Hello my Foodie Friends!   

Hello my Foodie Friends! Grilling in our backyards during the month of August is among my favorite summertime pastimes. Your BBQ, grilling, and outdoor cooking missions can eventually bring you to one of life’s simple joys: meat on a stick. 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. If you’re using a grill with a lid, make sure you choose a skewer length that will allow you to close the grill lid. Metal skewers now come in flat, round, spiral, or square shapes, and some also have double shafts. A square or spiral shape is especially helpful in keeping foods from sliding off the skewer or spinning around the shaft as you turn them on the grill. If you’re already working with spinning skewers (round metal or wooden), you can try using tongs to cradle the foods as you turn them and keep things grilling evenly.

Shish kabobs, usually just called kabobs, refers to meat and vegetables cut into one inch cubes and put on a skewer. “Kabobs,” translated, simply means a meat dish of Middle Eastern origins. In America, most skewered meats and vegetables have been come to be known as kabobs. Some common ingredients for a kabob is onion, bell pepper, various meats, mushrooms, and a variety of other foods. There are many specialties of various skewered meat dishes from all around the world, but in America, kabob has come to mean any of them. While kabobs are not necessarily always cooked on a grill, they usually are. This allows the meat to take on the smoky grill flavor as well as get a nice char on it. With wooden skewers, the skewer has a nice char as well. The key to grilling great kabobs is making sure they cook evenly. Make sure before you place anything on the grill, it’s at medium temperature. Then, as the kabobs cook, rotate them regularly, so they don’t burn on one side while being raw on the other.

If you’re going to make shish kebabs with both meat and veggies, you must precook the meat so that you’re just heating it. Otherwise, by the time the meat is cooked, the veggies will be charcoal. Also, make sure the foods that take longer to cook (like onions and peppers) are cut into smaller pieces than the quick-cooking foods (like pineapple and cherry tomatoes) so that nothing burns. 

Other skew suggestions: Fruit skewers. Just like above, you can put similarly sized chunks of fruit onto a skewer, chill, and serve. It’s even better if you serve a yogurt or cream cheese dip or chocolate fondue with them.

Fresh veggie skewers. Whether you cook them or not, a skewer makes veggies infinitely more appealing to children. The novelty might get veggies into little tummies where they otherwise would not go. As with the fruit, if you serve a dip with them, they might go over better. Or, forget the kids and make grilled mushrooms to add to a steak.

This summer; let the aspiring little chefs’ help create unique and memorable food on a stick. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, for an assortment of skewers to help you create your food on the stick creations. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen!”

Take Care, John & Paula

The Saratoga Farmers’ market is partnering with Prestwick Chase at Saratoga, Adirondack Trust Company and MVP to bring the 2nd Annual, 2025 La Petite Flower Festival and Taste of the market to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market.

WHAT is the La Petite Flower Festival? The La Petite Flower Festival is a fun way to celebrate the ever changing landscape of flower growing season in the northeast.  The market started this last year with a small event and it’s growing into a much bigger event for the community; it’s free fun for everyone.

WHAT is the Taste of the Market? The Taste of the Market is being incorporated into the La Petite Flower Festival.  Tickets are purchased at the GREEN SHED at the market for $2.50 each.  Each ticket provides you the opportunity to taste unique flavors and treats throughout the market with specific vendors that are not normally offered.  You can purchase as many tickets as you’d like and a list of participating vendors will be released the week of August 18th.  The proceeds benefit the market which is a 501(c)3 organization.

WHEN:  The 2025 La Petite Flower Fest and Taste of the Market takes place, rain or shine, on Saturday, August 23rd from 9am to 1pm at High Rock Park.

FUN & DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES:  While the market hosts over 70 fabulous vendors weekly, the La Petite Flower Fest and brings different and exciting activities to the market for the public to enjoy that are not part of the weekly market experience.

* Learn Ecco Pounding with guest Native Farms

* Create a Floral inspired Card with guest Mary O’Connell

* Enjoy watching our guest floral artist Sarah Straight as she paints her way through the market

* Themed Family Craft Activity with Saratoga Springs Mobile Library

* Special Demos with some of our very own flower growers (final list release next week)

* Music by Sean Lippin & Andy Araya and Ethan Crowley

* Fun market activities and more…

Questions: If you have questions or want to participate, please email the market at manager@saratogafarmersmarket.org

Come on out to the market weekly to support your local community of farmers, growers & local producers.  Mark your calendar for the 2025 La Petite Flower Fest and Taste of the Market and stay tuned for upcoming festivals & events by following the market’s social media and joining their bi-weekly newsletter.

Market News:

* La Petite Flower Fest is Saturday Market on Saturday, August 23rd at High Rock Park

* Free Kids Club every Wednesday at High Rock Park with different themes, stay tuned at the website and in the market’s social media (Facebook & instagram)

* Festival of Lanterns and the Great Pumpkin Festival is on Saturday, September 27th

* Howling Halloween is on Saturday, October 25th

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open:

Mondays | 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Shenendehowa Methodist, Route 146 Clifton Park

Wednesdays | 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturdays | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

High Rock Park, Downtown Saratoga Springs

Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.  And, don’t forget to join the market’s FREE weekly newsletter.

Hello my Foodie Friends!   

When I was a kid, I did not like quiche. I have no idea why. Maybe the quiche I tried back then was improperly prepared or contained ingredients that I didn’t like. Whatever the reason, the word “quiche” had a negative connotation in my mind even into my adulthood. Maybe it was the saying “Real men don’t eat quiche”.  However, in my adulthood, I have learned to love quiche with buttery pastry; rich, eggy custard; gooey cheese and pretty much any meat or veggie topping under the sun. I know that I have devoured every quiche that I have or my wife has ever made. I love the versatility of the ingredients, the convenient make-ahead aspect and that it’s pretty much a one pot meal. Quiche is easy to prepare and a wonderful year-round favorite that’s just as perfect for summer brunches or dinners when only comfort food will do. With a house full of summer guests, summer breakfast quiche has become Paula’s “go to” for a delicious, quick, and sought-after meal to serve. 

An important tool to use for your quiche is a tart/quiche pan. This is a kitchen tool that makes every baked good look perfect.  The best tart/quiche pan is an important tool in the kitchen that can be used for many dishes and are brilliant for everyday sweet treats, brownies, quiches, cakes, and more. A tart pan is a round-shaped and shallow pan, most commonly used to make tarts, pies, and quiches. Most tart pans have two parts: a detachable base and ring edge. Tart pans come in a variation of sizes ranging from 4” all the way up to 12”.Pans with removable bottoms allow the baker to remove the rim before sliding the tart off the disk base and onto a serving plate. The wavy edges on a tart pan’s rim, called flutes, give the finished tart its professional, polished appearance.

Give quiche a chance. Consider a quiche creation to serve to your summer guests. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place for an assortment of tart/quiche pans and other “cool” culinary tools. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care, John & Paula

It is National Farmers’ Market Week and we are celebrating all things local at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market like we do each and every week!  Farmers markets are vital to the health of our communities, economies, and the environment. They create access to fresh food, empower local farmers and small businesses, and help to build meaningful community connections.  Here are some reasons to celebrate our local Saratoga market;

* Farmers markets offer one of the few low-barrier entry points for new and beginning farmers and many small businesses. 

* They allow growers and producers to test products, connect directly with customers, and grow sustainable businesses. 

* Farmers Markets help to keep farmland active and rural economies strong.  Small family farms can struggle to compete with large agribusiness. Buying from markets helps keep them going and growing.

* Buying local puts more money back into the community and helps to create local jobs.

* The produce you buy is fresh-picked at peak ripeness, not shipped across the country, or stored for weeks.  Shopping seasonly is part of nature and buying locally grown has been proven to limit waste while offering diverse produce items you don’t often find in chain stores.

* Many grocery store foods are highly processed. Market food items, other than produce, are  minimally processed, and typically packed without preservatives.

* You’ll find meat, eggs, and dairy from animals raised without hormones, in open pastures, and  on natural diets.

* You can discover locally made and hand-crafted items that are unique to the area.

Build a relationship with the people who grow, make your food and sell other locally made items.  Learn their practices, their values, and their stories.  Ask them how they like to use their products and discover new ways to enjoy local foods and goods from your local experts.  It creates a sense of community and a unique shopping experience.

Market News:

• Free Kids Club every Wednesday at High Rock Park with different themes, stay tuned at the website and in the market’s social media (Facebook & instagram)

• Yoga at he Market on Wednesday, August 20th

• Save the Date for the ‘La Petite Flower Fest’ – Coming Saturday, August 23rd

• Support the market and sponsor a lantern for the Festival of Lanterns at the market coming in September.  Your donation supports the market which is a 501(c)3 organization.  The funds support the free events the market provides along with helping to cover rising administrative costs.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open:

Mondays | 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Shenendehowa Methodist, Route 146 Clifton Park

Wednesdays | 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturdays | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

High Rock Park, Downtown Saratoga Springs

Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.  And, don’t forget to join the market’s FREE weekly newsletter.

“Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness”

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

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open:
Mondays | 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Shenendehowa Methodist, Route 146 Clifton Park
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at High Rock Park, Downtown Saratoga Springs

Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.  And, don’t forget to join the market’s FREE weekly newsletter.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is your one-stop destination to discover all things locally grown and produced; and that includes an impressive selection of small-batched, locally crafted spirits.

Whether you’re packing a picnic for the track, hosting a backyard gathering, preparing for a special event, or simply unwinding with a quiet cocktail under the summer skies, the market is the perfect place to find something special to elevate your sip.

From infused liqueurs to locally distilled favorites, the market hosts vendors who offer a wide variety of artisanal options that reflect the passion and creativity of local makers. It’s a great way to support small businesses while enjoying high-quality, handcrafted products.

Add a splash of local flavor to your next toast by visiting the market and exploring what’s on tap. 

Albany Distilling (Saturday): Canned cocktails, Whiskey, Rum & Vodka

Ballston Lake Apiaries (Saturday): Mead (known as honey wine)

Main Street Distillery (Wednesday): Assorted Whiskey options (Single Malt, Wheat, Rye), Bourbon and Brandy

Old Tavern Farm (Saturday): Assorted wines (reds, whites, rose & canned options), Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Vodka, Cocktail syrups

Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery (Wednesday and Saturday): Assorted Whiskey options, Bourbon, Gin, Liqueur, Limoncello, Moonshine and more

The Bull and Bee Meadery (Saturday): Assorted, canned mead options with different flavors

Yankee Distillers (Saturday): Bourbon, Rum, Whiskey, Vodka

Looking for something non-alcoholic? You’re in luck! The market is also a fantastic place to stock up on mocktail essentials:

•Local honey and maple syrup for natural sweetness

•Fresh herbs like mint, basil, and lavender

•Seasonal fruits for muddling, garnishing, or juicing

•Cold brew coffees and herbal teas for refreshing twists and more

Cheers to sipping local—whatever’s in your glass!

Market News:

•Free Kids Club every Wednesday at High Rock Park with different themes, stay tuned at the website and in the market’s social media (Facebook & instagram)

• Save the Date for the ‘La Petite Flower Fest’ – Coming  Saturday, August 23rd

• Support the market and sponsor a lantern for the Festival of Lanterns at the market coming in September. Your donation supports the market which is a 501(c)3 organization.  The funds support the free events the market provides along with helping to cover rising administrative costs.

Memories for a Lifetime

Hello  my Foodie Friends!

This week I will continue with Part III of my incredible summer adventure that I have shared for the past two weeks. Last week I left off that I had been recruited to help “crew” the sailing of a 50-foot motor yacht (named The Graduate) from West Palm Beach Florida to Narragansett Rhode Island.  During my flight down to West Palm Beach along with the rest of the “crew”, I quickly realized this might be the adventure of a lifetime.  From the moment I stepped off the plane, and we stepped onto the boat “The Graduate”, the true sailing experts (crew) treated me like they had known me forever. They started right away teaching me how to tie and untie the boat from the dock. Long sessions included hours of learning how to tie different knots, where the engine filters were on the engines and how to change them. The engine filters were being changed almost hourly in the beginning because of so much sludge in the engines from sitting and limited use for 20 years. It wasn’t much but I felt like I was helping. This was the first time I heard the phrase “Break Out Another Thousand” or BOAT. The boat truly was becoming a BOAT in that Ron was spending so much money every day to get this boat to Rhode Island. We had many breakdowns where both engines would fail, and we would be just drifting down the intercoastal. Now don’t get me wrong, drifting down the intercoastal is as close to heaven as you can get with Dolphins and Manatees swimming alongside you and the views of beautiful wildlife. Each time the engines failed, we would limp into a port for repairs. During this excursion, it was also the first time I had the fish grouper fresh out of the ocean. As we would feast on fresh seafood each evening, we all shared watching beautiful sunsets together and listening to the great stories from the retired coast guard guys. Every 100 miles or so the captain would take us out of the intercostal to test the boat in the big ocean. During one of our ventures out into the ocean, we encountered very bad weather and huge waves crashed over our decks. The boat really rocked to and fro, which shook the engines and worked up the sludge from the bottom of the tanks.  I had never encountered this and was very nervous. The captain had me stay in the engine room and continually change filters, but it was too much and again the engines failed. However, this was the Atlantic Ocean not the intercostal. I was worried, but the other crew who had been men of the coast guard, acted like they had found the fountain of youth and went into action. My bunk mate Jim started telling jokes and singing. He even started singing “the weather started getting rough and the tiny ship was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless crew the Graduate would be lost!” We all joined in. The captain got on the radio contacting the shore to send a tugboat to bring us to safety. This was a very expensive layover for Ron. It was Memorial Day weekend and hard to find boat mechanics. Ron’s wise decision to invite three important retirees from the coast guard helped make everything happen. After our layover with boat repairs, the food and drink was had by all and Lady Luck was on our side after a three-day layover.  We now went back to the intercostal where sailing was easier. Though we had to be very careful with areas that were shallow which caused rudder and propeller damage. We got up through the Intercoastal up until Myrtle Beach because that was when my brother contacted me and reminded me that I was a member of his wedding party and had to come home immediately. I begged him to free me of my commitment but to no avail. This was my adventure of a lifetime and there was still another week or two left to the journey. With tears in my eyes, I said goodbye to the crew and Ron and boarded a bus for Connecticut.  Another long journey for another day. I know it’s selfish but 25 years later when my brother got divorced all I could think of was that boat. Well at least we had Paris, here’s looking at you Ron and Deedy.   Thank you for an adventure of a lifetime. 

This summer, create those lifelong memories. They may be filled with adventures that are unexpected. Roll with it and have fun. Adventure is more than just a journey – it’s a way of life. Whether you’re exploring new destinations, or chasing unforgettable experiences, hold close to the times you have with your family and friends. This summer, make some seafood meals to remind you of the ocean and those precious memories you have made with friends and family. In my mind, I am dreaming of “driving the boat”! Unfortunately, Ron is no longer with us to share and laugh at these stories. However, they are memories that I hold dear in my heart every day. Here’s to you Ron. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place for the accoutrements for summer adventure meals. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen” with good times, friends, and great food (gathering safely).  

Take Care, John & Paula

Clean living is a holistic lifestyle rooted in intentional, healthy choices—from the food we eat to the products we use on our bodies and in our homes. It’s about more than just “eating clean”; it also embraces sustainability, non-toxic beauty and cleaning products, and a conscious approach to everyday decisions.

At its core, clean living means mindfully selecting products made with safe, natural ingredients that support your health and well-being. It’s a lifestyle built on the belief that what we put in and around our bodies matters—and that simple, informed choices can lead to a more balanced life.

Clean Living at the Market

Did you know that the Saratoga Farmers’ Market is filled with clean-living essentials? From handcrafted body care to natural home products, many of our vendors offer items that align perfectly with a clean lifestyle.

Wednesdays at the Market:

• Bella Blends – A wide array of essential oil-based products including beauty items, candles, and natural bug repellents.

• Pure & Co. – Homemade, wholesome, and organic skincare and bath products for the whole family. Their offerings include goat milk body wash, Dead Sea salt scrubs, and Shea butter soap bars.

Saturdays at the Market:

• Awakened Tonics – Apple cider vinegar-based tonics and infused products crafted to support wellness from the inside out.

• Bella Blends – Also available on Saturdays with their full line of wellness goods.

• Furlong Lavender Farm – From fragrant bundles and soothing hydrosols to cleaning solutions and curated gift baskets, their products bring the calming benefits of lavender into your everyday routine.

• Saratoga Suds n’ Stuff – Offers handcrafted face and body bars, vegan soaps, palm oil-free options, and novelty soap shapes, all using fresh ingredients from local farms.

• Thymeless Homestead – A niche line of sheep’s milk products, including sugar scrub soaps, lanolin-based lotions and lip balms, natural sunscreens, bug repellents, and solid perfumes.

And don’t miss:

• Ballston Lake Apiaries, Holly & Vine Farm, and Saratoga Candle – All offering a variety of beeswax-based products and natural candles to keep your home toxin-free and cozy.

Living clean starts with small, conscious choices—and the market is the perfect place to begin or continue your journey toward a healthier lifestyle.

Market News:

• Free Kids Club every Wednesday at High Rock Park with different themes, stay tuned at the website and in the market’s social media (Facebook & Instagram)

• Save the Date for the ‘La Petite Flower Fest’ –  Coming Saturday, August 23rd

• Support the market and sponsor a lantern for the Festival of Lanterns at the market coming in September.  Your donation supports the market which is a 501(c)3 organization.  The funds support the free events the market provides along with helping to cover rising administrative costs.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open:
Mondays | 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Shenendehowa Methodist, Route 146 Clifton Park
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at High Rock Park, Downtown Saratoga Springs

Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket. And, don’t forget to join the market’s FREE weekly newsletter.