The Battle of the Barbecue What do basketball and barbecue have in common? Everyone believes that their side is the best. In the case of basketball, it’s often UNC versus Duke. In the case of barbecue, it’s east versus west. No matter who you side with, however, one thing is clear: the Battle of the Barbecue is a competition so heated that it can put the hottest grill to shame. Nice to Meat You You’ve heard of the phrase “every part of the buffalo,” but have you heard “every part of the pig except the squeal?” Whole-h...

The Origin of Xinjiang Blend What do you and spices have in common? (Other than making everything better, of course.) You both have a history! While spices may not have a paper mâché family tree like us, they do have rich origins that lend to their significance. If you are curious about the origins of this month’s blend, we invite you to Xinjiang, a territory in northwest China and the name of RawSpiceBar’s February blend. A Peppercorn for Your Thoughts So, where does this month’s blend come from? While many groups claim...

Step-by-Step Lebküchen Waffles Serves: 6 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons RawSpiceBar Lebküchen Blend ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ cup sugar 1 large egg ¼ cup butter, melted and cooled 1 ½ cups buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, Lebküchen Blend, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the egg, butter, buttermilk and vanilla. Stir to co...

Step-by-Step Moroccan Chicken Tagine

History of Arrabiata: What You Arrabiata Know If you’re lucky enough to have an Italian grandma, you know the delicious aroma of Arrabiata sauce filling her kitchen. She was a human measuring spoon, and if she ever let you write down her recipe, it would say “a pinch” of this and “a bit more” of that. Thankfully, this month’s blend —RawSpiceBar’s Arrabiata Blend— is already mixed to perfection, with enough fire to make your feisty Nonna proud. When in Rome Arrabiata is a light marinara or red sauce that originated in the Lazio region o...

Paprika; The Ultimate Dry Rub Must-Have Photo by Tina Dawson on Unsplash You know you need a dry rub, you know you love a dry rub, but what makes a good dry rub…great? The answer is actually very simple: PAPRIKA. This bright spice is a total staple in the culinary world, and for good reason too. Made from dried and ground red peppers, this iconic red powder ranges from sweet and mild to bitter and spicy. Commonly used as a garnish on deviled eggs or potato salads, this gorgeous spice also has another popular use in dry rubs! We h...

Love of Arrabiata: I Want Some Amore Italian food isn’t usually known for being spicy. But in the Southern regions of “the Boot” they rely on Italian red chili peppers—pepperoncino—in many dishes. They say pepperoncino is good for its heart-healthy properties and it also has aphrodisiac effects. Spicy! Gushing Over Rome If you’re looking for love in Rome, you’re likely to visit the world-famous Trevi Fountain. Bernini’s 85-foot-tall, 65-foot-wide masterpiece draws visitors from around the globe. Legend says tossing one coin ov...

A Chimichurri for Every Occasion Like our Za'atar Blend, Chimichurri’s superpower is to make just about anything taste better. So much so, Chimichurri can be the perfect complement to any meal of the day, any time of day. Don’t believe us? Let’s map it out: Breakfast Rise and shine, Chimi Dean. Chimichurri can be a great addition to eggs from sunny side up to scrambled. Sub in Chimichurri for hollandaise for an Argentinian twist on Eggs Benedict. Give it a go on avocado toast or serve it as a dip for a breakfast sa...

I Wanna Moroccan Roll All Night (And Eat Tagine Every Day) Morocco is known for the famed Sahara Desert, exquisite architecture, and flavorful dishes, including couscous, chicken bastilla, and tagine. With contrasting flavors deep in color and rich in taste, Moroccan food is nothing short of a global icon. That is why we are fired up to introduce this month’s blend–RawSpiceBar’s Ras El Hanout Blend. Offering an earthy mix of cinnamon, cumin, coriander, allspice, black pepper, turmeric, and ginger, this month’s spice blend will have you requesting Mor...

Taking a Closer Look at Tandoori: Keep Calm and Spice On Every cook has wondered what makes a dish so delicious. By understanding the flavor palate and makeup of tandoori, you are well on your way to making delectable dishes on the daily. Spicy Livin’ | Tandoori is a reddish-brown spice that surrounds your olfactory senses with a bold, fragrant experience thanks to its mix of cinnamon, black peppercorn, and guajillo chiles. The prominent guajillo chiles offer a flavor akin to cranberry and tomato with a hint of smokiness, while the sweetness of cin...

To Sweet or to Savory? That Is the Question. How Will You Lebküchen? Lebküchen often brings images of baked goods decked out in sugar, chocolate, or decorated with almonds to mind. Lebküchen is, after all, the quintessential Christmas treat in Germany. However, the beauty of cooking is that there is always potential to unlock something new. Savory, Spice, & Everything Nice | When it comes to our tasting palate, sweet foods indulge us with the taste of sugar or honey, whereas savory foods are full-flavored and spicy. Does this mean that the two must remain ...

History of Tandoori: Take a Trip Down Tandoori Lane If you have been lucky enough to eat at an authentic Indian restaurant or cracked open a cookbook filled with Indian cuisine, then you most likely know the tantalizing taste of tandoori. Rich, aromatic, and­ spicy, tandoori has the power to elevate any dish to mouth-watering levels when blended with precision. Luckily, this month’s blend–RawSpiceBar’s Tandoori Blend–is mixed to perfection, packing enough heat and flavor to make your next meal unforgettable. But how did this spice come to be? ...

RawSpiceBar Thanksgiving Guide - More Flavor and Less Stress Here is our guide to ensuring you get the most flavor and least amount of stress this Thanksgiving. Get the Guide Monday/Tuesday Monday and Tuesday are all about preparing the brine, making any food that can be prepped ahead of time, and enlisting any help you need from family and friends. Wednesday Wednesday is focused on brining the turkey, chopping vegetables, setting the table, and buying any last-minute items. Thanksgiving Day Thursday is go time. It's time to finalize side dishe...

How to: Bloom Spices in Oil While grinding whole spices is a crucial part of maximizing flavor, blooming ground spices in oil when cooking will take your dish to the next level. We'll show you how! There are two very good reasons for frying ground spices in oil, one chemical and the other physical. First, heating up the spices in oil releases fat-soluble flavor compounds contained within spices like cumin and coriander. Second, adding spices to oil will distribute their flavor far more efficiently in the finished d...

Ground Cumin vs Cumin Powder: An Exhaustive Culinary Exploration Cumin, a celebrated spice in the culinary world, presents itself in two primary forms: ground cumin and cumin powder. This comprehensive article explores the nuances between these two, covering aspects from their origins to their uses in cooking. We will navigate the distinct characteristics of ground cumin vs cumin powder and cumin powder vs. ground cumin to ensure you make an informed choice in your culinary ventures. Cumin's Origin and Cultural Significance Cumin's journey begins ...

Exploring Savory Alternatives: A Comprehensive Guide to Sage Leaf Substitutes Delve into the world of sage substitutes as we unravel the versatility of aromatic herbs to elevate your culinary creations. Sage, an esteemed herb cherished for its medicinal and savory properties, finds a place in diverse dishes such as saltimbocca, Lincolnshire sausages, and turkey stuffing. Whether you're seeking an alternative due to unavailability or looking to experiment with new flavors, this guide provides an in-depth exploration of sage substitutes, addressing common questions a...