let it dry  out either--if it does, add a little water.                                               
Add your favorite BBQ sauce if you like or make your own*
Bon Appetite
Love MA

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 1/2 Cup Ketchup
1/2 Cup Vinegar (Red or Cider works great!)
1/2 Cup Water
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
2 1/2 Tablespoons Dry Mustard
1 1/2 Tablespoons The Original Seasoning
Dash of Red Hot Pepper Sauce (To Your Desired Heat)

DIRECTIONS

8” cake pan
parchment or waxed paper

INGREDIENTS

• 4 oz dark, bittersweet chocolate (I make my own mix with ⅓ from a super dark bar 70% and ⅔ ghiradelli chips)
• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature (½ cup)
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup cocoa powder, sifted
• ½ cup fresh berries, preferably raspberries or blackberries
• ¼ - ⅓ cup Back in Blackberry jam 
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• Preheat the oven to 375º.
• Cut an 8” circle out of parchment/wax paper and place it on the bottom of the cake tin. Lightly butter paper, set aside.
• Chop the chocolate bar into smaller chunks and mix with chips in a small glass bowl. Microwave for approximately 30 seconds. Remove from the oven and stir. Microwave for another 30 seconds and remove from the oven and add the butter. Return to the microwave for another 20 seconds or until all melted but not bubbling. Note: You can also melt the chocolates together with the butter in a double boiler or bain marie.
• Whisk the sugar into the chocolate mixture.
• In a separate medium bowl, whisk eggs until light and frothy.
• Slowly add the melted chocolate to the eggs. Take your time so as not to cause the eggs to scramble.
• Once all of the chocolate mixture is incorporated into the eggs, add the sifted cocoa powder and whisk until just combined. (You don’t want to knock the air out of the batter!)
• Pour batter into the prepared cake pan and place on the middle rack of the oven.
• Bake approximately 25 minutes or until a light crust forms on the top of the cake.
• Remove cake from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes then invert onto a serving plate.
• When completely cool, lightly dust with cocoa powder.

FOOL DIRECTIONS

• Rinse, dry and place the berries in a small bowl. With a fork mash them but don’t macerate them! Leave a few nice chunks to give texture. Sprinkle with a ½ teaspoon of sugar.
• In a blender or bullet or with a hand mixer whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream with 1 teaspoon of sugar until fluffy, yet firm but not hard. Note: The bullet whips very quickly so keep checking the mixture so you don’t end up with butter!
• This dessert comes down to personal taste so grab a spoon and taste along the way. If you like things sweeter, by all means, add a little more sugar.
• Once the cream is thick and firm, gently fold jam and berries into the mixture.

TO SERVE

• The torte is rich, so a sliver with a dollop of fool will be a decadent delight. That said, this recipe will easily serve 10 or more!
• To serve as a trifle style parfait: chop torte into 1” chunks and add 3 or 4 to a parfait glass. Top with the spoonful of fool and add a few more chunks topping with another layer of fool. To make this really indulgent, sprinkle with a fresh berries and plain whipped cream.

Enjoy!

Rose Mountain

Our Rose Mountain Himalayan sea salt is a medium grain salt with varying hues of red, pink and white crystals.

Legend traces the discovery of the Himalayan salt deposits to the army of Alexander the Great. However, the first physical records of mining this rose colored treasure are from the 1200s. The salt is harvested in the Punjab province of Pakistan, which is situated in the foothills of the Salt Range system.

These beautiful rose crystals, rich in dozens of trace minerals, (the pink hue comes from iron,) formed from a thick layer of evaporites left with the receding of ancient sea beds nearly 600 million years ago, leaving  one of the purest salts on earth. 

Use Rose Mountain just like you would ordinary table salt. We sell a medium grain crystal, you may want to grind the salt to a finer consistency for a particular recipe to ensure the proper measurement.

Cook, bake or finish any dish or drink with this premium Himalayan salt.

Elevate every bite!

Suggested Recipes:

Boozy Upside Down Skillet Cake

Zesty Chilled Carrot Soup

Grilled Pork Chop w/Roasted Zucchini and Lemon Ricotta Spinach Sauce

CLICK HERE to shop!

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

INGREDIENTS

Toppings: 

salsa

(We add them all for triple the YUM!)

PREPARATION

Preheat the oven to 450º.

Put whole peeled potatoes in a large pot and cover with water to parboil.

Place pot on the stovetop and bring to a boil. Then, turn the heat off, cover the pot with a lid and let rest for 15 minutes. 

While the potatoes are cooking, prep the guacamole. Click here for our full recipe. And, season the steak on all sides with a generous sprinkle of Olé Olé seasoning and a drizzle of olive oil.

Set aside.

When the potatoes are fork tender, yet firm, they are done. Run them under cool water to stop the cooking process, then slice into ¼” rounds.

Arrange potato slices on a parchment paper covered cooking sheet and sprinkle with The Original seasoning then, drizzle with olive oil. Toss potatoes to coat completely.

Place in the oven and roast for about 10 minutes, then turn over and roast for another 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.

While the potatoes are finishing, cook the steak. Heat a skillet with a little oil until nearly smoking. Flap steak is best when served at about medium rare so it only takes a few minutes to cook. Depending on thickness, this will only take about 2-3 minutes per side. When steak is done, take it out of the pan and let it rest for approximately 10 minutes. After meat has rested, slice across the grain into ½” strips and then into bite size cubes.

When potatoes are cooked to a golden brown, remove them from the oven and arrange the slices in an overlapping flower petal pattern lining the bottom of a cast iron skillet.

Turn on the broiler.

Next, sprinkle cheese on the potatoes. Then add a layer of steak and cover with the remaining cheese. Put the skillet in the oven and broil for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and browned.

Remove the skillet from the oven and add toppings, starting with chopped tomatoes, onions and jalapenos, then drizzle with salsa and add the scoops of crema and guacamole. Serve with cold beers or our refreshing Zeeladas for extra zing!

Enjoy!!!