What kind of cuisine uses coriander? Where does garlic grow? The story behind the herbs and spices in Urban Accents products digs deeper than flavor. From historical uses of these spices to how they are best used when cooking, we've included some facts so you can be a spice expert.
We also included some of our favorite recipes that use these spices, but we want to hear from Ywhat you love! Email us with your own Urban Accents recipes for a chance to win FREE spices.
Basil - Native to Iran, India and other parts of the East, basil has been used for thousands of years to enhance the flavors of Italian and Asian dishes. Rather than using the spice throughout the cooking process, basil is typically added as one of the final steps of recipes because extended periods of heat can dull or destroy the spice's flavor. Basil is a main ingredients of pesto sauce and can be used to deliver extra fresh flavor to soups and Italian sauces.
You can find basil in these Urban Accents spice blends: Roma and Normandy Fine Herbs.
Oregano - An herb known for its high concentration of antioxidants, oregano was first grown in Europe and throughout the Mediterranean Sea regio. Today, the herb is a common ingredient of Italian pasta sauces and Greek salads, and many cooks use oregano as a final topping for pizza.
You can find oregano in these Urban Accents spice blends: Roma and Kodiak Fish & Game.
Urban Recipe Pick: Halibut, Red Pepper & Onion Kabobs
Coriander - Commonly used in Middle Easter and Asian recipes, the coriander plant grows from Northern Africa to Southwestern Asia. The flavor of fresh coriander can be reduced by high heat; so many cooks add this fresh ingredient as a final step when cooking.
You can find coriander in these Urban Accents spice blends: Kashmir Garam Masala, Moroccan Road, Curry Row and Thai Garden.
Urban Recipe Pick: Curried Carrot Soup
Thyme - Ancient Greeks believed that thyme was a source of courage, and they often used it in their bathwater. We believe it's better used in spice blends to season French, Arab and Turkish dishes. Because thyme needs more time (yes, we actually just wrote that) to release its full flavor, it is best to use this herb as one of the first steps in a recipe to ensure the dish is properly seasoned.
You can find thyme in these Urban Accents spice blends: Herbes de Provence, Tuscan Villa, Marrakesh Za'atar and Roma.
Urban Recipe Pick: Herby Hash Browns
Paprika - Made from grinding fresh bell peppers, paprika is one of the most recognizable ingredients in Hungarian and Spanish dishes. Use paprika to deliver extra color and flavor to stews and soups.
You can find paprika in these Urban Accents spice blends: Bayou BBQ, Cajun Street, Cape Cod Grill & Boil and Pride of Prague.
Urban Recipe Pick: Goulash
Garlic - From a bread topping to seasoning stir-fry, garlic is a staple in any spice cabinet. Divided into cloves, fresh garlic can be crushed for easy consumption in a variety of dishes. While garlic can be grown in any moderate climate, China is the world's largest exporter and produces over 20 billion pounds each year.
You can find garlic in these Urban Accents spice blends: Chicago Steak & Chop, Dillwood Grove, Barbados BBQ, Asian Pepper Market, Tokyo Miso and Montego Bite.
Urban Recipe Pick: Couscous Spinach Salad
Cinnamon - Native to Sri Lanka, the bark of cinnamon trees has been used to sweeten many different cooking styles for thousands of years. From flavoring Persian soups to its role in spicing up dessert drinks like hot chocolate, the sweet warmth of cinnamon is a necessity for every spice cabinet.
You can find cinnamon in these Urban Accents spice blends: Moroccan Road, Thai Garden and Kashmir Garam Masala.
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