New Orleans is a special place for many reasons. It’s a hotbed for music and culture, but clearly one of its shining features is its delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine. New Orleans has countless native dishes, but I’d be hard-pressed to think of one more closely linked with this city or more celebrated than gumbo. I know vegetarian gumbo may sound like an oxymoron, but with the right organic herbs and spices, you won't even miss those traditional proteins. Feel free to call it vegetable stew if that suits you more!

Needing a quick appetizer using items already in your pantry? A nice drizzle of homemade infused oil makes for an easy and flavorful starter in no time flat! Whether used as a tasty marinade for your favorite soft chevre or served up in a dipping bowl alongside a fresh baguette, this beautiful and flavorful creation is a true crowd-pleaser. While herbalists know solar-infused herbal oils are a lovely way to extract botanical goodness for an array of herbal preparations, an infused oil made on the stovetop works well in a pinch.

At home, my kitchen is never lacking cardamom. I like this spice so much that I’ve got a separate hand-held spice grinder filled with just hulled cardamom (hint, if you use a clear glass vase grinder, you won’t get your cardamom confused with your black pepper). This way, I can have freshly ground cardamom goodness whenever I want! One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is in sweets, like shortbread or teacake. I adapted this recipe for my gluten-free and dairy-free friends, so we could all enjoy it together.

I discovered this recipe from an herbalist friend in North Carolina. It’s the perfect healthy (and tasty) addition to a snack table. This recipe makes about 2 cups of delicious garlicy goodness. Serve with crackers, veggies, pita, or use as a spread on sandwiches and wraps!

Fermenting foods is one of my passions in life. With just a little bit of salt and water, you can transform vegetables into something completely different and also increase their healthful properties. Fermented foods contain probiotics, which can be beneficial for the digestive system.

Preserving food is so much more than extending the year’s harvest. It’s a way to connect with the practices of our ancestors. No matter what part(s) of the world your cultural lineage descends from, your relatives preserved food in one way or another. As we begin to transition into the colder months, I channel that knowledge and dream of how my pantry will evolve throughout the harvest. As the cabbages in my humble garden begin to peak, I get excited thinking of all of the different flavors of sauerkraut I can create.

Believe it or not, pepper was once more valuable than gold. In fact, it was used as currency as early as 1000 B.C. This favorite spice originated in southern India but now makes an appearance on spice racks and kitchen tables all around the world. While black peppercorns may be the most commonly used, we love having a variety of peppercorns in our culinary toolbox. They add different flavors (and colors) to anything they touch!

Who doesn’t love a hot bowl of Tom Kha? I’m yet to encounter such a person. I first discovered this tasty Thai soup back in college at a local Eugene, Oregon joint. The trifecta of fresh and traditional herbs completely blew my mind. Lemongrass, Thai makrut lime leaves, and galangal root (where the “kha” in “tom kha” comes from) give this soup its incredible and unmistakable flavor. 

This Love Tea simple syrup is something special. With hints of cacao and cinnamon, this floral syrup is perfect for crafting unique cocktails or stirring into a cozy morning latte. It’s also an easy addition to sparkling or ice water: refreshing, with a delicate flavor that will mystify your friends!

This blog was originally published in 2013. Because it's so popular, we decided to update it for you. Enjoy! 

If you love the aroma of toasty sesame seeds and the oceanic saltiness of seaweed, you might soon find this seasoning blend gracing your dinner table nightly. With just a flick of the wrist, this delicious combination of flavors adds a nutritive boost and subtle richness to just about any savory recipe.