Adding new spices to your standbys can give new life and new perspectives to dishes you prepare all the time. Like tacos? Try them with new chiles for a whole new taste sensation. Here are Five New Spices to add to your pantry now!
1 – Pasilla Negro Chiles
Often confused with Poblano Chiles, the dried Pasilla Negro Chile is worth the research. Pasilla means “little raisin” and is the dried form of the Chilaca Chile. It has a touch of gentle heat, measuring in at under 2,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). We love what these chiles do in this recipe. We pair up the smoky, deep red sweetness of the Chile with our Mango Balsamic. The result is a sublime taco filling that will seal Taco Tuesday (or any day) as the best day ever!
Recipe to try: Pasilla Pulled Chicken Tacos.
2 – Mexican Oregano Leaf
Isn’t all oregano leaf interchangeable? NO! is not the same as Mediterranean oregano! Oregano is related to the herb Marjoram, but is not as sweet and has a stronger, more pungent flavor and aroma. The Mexican variety is perfect in spiced dishes like enchiladas because of its characteristically pungent flavor.
Recipes to try:
Big Batch Enchilada Sauce
Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas
3 – Timut Peppercorns
Intriguing Timut Peppercorns are a must for your spice rack and pepper grinder! Timut (or Timur) Peppercorns are a relative of Szechuan Peppercorns. However, neither are technically peppercorns! Like Szechuan, Timut are lumped into the peppercorn category because they deliver heat when ground. Timut peppercorns are quite fascinating. The aroma is citrusy, much like grapefruit. They also deliver the same mild numbing sensation and tongue tingling like their Szechuan Peppercorn cousins.
Recipe to Try: Timut Hot Chocolate
4 – Whole Green Cardamom Pods
Cardamom is native to India and has a fresh green color and pungent, aromatic flavor. Cardamom is found in curries, Chai tea and many African and Asian spice mixes plus Scandinavian sweet dishes, such as coffee cakes, pastries. Adding Whole Cardamom Pods to your spice rack is a great way to infuse big flavors.
Recipes to Try:
Cardamom Simple Syrup
Cardamom Whipped Cream
Appletini with Cardamom Simple Syrup
5 – Grains of Paradise
Closely related to cardamom, grains of paradise seeds are used as a spice. They impart a pungeant, black pepper-like flavor with hints of citrus. Also known as Alligator Pepper or Guinea Pepper. We love what they do in this West African Vegan Burger. They’re also often found in vintage New England recipes for Apple Pie!
Recipe to Try: Sweet Potato & Black Bean Burger
