Italian Spice Blend

Here's a spicey Italian blend of herbs and spices for all your Italian dishes. Typical herbs and spices in Italian blends are oregano, garlic, basil, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. The red pepper flakes turn up the heat in this recipe but can be adjusted to taste. All these flavors blend to make up the complex, delicious taste of Italian food.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried marjoram
2 tablespoons dried parsley (optional)
1 tablespoon flaked onion (optional)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon thyme
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional)

Blend well and place in a sealed container (preferably glass), store in a cool area. Do not store above or near the stove or the flavor will be negatively affected and will not last as long. I use this recipe which is a blend of many that I have seen and adjusted to my taste. Like any spice blend the maker can and should adjust to their own tastes, however, I would suggest trying new things that you normally would not. It has opened the vast possibilities that is what makes cooking and eating fun.

Chili Garlic Sauce is a Staple in My Kitchen

The chili garlic sauce by Huy Fong Foods is spicy but yet not overpowering heat and can be added to just about any recipe. It is a staple in my kitchen just like mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. I use it in stir fries, in noodles, and in just about any food that needs some added zip. It is spicy, but it is not so hot that you cannot taste the flavor of the food you are adding it to. I also like to substitute the chili garlic sauce in recipes calling for fresh red peppers or any kind of hot sauce. When trying for the first time try small amounts and increase the amount until you have the desired heat.

I have tried other chili garlic sauces that were too sour or too hot. The peppers and garlic are a perfect blend.

It stores easily in the refrigerator door and is very inexpensive. I have been able to find them in most grocery store chains, but I prefer to buy it in a specialty Asian food store it is much less expensive.

A Favorite Recipe of Mine Using Chili Garlic Sauce

Spicy Fish Sauce
2 Tablespoons shredded carrot
2 cloves of garlic - crushed
1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
2 tablespoons sugar (divided)
2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup fish sauce
1/4 cup water


Directions:
1. Shred carrot and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar, set aside.

2. mix the rest of the ingredients together. After the carrot has softened until limp add to the mixture.

Serve with egg rolls, spring rolls, grilled pork or chicken over rice.

Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing

I am revisiting some of my old favorites.  If you would like to try something a little different than your usual mayonnaise on sandwiches then try this tangy sandwich spread on your sandwich and turn it into a gourmet sandwich. The creamy blue cheese dressing is a smooth dressing with crumbled blue cheese throughout. It is great on BLTs, Bacon Lettuce and Avocado sandwiches and makes a great blue cheese dressing for hamburgers. Serve it on a hamburger with lettuce and tomato and your guests will be asking for more or at least for your recipe. I personally like to serve it on toasted rye bread spread generously with the blue cheese dressing and then add lettuce, 2 slices of bacon and sliced avocado on top – I then drizzle the sauce over top. It is not only delicious but is a very attractive sandwich. If avocados are not in season, or are too expensive, than you can substitute them with sliced tomatoes.

¼ cup buttermilk
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped onion
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Dash
2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled – about ½ cup

Mix first 5 ingredients plus half of the blue cheese in a blender or food processor and blend on high until smooth. Then add the remaining half of the blue cheese to the mix and fold in. Spread on bread or toast.

I sometimes add cayenne powder or garlic pepper sauce for extra heat.