Author: John Reardon

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

This time of the year is filled with events of having family and friends visiting, or our own traveling and includes finding gifts for those who have done something special or bringing a taste of our hometown to others. Whether you’re shopping for a neighbor or a friend, or family member who has visited, a locally made gift has value beyond the price tag. Local gifts can remind the recipient of some of their favorite memories of their travels or represent the beauty or culture of their hometown. One item that is useful and beautiful to give is a hardwood cutting board.

At Compliments to the Chef, we love wood cutting boards!  Good hard woods such as oak, maple, walnut, ash, and cherry are tough cutting surfaces that have been used for centuries to cut food or butcher meat on.  Early man just cut down any old tree to butcher and cut meat on but quickly realized that soft woods got people sick.  A good cutting board properly maintained can last a life time and they are safer than plastic which if it isn’t sanitized or left wet can actually harbor bacteria.  Some of the reasons for this are:

1. Plastic is not water-absorbent, so it stays wet longer, which means longer bacterial survival.

2. Wood is water-absorbent, so it dries faster, which means shorter bacterial survival.

3. Wood contains natural antibiotic agents that retard bacterial growth.

We carry beautiful hand-crafted wood cutting boards made by Saratoga Springs Artisan Adam Cielinski. Choosing an Adam Cielinski wood cutting board can make a great “Saratoga” gift to bring to family or friends or it can be one for your own home. Bring one as a housewarming or thank you gift or choose from one that may reflect a special love or hobby of a person you are buying for. They are simply beautiful and functional.  

Adam’s boards are part of Saratoga Springs Art History. They are each different and no two are exactly the same.  We have boards shaped like horse heads, owls, guitars, violins, hearts, cats, dogs, handled serving boards, and smaller boards. He also makes large cutting blocks that are great for larger items. The good news is they are reasonably priced too. Wood cutting boards have been in my family for generations and we hand them down.  Stop in and pick up a piece of Saratoga History and have something that you can hand down in your family.  A little advice on their care:

1. Dry the board immediately after (hand) washing, and 

2. Once a month, rub the board with oil, to keep it water-repellent and warp-free. Apply a coat of warm food-safe mineral oil, let soak in, and then wipe off the excess. Scratches can be sanded out then re-oiled.

Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — to other people, nature, or a higher power. Stop by Compliment’s to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs. Give that gift that gives the gift of happiness to someone special in your life. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

Summer is prime time for fun. Family vacations are in full swing with warm weather to enjoy. Having a picnic with family and friends on a beautiful day can be a time that creates those unforgettable moments and memories that last a life time.  Attending a picnic remains one of my favorite things to do during the summer.  This stems back to my childhood.  As I have mentioned in past articles, I am one of five children.  Having two sisters and two brothers always meant that the house was crazy and my mother would do what she could to keep us outdoors.  Picnic time was a word that would stir up excitement and anticipation of having our favorite potato and egg salads, hamburgers, hot dogs, and other fabulous items that our family and friends would bring to the picnic.  One tool that I continue to use to make some of my favorite picnic dishes is the egg slicer.  The egg slicer is a kitchen utensil that is used to cut hardboiled eggs into uniform round slices. This kitchen utensil is typically made of aluminum or stainless steel with wire blades that slice through the egg as it rests in an oval pocket. An egg slicer can be used to create individual slices for sandwiches, salads, canapes, or other similar needs.  

Even though it is somewhat of a single-purpose tool, I get more use out of a simple egg slicer than just about any other item in my kitchen. Here are a group of common kitchen ingredients that can be used with an egg slicer. Once you realize how easy it is to use the slicer over slicing manually, you’ll have a hard time going back—at least, if you’re slicing a large quantity at once, or small, slippery things like…

Olives

Whether you are team green or black, an egg slicer will make slicing olives for everything from simple salads to pizza toppings effortless. Make sure to place the appointed olive in the center of the slicer and quickly bring the slicing top to hold it securely in place before slicing it, since they can be quite slippery and apt to roll. Slicing a few olives should do the trick for most recipes that call for sliced olives.

Bananas

No classic fruit salad is complete without the addition of sliced bananas. Same goes for banana pancakes. It might be easy enough to slice bananas (even without a cutting board), but having them uniform and cut in a flash is a whole other level of efficiency.

This method works best with bananas that are not too ripe: cut a banana in quarters, so each piece can be sliced properly, then center the banana and press the blades down.

Butter

The egg slicer is your weapon of choice for slicing beautiful, picture-perfect pats of butter for your guests. Cut a stick of butter in quarters to make sure each piece can properly be sliced, the center the butter before slicing.

Kiwis

Kiwis are delicious in everything, from fruit tarts to fruit salads, but not always the easiest to cut by hand. Enter the egg slicer. Peel the skin (check out this link for the easiest way to do it!), cut the kiwis in half, then place each one in the cradle of the slicer to make uniform slices. 

Mushrooms

There is nothing better than sliced mushrooms as a pizza topping or grilled alongside a burger with onions. For an easier way to cut an entire mushroom, there is no better kitchen appliance than the egg slicer.  

Strawberries

Sliced strawberries are extremely versatile and can go on top of anything, from pancakes to ice cream sundaes. To quickly slice an entire strawberry, center it in the cradle of the slicer; seconds later, you’ll have pretty uniform pieces for all your baking and cooking whims. 

Cooked Carrots

Cooked, sliced carrots add a pop of color to many meals, including salads and fried rice.

Hot Dogs

Sliced hot dogs have many uses, including being used as toppings on pizza or a great addition to chili. After cooking the hot dogs, let them cool off, then cut them into quarters so they’ll fit into the cradle of the slicer.

Fresh Mozzarella

Whether you are making caprese salad or simply want to add some slices of mozzarella to your salad, slicing fresh mozzarella has never been simpler using an egg slicer.

Place the entire ball into the slicer for a quick and painless way to get uniform slices,

Avocados

You can’t beat sliced avocado on top of a fried egg or chicken tacos. And with the extra assistance of an egg slicer, your avocado slices will be much cleaner than cutting them by hand. Just place an avocado half in the slicer, then cut it in one swoop.

Wow, so many uses for a single, versatile kitchen tool! Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place to pick up the kitchen accessories your culinary needs. Take a slice of happiness with you and have a beautiful backyard outing with your family. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

The horse racing season in Saratoga Springs is on. Many people come to not only be part of the atmosphere of our country’s oldest track, but to also admire the beauty of the racing horses.  The horses are amazing to watch, they are truly spectacular animals. I always catch my breath at the majestic beauty of the horses that come to Saratoga Springs to race. My wife and I remember the first time we came to Saratoga Springs, NY. We were both part of a corporate relocation to the area and looking for where to settle down with our two very young children. Walking through down town and driving throughout the city, the energy of our incredible area hit us as we held each other’s hands. We knew immediately this was where we wanted to live and raise our family. 

Over the years, as our family and friends have visited us from various parts of the country, we have always felt a sense of pride in sharing with them all that our community has to offer. Summer in Saratoga Springs is a beautiful time for entertaining. This time of year calls for delicious foods, amazing drinks, and wonderful company. Refreshing summer cocktails are the perfect way to stay cool. Fruit cocktails are an ideal way to enjoy a summery drink. We are also be planning to entertain our guests. However, before you can entertain your guests with a refreshing pineapple margarita or a strawberry mint Moscow mule, you’ll need the right tools to make them. Be prepared this summer by checking out these must have tools to make the perfect summer cocktail!

An essential tool to use to make a Mojito is a “muddler”. The muddler is basically a stick you use to smash ingredients into a bottom of a glass.  It is used like a pestle to mash or muddle fruits, herbs, and spices. The classic muddler is a rod with a slight flare on one end and a flat surface or teeth on the other side. Both the flat surface and the teeth surface are appropriate for “muddling”.  The purpose to “muddle” is to release fresh flavors to the liquid that will enhance your drink.  Bartenders use a muddler to crush ingredients such as lemons, limes, and mint against the glass before pouring ice in. The muddler can also be used to stir a drink.

Cocktails are fun to make, especially when it comes to the SHAKE. Cocktail shakers are crucial in crafting your summer cocktails as all ingredients need to be muddled, poured and mixed with ice inside. 

Another important tool is the bar spoon. With its tall handle, a bar spoon is specifically designed to stir and mix various drinks by fitting all types of cocktail glasses. It’s spiral handle works well when layering drinks and makes for a classy look.

The presentation of your drink is just as important as the quality of its flavor. Pouring your summer cocktail into a stunning glass and adding the appropriate garnishes will make for a picture-perfect cocktail you can enjoy poolside.

To make any cocktail worth the sip, you have to measure your concoction to correctly bring about the right flavors. Mixology is about precision, and you’ll want to serve your guests cocktails with the proper ratios. This is where the jigger comes in— a double-sided measuring tool that measures your favorite spirits to add to your favorite cocktails.

Whether you’re looking to make a quick cocktail for one or a big pitcher of frozen drinks to share, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are a perfect addition to any lazy weekend afternoon. There are plenty of options for every taste, depending on what you’re looking for, from sweet, fruity drinks ideal for cooling off after a hot day. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place for the accoutrements’ you need for entertaining and having those delicious summer cocktails! Sit back and relax with something refreshing as you entertain this summer. Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

The Dutch oven may be the most useful of kitchen tools. With this versatile cookware, you can cook in any style, whether roasting, braising, frying, or baking. Two main perks of Dutch ovens: they are versatile but also beautiful enough that you will want to keep yours out on the stove. The Dutch oven is the master of the stovetop. Since it is basically a wider, heavier version of a stockpot, it is a good pick to simmer broth or cook up big batches of beans. The cast iron core can get hot enough to quickly sear chunks of meat and brown veggies.

I have had many customers stop in and talk about how they love their Dutch ovens and how they use it for just about everything. One piece that many folks have discussed is how they bake bread in their Dutch oven. Dutch ovens are essentially tall, heavy pots with tight-fitting lids. They are used primarily for slow-cooking methods such as braising and stewing. The rustic all-iron Dutch ovens can be used both on stove tops and in ovens, and some can be used over and under coals. They are known for their ability to go from the stove top–for quick starting techniques such as browning–straight into the oven for the longer cooking process.

At Compliments to the Chef, we carry an assortment of Dutch Ovens. One of our feature ones this summer is the Staub 5 Quart Cocotte. Celebrate the Year of the Horse and Saratoga in style with Staub’s collectible enameled cast-iron pan, featuring an intricately embossed equine portrait on the lid. Perfect for cooking and serving Lunar New Year soups, stir-fries and braises, it also works beautifully for making culinary classics like risotto, pot roast and coq au vin. As versatile as it is functional, this limited-edition piece goes effortlessly from the stovetop or oven to your dining table. This summer, stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery Store located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs. Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello  my Foodie Friends!

When I was growing up, my mother wore an apron every day. She put it on early in the morning and did not take it off until the kitchen was cleared after supper. She did everything in an apron. I remember seeing her in an apron as she made breakfast, washed clothes, cleaned the house, and coming home from school still seeing her wearing an apron. She was not the only woman who wore an apron back then. My grandmother, and aunts always had aprons on when I visited. I often thought that was part of their clothing. I do not think I ever saw my grandmother without an apron around her waist. She kept her every-day aprons washed, but they showed the strains from her daily activities.  As a young child, I thought the apron was just part of her dress.

For most people, aprons are a thing of the past. Some might still wear them to protect their clothing in the kitchen while cooking, but a quick look in stores or online reveals a more decorative type wear. But for my mother and grandmother and those of their generation, an apron was a tool. I imagine first and foremost it was to prevent soiling the dress, keeping the clothing from the wear and tear of washing. But they also used it to remove hot items from an oven or to pick up a warm pot or plate from the stove. They used it to dry her hands, dishes … as well as tears. 

According to an article from the Saturday Evening Post: Today, with the growing interest in cooking at home, crafting, and retro fashion, aprons are enjoying a resurgence in popularity (Saturdayeveningpost.com). So why are they making a comeback? One of the primary reasons aprons are back in style is that they serve a practical purpose while also making a fashion statement. Modern aprons are designed to protect your clothing from spills and stains while you cook, and their chic designs have transformed them into trendy kitchen attire. The resurgence of the home cooking movement has also contributed to the comeback of aprons. With people becoming more conscious of what they eat and where their food comes from, home cooking has taken center stage in many households. This trend has led to a renewed interest in kitchen accessories that help make the cooking process more enjoyable, and aprons have found their place in the spotlight once again. Aprons have become a symbol of culinary creativity and passion, with many home cooks embracing the idea of dressing the part while they whip up delicious meals. Wearing an apron has become a way to express one’s love for cooking and create a sense of occasion around meal preparation. It’s not just about protecting your clothes; it’s about embracing the joy of cooking and sharing that love with others.

Not sure what to give someone as a special thank you or house warming gift? Consider an apron. An apron can actually be one of the most practical, thoughtful, and personal gifts you can give. Whether it’s for someone who loves to cook, bake, garden, or even craft, an apron can be an everyday essential that adds a touch of personality to their daily routine. If you have an apron that you love and always wear, be sure to save it and pass it down to your children one day. If your children see you wearing an apron every day, they’re going to remember that. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place for those cool culinary gifts for your favorite foodie. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello  my Foodie Friends! 

Summer is a great time to cook outdoors or to make some of the delicious salads that we tend to avoid during the winter months.  Both my wife and I love Cobb Salads made with diced tomatoes, avocado, chicken, cheese, diced egg, and crispy bacon or adding bacon to potato salads. Now close your eyes and remember the smell of bacon cooking in the morning. Nothing like it! We love this aroma so much but many times it is not cooked correctly.  A familiar problem with cooking bacon is the bacon curling up on you and not crisping evenly.  This is where a bacon press comes in allowing you to flatten your bacon and cooking it to perfection. Bacon presses come in several shapes and styles.  The press is made of heavy cast iron or steel construction with heat resistant wood handles. The large surface allows for pressing multiple strips of bacon at once. 

There are also various other uses for the bacon press.  You can use it as a tortilla press by putting the dough ball between two sheets of plastic wrap and pressing down with the bacon press with all of your might.  Then, cook the tortilla in the skillet.  Or, you can use it to make a quesadilla by placing a heated bacon press on top of the tortilla to ensure even melting and browning. 

Another use for the bacon press is turning your next sandwich into a Panini by heating a seasoned skillet and placing the press inside to heat up. After building your sandwich, place the sandwich into the heated skillet and under the heated press, pressing slightly leaving your sandwich golden brown. A bacon press can be used on the outdoor BBQ grill to quick cook burgers or steaks on both sides at the same time.  Heat the press up on the grill before you begin cooking and place the press on top of the meat.  

Crispy hash browns are delicious for both breakfast and as a side dish for entrees.  Make crispy hash browns by placing 3 tbsp. of oil in a pan on medium heat, add the bacon press inside while the pan heats.  Once the pan heats up toss your potatoes in and place the heated bacon press on top. Cook until the hash browns are golden brown. For desserts, use a bacon press on bar cookies pressing gently to flatten the bar cookie and crispy rice treats. 

The Bacon Press is truly a versatile tool! At Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs, we carry the true kitchen essentials needed to help you with your culinary delights. Have fun Pressing B for Bacon. Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.  Here is a fantastic recipe for Bacon Lovers.  You can use a bamboo or metal skewer and cook it in or out doors. Enjoy.

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

Summertime is wonderful. Along with beautiful weather are moments of making memories through family gatherings and celebrations. Summertime is always filled with food and fun. What is it about peach cobbler and summertime that we love so much? Think about it, whenever you think of delicious peach cobbler, you almost always think of warm summer nights, camping trips, and backyard barbecues. It’s as if this amazing dish has become the unofficial dessert of summertime fun!

So how do you take such a well-known, traditional dish, and make it better? How do you improve on something that is so amazing already? Easy, you simplify the ingredients, making it easy to make, then you throw it all in a cast iron skillet and bake it right up. The peach cobbler dessert was among the many items my grandmother used her cast iron pans for. Whenever we visited my grandmother, her home smelled of meatballs, sausage and sauce cooking, with the gentle aroma of peach cobbler drifting into the hall. Shortly after we arrived, my grandmother would ask for assistance to take the cast iron pan of meatballs and sausage from the stove. Then she would pull the black frying pan from the oven. Quickly she would position the skillet on the table to cool with strict directions that we were not to “taste” it before it was officially served. We would all wait anxiously around the big dining room table. Each of us grandkids would secretly hope that we could get the cobbler before the meatballs. However, my grandmother was strict that we ate our main meal before any dessert. Being from an Italian family, meatballs and sausage were always part of the summertime picnic food. As we would help her bring out her culinary delights to our summertime festivities, everyone would sit waiting for her food – because it was always so amazing. My grandmother was a practical person. She believed kitchen utensils should have more than one use. If you could use your cast iron skillet for frying, why not use it for baking? My grandmother passed on the tradition of baking in a cast iron frying pan to my mother and in time to all of my brothers, sisters and to me. 

I am not alone in my story of cast iron. These pans are extremely versatile and can last a lifetime. Everything from frying eggs, cooking a stew and baking a pie can be done in a cast iron pan. With a little care, these pans can become a hand-me-down family heirloom. Owning one can open up a whole new world of cooking, and the flavor that a cast iron pan can add to food is amazing.

In order to be successful when using cast iron, you have to know how to care for it, basically what to do and what not to do to your pans. If you treat them right, they will be so easy to cook with and will quickly become your go-to pan. First, season your pan. Seasoning is basically oiling the pan to give it a nonstick surface and prevent rusting. Even though most pans are sold “pre-seasoned,” you’ll still want to season it before its first use. Give your new pan a good rinse with plain old water and then heat it on the stove over medium heat. Once the pan is warm, add a small amount of oil. Using a cloth, work the oil all around the inside bottom and sides of the pan. Give it a good coat, about a teaspoon for a 10-12 inch skillet, but not so much that there is standing oil in the pan. Then let it cool to room temp. You’ll want to repeat this process a few more times until the surface is glossy, but not sticky, and, if needed, scrub lightly. A properly seasoned pan is naturally nonstick, however if there is stuff stuck to the pan, you can scrape it and scrub with a hard bristle brush. After washing or scrubbing, if necessary, make sure to fully towel dry your pan to prevent rusting.

Our favorite and bestselling cast iron is Lodge. Lodge is seasoned cast iron cookware, so they begin the seasoning process for you. Lodge provides pre-seasoned cookware with no synthetic chemicals; just soy-based vegetable oil. The more you use your cast iron, the better the seasoning becomes.  Lodge is MADE IN THE USA and has been making cast iron cookware in South Pittsburg, Tennessee since 1896. With over 120 years of experience, their cast iron is known for its high-quality design, lifetime durability, and cooking versatility and is FAMILY-OWNED.

I wish I had my grandmother’s original cast iron. Oh, if those pans could talk, the stories they would tell. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs, for the hard to find, cool culinary tools. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen.” Celebrate, reflect, and listen to the stories from generations before us. Savor the memories and bring back some of the recipes that those before you cooked. 

Take Care, John & Paula

~ Author Unknown

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

This weekend is Father’s Day. Not sure what to get dad? A home cooked meal with some of their favorite foods is a great way to kick things off. How about cooking something special for him? Many of us have been lucky enough to grow up with dads who love to cook, who have mastered crème brûlée or grilling or taught us to make perfect rice. Others have dads who just love to eat, who will dig into a shared plate happily and are always ready to share a meal. This Sunday, we’ll honor all of them, maybe with pancakes or a special dinner or a thoughtful food-related gift. In preparing that special meal, there may be some cool culinary tools you need to help.

As I reflect on Father’s Day, I realize that the most important part of being a father is being in my children’s lives, to show them my love and to support their dreams and aspirations. I always knew I wanted to be a father and consider fatherhood my greatest achievement.  Once I was asked, “do you miss your children being young?” My response was that I truly have enjoyed and continue to enjoy every stage of my children’s lives. I consider being a father a privilege with the gift of loving and teaching them through every part of their lives watching them change and mature. My children fill me with the important parts of overwhelming pride and joy I have for them. Being a father to them has given me the greatest gift in being their protector, caregiver, and mentor. 

Father’s Day is a time to show the father’s and father figures in our lives appreciation and to celebrate those who have guided, supported, and taught us through our lives. This Father’s Day, take time to show the father’s and father figures in our lives appreciation and to celebrate those who have guided, supported, and taught us through our lives. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, to treat dad to some cool culinary tools. For Father’s Day, eat together as a family.  Relish the memories and show Dad how much you love Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.

Take Care, John & Paula

Our daughter, Aubrey is proud of the pancakes she makes for me every Father’s Day. Here is a delicious buttermilk pancake recipe to make.

Hello  my Foodie Friends!

June is a full month filled with graduations, weddings, birthdays, back yard BBQ’s, and Father’s Day. I know it’s a cliché’ but time does go by so quickly. Our daughter has a birthday coming up this week 

As I watch my daughter grow into the amazing person she is, it just seems like yesterday we were sitting at the Saratoga Race Track with her sitting on her foldable Barbie chair with a Saratoga umbrella watching the spectacular racing horses walking by. We are blessed to have our daughter serving our community as a doctor of Physical Therapy. To this day, she insists that my wife make her an ice cream cake as part of her birthday celebration. My wife has developed various creations over the years. Over the years, I have to admit, I did not mind having ice cream cake as our special birthday dessert. I love ice cream as much as I did when I was a kid. Many of us love ice cream.  We crave for it during hot summer days, even during the cold northeast winters. It is a wonderful treat to have as we watch movies like “Sleepless in Seattle”, or “When Harry met Sally”. Can you tell I am a fan of Meg Ryan! 

One culinary item that my wife relies upon when making her ice cream cake is a spring form pan. Spring form pans are a kitchen essential for producing flawlessly smooth cheesecakes, perfectly crusted tarts, or intricate ice cream cakes without damage to their tops, bottoms, or sides. Meant to eliminate the risks associated with removing cakes from traditional pans, removing your product from the pan is the final step before placing your delicate treats on display, serving to your family or guests, or packaging them to go.

Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place. We have an assortment of springform pans and accessories to assist with adding that special dessert to your menu. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care, John & Paula

To our daughter Aubrey: You give us a thousand reasons to smile every day. We are so proud of the woman you are. Happy Birthday to you, our beautiful daughter!

Although I cannot share Paula’s recipe for her ice cream cake, I have included another fantastic ice cream cake recipe to make.