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

The grills are coming out, getting cleaned up, and firing up for a brand-new season of flavor—and the Saratoga Farmers’ Market is the perfect place to stock up for all your summer cookouts.

With seven local meat vendors, the market offers a wide variety of locally raised options. Each vendor takes pride in the care, quality, and sustainability behind their products—so you can feel good about what you’re putting on the grill.

As you shop, take a moment to chat with the farmers. You might be surprised by what they love to grill! Whether it’s a perfectly seasoned steak, a simple burger with farm-fresh toppings, or a smoky sausage with grilled veggies, they’re full of tips on prep, marinades, and cooking methods.

Grazin’ Acres: Sells beef, chicken, lamb, bacon, sausage, turkey, veal, pork and pheasant.

Hepatica Farm: Sells Poultry chicken, turkey and sausage.

Holly & Fine Farm: Sells chicken, Duck and Turkey. “Our beer can chicken recipe is really popular – it uses a whole chicken that is moist and flavorful with a crispy skin.  Find the recipe on our website at hollyandvinefarm.com”

Jireh Organic Farm and Livestock of NY: Sells beef, chicken and pork.

Long Lesson Farm: Sells Beef, chicken and pork.

May-k-Mark:  Sells Rose veal.  “We have so many great grilling options it is hard to choose just one as a favorite.  The one that brings back the most memories would be sirloin steak marinated in Cubby’s barbecue sauce (a local business where I grew up), potatoes and onions thin sliced with plenty of butter in a foil packet on the grill with seasonal veggies.”

Thymeless Homestead: Sells Chicken and Lamb. “We love our ground lamb made into our Greek Inspired lamburgers with feta cheese; check these burgers in this week’s recipe share.”  

In addition to our meat vendors there are vendors who specialize in adding to the many flavors that come from the grill;

Muddy Trail Jerky Co: “We’ve got plenty for the grill!  Chicken certainly gets Sweet & Smokey rub or or Flippin’ the Bird Seasoning. Burgers, perfect with our Mesquite BBQ Rub or our traditional Burger Seasoning. Steaks! Try our Badass Rub or Steak Rub. Grill Seasonings are 3/$20.00”

Rams Valley: New to the market, they have a wide variety of sauces perfect for the grill,, including BBQ sauce to try and experiment with.  They are grilling at the market live every week so you can taste test before purchase..

So, this season, explore your local food sources, support your community farmers and producers, and discover new favorites to throw on the grill.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open: Wednesdays | 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. 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.

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