And the Spice Kit Winner is…

Andrea from Oakland!

The survey results are in, and we want to thank the 40 people who responded!  Your thoughts and ideas are incredibly valuable to us, and we look forward to implementing many of them in the next few months.  Stay tuned!  Since we’re always hoping to learn from members of the M & D community, we asked the winner of our Oaktown Spice Shop Mediterranean starter kit, Andrea, for some recipe and restaurant recommendations.  

M & D: Which spice from the kit are you most excited to use?

Andrea:  I’m most excited to use sumac, as I’m quite unfamiliar with it.  The smell is intoxicating!

M & D:  What is one of the first recipes you hope to make with the spices?

Andrea:  Tonight for dinner I made your Spring Salad with Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette and some Rosemary Sumac Chicken.  I forgot to purchase green olives for the salad, so I added 2 cups of thinly sliced kale and about 1/2 cup lentils instead.  This meal is a winner!  I also hope to try a few recipes in the near future:  Ras el Hanout Lentil Soup, Cauliflower rice with fried onions and sumac, and Pomegranate carrots.

M & D:  What is your favorite Mediterranean restaurant?

Andrea:  My favorite Mediterranean restaurant is Taverna Kyclades on Ditmars in Astoria, Queens, NY.  In the Bay Area, I enjoy the freshness of the food at Bacheesos on Telegraph in Berkeley.

M & D:  What is your favorite place for dessert/dolce?

Andrea:  My favorite desserts are the Strawberry Shortcake from Bakesale Betty on Telegraph in Oakland and the Tres Leches Cake at Casa de Chocolates on Ashby in Berkeley.  That said, I’m excited to include the inner ground cardamom I won in the spice kit in my next batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies!  I use the Jacques Torres Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, but substitute coconut oil for butter and add 1/4 tsp of nutmeg, but think the cardamom will add an unexpected warmth.

Congratulations Andrea on your new Oaktown Spice Shop

Mediterranean starter kit!

Andrea’s creation:  M & D’s Spring Salad with Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette and some Rosemary Sumac Chicken