Displaying items by tag: Compliments to the Chef

Hello my Foodie Friends! 

It is amazing to think that the holiday season is here. Planning for family gatherings and meals can be a stressful time during this time of year. We strive for the Norman Rockwell experience of perfect times, perfect food and respectful conversation. Reality is for many people, family gatherings during the holidays are rarely stress-free. I tell my Thanksgiving story every year because it is one that we reflect on and smile. I also do it to pay homage to my mother-in-law for allowing me to tell this precious story each year. Thanksgiving would not be complete without my real-life story of Grandma and the Turkey. It was a long time ago when our children, Johnny, age 3 and Aubrey 5 months old at the time, would make the annual trek to Grandma and Grandpa’s house to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and watch football. To begin; let me explain I am a Giants fan and so is my mother-in-law. Therefore, watching the Cowboys is not our favorite thing to do. However, her son is and so is my sister-in-law’s husband. Yep, two Cowboy fans in the same house and they do not like each other! I love football so I watched but the room was silent because the two brothers-in-law do not speak to each other. They were holding their feelings down to make my mother-in-law happy. As the game was being watched, my mother-in-law was busy making a huge feast for all to enjoy. She was very nervous because she wanted everyone to get along. We always ate after the game and this particular game was a tight one. Most Cowboy fans may want to stop reading now. With just seconds left in the game, the Miami Dolphins lined up to make a game-winning field goal and it was blocked by the Cowboys. The brothers-in-law were silent. I wanted to yell in happiness but held back because of the tension. All of a sudden one of the Cowboys (Leon Lett) chased the block field goal and touched it. Oh nooo! Well, the Dolphins got another chance and won. Half of the house celebrated, while my mother-in-law and I remained solemn. As the game ended, my mother-in-law continued working with my wife to complete the many dishes all cooking at once. There was a shout from the kitchen and Grandma announced that she had lost her glasses and could not see without them. Immediately, each of the brothers-in-law was pressed into service to find the glasses. These were not just any glasses; they were big and black and hard to lose but there were no glasses to be found. We looked everywhere. Grandma was close to tears when she asked me to check on and baste the turkey. This was a big turkey at 28 lbs. and it smelled great. I grabbed my son Johnny and the baster, which he took charge of, and opened the oven to show him the turkey. He said “look Daddy, the turkey can see better.” Yep, he found the glasses neatly melted in perfect harmony with the bird so it looked like he had eyes! I started laughing and everyone joined in. Needless to say, we had ham and lasagna but no turkey. It didn’t matter because the rest of the day was perfect. 

Through the fun and sometimes stressful events that can happen during the holidays – especially when we want it to be perfect – it can turn out to be a wonderful family gathering. Among our greatest and most treasured memories are the ones that are based in the kitchen or around a meal. As you get ready this season for your festivities and feasts, stop into Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place. Pick up roasters, basters, thermometers, and more for your meals. You can have that Norman Rockwell family gathering. Have a beautiful Thanksgiving Day. Remember, my Foodie Friends that “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

 Take Care, John & Paula

Hello my Foodie Friends! 

The holidays are inching closer by the moment, and that means it’s time to prepare for all those deliciously festive dinners you’ll be making. Perhaps you’ve been pinning your most anticipated holiday recipes for months in advance, or you’re scrambling to find an easy holiday dinner recipe. Either way, you’re going to need the cooking equipment to execute these dishes.

Every home cook needs a solid work surface in their kitchen to peel and chop produce, prep proteins and rest food before it’s time to slice and serve, which means you’ll need a quality cutting board. Not only do cutting boards protect your knives and countertop, but they make cleanup a breeze. No kitchen is complete without a quality cutting board. It is an essential tool that is heavily used by families on a daily basis. Much like a great chef’s knife or a dependable skillet, a great cutting board can seriously up your home cooking game. Whether you’re cutting veggies, chopping herbs, or slicing steak, the best cutting boards provide a large area on which you can work, as well as protection for the knives you’re using. If you obsess over your knives, as most chefs do, you should also care about your cutting boards. Often an afterthought in the kitchen, cutting boards prevent blades from being dulled on hard surfaces like counters or plates. They also play a key role in food sanitation. As such, a well-stocked kitchen should have several different cutting boards for the multitude of things you’ll need to cut. And while you can get a cutting board in a number of different shapes, sizes and materials, the best cutting boards allow you to cut everything from vegetables and bread to raw meat, fish and chicken safely and properly. In terms of material, wood is a good option for a cutting board. Naturally anti-microbial and often attractive enough to be used as a serving piece, wooden cutting boards are sturdy and can last a long time if cared for properly (wooden cutting boards are not dishwasher safe and so need to be hand washed thoroughly to sanitize and treated regularly to prevent warping or cracking).

If you take cooking seriously, then you need a cutting board that is sturdy, safe for food preparation, and reliable. We offer a variety of wood cutting boards to improve any kitchen. Not only are wood cutting boards functional, they are aesthetically pleasing as well. Wood can add natural warmth and beauty to any kitchen.

If you are looking to create a traditional appearance in your kitchen, a wood cutting board or two can help you achieve that goal. Wood is relatively easy to clean and maintain. Because of this, wood cutting boards do not easily contaminate or harbor harmful bacteria. Ultimately, don’t think of wood cutting boards as tools to be stored until used. Display them along with the rest of your kitchen’s best accessories!

We carry several types of cutting boards in various sizes to meet your culinary needs. 

If you’re looking for a cutting board to stay put on your counter, the Catskill Craftsmen cutting board is the board for you.. Its large surface area is good for a large piece of meat, or prepping multiple foods at once. Catskill Craftsmen boards are beautiful wood cutting boards made in the USA. They are made of harvested, sustainable quality domestic hardwoods. 

Epicurean makes a wide assortment of cutting boards in various shapes and sizes including large ones with juice grooves. These cutting boards are reversible, thin and light enough to toss in the sink or dishwasher for easy cleanup. It can also be flipped for an even larger cutting surface. Each board is made in the USA with quality composite,  natural material, is lightweight, durable, nonporous, knife friendly, easy to maintain and temperature resistant to 350 Degree F/175 Degree C.

If you prefer a plastic cutting board, the OXO Good Grips plastic utility cutting boards have been our favorite for years. We love how they grip to the counter and can be used for a variety of foods, from raw meat to fresh veggies. They’re easy to move around, which makes cleanup easy, especially since they can be tossed into the dishwasher. The cutting board is double-sided with a non-porous surface that can resist odors and won’t dull knife blades and they are dishwasher safe. 

Along with the fun and excitement of the holidays, come the major stresses, especially around food! There is something magical about the act of preparing meals and eating together. It is an act of giving and sharing. This holiday season, stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, located at 33 Railroad Place to get the essentials you will need to make your feasts. Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

 Take Care, John & Paula

Hello my Foodie Friends! 

The holiday season has become a traditional time for us to serve our glorious turkey and the side dishes that go with it. The holiday period is a time to start the preparations of items needed to create your fabulous feasts. At Compliments to the Chef, we have some gadgets which can make your holiday prep and serve a little easier. Good tools are essential to good cooking just like good tools are helpful to a carpenter building a house. One tool I think a lot of foodies don’t have or know how to use is the thermometer.  It is one of my must haves in a kitchen.  Undercooked turkey is a recipe for Salmonellosis!  Your turkey should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees for 15 seconds.  You should check the temperature in at least two places and in the thickest part of the turkey. Do not discount how much this tool means to not just you but your whole family. 

Our first recommendation is a simple Bi-Metallic stemmed thermometer.  There are others, such as digital but this is the simplest, easiest and most cost effective choice. It’s easy to calibrate and if you stop in to our new place I’ll personally teach you how. 

The second recommendation for a must have is a Flavor injector and there are many types.   Adding some flavor can really set your Turkey apart from Mom’s recipe. 

Our third recommendation is an open roaster. Roast meat, poultry, and vegetables to perfection with a large roaster. Open roasters can hold up to a 20-lb. turkey. The heavy-duty stainless-steel roasting pan features tall, straight sides, which help prevent splatters and spills, while its upright handles ensure a secure hold when transporting the pan to and from the oven, even when wearing thick oven mitts. The open roaster comes with a V-shaped nonstick roasting rack that elevates large cuts of meat to promote even cooking.

Another cool tool for your feast is a gravy/fat separator. There are various sizes and styles of gravy separators. Among the types is a 1 ¾ cup gravy separator that is made of FDA-approved, BPA-free polycarbonate and plastic. This gravy separator strains out fat, seasonings, and lumps for flavorful gravy, broth, soup stock, au jus, and sauce with lower fat and calories. The BPA-free polycarbonate and plastic structure resists breakage and is heat-safe to 248-degrees Fahrenheit. It has a large handle that allows for a safe grip The pierced lid strains out lumps and larger food bits with a low-set spout that pours flavorful liquids without the fat; drip-free spout for easy, mess-free pouring.  The fat separator also has a wide-mouth opening and markings in milliliters and cups (from ½-cup) makes straining and measuring easy; microwave safe for easy reheats. The fat separator is easy to use and is great for everyday or holiday meals and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

Also, have your knives sharpened so you do not end up hacking away at your roast. Remember, we have knife sharpening services at Compliments to the Chef. 

These are just a small list of what can help you this season. Getting ready for the holidays doesn’t have to be a struggle! Let us help you prepare for this holiday season. 

Stop by and fulfill your holiday culinary needs at Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located of 33 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs. Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen!” Also, remember to compliment the chef. 

 Take Care, John & Paula

Hello my Foodie Friends! 

A sharp knife is a cook’s best friend. This is evident with the use of a ceramic knife that offers tremendous ease and saves time as we cut up the vegetables. Ceramics are a fun and interesting breed of knife that are deceivingly sharp. Professionals and home cooks use ceramic knives due to their sharpness, strength, density, and precision making it a great tool to add to your culinary collection. Kyocera advanced ceramic knives are the perfect compliment to your cutlery at home. As soon as you pick up a Kyocera advanced ceramic knife, you will be intrigued with the benefits of using ceramics. The knife is light in weight yet balances perfectly in your palm. It is excellent for slicing fruits, vegetables, and boneless meats. The blade is ground to razor sharp perfection and holds their edge 10 times longer than other professional cutlery. Ceramic knives will not brown foods or transfer a metallic taste or smell. Ceramic is impervious to acids, oils, and salts. The blades will never rust. Can they break? Sure, but don’t we hand down ceramic plates over generations? Steel knives can break also so be careful with your cutlery.

Ceramic knives are intended to complement, not replace your cutlery. Use steel for carving, prying, and boning product. Ceramic knives come in a variety of sizes making them perfect for all types of culinary tasks. Because of the manufacturing process, the blades of a ceramic knife are flat and free from buckling. As a result of this technological advantage, the edges need to be ground with a diamond wheel or diamond sharpener. Traditional knife sharpeners cannot sharpen a ceramic knife. You can purchase one of their sharpeners made specifically for their ceramic knives. 

Caring for your ceramic knife is important to ensure proper care and the prolonged life of the knife:

• Please exercise the necessary caution when working, as the blades are very sharp.
• Ceramic knives are intended for the cutting of food. They are unsuitable for hitting and levering.
• Ceramic blades are not shock resistant! Do not allow the knife to fall onto a hard floor or similar surfaces!
• To ensure that the blade remains sharp over a long period, we recommend the use of a cutting surface made
   from wood or plastic.
• Never try to cut hard objects such as frozen food, bones, metal, etc!
• Never hold the knife in an open fire (high conductance of heat)!
• Never clean with a wire brush!
• Clean with a mild detergent after use.
• Store the ceramic knife in the supplied protective cover.
• Cleaning in a dishwasher is not recommended, unless it can be ensured that the knife cannot come into
   contact with other objects.
• Store out of the reach of children!

Looking for a different type of gift to give for the holiday season? Consider a ceramic knife for your special foodie. Advanced Ceramics are a cutting-edge technology that can help make your culinary prep easier and fun. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery Store located at 33 Railroad Place, for an assortment of Kyocera Advanced Ceramic knives. Remember my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen.” 

 Take Care, John & Paula