Unexpected Blessings

It is pretty well-known and accepted by now that many things in nature carry amazing health benefits.  Certain herbs and spices have been used medicinally throughout history and can truly offer support and comfort to us in times of health, ailment, and recovery.

For example, lavender is commonly used to promote relaxation, while fennel seed is known to sooth digestive issues.  Citrus oils are known for their disinfectant properties, while cinnamon is believed to help with inflammation. The list goes on and on for nearly every edible herb or spice in its whole-food form.  The best part is, in the right combination, they are also delicious!

During the recently past winter months, when we were all soothing throats and looking out for our immune systems, I developed a ginger-clove tea drop. Ginger and clove are both known for aiding bodies in fighting germs, soothing tummies, and helping you to warm up - and they taste wonderful together.  Soon afterwards, I had two separate, surprise orders for these teadrops to be delivered to some cancer patients as gifts of love, support, and comfort. Until this happened, I just thought I was making something yummy to get us through the winter.  To unexpectedly partner with two different people in being instruments of grace in someone's recovery process was a very humbling experience.  It is such a blessing to know that life can take such a turn and your fun little project can suddenly have significance that you weren't even looking for. And then your eyes are open - to hope and look for more.

Chili-Lime Bean Burgers

We try to do vegetarian dinners at least once a week. But vegetarian does not have to be bland and boring. This recipe for chili-lime bean burgers went over famously with my whole family - including the 13 year old boy!  

What you will need:
2 cans of drained and rinsed beans (I used red and cannellini beans, but any variety you prefer will work)
1 T Texas Chili Mix
1/2 C breadcrumbs
2 eggs, lightly beaten
juice of one lime
2 T chopped parsley or cilantro
salt/pepper to taste
olive oil 
burger buns and accompaniments
heavy skillet & large mixing bowl


Smash the beans in a large bowl, leaving some whole for texture. Add chili mix, breadcrumbs, eggs, lime juice, cilantro, and salt/pepper and combine well with a spoon or your hands.  

Divide mixture into 4-6 portions and form each into a patty. 

Heat enough olive oil to coat the bottom of your skillet over medium heat.  Add the patties and cook until a nice crust is formed on the bottom (about 7 minutes).  Flip the patties and cook another 5-7 minutes to brown the other side.

Serve on toasted buns with your favorite accompaniments. Avocado and some chili-lime aioli works very nicely! Or, serve it with more traditional burger condiments plus a nice cucumber salad and some home fries.

Chili-Lime Aioli:
Combine 1/2 C mayo or sour cream with 1 tsp lime juice and 1 T Texas Chili Mix

*Crumble left over bean burgers to make a filling for tacos, or to add to omelets, taco salad, or nachos!

Product List & Uses

Specialty Sugars

Signature Spiced Sugar
Contains: sugar, orange, lemon, vanilla bean, bay, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg.
This sugar is great in coffee or hot/cold tea and is very useful in replacing sugar in recipes like french toast, banana bread, sautéed fruit, etc.  It can be converted into a simple syrup for fruit salad, beverages, and cocktails by dissolving it in equal parts of boiling water. It is also fabulous for rimming glasses when serving punch, cocktails, or ginger beer.

Vanilla-Chai Sugar
Contains: sugar, vanilla bean, cardamom, allspice, fennel seed, ginger, nutmeg.
This sugar is great in coffee or hot/cold tea and is very useful for sprinkling on top of baked goods as a finishing touch.  It can be converted into a simple syrup for fruit salad, beverages, and cocktails by dissolving it in equal parts of boiling water.  It can be used to make a traditional chai tea by adding it to prepared black tea with milk and cinnamon.

Spice Cake Sugar
Contains: sugar, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, star anise, allspice, nutmeg.
This sugar is great in coffee or hot tea and is great in all sorts of baking. Use it in place of regular sugar in apple pie, mulled cider, pancakes, and cobbler crumble.  It can also be converted to a simple syrup by dissolving it in equal parts of boiling water and reduced to a sweet glaze for ham.

Mayan Mocha
Contains: sugar, cocoa, espresso, cinnamon, cayenne, vanilla.
Some like it hot! Inspired by Mexican chocolate, this sugar can be stirred into hot milk to make a very special hot chocolate. Use it in cookies, home-made frosting, or simply sir it into coffee.

Canela Latte

Holiday flavors
Gingerbread
Peppermint


Teadrops

Lemon-Lavender
Contains: sugar, lemon, lavender flowers
These hand-formed drops are wonderful in hot or cold tea, champagne, sparkling water, and cocktails.  They can be crushed for rimming glasses or to add a finishing touch to baked goods, such as white frosted cupcakes. These drops can be dissolved into a simple syrup by dissolving them in equal parts boiling water(1/2 tsp per drop). This flavor can be made as a loose sugar if preferred.

Ginger-Clove 
Contains: sugar, ginger, clove
These hand-formed drops are best when used in hot tea or other hot beverages such as apple cider.  These drops are wonderful for soothing sore throats, supporting immunities, and settling tummies during the winter months, but taste great any time of year.

Orange- Fennel

Spice Mixes

Moroccan

Contains: paprika, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, onion, garlic, bay, black pepper, ginger, lemon, sugar, salt, mint, cardamom.

This exotic grill rub and spice mix is great on lamb, beef, chicken, grilled fruits, veggies, and rice. Try it on kebabs, grilled pineapple, or in a stew. It can be used on the grill, as a marinade, or in slow cooker preparations.

Creole 

Contains: paprika, salt, lemon, black pepper, garlic, onion, cayenne, oregano, thyme, bay.  
This all-purpose cajun seasoning is great on meat, chicken, shrimp, fish, or veggies. Treated like an all-purpose seasoning, it is wonderful on snacks like popcorn, nuts, or party mix, and great in beans and jambalaya!

Texas Chili Mix 

Contains: chili powder, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, coriander, paprika, salt, red pepper.

This is a great all-purpose seasoning mix for chili, tacos, beans, veggies, and grilled meats. Use 1/4 C with 1 lb ground beef plus 8 oz tomato sauce and 8 oz water for perfect chili every time. Use a few tablespoons to season Mexican inspired soups and other dishes.  If you don't know which seasoning to get, try this one!  It is very versatile and never fails to please.


Havana
Contains: sage, cumin, orange, bay, black pepper, cayenne, salt, nutmeg, oregano, garlic, onion.
This Cuban-inspired seasoning works well on all meats, as well as on veggies or in soups. Add a tablespoon to 1/4 C orange juice and 1/2 C olive oil for a fantastic marinade!

Sugo 
Contains: oregano, fennel seed, salt, red pepper, back pepper, garlic, onion, sugar.
From the Tuscan hills, the word sugo means "sauce". Add a tablespoon per pound of ground beef to make a dynamite home-made spaghetti sauce. It is also wonderful on chicken, fish, or pork chops.  Add to soups or to vinegar and oil for a made-from-scratch salad dressing!

Opa!

'the bird'

'the rub'

Custom Orders

We are always interested in working with you to meet your needs. If you have a special request, questions, or would like to put a gift basket together, please just let us know. 

Creativity Counts!

Don't be afraid to try new things with your products that aren't listed here. They are made to be versitile and it's fun to experiment with them. Submit a new recipe to the blog by contacting us at: boutiquetreats@yahoo.com or www.facebook.com/boutiquetreatssugar.

Signature Spiced rimmed glasses

Vanilla-Chai Sugar Cooies

Chili-Lime Bean Burgers

Rosemary-Mimosa Cupcakes

Spiced Irish Coffee

Lemon-Lavender Candied Oranges

Spice Cake Dutch Apple Pancakes

Vanilla-Chai Nankhatai

Nankhatai - In Persia, the word literally means "bread-biscuit".  These shortbread cookies are common in parts of India and the Middle East and are traditionally spiked with some lovely cardamom or nutmeg.  In this version, I have simply used Vanilla-Chai sugar to do the flavoring, as it also contains cardamom and other Eastern spices.

What you will need:

1 C all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)

1/2 C cold butter - cut into small chunks

1/3 C Vanilla-Chai sugar (plus more for sprinkling)

1 1/2 tsp water





Combine and crumble the flour and butter in a chilled bowl with your hands until it resembles breadcrumbs. You are trying to keep the dough cold while still combining the ingredients.

Add the sugar and continue to crumble and combine.
Add the water and combine with your hands until a firm dough forms.

Sprinkle flour onto a clean countertop or cutting board and lightly flour a rolling pin.
Gently roll out the dough into a 1/2" thick circle. If the dough has become too soft to roll properly, simply chill it in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes.

Use the open side of a glass or mason jar to cut the dough into circles and spread them out onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

Place the baking sheet with the cut out dough into the refrigerator to chill for 20 minutes. 

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 F.

When the oven is heated, bake the nankhatai for 12-15 minutes, depending on their thickness and your oven. Watch for browning around the edges and remove from the oven if they start looking too brown.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle them with more Vanilla-Chai sugar while they are still hot.  
Allow them to cool completely.
Serve with tea and some of our fabulous Orange Blossom-Fennel tea drops!

 *If your house is dairy-free try these with coconut or vegetable shortening, but they may spread out a little more.  For the super cheater version, sprinkle Vanilla-Chai sugar on hot slice and bake shortbread cookies :)