What is my American spice blend?

The American spice blend is a composition from Louisiana, USA. This ready-to-use preparation is ideal for those who love spicy recipes.

You may be familiar with the use of American spices to season barbecued meats. It is true that red meat and poultry are then tastier and their taste is incomparable. You can also use this spice blend to season your sauces, fish and vegetables.

I designed this blend to please all palates, without too much spice. You can therefore consume this spice blend in complete peace of mind if you do not want a too strong taste. If you wish, don't hesitate to add an extra dose of chilli pepper if you are an aficionado of very spicy dishes.

Ingredients of the American blend

For this American blend, I use the ingredients from the basic recipe of the people of Louisiana. It is a subtle dosage and balance of garlic, salt, mustard, paprika, thyme, oregano, onions, pepper, cumin and hot pepper.

David Vanille's choice: I adapted the original recipe while keeping the basic spices to find a perfect harmony of flavours.

Differences between pepper and hot pepper

Pepper is the fruit of the pepper plant, a vine that can be found all around the world. Black, white or green, pepper is used in the cuisine of cultures on all five continents. Pepper brings a hint of spiciness and reveals the taste of the food with which it is associated.

The strength of chilli pepper can be measured using the Scoville scale. Pepper and paprika are very mild grade 0 peppers, i.e. they do not sting at all.

Depending on the regions of the world and different palates, everyone can choose the chilli pepper that suits his or her taste. Chilli has long competed with pepper, but their scents and flavours are complementary. This is why they are inseparable from the American blend I am creating for you.

The origins of the American-style spice blend

The American mixture appeared in the hands of French settlers who were driven out of Nova Scotia in the 18th century. When they arrived in the swampy bayou lands of Louisiana, they had to adapt to a new way of eating. In their exile, they took with them some basic foodstuffs (aromatic herbs, spices ...) and their culinary tradition from France.

The Acadians were creative in combining the flavours they mastered perfectly. It is with the alliance of their French culinary art and the addition of new spices that they were able to prepare spicy marinades to bring more taste. This is how onion, garlic, thyme, oregano and mustard met paprika, cumin, pepper and hot pepper for tasty dishes with a unique flavour.

Depending on the times, families and desires, American spice recipes have balanced themselves a little differently over time.

Benefits of the ingredients in this spice blend

In addition to spicing up your dishes, the American blend brings colour to your dishes. The presence of different aromatic herbs and spices brings a palette of colours to your plate. It is the pleasure of taste and eyes in a single blend.

The beneficial properties of spices are as follows:

• The capsaicin in chilli pepper increases the feeling of satiety
• Cumin aids digestion
• Mustard seeds are antioxidant
• Garlic, oregano and thyme have anti-infectious properties
• Paprika fights against skin aging

How do you use these American spices in cooking?

This blend can be adapted to a beautiful variety of different flavours, so that you can discover new ones. Sprinkle some of this blend into your everyday cooking, whatever the circumstances! It will go well with meat, poultry, fish and shellfish as well as vegetables.

Use it for all types of cooking: on the barbecue in grills, in the oven, steamed, in sauces, in soups, on skewers, in simmered dishes, in terrine, in stews... All the flavours of Louisiana on the plates of your family and guests for a superb taste memory!

A little extra tip: if you still fear that the slight spiciness of this mixture will make your palate shiver, I invite you to add it at the very beginning of cooking. Conversely, if you like this little hot tip, you can sprinkle it on at the end of cooking.

And for thrill seekers: don't hesitate to add a little of this mixture to your salads and other raw vegetables.

Our recipe ideas with my American spice blend

Do you want to discover all the flavours so typical of traditional American cuisine? Here are a few ideas on how to make the most of my American spice blend.

The starter: spicy salad

The American spice blend will spice up the fresh vegetables in your appetizer. Sprinkle it simply and according to your taste on tomatoes, avocados, green beans, kidney beans, grated carrots, red cabbage... You can also use it to season your vinaigrette directly.

The dish: marinated chicken

American spices bring out the flavour of chicken to perfection. For a tender and tasty meat, prepare a marinade based on sunflower oil with the American mixture. Soak the chicken pieces on all sides and leave them to rest overnight in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Arrange in a dish and cook in the oven without forgetting to turn on the grill mode at the end of cooking for more crispness.

Bonus: Don't hesitate to use the spice mix to season your savoury pies made with meat, salmon or sweet potatoes. It enhances the taste in an original way that really makes a difference.

How to Store American Spice Mix

The American spice blend can be stored in a cool, dry place, away from light for longer storage. You can also use an airtight glass jar if you wish to use it as a decorative element in your kitchen.