What is my gingerbread spice mix?

The gingerbread mixture is ideal to give taste to your sweet preparations, your savoury dishes, your planters and arranged rums.

The taste of gingerbread is often associated with Christmas. It is true that it is particularly used in culinary preparations for the festive season! But do you really know the history of gingerbread? Do you know how original it is possible to use the composition of flavors that I propose to you?

Whether it's a spice mix for speculoos, a gingerbread recipe or the seasoning of gourmet savoury dishes, discover all the possibilities of these flavours.

Ingredients of the special gingerbread mixture

I designed the spice blend from 6 ingredients whose combination of flavours brings strength and freshness at the same time. You will find in your preparation /

• cinnamon
• ginger
• of aniseed
• coriander
• clove
• star anise (or star anise)

Why these ingredients? To bring warmth with cinnamon and clove, pep with ginger and freshness with coriander, anise and star anise.

David Vanille's choice: I have chosen to offer you this mix for its perfectly balanced composition that can be used in all types of recipes, sweet or savoury.

The origins of gingerbread

Our current gingerbread would have for distant ancestor the "Mi-Kong", a Chinese bread of the 10th century. But the origin of gingerbread also dates back to ancient Egypt and ancient Greece! It was then a honey-fried bread that accompanied travellers.

And so it was by road that gingerbread made its way into the West, as far as Germany and then Alsace, where it is still today the anchor point for this gingerbread from the East.

The cities of Dijon and Reims are also famous for their attachment to this recipe. Previously called "pain d'espessez", the name "pain d'épices" would have come into being around 1530.

In 2010, the recipe for this age-old cake was included in the UNESCO list of intangible heritage.

The town of Gertwiller in Alsace is home to a museum dedicated to gingerbread and its history.

The story of the gingerbread man: Gingerbread

You've certainly already come across the gingerbread man! He's a star of the Christmas season in much of the world. It can be seen in family kitchens, pastry and shop windows, in supermarkets, but also in films and fairy tales. In fact, it first appeared in a children's story in 1875 in the United States. It shows the little "gingerbread" coming to life and running away from the oven of an old lady who chases after it! There will be many adventures that will lead you to your mouth..

Benefits of the ingredients of this spice blend

The spices in this blend bring an exceptional taste to your preparations to delight the taste buds of your guests. But did you know that these are not just simple aromas? These spices also have health-giving characteristics. That's why they are frequently used to make the "sportsman's cake" thanks to their properties :

• Cinnamon which is a formidable anti-infectious
• Ginger and coriander that stimulate and give energy
• Anise and star anise to aid digestion
• Clove and its anti-inflammatory action

How to use these gingerbread spices in cooking?

The mixture I propose to you will be used to make traditional gingerbread, speculoos and nonnettes, but you can also use it to embellish other recipes.

Mixed with brown sugar, you can give flavour to your pancakes, pancakes, fruit compotes and dessert creams. Give a special flavour to your fruit pies and tarts.

To spice up your hot drinks, don't hesitate to use it as an infusion in your black tea, mulled wine, eggnog or cocoa.

If you like sweet and savoury recipes, try preparing a spicy pork roast or beef stew.

Have you ever tested it on a slice of foie gras with its onion confit? It's magic!

My gingerbread recipe

Feel like making a gourmet gingerbread? Here is my personal gingerbread recipe:

Ingredients

• 180g of flour
• 150g of honey
• 60g of butter
• 1 to 2 teaspoons David Vanilla gingerbread spices
• 7g of bicarbonate of soda
• 70g of milk
• Two ounces of brown sugar

Realization

1. Mix the milk and honey over very low heat
2. Add the melted butter
3. Stir in the flour, gingerbread mixture and baking soda
4. Cook for about 1 hour at 160 degrees in a suitable mould.

Making a success of your homemade speculoos

My tip for successful speculoos: prepare your brown sugar and spices a few days in advance so that the sugar can soak up the aromas. Use this preparation in your usual recipe, which will now have a different flavour.

Our recipe ideas with my special gingerbread spices

The starter :Foie gras with spices

Your foie gras will have a completely different flavor if you sprinkle it with a pinch of these spices. Accompanied by your homemade gingerbread and a few pink berries, success is guaranteed.

The dish : Filet mignon in a spice crust

An original recipe to please your table? Try the filet mignon in gingerbread crust! Wrap your meat in breadcrumbs with gingerbread before putting it in the oven.

Dessert: Old-fashioned Baked Apples

Simple baked apples are a great accompaniment to your gingerbread, speculoos or gingerbread! David Vanille's advice: for gourmet Christmas gifts, remember to offer our nicely presented gingerbread mix!

How do I store my gingerbread mix?

To store your gingerbread and speculoos spice mix, preferably use a tin container that will protect it from humidity and light to keep its fragrances longer.