Apple Cake with Vanilla Bean Sugar Whipped Cream

I love apples. I love them by themselves, in pie, chopped up in some yummy warm oatmeal, slices dipped in caramel, and I love them when they're made into things like apple butter, apple jelly and apple sauce. I've had this super delicious apple cake recipe for years and I immediately knew it would be perfect for our Spice House challenge. It makes a nice dessert if you serve it with a big dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream, or it can be a yummy breakfast all by itself. 

Paprika Chicken with Lavender-Pumpkin Cream Sauce

Paprika Chicken with Lavender-Pumpkin Cream Sauce
by Debbie

1 teaspoon The Spice House Sel Marin de Guerande French Grey Sea Salt
1 tablespoon The Spice House Lavender Flower Buds

4 medium size chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Pinch of salt

Black pepper

2 Tablespoons The Spice House Spanish Smoked Hot Paprika
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 15-ounce can of pumpkin pureé

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a spice grinder, add the French Grey Sea Salt and Lavender Flower Buds. Grind until both are a fine powder. Set aside.

Lavender/Almond Flour Paleo Pancakes

Lavender/Almond Flour Paleo Pancakes
by Debbie
adapted from this recipe by Paleo Plan

6 little pancakes (3 per serving)

1 cup plus 1 Tablespoon almond flour
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tablespoon coconut flour
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon The Spice House Lavender Flower Buds
2 eggs
coconut oil
fresh berries and pure maple syrup for serving

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I love hot soup on a cold January day. This soup comes together quickly and is easily reheated. I like my food on the spicy side, but you can downscale the heat if you prefer. And, weird or not, I prefer my soup in a large mug instead of a soup bowl, but to each his own, right? Mark is not a big soup lover, especially if beef isn't involved, but he ate two bowls of this! Everyone can customize their own bowl – avocado, cheese, sour cream, green onions and tortilla strips.

Espresso Brownies

Who doesn't love brownies? No one! Mark loves brownies, with pecans of course, so he thought this was a great challenge. These came together quickly, no mixer required, which I liked. As soon, as I ate one, ok, two, I knew I should have made a double batch. Next time.

Stove Top Beans with Chorizo and Bacon

I wanted to try The Spice House's Chorizo Mexican Sausage Seasoning Blend because I thought that it would be a great addition to my three-bean baked bean recipe. When I received the seasoning blend, however, I decided to make a batch of chorizo first so that I could see what it was meant to taste like on its own. It turned out to be such an easy process, and the flavor was fantastic! So...I decided to use the chorizo in my bean dish rather than the bacon that I usually include (okay, I did add a little bacon, but not that much!) Which led me to make a few other changes. Which led to a completely new dish that my family loved!