THIS JUST IN! TRAVEL*FOOD*COOL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!!!!! Details at the bottom of the post!
By now, most of you know that I love spicy food. More importantly, I like flavour spice, not just “blow your head off it is soooooo hot” spice. Italian spices are well known – basil, oregano, fennel, rosemary – they add a beautiful flavour to your meals. When I first started travelling to Italy, I would always buy the spice mix they sold in the local town stores. Every town (even the airport duty-free!) sells their own blend, but the spice mixes are all variations on the same theme. This became my go-to seasoning. I added it to sauces – either tomato or simply with heated olive oil and garlic. I sprinkled it on pizza. I added it to soups. I added it to sauces. I added it to my dinner if I had made something less spicy for other people, but wanted to spice my meal up a bit. I used it pretty much all the time. Friends who came over to visit me in Italy would buy the spice mix. It became one of my most requested “next time you are in Italy, please pick me up” items.
One day, I started to think about it and realized that it really was a simple spice mix. The trick is to get the proportions right. I started to tinker a bit with the list of ingredients I noticed on the bags. A little spice goes a long way and it will keep for a long time. All ingredients can be bought at your local Bulk Barn or bulk section of your grocery store.
I started to make it. It is now an item that I like to make up before Christmas and give to people in a small decorative jar with “instructions”. For every one person, cook 100g dried pasta, drain (reserving spaghetti water), heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in the spaghetti pot, add 2 tsp of spice mix, stir for a minute and toss with spaghetti (add spaghetti water as needed). This is a quick and easy recipe when you are on the go or have nothing in the cupboard!
[Side note: The recipe is a dried version of “pasta dei cornuti” (“cuckold’s pasta”) which, legend has it, cheating wives would serve their husbands when they needed to make something in a flash, as they were too “ahem” busy to make a proper meal. The women would saute up some garlic and chilies with olive oil and toss it with spaghetti and garnish with a little parsley.]
Want to fancy your spice gift up a little? Add some Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil in an elegant glass jar. Who wouldn’t want to see that as a hostess gift or under the tree?
Prep time: 5 minutes; Makes: About 4 cups (approximately 8 jars x 100 ml each)
What you need:
- 1 part dried parsley (1 oz – roughly 2 cups)
- 1 part granulated garlic (1 oz – roughly 1/4 cup)
- 3 parts kosher salt flakes (3 oz – 1/3 cup)
- 4 parts red pepper (or chili for more kick) flakes (4 oz – roughly 1 1/2 cup) [If you want the mild version, use 2 parts red pepper flakes (2 oz). If you prefer the piccante mix, increase to 6 parts (6 oz) or use the chili flakes]
What you do:
- Mix all the ingredients in a medium bowl until combined (note the salt and garlic will fall to the bottom, so give it a really good stir)
- Fill into small baggies and seal – make sure you give it a good stir every time
- Place in small containers
- You can also fill into small mason jars or sealable containers
- Add a card with “instructions” and tie with a bow
TRAVEL*FOOD*COOL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!!!!
To say thank you for spending 2016 with Travel*Food*Cool, one lucky email subscriber will win the olive oil and spice mix gift set shown here.
To enter, make sure you subscribe to Travel*Food*Cool by email (if you haven’t already, sign up for the emails). Simply post a comment below telling us what your favourite Travel*Food*Cool post has been this year. That’s it.
Winners will be randomly selected from all those who enter between now and Friday, December 23 at noon. Winner will be notified later on December 23.
Good luck!
I think my favourite has got to be the Spaghetti Carbonara. An easy to make sure fire hit. My kids love it!
I can’t wait to try the spice mix – I got addicted to that in Italy as well. My favourite recipe is Black Bean Soup. It is so fast, easy and so good. Because it freezes well, it has saved me many a times for a quick lunch or dinner.
wow, what an easy go-to meal after a busy work day, pasta, olive oil and the spice mix, looking forward to trying it out. As always, thanks for sharing Elin!
This a a GREAT post! That spice blend is the bomb!!!
My fav pasta!
I thought this was a great post:
https://www.elin.ca/sins-father-scrovegni-chapel/
Elin, my favourite post this year was the Mango Salsa/ black bean mango salad/ Moroccan lamb. I have used this recipe with several variations and it has always been a hit, definitely a Forestell family favourite!
Hi Elin, I am going to go with the Mexican braised beef tacos and black bean soup. Can’t wait to try this spice mix and great idea for a present 🙂
All the posts with Pete! He buys shiny things that make all 3 of us happy 😉
Seriously, how do you pick one favorite post? From where to go in Italy, vintage cars (I drive one) Brunellos, where to buy spices in my hometown Calgary…..it’s tough. That said, I’m going to go with Spicy Penne Alla Vodka/Spaghetti Carbonara as a tie. Reason is whether you live alone or have guests, both dishes are easy to prepare and one of them is great for breakfast!
Keep up the posts 😊
My favourite post was Hot Sauce Heaven! Love a good hot sauce.
I really enjoy your cocktail blogs! MY favourite would be the KJ’s Summer Crush, of course. You introduced Verveine to my world! I look forward to many of your cocktails and liquer suggestions. I can’t wait to try the Boozy-coffee. Aside from the booze, I do love Italian food (and wine), and my favourite dish is your Spaghetti Alla Carbonara. Your habanero-jalapeno hot sauce is also de-lish!
I used the spice mix in two dishes this weekend and what a punch. I loved it more than others, some more than me, so like you write, it’s all in the balance.
My favourite post this year would have to be Black Beauty Bean Soup. Thanks to you, we’re making this twice a month. So simple, so delicious. And healthy.
Of course I love your recipes, Elin! But I am a huge history nerd so I am going to go with your Vasari Corridor series as being my favorite posts (can’t pick just one!)!
Love the idea of homemade spice mix! What a great gift idea! As always, love your blog posts, Elin!
One of my favorite posts was Putting Le Calandre on the Calendar from 11/14. You did such a great job of describing every detail that I felt like I was there!
HB ~ Love the thoughtful articles on each place you visit ~ History is fascinating. Living vicariously through your travels & love of food. A couple of favourites – Roasted Garlic-Parmesan, Pasta dei Cornuti (love the store behind the name) and Champagne & Fresh Clementine Juice. Keep them coming!
Student “Stroganoff” every day of the week!
What a great idea. To keep and for gifts. And so easy. Thank you. Will make and keep as my new go-to.
Hi Elin I enjoyed all your posts. But the one about the bakery store for some reason made me imagine I was there…Lol. i also liked the 3 part post on the tunnel between towns.
Merry Christmas
Oh yes I forgot to add my favourite dish. Black beauty bean soup looks great. I love black beans and only have one recipe for them so this one I’ve got to try
To everyone that entered the Travel*Food*Cool Holiday giveaway, thank you for reading and all your comments!
And the winner is……
CONGRATULATIONS TO SEETAL!
You are the winner of the TRAVEL*FOOD*COOL olive oil and spice giveaway!