These New Spice Blends Celebrate President Biden and Vice President Harris

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When the pandemic forced her restaurant to close, Huda Mu'min had to pivot. Like many other chefs, the Cutthroat Kitchen champion and Executive Chef and Owner of Huda's Kitchen in Washington, D.C., started thinking of a new business once she could no longer fill her restaurant with guests. In January, she launched Just Savor by Chef Huda, a spice line offering more than 20 blends, including Jammin' Jerk, Turmeric Gold, Garlic Goodness, and Spicy Garlic Madness. She's also released two limited-edition commemorative spice blends that honor the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Biden Beau Monde, a blend of pepper and cinnamon, is ideal on vegetables, beans, lamb, chicken, turkey, steak, goat, oxtails, and beef. Kamala Masala pays homage to the Vice President's Indian heritage with coriander, cumin, chili, turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and fennel.

Mu'min grew up in Massachusetts in an organic and multicultural household. She prepared her first meal one night at age six (fish in a cast-iron skillet) when her single mom was too tired to cook. Working in the family's organic market piqued her interest in food and influenced her culinary point of view. After graduating from the University of Maryland, she enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and finished at the top of her class. Since then, her food has received rave reviews from celebrities, tastemakers, and politicians, including President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, who tapped her to create the menu for a 500-guest White House dinner. Mu'min is also an American Heart Association Ambassador and supports the organization through sales of her spices.

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For a recent weeknight dinner, I seasoned a salmon fillet with Kamala Masala, and sprinkled Biden Beau Monde on a vegetable medley, and pan-seared both. The flavors paired perfectly, and the meal drew raves and a kiss from my 13-year-old (hooray). My next adventure might be a "Cooking with Chef Huda" live class, where beginner chefs and professionals alike learn to prepare some of her most popular dishes. It's priced at $29.99, which covers the recipe, shopping list, equipment list, and the chance to ask questions during the live, 90-minute "culinary party." And next month she'll launch the World of Hu podcast, which will feature guests from the worlds of food, fashion, and entertainment.

Chef Huda has yet to hear from the Biden/Harris administration about the spice blend. In case they're wondering, yes, she is keeping a tally: So far, Kamala Masala has received a few more orders than Biden Beau Monde.

To buy: Just Savor by Chef Huda Commemorative Spices, $9.99, www.justsavor.com.