Winter food is all about comfort, intimacy and celebration. As soon as the weather gets frosty I make this Festive Spice Mix. I grind cardomom, cloves and star anise, and then sift them together with ground ginger, cinnamon and allspice. Then, to the leftover spice fragments I add fennel seeds and cinnamon stick to make the Midwinter Chai. So, it’s two for the effort of one.

Festive Spice Mix Recipe

For the next couple of months, the Festive Spice Mix makes it’s way into everything. In fact, the quantities in the recipe below should really be doubled because you want to take full advantage of it while you can. Once Spring arrives, it’s all over: you want mint and lemon and lime. But for Christmas, for the cold and dark days, you want to be lushing out on these spices as often as you can.

Cookies and cakes, of course, are the obvious starting point. But don’t stop there, and don’t limit it to sweet treats. Add it into pumpkin soup, ground beef and meatballs. Mix it with tumeric, cumin and a touch of hot pepper for a coconut milk Laksa. Try it with persimmon when you’re making Ice Cream! Blend a teaspoon or two to everything. You’ll be surprised. It’s so versatile.

Chai with Fennel, Cinnamon and Winter Spice

The Midwinter Chai is like a special bonus. All you have to do is grind up a cinnamon stick, add fennel seeds, and you have an evocative, aromatic brew. It’s lovely on it’s own, or you can combine it with black or earl grey tea – it depends on what taste you’re after, and whether you’re wanting to be caffeine and tannin free.

Either way, it’s an gorgeous blend, perfect to serve with Cut Out Cookies and Muffins for an afternoon tea, or after dinner with hand crafted chocolates.

And apart from how easy it is, there’s no wrapping, no plastic and no packaging, which is always a good thing.

This recipe is featured in my E-Book, Easy & Essential Paleo Recipes for Busy People. Take a look. As the title says, all of the recipes are easy and fast – they’re the one’s I cook all the time.

On the Side

Add Festive Spice to anything.

Egg and Bacon Breakfast Muffins – Swop the cauliflower for pumpkin and the bacon for roast chicken. Add a teaspoon of Spice.

Fresh Fig Dessert Cake – Oh, yes! Add a good tablespoon of Spice.

Chocolate Slab with Macadamia and Almonds – Add a teaspoon of Spice or two, then serve the slab with mugs of Midwinter Chai.

I hope these add an extra layer of coziness to your Winter. If so, please give it a rating, and share with your people on Social. And before you go, don’t forget to sign up for the Quality Life News and download the free Guide to Reset your Health.

Best Wishes, Good Health and Happiness!.