Helpful Epicure hints

I have posted this before, but made a couple of little updates for those new to my BLOG...

At many of my parties people say they wish they could remember all of the little 'tips and ideas' I give, so here you go.... 

Remember these are just little 'extra ideas' all these products can be used in many ways. If you have some helpful hints or favorite easy recipes, please feel free to send them to me and I can pass them on to the group. I must say I have picked up several of these tips from you, my friends- so a big thank you to all of you out there - you know who you are.

Also, in case you haven't noticed yet, if you go to www. epicureselections.com the Click on RECIPES and click on SEARCH RECIPES, if you use the drop down menu, you can choose any spice, dip mix etc. and several recipes will pop up that use that ingredient. That is my First Helpful Hint!!!


*FRENCH ONION or 3 ONION dip mixes - 2 Tablespoons of either is equivalent to 1 package of onion soup mix - use in anything you would use onion soup mix in

*HERB and GARLIC mix : Boil pasta add a little bit of olive oil and sprinkle with Herb and garlic and toss - perfect pasta - If you want to get super fancy sprinkle with Parmesan cheese

* Louisiana Hot and Spicy Dip Mix - Perfect sprinkled over sweet potato fries before baking

*Hummus dip mix: Quick and easy salad: 1 Can Chick Peas (can add black beans or kidney beans too if you wish), Chopped Cucumber, some frozen Peas defrosted, Little bit of Mint (fresh if you have it in your garden) sprinkle with lemon juice and hummus seasoning

* Lemon Dilly dip mix: The best in Tuna salad, also great in mashed potatoes

* Dijon tarragon OR Sun-dried Tomato OR Roasted Red Pepper: Make homemade shake and Bake: use one of the aforementioned spices add bread crumbs and salt and pepper to taste

*Pueblo Bean dip mix - add to black beans and a little sour cream - mix up in food processor or blender. Spread on wrap shells top with grated cheese and roll - excellent high protein lunch. I also like to substitute this in lieu of chili powder in most recipes.

* Summer Berry, Tropical OR Lemon Chiffon FRUIT DIP MIXES: Add to Fat Free Yogurt and Fat Free Cool whip then use as a topping for angel food cake. OR pour into a graham wafer crust (you can buy pre made ones at the store) and pop in freezer for a chiffon pie, OR warn some cream cheese in microwave, add dip mix stir and use as bagel spread OR use as a rimmer for drinks like daiquiris or lemonade

* Maple Spice Fruit Dip: mix with orange juice and/or soy sauce and a little bit of oil and use as marinate for salmon or chicken.

*Salsas: use instead of pizza sauce for a Mexican inspired pizza

*Apple Pie OR Pumpkin Pie Spice: Fabulous on porridge, in granola and I use in lieu of just plain cinnamon that extra flavor

*Beef and Steak: our MUCH lower sodium version of Montreal steak spice (and just as flavourful)

*Harissa: Very Spicy - mix with lime juice and olive oil to dip pita OR add to any dish to give it extra kick - use sparingly!

*Taco Seasoning: Use 1 - 2 Tablespoons instead of package mix. Instead of adding water either sprinkle it on your meat 'dry' or use a tomato based product (juice, paste or tomatoes) to make it more 'saucy".

*Tandoori - mix with yogurt and spread on fish or meat - how easy is that!!!

*Chili Lime sansel: cut pita into wedges, brush with olive oil, sprinkle generously with Chili lime (this also works with Greek spice) and bake in oven until crispy. Also yummy on corn on the cob and Pineapple!
You can marinate shrimp in a combo of Chili Lime Sansel and lime juice and then BBQ  - Fantastic

*Red Garlic Sansel- mix with butter and spread on garlic bread OR sprinkle over popcorn OR use as a substitute for seasoning salt.

*Pesto Herbs: Add to Cream cheese or Mayo to spread on bagels, stuff in mini pita pockets, or spread on wrap add some veggies and roll for a healthy and tasty lunch. Adds extra Zip to Tuna casserole - just mix in a couple of dry Tablespoons.

*Focaccia bread spices: Add to some balsamic vinegar, olive oil and marinate Asparagus and then grill asparagus - fabulous! Substitute for Rosemary in many recipes for added flavour.

*Caesar Salad Dressing: Add to ground beef when making burgers OR make your own low fat Alfredo by adding a couple of tablespoons to a can of fat free evaporated milk, a table spoon of butter, some Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste, Also yummy when made up and mixed with Smoked Spanish Paprika and cooked on chicken for a 'smoky chicken Caesar salad'

*Greek salad dressing: mix with olive oil and lemon or lime juice and marinate chicken or pork. A new favorite of ours is Greek salmon: Put salmon on tinfoil, squeeze a little lemon juice directly on fish, mix broken up feta cheese with a little olive oil and Greek dressing mix and spread over salmon - bake or BBQ - it's that easy!

*Bouillons: SO much less sodium it is almost unbelievable! Use as base for rice or couscous instead of plain water

*Pepper Jellies: melt and use as glaze on pork or poultry, melt and use for dipping egg rolls and chicken wings, serve over cream cheese or warmed brie, spread on inside of grilled cheese sandwiches - zippy

Some Seasonings to try with specific dishes:
Chicken:  Cuban, Fajita, Greek, Jamaican Jerk, Louisiana hot and spicy, Poultry, Oven roast, Red pepper Jelly, Tandoori

Rice: Kaffir lime leaves, Lemongrass, Mild smoked Spanish Paprika, Spanish Saffron, Star Anise, Veggie Seasoning Any of our Bouillons

Fish: Cajun. Lemon Dilly, Spanish Saffron, Taco, Teriyaki, Thai

Potatoes: Cheese, chives and Bacon, Chives, Curry, Garlic Potato topper, herb and garlic, 3 Onion

Pork: Cuban, Dijon Tarragon, jamaican jerk, Maple fruit dip, Teriyaki

Beef:  Asian Stir fry, Beef and Steak, Cajun, Fajita, taco, teriyaki

Just so everyone knows - I am not getting kickbacks from the olive oil company although I probably should!!!

Hope this is helpful
thanks,
Kelly Eelhart