Holiday Recipes W/ Awaken Joy Spice Co

Awaken Joy Spice Co, a culinary venture born from a passion for cooking, is on a mission to revolutionize the way people experience food. Founded by Scott and Amy Charbonneau, Awaken Joy Spice Co brings together the love for wholesome, flavorful meals, and the joy of shared dining experiences.

At the heart of their venture is the cookbook, “A Father’s Hug from the Kitchen.” This cookbook is a collection of Scott’s cherished family recipes, crafted over years of culinary exploration and shared meals. Filled not only with delicious recipes but also heartwarming stories of shared moments, it’s an invitation for dads to create memorable meals with and for their families.

What sets Awaken Joy Spice Co apart is their commitment to quality and authenticity. They curate their own custom spice blends, meticulously crafting each blend without added preservatives or anti-caking agents. These handcrafted blends utilize organic and fair-trade sourced ingredients, elevating every dish they touch.

Awaken Joy Spice Co operates both online and at local farmers’ markets. You can find them every Saturday at the Downtown Mesa Farmer’s Market and the Chandler Farmer’s Market, where they share their unique spice blends and the “A Father’s Hug from the Kitchen” cookbook with the community.

But that’s not all! Awaken Joy Spice Co offers a unique Spice Club, where members receive 4-6 custom-curated recipes, the exact spices needed to make those recipes, a shopping list, and an invitation to cook along with Scott and Amy in a live, virtual setting, all from the comfort of their own homes.

Amy Charbonneau, co-founder of Awaken Joy Spice Co, believes that a shared meal is a shared life. “Our mission is to help people enjoy cooking and eating great food while fostering connections,” she says.

For media inquiries and more information about Awaken Joy Spice Co, please contact:

Amy Charbonneau Phone: 509-202-5109 Email: amy@awakenjoyspiceco.com Website: Awaken Joy Spice Co

Discover the joy of cooking, the magic of shared meals, and the authentic flavors of Awaken Joy Spice Co.

Check out the following recipes:

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Chai Maple Sage Brown Butter Sauce

Ingredients:

For the Gnocchi:

• 2 lbs sweet potatoes
• 2/3 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp Chai Bliss* spice blend
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/3 cup flour, plus 1/3 cup for work surface

For the Brown Butter Sauce:

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
• 20 fresh sage leaves
• 1 tsp Chai Bliss spice blend
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

For the Gnocchi:

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Using a fork, poke holes all around the sweet potatoes. Bake them until they are tender, about 40-55 minutes, depending on their size. Allow them to cool for about 5 minutes until they are cool enough to handle (they will be hot, so you can use a towel to hold them).
3. Cut the sweet potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh from the skin. Mash the sweet potatoes and ensure you have about 2 cups of mashed sweet potatoes.
4. In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes with ricotta cheese, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and chia spice. Mix well.
5. Gradually add the flour, about ½ cup at a time, until a dough ball forms.
6. Lightly flour your work surface and divide the dough into 6 equal balls. Roll each ball into a 1-inch thick rope. Cut the rope into 1-inch pieces and roll them over the edge of a fork to create texture. Transfer the gnocchi to a baking sheet.
7. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the gnocchi in three batches, stirring occasionally. Once they float to the surface, remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a baking sheet. Repeat until all the gnocchi are cooked.

For the Brown Butter Sauce:

1. While the gnocchi are cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Once the butter is fully melted, add the sage leaves. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the foam subsides, and the butter starts to brown.
3. Remove the pan from heat and stir in Chai Bliss spice, maple syrup, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Be cautious as it may bubble. Gently stir until the bubbling stops.
4. Toss the cooked gnocchi in the brown butter sauce to coat them evenly.
5. Serve hot, garnished with extra sage leaves if desired. Enjoy your Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Chia Maple Sage Brown Butter Sauce!

*Awaken Joy Spice Co spice blends available at Mesa Farmers Market on Saturdays 8-12:30 at the Inspire Farm Store or online at https://awakenjoyspiceco.com/start

*may substitute Pumpkin Harvest Spice blend

Mulled Apple Cider

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 3 granny smith apples, diced
• Juice and zest of 1 orange
• ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 pack mulling spice (1/2 cup)
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Pour the apple cider into a large saucepan and set it over medium-high heat.
2. Add the diced apples, zest, and juice of the orange. After juicing, add the rest of the orange into the pot.
3. Toss in the cranberries and the mulling spice.
4. Add the coconut sugar and cook until the sugar is fully dissolved.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 1 hour.
6. After an hour, stir in the apple cider vinegar and let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
7. Serve the mulled apple cider in heat-safe cups. Enjoy this cozy drink!

Homemade Green Bean Casserole

From: A Father’s Hug from the Kitchen Cookbook by Scott Charbonneau

Ingredients:

• 2 packages of frozen French green beans
• 1 large can of cream of mushroom soup (OR see note for homemade version*)
• 1 24 oz can of crispy onions
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper

Note: Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 package of baby portobellos, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Awaken Joy Sunkissed Seas spice blend (or any preferred Italian, Greek, or herb seasoning blend)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
2. If making the homemade cream of mushroom soup, follow the instructions below. Otherwise, skip to step 5.
   • In a sauté pan over medium heat, add olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted and the pan is hot, add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   • Add the chopped mushrooms and minced garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the mushrooms have softened.
   • Pour in the heavy cream and add the Sunkissed Seas seasoning (or preferred seasoning). Stir well and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes.
   • Transfer the cooked vegetables and cream mixture to a blender. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and blend until smooth. Allow the homemade cream of mushroom soup to cool and store it in a jar until ready to use.
3. In a large bowl, combine the frozen green beans, cream of mushroom soup (homemade or canned), half of the crispy onions, half of the cheddar cheese, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the green beans evenly.
4. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it out evenly.
5. Bake the green bean casserole in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
6. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and crispy onions on top.
7. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the onions are golden brown.
8. Serve the green bean casserole hot as a delicious side dish.