Author: John Reardon

We are in the midst of so many reasons to celebrate. Among those reasons are individuals who are graduating from high school and college. I can recall the emotions of pride watching each of my children get their diploma from high school and college. For a parent, there are so many mixed emotions. During graduation day from high school, I knew my children would be fine – they would be great. Their high school graduation was just the beginning of some amazing times to come. For me, it was the start of a very different time in my life. As you watch your child cross the stage, you can feel your heart expand and surge. That moment was precious and overwhelming at the same time. During their college graduations, I cheered them and supported them as they navigated living away from home. They are out there living their own lives, and as a parent you can only sit back, hope and wish them the best. These feelings occur at all levels of watching individuals enter into new stages of their lives. That’s the thing about graduations, they bring out all the feelings. (And so many tears.).

Over the many years here at our store, many customers come in and tell us stories of the love of cooking that so many younger individuals have. The stories and pictures of favorite meals, menus, and creations are shared and now this person is graduating from school.  Do you know someone who is graduating—what an excellent occasion. Or perhaps the person who is graduating is you, in which case, congratulations! Either way, graduation means presents are in order—and it also means it’s time to move out of that crappy college apartment. That’s why, if you’re wondering what to gift your grad, outfitting their new adult kitchen is the way to go. It’s a new stage of life for your proud graduate, so treat them to some useful culinary tools. 

At Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place; let us help you select that special culinary gift to congratulate the graduate. To all of our graduates: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln. Remember my Foodie Friend; “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello my Foodie Friends!

The beautiful weather is here and it is time to enjoy the Great Outdoors as part of our Memorial Day weekend festivities.
Everyone loves to cook outdoors during this beautiful weather season. I think you would agree it’s always lots of fun to cook outdoors, since everyone loves to get out of the kitchen and into the great outdoors to prepare a delicious meal. When I think about cooking outdoors, I am reminded about one of the funniest scenes in the movies. I love John Candy, especially his role in the movie “The Great Outdoors”. I still laugh when I think about the “Ol’ 96er” scene in the movie; this amusing scene involved the star’s attempt to consume “a 96-ounce prime aged-beef steak” — and earn his crowded table a free meal.  The scene includes the challenge of eating this much steak and Candy’s meat sweats and the gurgling distress that Dan Ackroyd hears beneath his friend’s stomach. This movie scene remains one of my favorites. I think of it every time I cook outdoors.  There are other reasons I enjoy cooking outdoors. The scent of dinner sizzling on the grill and the joy of eating in the open air — cooking and dining outdoors are simple summer pleasures that deserve to be enjoyed. When you are cooking outside, preparing dinner is part of the fun instead of a chore that keeps you holed up in the kitchen alone. Family and friends can easily hang out and chat with whoever is stationed at the grill, and can pitch in by prepping sides or gathering plates. With slow-cooked barbecue being an option for outdoor grilling, there are also grilling options to fall into the quick-cooking category. Think grilled veggies, kabobs and burgers — it’s so easy, there’s no reason you could not cook dinner on the grill most weeknights, especially if you have a quick-to-heat gas grill.

Below are some fun BBQ items that you can use for your next BBQ.

BBQ Grill Mats (reusable): The grill mats help to maintain grill marks and keep foods natural juices and flavor. The mats prevent food from fall through the grill grates. You can always have a clean grilling surface. Just place the grill mats on the surface of the grill and put the food directly on the grill. 

Tongs: The use of tongs for outdoor grilling can help you maneuver your food on the grill. Not only will a good pair of tongs make for a much more enjoyable outdoor cooking experience, but it will make the whole process much easier, too. You can use tongs to flip burgers, chicken, steak, sliding veggies around, or turning items you make have on skewers.

Instant-read thermometer: named because it gives a temperature reading very quickly, an instant-read thermometer is an essential food safety and sanitation tool. An instant-read thermometer consists of a stainless steel stem that serves as a temperature probe, and either a dial or a digital readout.

Grill cleaning brush:  Grills work better when the surface of the grill grates are clean of food and carbon build-up. This means brushing the grill surface after every use. Using a nylon brush can help to not damage the surface of the grill grates. 

Skewers for Kabobs: One tool that can help those who are firing up in the backyard is the skewer. Creating food on a stick offers the ability to be creative and to offer various food choices for your family and guests. Serving food on a stick is not only convenient, but it’s also fun! Skewers can be made of bamboo, flexible stainless steel or stainless steel. Finding the right skewer for your grilling mission is key, since skewers come in a variety of lengths and shapes, with handle embellishments and smart features.

BBQ tool sets and tools that include:  Grill Spatula, Grill Tongs, Grill Basting Brush, and Grill Meat Spear.

Let’s BBQ together this season and enjoy the Great Outdoors. Stop in and share your stories, even the disasters!  There are always times when everything doesn’t go perfectly.  As in the movie, I’ve had my share of disasters but the good times are worth it.  At one point I did not have a mustache (for a reason!).

Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, located at 33 Railroad Place. We are Saratoga Spring’s true kitchen essentials store, for your culinary needs.  Quality tools for Quality results! We have an assortment of cool tools for grilling. Remember my Foodie Friends that: “Life Happens in the Kitchen or around the BBQ grill.

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello  my Foodie Friends! 

When I was growing up, there was a small but very well stocked family grocery store three houses away from my family home. It was called Mule’s Market and it was located on Liberty Street in Meriden, Connecticut. It was run by an Italian family and when I say family, I mean all the brothers, sisters, wives, mothers, fathers, grandparents and well, a lot of people! This was before big chain grocery stores existed. Therefore, this family market had to have a little bit of everything. If it was Italian foods you wanted, Mule’s Market had it and it was delicious. I had the opportunity to work there when I was 16 years old and I was always coming home with giant care packages for my mom, who they loved. They would send me home with spaghetti and meatballs, fresh Italian bread, lasagna and fresh cuts of meat, as they were butchers as well.  All their prepared foods were from family recipes and that is why they were beloved in the community. Whenever they would bring out a new recipe, they wanted to know my mother’s opinion right away. They tried to recruit her, but all they got was me. The store was always filled with wonderful aromas of different foods. My experience in the market and the trying of new recipes began my journey to becoming a “foodie.”

Over the years, more and more people (of all ages and backgrounds) are experimenting with food dishes more than ever before. Hence, the term ‘foodie’ has become increasingly popular and trendy. We can all call ourselves “foodies”, enjoying food, cooking, and experimenting with different ingredients, methods, and recipes. You may find that you are pulling up old traditional recipes from generations past and love sharing your creations.  

Through the many years Compliments to the Chef has been in business, I have had a multitude of individuals come in and share stories of being a foodie. What I truly enjoy seeing are individuals who are very young venturing with the culinary arts. The knowledge and interest in quality tools has been amazing and very rewarding to see. Many are focused on food preparation and optimizing nutrition. Food has become a huge social culture being something that engages all of the senses and brings people together in physical space. For people who love cooking but are not professional chefs, what is it about cooking that you really love most? Many of our customers have stated that; although they are not a professional chef, they absolutely love cooking. They love the ability to be creative. It allows experimentation with different types of spices, cultural cuisines, and cooking techniques which can be educational. Cooking can give you a sense of satisfaction knowing that you created something amazing. Cooking a meal is one of the most personal and intimate things you can do for someone. The best part is when that special someone “compliments the chef’!”

Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs, and share your foodie stories. Our growth as a business continues through the conversations and recommendations from our customers. We love hearing how you experimented, the successes and “catastrophes,” and your aspirations for learning a new recipe or conquering a family tradition one. I have served some wonderful meals that I am proud of. However, there have been plenty of times that I thought something was a disaster. I just try again. Have fun. Remember ,my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen.” 

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello my Foodie Friends!   

This weekend is Mother’s Day. Remembering my mother and my mother-in-law at this time, brings those memories that make me laugh and cry. Paula and I have lost both of our mothers, but carry with us the treasured memories of two very incredible women. 

As we reflect on the years that we did have with our mothers, the importance of family and time spent with family is a significant piece that stands out. Our home was filled with emotions, excitement and constant family interaction.

I have talked about growing up in an Italian family in many of my articles. Italians are a matriarchal nationality. It’s the women who carry on the traditions and hand out the majority of discipline, wisdom and nurturing to the children. As I was growing up being one of five siblings, every room in the house involved teaching and training by my mother. Life seemed much simpler and sweeter then. We had parents who loved us but weren’t afraid to discipline us. I continue to reminisce with my siblings on the “Italian” scolding’s we would often get with something being said in half Italian and half English and the constant phrase “…because I said so!”

There are so many of life’s lessons we learn from our mothers, that get handed down from generation to generation. Lessons such as: “it’s the small things that count, or don’t sweat the small stuff; always be honest; admit mistakes, be humble; care about the right things; laugh often, learn from others”.  I can go on and on there are so many. 

Compliments to the Chef would like to salute all the Mothers, who have made life happen in our homes and especially in the kitchen. Who is the first one to start cooking a meal and the last to sit down for a meal?  Who is still in the kitchen cleaning well after everyone else has left?  What room in the house does mom dole out free advice on dating, school, employment and dealing with disappointment?  Where do some of your funniest memories of mom take place?  Moms hold court in their kitchen as a judge does in his court room or Queen Elizabeth did in Buckingham Palace. My Mom didn’t hold a staff like the Queen but she did carry a rolling pin and a wooden spoon.  For a few years it was never very far from her right hand. 

This Mother’s Day when it is time for dinner, seat mom first and clean up so she can enjoy her day.  Call Mom on a regular basis and tell her how you feel about her.  You cannot say “I love you Mom” enough.  Meal time is family time. Look at each other, listen to each other, tell stories, and talk about life. What ever the gift is that you give your Mom on Mother’s Day, the greatest gift is the smile and love you give her. Hold onto these traditions and family time you have created. Enjoy your time at home and make beautiful memories. Thank our moms for the valuable life lessons learned that we continue to pass on.  

At Compliments to the Chef; your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, we are available to help you with finding that special gift to give to Mom. Remember my Foodie Friends and Mom’s: “Life Happens in the Kitchen” – those memories will last you a life time. 

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello my Foodie Friends!   

Happy Cinco de Mayo. Many of us foodies may be planning some celebrations for this event. Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Although a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, the day is a popular celebration in the United States. And what better way to celebrate than to eat delicious Mexican food? An essential item needed in most recipes for Cinco de Mayo includes spices. Traditional Mexican cuisine has a distinct taste, and it’s made up of a few common ingredients. That spicy flavor is due to things like onions, garlic, chile powders, herbs, spices, and a few that are specific to this style of food. Oregano and cumin bring a lot to that signature Mexican flavor. Cumin has been around since the beginning of history. Its origin lies somewhere in the Mediterranean but has expanded in popularity because it is grown easily all over the world. It has a toasty yet somewhat bitter taste and gives Mexican dishes a certain flavor that cannot be replaced. Chile Powder is actually a blend of dried, powdered chiles, cumin, and oregano. Other spices are sometimes included in the mix, but those are the key ingredients. It is used primarily for seasoning meats and vegetables but has other uses as well.

When cooking with spices, the room fills with aromas that fill our senses. Have you ever walked into a place and smelled your favorite memories? Smells of cooking can trigger memories so strong and real it feels like you’ve been transported back in time and brings a picture as sharp as a photograph of a special time in your life.  Through food we exchange stories of ourselves and our families. Spices have a way of transporting you to another place and time. Each spice or collection of spices has a story, and a wonderful, beautiful one at that. Spices are flavor enhancers! That might seem rather simplistic, but it really sums up how to think about spices and get the best from them. Rather than seeing these strange little bits of bark, seeds and roots as something to be used only on special occasions, or just when a recipe calls for them, look at your spice shelf as flavor enhancers to be added to your cooking (or even drinks) in small quantities at any time. You can add pretty much any spice you like to anything you cook – you’ll soon find there are NO RULES to making something taste delicious – the only way to really understand it is through trial and error.

Having said all that, you shouldn’t normally be able to clearly identify a particular spice in your cooking – if you can taste a spice clearly, the chances are you’ve added too much. If you taste your food as you go and add seasonings in small quantities your cooking will improve, and your food will have more flavor. The saying ‘you can always add more, but you can never take away’ is a good one to bear in mind, so just add a little at a time, tasting all the time until you’re happy with it.

For some Americans, one perceived impediment to cooking with spices is the dislike of spicy food, even though spices are not spicy hot, per se. Spices can make food richly flavorful and aromatic, but they make it hot only if you add fresh, powdered or flaked chile peppers. That heat comes with a few benefits — spicy hot food reduces the need for salt, plus it helps the body sweat and potentially remove toxins.

At Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, we offer many spices that can be used to help you with your Cinco de Mayo culinary creations. Stop in and spice up your taste with some unique flavors you have yet to try. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen.” 

Take Care, 

John & Paula

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

Among my favorite movies and movie scenes is from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” when Toula tries to explain to Aunt Voula that Ian is a Vegetarian. In this particular scene, Aunt Voula exclaims “What do you mean you don’t eat no meat…. that’s ok, I make lamb …”. Although Lamb is a very common meat used in Greek cuisine, it is a meat that can be customary during this weekend’s holiday.  I do not often get the opportunity to treat myself to roasted lamb. However, during my childhood, my family would often make lamb for the Easter holiday. Racking up lamb does require using the correct roasting tools such as a good roasting rack.  

Tools needed when roasting lamb, or any meat product you are deciding to make this weekend, you do need some essential pieces; a roasting rack and a good instant read thermometer. 

The benefit of a basic roasting rack is so the bottom of the meat doesn’t “stew” in its own juices in a pan or burn. The rack is a means of lifting the food off of the bottom of the pan. If you are going to use a metal rack, some cooks prefer flat racks, and some prefer the V shaped racks. There are also U-shaped racks and vertical roasters available (think beer can chicken). Flat rack proponents say that a flat rack allows the meat to “spread out” and roast more evenly while V shaped racks “squeeze” the meat and prevent thorough cooking. The V rack helps keep the meat in a more uniform shape so that it will cook more evenly. 

Enjoy the holiday weekend with family and friends. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, Your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, located at 33 Railroad Place to get your tools to assist you with your cooking creations. Remember my Food Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.  

Take Care, John & Paula