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makes 24 cupcakes

3 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp Hanna's Gourmet cardamon ground
¼ tsp Hanna's Gourmet nutmeg ground
3 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp Hanna's Gourmet vanilla extract pure
1/3 cup fat-free milk
1 15 oz. can pumpkin
2 tbsp honey
1 tbs pure maple syrup
½ cup canola oil
½ cup applesauce

Preheat oven to 350° and prepare two pans with cupcake liners or cooking spray. In a large bowl mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cardamom, and nutmeg. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs, and gradually add the sugar until well combined. Mix in the pumpkin, followed by vanilla, milk, honey, maple syrup, canola oil, and applesauce. Once the mixture is smooth, pour in dry ingredients and stir to combine. Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake for 22-25 minutes, until the cupcakes are cooked through.

Maple Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
4 tbsp butter, at room temp
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp maple
1 tbsp bourbon

Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Slowly add powdered sugar, scraping the sides of the bowl as you go. Pour in maple and bourbon and continue mixing until fully combined, and the frosting is light and fluffy. Pipe onto pumpkin cupcakes.

 

Just in case you missed our Pumpkin Craze in store, here is the recipe for our Pumpkin Spice latte!

Ingredients:

2 cups: milk

2 Tablespoons: Canned Pumpkin

2 Tablespoons: Sugar

2 Tablespoons: Hanna's Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 Teaspoon: Hanna's Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 cup: Hot Brewed Espresso

Topping:

Whipped Cream

Pinch of Pumpkin Pie Spice

 

Directions:

1. In a small Saucepan, combine the milk, canned pumpkin and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until steaming.

2. Remove from heat; stir in Vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice.

3. Transfer to blender; cover and process for 15 seconds or until foamy.

4. Pour into 2 mugs; add espresso, garnish with whipped cream and Pumpkin pie spice.

5. ENJOY! :]

 

Turmeric Tea

This warming tea gives you all the benefits of turmeric and is also enjoyable iced.

 

Ingredients:

1 tsp turmeric paste

2 cups filtered water

1 lemon wedge

Honey to taste

 

Directions:

Combine turmeric paste and water in a small sauce pan and heat on medium-high, stirring constantly. Once heated, transfer to a mug and add lemon and honey to taste.

 

How to Make Turmeric Paste:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup filtered water (not tap)

1/4 cup organic turmeric powder

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

 

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a small sauce pan and heat on medium-high, stirring constantly until the mixture forms a thick paste (about 5 minutes). Carefully transfer to a resealable glass container. 

 

Recipe:

Strawberry-banana chia smoothie

serving: 2
Ingredients:
1 =banana, cut into 3rds
1 tsp.=Flax seeds, Ground
2 Tbsp.= Whole Chia Seeds
1= 7 oz container of Fage 2% greek yogurt, or any plain low-fat yogurt
1 cup= Fresh or frozen Strawberries, sliced
1 tsp.= honey, optional

Directions:
In a blender, or food processor, blend all ingredients EXCEPT chia seeds, until nice and smooth.

Pour into two glasses and add one tablespoon of chia seeds to each serving. Stir them in with a spoon.

Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups- whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp- baking powder
1/2 tsp- baking soda
1/2 cup- butter, vegan or otherwise
1 cup-white granulated sugar
1 tsp- Hanna's Gourmet- Vanilla extract
1/2 tsp- Hanna's Gourmet- Almond extract
2 tbsp-ground flax seeds+ 5 tbsp water
1/3 cup- plain yogurt, vegan or otherwise
1 cup- blueberries

FOR THE TOPPING:
2 tbsp- cold butter, vegan or otherwise
1 1/2 tsp- Hanna's Gourmet Saigon Cinnamon ground
2 tbsp- brown sugar

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven 350F.
2. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda in a medium bowl. Remove 1/2 cup to another bowl and set aside.
3. Combine the flax and water in a small bowl, set aside a few minutes to thicken.
4.Soften the butter just a bit in the microwave. Add the sugar and extracts, whisk for 2 minutes until fluffy and creamy. Stir in Flax and yogurt.
5. Add dry ingredients (not including the 1/2 cup you put aside) to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Add blueberries and fold into the batter.
6. Add the remaining 2 tbsp butter to the flour and work in with your fingers until it resembles sand grain. Add the cinnamon and brown sugar, toss together.
7. Spread the batter out into a well-greased 9" round pan, or 8x8" square pan. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the batter, Bake for 35 minutes.
8. Let cool before serving and ENJOY

http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/money/business/2014/08/14/storefront-dehart-farm-produces-new-stand/14089057/

Marjoram isn’t a well-known herb, it is of the mint family and originated from Arabia and Egypt. Marjoram doesn’t just come in fresh or dried leaves, but also in the form of essential oils and powders.

This herb is perfect for flavoring soups, sauces, salads, and meat dishes. Outside of the kitchen, it can be used in skin cream, body lotion, shaving gel, and even in bath soaps. Only two tablespoons has loads of antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients like calcium and iron.

There are tons of water and juice cleanses available online to free the body of toxins and refresh all of your digestive organs but we found on herbwisdom.com that certain teas can do the same thing. Just 2-4 cups of Marjoram tea a day can do the following things to make your body a cleaner and tougher machine:

                  -Increase the efficiency of digestion

                  -Calm the stomach

                  -Improve appetite

                  -Relieve nausea

                  -Eliminate flatulence

                  -Cure/prevent basic intestinal infections

                  -Soothe painful stomach cramps or spasms

                  -Relieve diarrhea and constipation

 

Aside from refreshing and cleansing your digestive track, this herb can protect from common illnesses, improve cardiovascular health, and be an anti-inflammatory.

 

Pretty amazing how an herb, that isn’t so commonly known, can do all of that, isn’t it? Spices and herbs do more than just jazz up a meal. We hope you stay tuned in on our blog posts to learn more great ways that our products can help you live a more gourmet, healthy, and easy lifestyle!

On-The-Go Spices for Vacation

                  When you go on vacations, planning meals is always a hassle because you can’t exactly take your kitchen with you. So, you and your family end up eating out three nights of the week and cook up something easy and simple the other nights. With an unexpected traveling necessity, you can bring your favorite recipes on vacation and not sacrifice taste for ease.

                  Before packing up your car and heading out on the road, don’t forget your weekly pill box. You can find one of these in your local drug or grocery store for cheap. Not only is this little organizer great for keeping track of medications but you can fill them with your favorite gourmet spices or our must-have spices featured on last week’s blog post. This way, you can bring a little more home with you on the road without compromising space and all while keeping your recipes tastier.

                  All you have to do is pour some of our great spices into one of the pill boxes then use masking tape, post-it notes, or a label maker to label the spice. Now your spices are more compact, organized, and easy to use on vacation! Enjoy!

As the weather heats up, our body craves one thing: water. But sometimes water isn’t as refreshing as it could be because of its lack of taste. It’s important to drink water, especially in the summer when we are dehydrated more often. Doctors recommend 8 glasses of water a day and it may be hard to discipline yourself to do so. For a healthier, cleaner, and more hydrated you, spice up your water with herb infused ice cubes sure to make your water tastier.

            What you will need:

            -One ice cube tray (you can find these at your local dollar store or grocery store)

            -Your favorite Hanna’s Gourmet herbs and spices, such as Mint Leaves

            -Filtered water

Not only will these ice cubes dress up your water and make those 8 glasses easer to drink, but these spices and herbs have health benefits that we discussed in our top 10 spices blog post. Cinnamon, for example, is great for controlling blood sugar and also perfect in apple rum drinks. A few mint-infused ice cubes in a mojito is sure to impress your guests and when they melt, they release one of the most important ingredients!

If you decide to do herbs, instead of spices, lay the clean herbs out on your cutting board and chop them finely. This will “bruise” the herb, which helps release the essential oils.

            What you will need to do:

            -Place your desired amount of spices or chopped herbs into the ice cube tray

            -Fill each cube in the tray with filtered water until it reaches the top

            -Carefully place in freezer for approximately 2 hours (depends on your freezer and its

              temperature)

 

-Serve in water to stay hydrated or in alcoholic drinks for a festive flare! Pair with fruit infused

ice cubes to not only get your required 8 glasses of water but your fruit serving, too.

 

-Make sure to serve in clear glasses or mason jars to showcase the pretty herbs and spices, enjoy!

             

 

some of our favorite combinations:

- cucumbers and basil
- fig and rosemary
- lime and mint
- lemon and honey

Snack Smart

Hummus has been all the rage recently and it is great people are hopping on the chickpea wagon because it’s a healthy alternative. When snacking, a serving of pretzels, carrots, or crackers with some hummus is a better choice than cheese dip or just those carbohydrates alone. Instead of using butter or mayo on sandwiches, hummus is just as delicious and spreadable!

Chickpeas are a starch packed with protein, guaranteed to hold you over longer in between meals. To spice up a typical a hummus recipe, our gourmet products will do just the thing. Here’s a yummy recipe to make your own hummus, which can help save money. With the right spices and a $1 can of chickpeas, an easy and smart snack is only minutes away from enjoying without a hefty grocery bill!

Hot and Healthy Hummus Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup fat-free plain greek yogurt
• 1 can of chickpeas drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 pinch paprika

Puree all ingredients in a food processor and enjoy! If you don’t have a food processor, you can mix it together manually but will just have to make sure the chickpeas are mushed to create a creamy consistency.

Top Ten Must-Have Spices 

In our blog post last week, we stressed the importance of cleaning out and organizing your spice drawer to make sure your kitchen is equipped with the top 10 spices everyone should have. Due to their versatility in cooking and other home uses, the following spices are an absolute necessity:

1. Saigon Cinnamon Ground- We all know cinnamon as a great spice for baking, especially when making an apple pie. However, cinnamon is perfect for specialty drinks like lattes or fruit smoothies and even is used in chili. It also lowers cholesterol, which we mentioned in a past blog post in greater detail. Full of surprises, cinnamon can also be combined with honey for an acne-fighting face mask or help grow hair with a simple cinnamon mask recipe. 

2. Paprika - Any type of savory food goes great with paprika—poultry, seafood, meat, eggs—you name it! Paprika is great in salads like egg salad or potato salad.  Be aware when purchasing this spice that it comes in different concentrations and can range from mild to hot so that you have the perfect amount of spice added. Our Paprika, 140 ASTA, is principally used as an ingredient in a wide variety of dishes throughout the world. Paprika is mostly used to season and color rice, stews, and soups. In Spain, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey, Paprika is used in the preparation of sausages as an ingredient that is mixed with meats and other spices.

 3. Nutmeg Ground- This spice is great for desserts but don’t be fooled, nutmeg is perfect on sweet potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and even broccoli! When combined with lemon juice, nutmeg is an easy way to enhance a fruit’s flavor or complete fruit salad. Aside from the traditional pairing with egg nog, nutmeg is perfect with cider, hot cocoa, or coffee. When it comes to health benefits, this spice can help bad breath, detox liver and kidney, relieve pain or indigestion, and stimulate the brain by helping eliminate stress and fatigue. 

 4. Garlic Granulated- We all know garlic keeps away the vampires, but it can keep away athlete’s foot, cold sores, acne, and even cure a cold! When it comes to working in the kitchen, this spice is mostly used for seasoning meats, pasta dishes, and bread. Bon appétit! Our Garlic Granulated comes from California which has a reputation for its excellent mellow flavor. 

 5. Black Pepper Fine- About everyone has a pepper shaker on their table because it complements just about any savory food. However, it can also be used to make a warming massage oil and helps clear the lungs of congestion. Black pepper can also enhance digestion and metabolism so keep on shakin’! Pepper accounts for a quarter of the world’s spice trade.

 6. Oregano- Chicken, rolls, burgers, beans—they’re all better with some oregano! Want to make homemade pesto? Oregano is known as a staple in Italian Cuisine. Our Greek oregano has a high reputation. Together with Basil, also used often in Italian dishes, they make a great pair. This spice is filled with healthy minerals, antioxidants, and fiber!  Oregano is also one tough spice known to fight off bacteria because it possesses thymol and carvacol, two natural healthy oils.

 7. Italian Seasoning- This is a go-to blend for pasta dishes and meat marinades. Italian seasoning can also act as a salad dressing when paired with oils or used to enhance rolls. Other than linguine and fettuccini, pizza is another great Italian dish perfect with this seasoning. Any cheesy slice of pizza can be turned up a notch with a pinch of this spice. This seasoning is so versatile in cooking and is especially important in la familia italiana. 

 8. Cinnamon Sticks- Cinnamon in the natural form of a stick is perfect for curries, tea, wine, and you can even make a cinnamon essence for baking from it! Bad breath? Chew on some cinnamon sticks and freshen your mouth right up! Other than the health benefits mentioned previously for cinnamon, it can help control blood sugar, reduce weigh, relieve arthritis pain, and help with the common cold symptoms!

 9. Vanilla Pure Extract- You’ve seen on our blog and Instagram how our vanilla extract enhances a coffee drink or smoothie. It’s also a must-have for baking and for keeping things fresh and smelling lovely. Vanilla is best used for baking, flavoring rice pudding and making ice cream. With vanilla extract, you can eliminate odor in your fridge, deodorize your microwave, neutralize the smell of paint, and of course, sweeten the smell of your home. This necessity can also repel bugs and relieve minor burns! 

 10. Crushed Red Pepper- Usually next to parmesan and oregano shakers at a restaurant, crushed red pepper is thought just to spice up Italian food but it is great for seasoning meat before hitting the grill, speeds up metabolism, and is full of antioxidants. This spice is known for causing the Capasicin Effect, which is when some of the pain-signaling neurotransmitters in the brain are eliminated. In non-medical terms, crushed red pepper can work as a painkiller, not just a tasty complement to olive oil and bread! If you are a serious heat lover, use on pizza,  spaghetti sauce, tacos and other dishes.

 

Thanks for reading!

Fancy Coffee Drinks Aren’t Just for Pricey Cafés
Just because the weather is heating up, doesn’t mean you have to give up your morning cup of Jo! An iced coffee is great with our Vanilla Pure Extract for that fresh café flavor and you can impress your guests by topping it off with whipped cream and our Fine Chocolate Paradise Krunch.
No barista training needed for this delectable summer drink:
1. Fill entire glass with ice cubes or coffee iced cubes
2. Fill half of glass with your choice of coffee.
3. Pour 1% milk into glass until desired color/strength is reached (creamer can be used as well for a richer drink).
*Depending on how you and your guests like their coffee, you can adjust these measurements but make sure you leave enough room for the following steps*
4. Put a splash of our Vanilla Pure Extract and stir 3 ingredients together.
5. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle on our Fine Chocolate Paradise Krunch or Saigon Cinnamon Ground or both!
6. Enjoy your coffee in the morning for a pick-me-up or after dinner as a chilled dessert!