Grilling season has arrived, and Saratoga Farmers’ Market vendors have you covered for fresh, flavorful meals. From steaks and sausages to pasture-raised chicken, lamb, mushrooms, and vegetables, local producers share their favorite ways to fire up the grill.

May-K-Mark offers beef, pork, and veal products, and Ariel says there are plenty of quick and crowd-pleasing options available. “Steaks are always great, but I love hot and sweet Italian sausage. We have veal chorizo and bratwurst that can feed a lot of people. And shaved sliced steak on the grill is clutch on busy dinner nights.”

Hepatica Farm and Jireh Farm offer pasture-raised chicken weekly. Melanie from Hepatica keeps it simple: “Bone-in prevents drying, and the breast is flavorful and juicy. Thighs and drumsticks are also great.” Her go-to marinade uses lemon, rosemary, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and a splash of tamari.

At Longlesson Farm, shoppers can find beef and pork perfect for the grill. “Sirloin steak is an excellent option,” says Christophe, the farm owner. “It’s a versatile cut—grill whole or make kabobs to feed a crowd.” For kabobs, bring the steak to room temperature, cube it, and marinate in olive oil, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper for an hour. Pair with favorite grilled vegetables for an easy meal.

Grazin’ Acres, Nate and Meghan offer a range of pork and chicken products ideal for grilling season. “Pork chops are always great and easy with salt, pepper, garlic, and oil,” says Nate. “One of our family favorites is a whole chicken, halved and grilled slow and low at 200 degrees, and the chicken is juicy and just falls apart.”

Lamb is another flavorful option available at the market. Thymeless Homestead and Wintervine Farm both offer pasture-raised lamb products perfect for grilling, from chops to sausages and other cuts that shine with simple seasonings and fresh herbs.

Ghost Light Farm sells grass-fed beef at the Wednesday market, offering more local options for burgers, steaks, and kabobs.

Vegetarians can find options at The Mushroom Shop. Elise recommends oyster mushrooms for their grilled flavor and texture. Brush with oil, season, and grill for 8-10 minutes per side.

Whether it’s a backyard cookout or weeknight dinner, Saratoga Farmers’ Market is full of fresh ingredients and expert advice to inspire your next meal. Visit local farmers, explore new favorites, and bring something special to your grill this season.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Wednesdays 3–6 PM and Saturdays 9 AM–1 PM at High Rock Park in downtown Saratoga Springs. Our market in Clifton Park is open Mondays 2–5 PM. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

~ Simon and Garfunkel

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

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 feels. (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

In these challenging times, many of our friends and neighbors in Saratoga County aren’t able to put enough food on their tables. About 12% of the population (24,000 residents), including 15% of children, experiences food insecurity. The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is proud to participate in federal, state, and local programs that help feed our community.

The Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is a federal initiative that helps Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) recipients and low-income seniors access local, fresh vegetables, fruit, and culinary herbs. Participants receive five $5 coupons, redeemable from June to November at the market. Many of our vendors accept FMNP coupons, namely Owl Wood Farm, Scotch Ridge Berry and Tree Farm, Leaning Birch Farm, Kokinda Farm, Saratoga Apple, Burger’s Market Garden, Shushan Valley Hydro Farm/Underwood’s Greenhouses, Gifford Farms, Grazin’ Acres, Jacob’s Farm, and Promised Land Garden Farm. There are also two vendors at the Saturday market accepting eWIC cards: Leaning Birch Farm and Grazin’ Acres. FMNP coupons are available at the Saratoga County WIC and Office of the Aging.

Customers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can use their benefits by exchanging their EBT funds for farmers’ market EBT coins at the market information booth. EBT coins never expire and may be used to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables, bread and baked goods, meat, fish, and poultry, dairy products, honey and maple products, and value-added foods like soup mixes, sauces, and jams and jellies. Herb plants and plants that produce food may also be purchased with EBT coins.

There is a valuable bonus to using SNAP benefits at the market: for every $2 in EBT coins exchanged, customers will receive a $2 FreshConnect coupon to spend on SNAP-eligible foods at the market. Additionally, FreshConnect coupons are available to veterans, service members, and their families. They can receive up to $50 in $2 vouchers by contacting the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency. SNAP/EBT & FreshConnect are accepted by vendors selling EBT-allowable foods on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

There is another excellent resource at the market on Saturdays: Comfort Food Community (CFC), a local nonprofit addressing food insecurity in our region. CFC organizes several food voucher programs sponsored by local health care institutions and Medicaid. These vouchers are part of CFC’s Produce Prescription program, which helps individuals with chronic health conditions and lower incomes access nutritious local foods. Please visit the CFC stand for more information on how to join.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Wednesdays from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at High Rock Park in downtown Saratoga. The Clifton Park Farmers’ Market opens on Monday, June 1 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Shenendehowa Methodist Church parking lot on Route 146. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @saratogafarmersmarket.

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 of 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.

Grill Spatula and 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 is 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.

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

In May, the farms surrounding Saratoga awaken into their busy season. Fields that sat quiet through winter begin filling with rows of greens. Frost still clings to the morning fields, but the green returns anyway — first in rows of spinach and arugula, then in the muddy tire tracks of tractors heading back into the fields. Greenhouses fog with warmth before sunrise, and handwritten roadside signs begin appearing again: fresh eggs, spring greens. The air carries the scent of damp soil, fresh-cut grass, and lilacs blooming beside old barns.

Across the region’s farms, spring is no longer a promise — it’s finally in motion.

As the growing season gets underway, local farmers are deep into the rhythms of spring — planting, harvesting, and preparing for the busy months ahead. We spoke with a few farmers about what spring looks like on their farms.

Mark Bascom and Lindsay Fisk of Owl Wood Farm shared:

“Spring on the farm is always exciting and full of hope. We plant our first seeds indoors at the end of February to have vegetables ready for opening day at market. Once the snow melts, we begin preparing field beds by removing old crop debris and adding compost to feed the soil and plants.

“The garden is beautiful this time of year with bright green transplants and no weeds in sight. The strawberry plants are full of blossoms, which takes vigilance on cold nights to prevent frost damage. We’re also busy in the tunnels, taking out cold-hardy greens and transplanting cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and ginger.”

Laurie Kokinda of Kokinda Farm said:

“We’ve cleaned up the gardens, removed debris, and gently tilled the soil. We’re setting up water lines for irrigation and putting up fences. I’m hilling potatoes and fertilizing everything with natural fertilizers and organic plant food. We also have many chickens producing eggs, and chicks will arrive midway through the summer to help supply eggs through winter. We’re maintaining black raspberries, currants, peach trees, pear trees, and rhubarbs. Rotation planting is also a top priority right now, so we have produce throughout the season.”

Ariel Garland of May-K-Mark shared:

“Spring means lots of babies — all our beef cattle are calving, so that’s always exciting. We check on the cows twice a day to make sure the moms don’t need any help. Then we tag the calves and let them do their thing.

We’re also doing lots of fence checking to prepare for rotational grazing. Right now, all the cattle are in one pasture, but soon they’ll start moving from pasture to pasture. Over on the dairy farm, we’re spreading manure and getting the pasture ready for the dairy cows to graze.”

In a region where farmland still stretches beyond back roads and small towns, it’s easy to forget how special it is to have access to fresh, seasonal food grown just miles from home. Throughout the spring, local farms provide more than produce for market tables — they offer a direct connection to the land, the season, and the people who care for both.

The Saratoga Farmers Market is open Wednesdays, 3–6 PM, and Saturdays, 9 AM–1 PM, at High Rock Park in downtown Saratoga. Visit saratogafarmersmarket.org to sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow the market on Facebook and Instagram.

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

We are at that time of year of celebrating weddings. Typically, the season begins in late spring and into early fall. It’s the most wonderful day for many – the day you get to say your vows with the one you love the most in the world. The one that you want to spend the rest of your life with. And all the people you love most in the world will be right there with you! 

I hold dear memories of my own wedding that include the magical part of being special and surrounded by love.  It includes feeling the delight and sharing that happiness with others and recognizing that these are the people who will remain in your life as a part of your marriage. We were very blessed to have parents on both sides, that made sure our wedding day was unforgettable. Keep in mind that things will happen and not to sweat it. Our day was perfect until we did not have a ride home from the venue! 

My mother added to our day by making large platters of Italian cookies to add to our dessert offerings. All of the Italian matriarchs in my family joined in together to make the most incredible cookies (that were a hit) being consumed by the handfuls by our guests. Paula and I walked around the reception with two huge platters to share with our guests. Although cookies may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of a wedding, once you start thinking about it, you may realize how much they can be a perfect way to celebrate such a special day. While the wedding cake is still the belle of the ball, cookies can be an excellent support to this main headliner. In fact, cookies are a great treat that are commonly served during weddings or special occasions, we just don’t pay that much attention to celebrate such a special day. As we plan for our daughter Aubrey’s wedding, we reflect on the magnificent experience that our families provided in making sure we had a special day. 

Another part of weddings is what to get for the couple? At Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, we offer those culinary tools that many would contribute to a couple’s kitchen and culinary needs. We also offer a wedding registry for the special couple.  Stop in and we can work with you on your selection. Updating the kitchen is often the first thing we think of when starting a new life together. This new step offers a great opportunity to throw out old kitchenware and update your old pots, pans, and knives.  Gifting kitchen tools to someone who loves cooking can be a thoughtful and practical gesture. Consider their cooking style and preferences when choosing the tools, and you might want to pick something unique or of high quality. From specialized gadgets to quality knives or cookware, there are plenty of options to consider. Stop by Compliments to the Chef and let us help you with that special gift. Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen.” 

When selecting your garden plants, we recommend avoiding multi-packs of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Although they may seem like a bargain, they are often rootbound and oversized for their containers. If you go this route, you should plan on repotting them into larger containers for a couple of weeks before transplanting them into the garden. We’ve found 4”-5” pots to be large enough for adequate root development, allowing your plants to take off quickly once transplanted.

Most other garden vegetables, such as cucumbers, zucchini, and other squashes, as well as lettuces and greens, are fine in multi-packs as long as the cells they’re planted in are large enough. The important thing is that the plant doesn’t seem outlandishly large for the container it’s growing in. A 12” tall tomato in a tiny cell will take a much longer time to establish compared to one grown in a larger pot.  

After purchasing your plants, be sure to keep them watered. Plants perform best when thoroughly watered and then allowed to dry back. The soil should not stay soggy because the roots need air but should never be allowed to dry out completely.  

Plants are ready for transplant when the roots have nicely filled the pot. You should be able to remove the plant from the pot by gently pulling on the stem, leaving no soil behind, with lots of visible roots but not circling around the inside of the pot.

To prep your garden for planting, you can use a rototiller or dig it by hand. If this is a new garden plot, we highly recommend rototilling, as hand-digging is an arduous task. We believe that using organic methods will help you improve your soil over time, resulting in healthier plants. The use of compost is central to organic growing. We recommend a good shovelful every 2’-3’, raked into the soil. Be sure to also use a high-quality, organic fertilizer when you transplant, and side-dress every few weeks during the season. Espoma and North Country Organics are two brands we have used in our own garden with excellent results.

When it’s time to transplant, be sure to have water at hand and avoid planting during the hottest part of the day to lessen the shock to your tender plants. First, work the compost and fertilizer into the soil of your garden bed. The holes for smaller plants can be made using just your fingers, but holes for larger plants will be easier to dig with a trowel. Make each hole large enough for the plant’s root ball. Place the seedling in the hole, keeping the top of the root ball level with the soil surface. An exception to this rule would be tomatoes, which can be planted deeper, with the soil burying the lower stem. Roots will grow from the buried stem, creating additional roots to support a larger plant and more fruit. Cover the roots with the loose soil and water it well. Keep your young transplants well-watered and check them daily to be sure they don’t dry out.  Before you know it, you’ll be harvesting delicious vegetables from your own backyard!

You can find garden transplants at the following farms at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market: Leaning Birch Farm, Balet Flowers & Design, Burger’s MarketGarden, Gomez Veggie Ville, and Lovin’ Mama Farm.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Wednesdays from 3:00-6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at High Rock Park in Downtown Saratoga. Find us online at https://saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @saratogafarmersmarket.

Hello  my Foodie Friends!

This weekend is Mother’s Day. For many of us, it brings back memories of our childhood. My memories include the chaos my parents incurred in getting five children to do their homework, eat dinner, brush their teeth and get to bed every school night. I often reminisce about the work my mother had in raising three boys and two girls.  In many of my articles I have talked about growing up in an Italian family.  I was reminded by one of my customers that 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 a child, every room in the house where I grew up included constant teaching and training by my mother. The bedroom task was making your bed, dusting furniture, sweeping the floor or vacuuming the rugs and organizing your clothes.  The bathroom was to be kept clean at all times, and the living room was “keep your feet off the couch”!  The kitchen was the most intense training. Washing and drying dishes to cleaning and setting the table. When we all sat at the kitchen table, our family discussions were learning times.  We shared everything from how our day went to how to pass the potatoes. We learned manners, how to hold a fork and at the beginning of the meal watched how much Mom did to prepare the meals and us for dinner.  One of my mother’s favorite cooking tools, as well as my wife’s favorite, is the wooden spoon.  My mother used a wooden spoon for all of her daily cooking tasks. She would let us “taste” her sauce using a wooden spoon. There were wooden spoons for frying the meatballs, stirring the sauce and one that would sit at the kitchen table while we ate. 

Compliments to the Chef would like to salute all the moms who have made life happen in our homes and especially the kitchen. Who was the first one to start cooking a meal and the last to sit down for a meal?  Who was still in the kitchen cleaning well after everyone else had left?  From what room in the house did Mom dole out free advice on dating, school, employment and dealing with disappointment?  Where did some your funniest memories of mom take place?  

Foodie moms are the easiest to please on a special day – especially Mother’s Day. If they are cooking special meals for you or if they are just one who simply loves to eat, there are so many exciting ways of giving a treat these days. Creating a “foodie” theme for your mom can be a fun way to tell them how much you appreciate their cooking.

This Mother’s Day when it is time for dinner, seat mom first and clean up so they can enjoy their day.  Call Mom on a regular basis.  You cannot say “I love you, Mom” enough.  

Stop by and shop at Compliments to the Chef, Your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place for our line of Beechwood, bamboo, and pakkawood spoons and instantly take your culinary, dining, and entertaining experience to the next level. The wooden spoon was a primary cooking utensil used by Julia Child and other great chefs around the world. Each of our beechwood  spoons are made in France where they are lovingly handcrafted to standards of unsurpassed quality. For centuries wooden spoons and wooden cooking utensils have been preferred by chefs for their numerous advantages. Unlike metal or plastic, a wooden spoon can be left in the pot without the risk of melting, burning your hand, or ruining a temperature-sensitive dish. A wooden kitchen utensil will not change the taste of acidic foods the way metal will. Wooden spoons are versatile. Simply wash your kitchen utensil with warm soapy water and allow to air dry. Restore your wood utensils to their satiny finish by treating them with a little mineral oil or beeswax compound.

As we all are working through our hectic schedules, remember that family time is the most important time. Eat together as a family, share stories, talk about your day, listen to each other, enjoy good food, and remember to compliment the chef. Bring your family together for at least an hour a day. Mealtime is family time. Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen.” 

Take Care, John & Paula

Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for the special woman in your life this Mother’s Day? How about creating a customized gift basket for her from the Saratoga Farmers Market? Our vendors have unique, high-quality products that are sure to please. Here are some ideas: 

The “Spa Day” Relaxation basket

This basket is ideal for a mom who deserves a quiet afternoon of pampering. For example, you could include a hand-crafted soap and luxurious body lotion from Thymeless Homestead, an aromatic essential oil roller from Bella Blends, a lavender hydrosol from Furlong Farmhouse Lavender, and a bee’s wax candle from Ballston Lake Apiaries. 

The “Saratoga Gourmet” Breakfast basket

How about a relaxing breakfast with mom? This basket could include berry jams from Kokinda Farm or Yada Yada Yada Farm, a loaf of sourdough from Nightwork Bread, pastries from Sweet Treats by Jennifer or Katie Bakes Gluten Free, creamy Greek yogurt from Argyle Cheese Farmer, a bag of freshly-roasted coffee from Something’s Brewing, and maple syrup from Wild Hog’s Sugar Shack.  

The “Perfect Picnic” Basket 

Surprise your mom with a picnic on the porch or in the park. This basket could feature a fresh baguette from Bakery Suzanne, creamy Kunik from Nettle Meadow Farm, pickles from Pucker’s Gourmet, smoked salmon from Coleman’s Catch or Pure Vida Fisheries, salad fixings from your favorite vegetable farm, crisp apples from Saratoga Apple, and dilly beans from Muddy Trail Jerky Company. 

The “Gardener’s Delight” Basket

Does your mom love to putter around in the garden? If yes, fill up a large basket or tray with a variety of vegetable, flower and herb seedlings. You can find an abundance of beautiful plants at Lovin’ Mama Farm, Leaning Birch Farm, Balet Flowers & Design, Burger’s Market Garden, Gomez Veggie Ville, and more. 

These are only a few ideas to get you started. Let yourself be inspired as you meander through the market this weekend. And don’t forget to pick up a fresh, beautiful bouquet or potted plant from one of the market’s local flower farms. Happy Mother’s Day!

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Wednesdays from 3:00-6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at High Rock Park in Downtown Saratoga. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @saratogafarmersmarket.

Hello  my Foodie Friends!

Cinco de Mayo celebrations will be coming up soon. 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 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