Christina Lane’s Pumpkin Pie Spice (Whole 30)

Last week I realized, though I make them often during the cooler months, I don’t have a pumpkin muffin or a baked pumpkin oatmeal recipe on the blog.  Guess what next week’s posts are going to be?

Before we can make pumpkin anything, we need a good pumpkin spice blend.  This blend is courtesy of Christina Lane from Dessert For Two.  The addition of black pepper is unique to this blend and gives it a subtle pop of flavor.  Just make sure to finely grind the pepper or the pop of flavor won’t be subtle.  Next week’s posts will be things that use this wonderful pumpkin pie spice blend.

Christina Lane's Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend

• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Used with permission from Christina Lane from Dessert For Two
1 TBS ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl; mix well. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Whole30 Day 23 — Pineapple Salsa

Have you ever tried a recipe that everyone is raving about and when you try it you think, nope, not going to try that one again? That has been almost every recipe I have tried the last couple of days. It is frustrating.  The worst was some chicken burgers I tried.  The picture was so pretty and I wanted like them so much. The burgers were quick and easy but they were sooooooo bland.  I had to save them because I made them for lunch at work and I didn’t have time to make anything else.

Since there was pineapple in the chicken, I decided to make a pineapple salsa.  I know it sounds strange but the sweet of the pineapple and mint goes really well with the savory flavor of garlic and cumin.  This recipes makes a lot but it really goes with everything.  It’s good on chicken, fish, mixed with rice, not whole30 but I have done it before and I am sure it would be good on things I haven’t even thought of yet.  The salsa lasts a long time so you can experiment.

Pineapple Salsa

• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

1  20 oz can crushed pineapple

2 cloves garlic — minced

2 tablespoons fresh mint — minced

2 tablespoons lime juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cumin

cayenne pepper — to taste

Mix all ingredients together and keep in covered bowl in the fridge. Keeps for several weeks.