Recipe ideas with Mr. Wolf Urban Spice blends

[AD] Here at Cosy Home we like new ideas to add a little pizzazz to everyday cooking, so we were interested to learn about the new range of spice blends from ‘Mr. Wolf’. According to the company, the range, which currently comprises seven mixes, is a ‘selection of dry spice mixes which have  been carefully curated to enhance a range of everyday and gourmet dishes, from humble scrambled eggs and stews to exotic curries and tagines. Each packet contains a different mix, all carefully balanced and apportioned to support and promote rather than overwhelm companion spices.’

Photo (c) Mr Wolf Spices

Our test pack included:

  • My Cellar Salt, a blend of Himalayan rock salt, fenugreek, fenugreek leaf, cumin, turmeric, sweet paprika, chilli and garlic and billed as an everyday seasoning salt
  • La Rossa, a blend of paprika, fennel, oregano, rosemary, garlic, bay, cayenne pepper and coriander and ideal for Italian or Spanish dishes
  • The Imperial, a blend of paprika, whole black peppercorns, fenugreek leaf, thyme, citrus powder, black onion seed, whole pink peppercorns, cumin powder, garlic powder, nutmeg, piquin chilli powder, Szechwan Pepper, bay, rosemary and caraway seed and suitable for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes.
  • Pink Pecker, a punchy pepper blend of pink, green and black peppercorns, aniseed, cinnamon, chilli, allspice and cloves.

Our reviewer was Sara Walker.

Clockwise from top: The Imperial, La Rossa, My Cellar Salt and Pink Pecker spice blends

“I love messing around in the kitchen and I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting ingredients. There are some suggested recipes on the Mr Wolf Spices website, but I decided to try and incorporate some of the blends in my everyday cooking. The spices come in either 20g (£3) or 100g (£9.97) pack sizes, all available to buy online at Mr. Wolf Spices. The 20g sizes come in very cute little glass and copper jars, which look lovely on the countertops, and the larger refill packs come in plastic wallets. Here are the results of a couple of weeks of experimentation!

“The My Cellar Salt blend was perfect for adding to roast veg, particularly potatoes. Just prepare the veg for roasting and put them in a large bowl. Add a good glug of olive oil and a teaspoon or so of the spice blend (I also added a little extra table salt), and give everything a good mix round before tipping it onto a baking tray and roasting. The turmeric gives potatoes in particular an interesting colour, but the flavour isn’t at all overpowering.

“The Pink Pecker blend I only did one thing with, because it turned out to be so perfect for it – pepper sauces to go with meat. Once I’d fried the steak (or venison), I de-glazed the pan with a splash of sherry and added the pepper blend, some crushed garlic and a little water. I let it all cook round for a couple of minutes before adding a dash of cream and serving. I normally just use black peppercorns for this sauce, and the blend knocked the socks off that!

“The La Rossa blend was probably the one I played with the most, as I loved the smell which reminded me of Mediterranean hillsides in the sun! I added a good teaspoonful to some pastry dough before making it into a quiche base. The spice gave the dough a lovely orange-y colour and a little extra bite, I’d definitely use this for savoury pastry again. I also added it to the raw egg mix of a Spanish omelette, and my other half (not an omelette fan) said it was delicious (and I managed to pretend I’d take a lot more trouble than I really had….)

“Finally the Imperial blend nearly didn’t get used at all, as it is so fragrant it almost got put out in bowls to scent the room instead! Here’s a cheat’s tip, though – if you mix a teaspoon of so of the blend with some chopped fresh coriander and some creme fraiche or plain yoghurt, you’ll have the perfect quick dip for crudites or flatbreads, perfect for a quick starter at a dinner party (remember those?).

“I think these blends are useful and imaginative and good value for money (I’m definitely going to keep refilling the little jars) – I’ll be interested to see what else gets added to the range in future.”

To find out more or to buy online, visit the Mr Wolf Spices website.

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