Skip the bottles and jars—these easy homemade spreads are sure to jazz up your next piece of toast. Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Raspberry Pistachio Jam
1 cup (250 mL) raspberries (thawed if frozen)
1/4 tsp (1 mL) vanilla extract
2 Tbsp (30 mL) slivered or chopped pistachios
1 Tbsp (15 mL) chia seeds
1 Tbsp (15 mL) water
1 tsp (5 mL) sucanat or coconut sugar
In bowl, mash raspberries with fork. If you prefer a smoother jam, blend until smooth with immersion blender. Stir in vanilla, pistachios, chia seeds, and water. Taste and add sugar if you would like jam to be sweeter. Transfer to airtight container; cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Pear Butter
8 cups (2 L) chopped ripe pears
1/2 cup (125 mL) each orange and lemon juice
2 Tbsp (30 mL) maple syrup
1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cardamom
Pinch of nutmeg
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Stir together pears, orange and lemon juice, and maple syrup in lidded 13 x 9 x 2 in (3.5 L) casserole dish. Cover and bake for 1 hour, stirring halfway through cooking time. Transfer pears and any liquid to food processor along with vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Purée until smooth and return mixture to casserole dish. Reduce oven temperature to 350 F (180 C) and bake uncovered, stirring every 20 minutes. Pear butter is done when thick and jamlike, about 1 hour in total. Let cool slightly before transferring to airtight container. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.
Honey Mustard
1/4 cup (60 mL) yellow mustard seeds (or try a mix of yellow and brown)
1 Tbsp (15 mL) cider vinegar
1/3 cup (80 mL) water
2 tsp (10 mL) honey
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
In bowl, stir together mustard seeds, vinegar, and water. Cover and let soak in refrigerator overnight. Transfer mustard mixture to blender and add honey and salt. Blend until mustard seeds are coarsely ground, about 1 minute. Transfer to airtight container; cover and let sit 1 hour before using. Store in refrigerator.
source: "Homemade Bread", alive #363, January 2013
This dish provides a flavourful twist on the famous patatas bravas that many of us know and love. Here, traditionally crispy potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce are swapped out for roasted butternut squash and a smoky pepper sauce. This dish offers fantastic umami flavour loaded with smoky and subtle bitter notes, compliments of roasted red peppers. The creamy sweet garlic yogurt drizzle is the perfect accompaniment to balance the bold piquancy. A perfect couple! Get saucy Keep this 5-minute yogurt sauce on hand to liven up a variety of vegetables and other dishes. Get creative!
Enjoy the zippy tang of sherry vinegar, popular in Spanish cooking, and the briny taste of capers in this zesty take on roasted cauliflower. Serve as a tapas side or on a charcuterie board accompanied by a selection of Spanish meats, cheeses, and olives. The smaller, the better The smaller you cut garlic, the more oils you’ll release, providing additional flavour. Looking to achieve more subtle flavour? Slice your garlic rather than crushing it.
Braising these hearty beans not only changes their texture but leaves them creamy and satisfying. Using a savoury broth with saffron for braising provides the traditional Spanish flavour, similar to a paella. This dish is served as a shared side, but it could also be served with rice and vegetables as a delicious stand-alone dinner or as a satisfying nourish bowl. Swap your spirits Try substituting vermouth for white wine in this recipe, if you have some on hand. It’s a great alternative to wine and will last much longer in your cupboard. An added perk? You can save that nice wine for sipping.
With Spain’s expansive coastlines and multiple islands, seafood is a staple of the cuisine. This quick and easy prawn dish will add a pop of protein and a wonderful smokiness to your tapas-style lineup. Sustainable seafood When choosing prawns (or any seafood), opt for sustainable varieties that recognize and even reward sustainable fishing practices. As an important protein in many cultures, seafood, caught sustainably, helps contribute to healthy oceans < and > healthy communities.