Recipes with spices

Perfumed wtih Benali 5-spice (panch puran), this tasty melange of vegetables is wonderful with basmati rice.

Homemade Cajun spice blend with cayenne, black pepper, oregano, thyme, cumin, cardamom, fennel, and coriander. Makes 2 cups of bold, aromatic seasoning for any protein or vegetable.

No-bean venison chili simmered in beer and whiskey with jalapenos, cumin, and masa harina. A bold, Texas-style wild game chili with serious heat and deep smoky flavor.

Pickled blueberries in a sweet cider vinegar brine with cinnamon and pickling spices. Refrigerator pickles that are ready after an overnight soak.

Butter chicken with yogurt-marinated pieces baked then simmered in a saffron cream sauce with cardamom, cinnamon, and ground almonds. A rich, aromatic Indian classic.

Grilled lamb burgers with bulgur wheat, fresh mint, allspice, and red wine. Mediterranean-style patties served in pita bread with cucumber and yogurt.

Indian spicy curry powder: a 12-spice homemade curry blend with toasted cumin, coriander, mustard, fennel, cardamom, cloves, mace, and chilies. Big-batch pantry essential for authentic Indian cooking.

Texan fried pies stuffed with spiced dried apricot filling in a flaky, vinegar-laced pastry. Hand-held, golden-fried, and dusted with sugar. A classic Southern dessert from scratch.

Homemade curry powder blend with 12 spices including cinnamon, cumin, coriander, turmeric, fenugreek, cardamom, and dried chili. A warm, aromatic base for Indian curries and stews.

Black bean stew baked over brown rice with sharp cheddar, cumin, oregano, and red wine. Bubbly, cheesy, and packed with warm spices in every bite.

Bizcochos are traditional New Mexican holiday cookies creamed with lard, scented with orange zest, baked golden, then rolled in cinnamon sugar. The state cookie of New Mexico for Christmas and weddings.

This simple and scrumptious side dish is great addition to the backyard barbecue!

Nutty choco-pumpkin ice cream pie layers vanilla ice cream studded with toffee candy bars under a spiced pumpkin ice cream layer in a chocolate cookie crust. No-bake fall freezer pie that lives in the freezer until needed.

Strawberry rhubarb pie with a lattice crust, made with both cooked and raw rhubarb plus fresh strawberries and preserves. A diabetic-friendly version sweetened with fruit juice and preserves instead of sugar.

Bite-sized pumpkin muffins with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg made with canned pumpkin puree. Egg-free, quick to mix, and baked in just 10 to 15 minutes.

Pork 'n' spicy apples: pan-seared pork loin cutlets topped with sauteed Granny Smith apples in a steak sauce, apple jelly, and cinnamon glaze. Classic sweet-spicy pairing ready in 40 minutes.

Carrot-ginger breakfast muffins with whole wheat pastry flour, fresh ginger root, maple syrup, and honey. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, naturally sweetened and wholesome.

Cheddar and vegetable stuffed grill bread: cumin-scented whole wheat dough rolled around grilled vegetables and sharp cheddar, then finished on the grill. Like a smoky, handheld calzone.

Canned apple pie filling with Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a thickened syrup. Water-bath processed for shelf-stable jars ready to spoon into a pie crust any time of year.

Big batch raisin bran muffins: a six-week refrigerator batter that bakes off fresh muffins anytime. Buttermilk-rich, lightly spiced, and packed with raisin bran for hearty, fiber-loaded breakfasts.

Pickled tuna salad with sour cream, red wine vinegar, pickling spices, lemon slices, and thinly sliced onions. A tangy, creamy chilled tuna appetizer or salad.

Whole wheat apple loaf sweetened with honey, made with buttermilk, wheat germ, and grated fresh apples. A wholesome quick bread with cinnamon and lemon zest.

Fat-free apple cake made with applesauce instead of butter or oil, loaded with diced Granny Smith apples, raisins, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Freezer-friendly.

Pepper-rubbed broiled pork chops with cumin, coriander, three peppers, and garlic. Ready in 30 minutes with a crackling spice crust and juicy pink center.

China Moon ten spice honey dip with soy sauce and pickled ginger juice. A sweet, savory, and warmly spiced Chinese dipping sauce ready in 5 minutes.

Kouloures is a traditional Greek Easter bread, sweet yeast loaves brushed with egg yolk, scattered with sesame seeds, and crowned with red-dyed eggs symbolizing the resurrection.

English rocks cookies packed with candied cherries, candied pineapple, dates, and pecans in a spiced brown sugar-buttermilk batter. A dense, fruity holiday cookie baked low and slow.

Soft pumpkin walnut cookies topped with maple frosting. Made with real pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and crunchy walnuts for a cakey fall cookie.

Banana walnut upside-down cake with a brown sugar-maple syrup caramel, sliced bananas in concentric circles, and a cinnamon butter cake. Served warm with whipped cream.

Rhubarb crumble cake: a buttery orange-scented cake layered with tart rhubarb and a hazelnut muscovado crumble on top. British teatime classic, best on day two.

Tex-Mex turkey chili browns cubed turkey thigh in its own fat, then simmers with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, chili powder, and cumin. Lean, no-bean, fat-skimmed comfort food.

Spiced gingerbread baked in mason jars with molasses, crystallized ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. A charming gift-worthy dessert served warm with lemon sauce.

Sweet potato streusel casserole with bourbon, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg topped with a crunchy pecan-oat streusel. A Southern holiday side dish.

Crockpot applesauce cake steamed in canning jars for a tender, spiced cake loaded with walnuts, cinnamon, cloves, and brown sugar. Perfect fall slow-cooker dessert.

Spiced porridge cooked in milk with cinnamon, currants or raisins, and large flake oats. A warm, creamy breakfast ready in under 10 minutes on the stovetop.

Cornmeal and corn kernel cakes spiced with cumin, green chilies, and hot sauce, pan-fried in butter and topped with a fresh sweet pepper and lime-cilantro relish.

Carrot and raisin cheesecake on a cinnamon graham cracker crust, spiced with nutmeg and ginger, topped with an orange cream cheese frosting. Carrot cake meets cheesecake in one showstopping dessert.

Classic Dutch apple pie with a buttery crumb topping instead of a top crust. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, baked until golden and bubbling in a graham cracker crust.

Low-fat spicy pumpkin pie with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in a diabetic-friendly filling. Uses calorie-free liquid sweetener with just 2 tablespoons of brown sugar for warmth and depth.

Use this recipe with peaches, sour cherries or pineapple with equally good results.

Traditional Irish apple cake with a buttery shortbread-style crust layered around spiced applesauce. A rustic Sunday dessert served warm with whipped cream, ice cream, or lemon sauce.

Sliced beet salad marinated with grapefruit, bay leaf, cloves, and allspice for a tangy, warmly spiced side dish. Diabetic-friendly and vegetarian.

Mexican-style lasagna with ground beef, green chilies, corn, and cheddar cheese layered in a cumin-spiced picante tomato sauce. Topped with sour cream and olives.

A fantastic rice dish; eat with my Chicken Masala (posted separately) or whatever takes your fancy. A lot of spices and herbs to assemble but the cooking is very easy.

Ragout of Kidney Beans in Smoked Pepper and Tomato Fondue recipe

Louisiana stuffed oranges filled with mashed sweet potato, brown sugar, pecans, warm spices, and a splash of Grand Marnier. A Southern side dish that doubles as dessert.

Creamy corn and walnut dip with cream cheese, lime juice, cumin, and ground red chili. A no-cook Mexican-inspired party dip with crunch and heat, ready in 10 minutes flat.

Caramel-glazed apple cake with overlapping apple slices on a buttery batter base, topped with cinnamon sugar and melted butter. A rustic sheet cake that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.