Thankfully the holiday season is finally over. I don’t know how many more dinners and holiday cookies I could possibly eat. If you are anything like me, then you are scrambling for a way to lose those extra holiday pounds we all manage to put on. The good news is there are many ways to do just that with the right combination of herbs and spices in bulk.

The first one you can try is Cayenne. Full of vitamin A, vitamins C and B6, Cayenne also is a great source of fiber, vitamin K and manganese. It is nutritious and is a thermogenic food, meaning it burns calories through increased metabolism. This is why it is such a good tool for weight loss.

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What we know as saffron spice comes from a plant called Saffron crocus, which is indeed a type of spring-blooming crocus. The parts of the plant that are used in saffron spice are the stigmas and the styles in the center of the flower. These are dried, and thus turned into a culinary wonder. Although it is an expensive spice, a little bit of it goes a long way in flavoring a variety of dishes.

Saffron rice makes a lovely accompaniment to meat dishes. You simply cook white rice with butter and onion, and then add chicken stock, salt and saffron spices and let it cook.

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Anise seed are the seeds of the herbaceous annual herb known in Latin by the name Pimpinella anisum, which is native to southwest Asia and the eastern Mediterranean. It is a different spice from star anise, which is also a seed but comes from a completely different plant known as Illicium verum, an evergreen tree. Anise seed is most commonly used in cooking, for popular dishes such as anise sugar cookies and anise seeds in white rice.

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We enjoyed this selection of organic fall and winter recipe delights from Yankee Harvest and wanted to pass these organic recipes along to our readers. Remember to look to Starwest for your selection of the finest organic culinary spices. We are a certified organic herbs processor and carry a fantastic selection of organic herbs and organic spices for all of you cooking needs.

Yankee Harvest Organic Kitchen Recipes >>

A recent news article from local ABC news station WLS-TV in Chicago announced earlier this year that Dr. Marcia Schurer a 56-year-old woman lost 35 pounds – 20 percent of her weight – four years ago and has kept it off ever since. The secret in her success lies in a low fat diet. This is the entire recipe for Grilled Chicken with Chili Spice Rub they share.

For those who want to purchase pre-mixed spices and seasoning blends Starwest also offers a selection of all natural organic rubs including Organic Mediterranean Seafood Rub, , Organic Savory Beef Rub, and Organic Roasted Pork Rub. Starwest all-natural rubs are each made from a delicious combination of certified organic spices, seasonings, and herbs that add unique flavor to meat, seafood and vegetables.

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Celebrating the holidays with family is a highlight of the year. With the Holidays quickly approaching, look to Starwest for the best in culinary delights to share with your family. We have a selection of delicious and unique recipes waiting for you on the Starwest Holiday recipes page! Pies, soups and cookies are part of the selection.

Holiday Recipes »

Let us know if you have any family favorites.

Chia seeds, otherwise known as Salvia hispanica, have long been thought to be a super food due to its many vitamins and minerals. While these seeds might seem tiny, they pack a real antioxidant punch and are especially rich in omega-3 fatty acid, necessary in keeping your body healthy and free of harmful free radicals and toxins.

Chia seeds get their health potential from the fact they are loaded with boron, calcium, minerals, fiber and vitamins. It doesn’t stop there either since they are also great sources of protein and amino acids.
Many herbalists and everyday people believe they are the perfect food thanks to these many health benefits. It isn’t surprising to see how, either.

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Known worldwide for the spectacular Taj Mahal, India not only boasts fabulous architecture but also an exquisite cuisine. There are several herbs and spices used in Indian dishes, with a few reaching common use and becoming the most popular.

There are several ingredients that are commonly found in Indian cuisine. They include rice, wheat flour, lentils and split peas, as well as vegetable oils and ghee, or clarified butter. Some of the most popular Indian food spices are chili peppers, mustard seed, turmeric, fenugreek seed, ginger root, coriander seed, cumin seed and garlic. There is a spice blend known as garam masala that is widely used in Indian cooking, and although the exact recipe varies according to geographical region, it often consists of cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, cumin and coriander. Curry powder is also used as one of the most popular Indian spices for cooking.

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Most people enjoy the spicy and sweet flavor of anise seed, perhaps because of early memories of sitting in a movie theatre enjoying black licorice strings as you watch a picture. Anise seed comes from an herbaceous plant that is native to warm Mediterranean and southwest Asian climates. The flowers of the plant are produced in white umbrels that then produce the seeds that are used in anise seed recipes.

Anise seed can be used both in cooking and in liquor. Liquors from around the world feature anise, including Greek Ouzo and French Absinthe and Pastis. The liquor, in Europe, is typically cut with water; when water is added to the glass of Ouzo, for example, it turns a milky white color and retains its anise flavor at a less potent level than the undiluted spirits. This is the way it is often enjoyed in Greece, and it is typically served at a taverna with small plates of salty and savory meze items such as kalamata olives, possibly tiny meatballs, goat cheese and yogurt dips and spreads with crusty bread, as well as cubes of feta cheese and other tasty morsels.

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In the philosophy of Tao, the concept of balance between yin and yang – the former representing the feminine as well as dark, cold and wet, and the latter being the manifestation of the masculine, light, heat and dryness – is important. Chinese Five Spice is the culinary reflection of this balance between yin and yang, and encompasses all five of the basic flavors – bitterness, saltiness, savory, sourness and sweetness.

As Chinese people have migrated throughout Asia and the rest of the world, they have carried Chinese five spice powder with them; as a result, these spices in combination can be found in the cuisines of Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and even parts of India. Interestingly, it is unusual to find Chinese five-spice in a family kitchen, although it is a staple in Chinese and Southeast Asian restaurants. It has been reported however that many restaurants in Hawaii that serve Asian cuisine keep it available as a table condiment.

Because the spices traditionally included (which may vary slightly in terms of proportions and exact ingredients from one region to another) include all of the basic flavors, Chinese five spice is equally at home in main dishes as well as desserts. It is a principal ingredient in the marinade used in pork satay as well as traditional Vietnamese broiled chicken; however, there are also recipes available for Chinese five spice cookies and certain types of Western-style pastries such as muffins as well.

Although it can impart an exotic flavor to foods, specific spices used in Chinese five-spice blend are not uncommon. It can either be purchased already pre-made, or if you prefer, you can prepare your own and vary the ingredients according to your own preferences. What follows is a basic recipe.

Basic Cantonese Five Spice Powder

• Four parts black pepper
• Four parts ground fennel
• Four parts ground star anise
• Four parts cinnamon or cassia
• One part ground cloves

Combine these dry ingredients in a bowl and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If using whole peppercorns, you’ll want to grind them first and base your measurement on that.