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Cooking with Condiments.  How to use em up, add authentic flavor and make easy meals that cut your cooking time in half!

I get this all the time.  I bought a jar of your sauce but I am not sure what to do with it. 

Whhhaaaat? 

First of all, our website has heaps of recipes so no excuse but let’s take a minute or two to talk about condiments and why they should be your best friend.   First of all most “true to their craft” artisan condiment makers like ourselves, strive to create the best authentic condiments we can, using fresh fruits and vegetables, quality spices, non gmo ingredients and have spent years developing recipes, so use us as your kitchen go-to. Most of our products, because they are savory rather than just sweet, are a perfect accompaniment to everything from simple roast chicken to stir-fry’s, noodles, salads and sandwiches. 

Now think about this.  You get home after a long day at work and you want to make Asian noodles, just like you had the other day at that Japanese lunch spot….you kind of know how to make an Asian style dressing to put on noodles. Maybe a little soy mixed with sesame?  Add some fish sauce?  Oh wait, you think to yourself, do I need rice wine vinegar and fresh ginger?  Oh forget it!  You are tired, don’t have any vinegar or ginger on hand and you definitely don’t want to run to the grocery store.  Sound familiar?  Now here is where we come in.  Take our Ginger Soy Infusion Dressing and pour over noodles.  Done.  It’s got all the above and then some…we start with Dashi stock, add fresh ginger, organic tamari, saki, fresh garlic, unhulled sesame seeds…. You see we just made your dinner go from…recipe hunting, ingredient buying and stressful to easy peasy Japanesey!  And our dressing is authentic and all natural, just read our ingredients.

 

Scenario number 2.  Chicken.  Boring Chicken Again?  What am I going to do with these chicken thighs tonight?  Hmmm…Do you want to make caramelized onion chicken with rosemary and potatoes…yes, yes you do BUT, you don’t want to chop onions, cry, ruin your eye makeup and then caramelize onions for 20 minutes before you even think about baking your chicken so instead you add Wozz! Triple Ale Onion Spread to your chicken thighs with some potatoes and pop em in the oven for 20 minutes.  YUP. 

 

That’s condiments.  Wait… at least that’s Wozz! Condiments.  Let’s not stoop so low to be compared to ketchup, because we are far ahead of the curve of corn syrup and canned tomatoes…we are a whole lot of fresh local ingredients, bold spices, no concentrates or gunk wrapped up into a whole lot of hard work in the kitchen and some real handcrafted love and care is added to each and every jar that may be sitting in your fridge right now.

Some may say, but I can make all that myself….sure you can but do you always want to?  Some say, I can make it better, I challenge that.  But hey…if you are a condiment champion, we’ll rise to the occasion. :) We spend hours painstakingly perfecting our recipes, sometimes we are in the kitchen for 12 hours making 1 batch of product.  Some say but mine are healthier.  We source a variety of our ingredients from local farms, use local 100% local maple syrup, fresh vegetables, fresh herbs, super spices including coriander, turmeric, paprika, fresh ginger and garlic.  We use only apple cider vinegar and fresh lemon juice to acidify our products, no purees or concentrates so If you are worried about them not being clean…you can stop worrying. If you would rather make all your sauces from scratch than that is ideal, of course!  but we just make it easier for you.  If you are worried about sugar, please know that because most of our condiments are savory rather than sweet that they are pretty low in sugar.  Our Kiwi Lime Salsa Verde has no added sugar, our Thai Orange Ginger Relish, Moroccan Tomato Onion Relish and North African Chermoula Dressing and Marinade are just a few others that are very low in sugar compared to most other jams and spreads on the market.  

 

Unless you only put a squeeze of lemon on everything…then yes maybe we are not for you.  But if you want full flavor and weeknight dinners that give you those memories of your travels around the globe but take less than 30 minutes to make than look no further than Wozz!

From burger toppings to salad drizzles to salmon marinades to chicken dinners to shrimp stir-frys to grilled pork chops, our condiments and sauces take your boring ole dinners and transform them into a unique tasting experience that takes no time at all and makes you look like a pro in the kitchen.

Want to make Japanese Sesame Beef and Broccoli?  All you need is Wozz, beef and broccoli.  Think about how you would make it from scratch. 

Think about it….

….

….

I bet I got most of you stumped….well unless you are an Asian cook connoisseur….if you are than good on ya.

 

Break out those condiments folks.  Open that bottle and pour it in the pan with your favorite meat, seafood or veggies. Cook and Serve. Garnish with parsley or a kale leaf if you must! ;) 

Cooking with condiments is easy, and with the rise of artisan food makers, it’s not unhealthy, it’s not generic, it’s not hard.  It’s easy, delicious and it will awaken your palate!  No one wants to eat another baked chicken breast dipped in ketchup.  No one wants to empty their kitchen cupboard at 7 at night looking for 18 ingredients to make an Asian stir-fry sauce.  So don’t!  All you have to do is buy Wozz!, eat Wozz! and repeat. And if you are stuck for ideas….just check out our recipes!

 

We are excited to announce that our Thai Peach Basil Salsa is back for a limited time!   We make this salsa once a year using only fresh summer peaches, fresh basil and Thai chili spice.   This salsa, I have got to tell you is a labor of love.  Every peach is pitted and hand cut by us.  It's a lot of work which is why we do 1 big batch and call it good until the next peach season arrives!   So get in while the gettin's good!   It's delicious atop grilled swordfish, mahi mahi, pork chops, duck, on these killer chicken tacos and with plain ole tortilla chips.  

Most of the time, we all don't think about breaking out the cheese board until fall settles in and it's time for a cozy fire and red wine or the holidays have arrived and you need to pull something together to impress your guests or work mates, but cheese plates are also a great addition to a summer picnic, camping trip, bbq or family gathering.  Break out the rose or some savignon blanc, assemble a cheese plate with some in-season summer fruits, raw honey comb, your favorite condiment (hint hint), charcuterie, savory crackers and voila, your average summer day just got a bit more special. This is what cheese plates do to you, they make you savor that glass of wine and pay attention to the medley of flavors that hit your palate.  Cheese plates just seem to slow time down, allowing you to savor and truly enjoy the moment.  I know that sounds a bit like a hallmark card but it's true.  Think about when you gather with a glass of wine around a cheese plate, you don't bite in like you are eating a big mac, you don't throw back your wine like it's 1992 and you are tail-gaiting at a pearl jam concert.  You just become a bit more postured, a bit more intellectual, a bit more well traveled, a bit more aware of what you are putting in your mouth.....right?   A bit more sophisticated in both taste and experience.  

Cheese does that to us.  

Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company is an artisanal award winning cheese company based out of South Woodstock, Vermont.  They handcraft their cheeses in small batches and have their own herd of Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorn cows.  They also work with local Vermont dairy farms so all their milk is 100% from Vermont.  They were kind of enough to send us a variety of their amazing cheeses to pair with our condiments and we spent the week not only making a couple cheese plates but experimented with their cheese in a bunch of new recipes.  We actually assembled two cheese plates, one that was a bit of a romantic style with their creamy Lille Cheese that paired beautifully with our Balsamic Fig Mostarda Spread and another cheese plate featuring a variety of their cheeses and a few of our condiments including our Moroccan Tomato Onion Relish, Triple Ale Onion Spread and Sticky Date Candied Orange Spread. 

We came up with our favorite pairings and with that we went a step further and created a few pizza, salad and sandwich recipes that were out of this world delicious...like this Bacon, Triple Ale Onion, Apple and Smoked Tilsit Pizza.  

Here are our Wozz! condiment pairing suggestions in collaboration with Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company.

1. Lille (Coulummiers)

Lille comes from the northern regions of France and is an ancestor to Brie.  It's a soft-ripened bloomy rind cheese that has a supple paste core enveloped by a rich creamy body and reveals a subtle mushroom nuance with notes of nut and butter.   This cheese pairs very well with our Sticky Date Candied Orange Chutney, Cranberry Blood Orange Cognac Gourmet Chutney and our Balsamic Fig Mostarda Savory Spread.  

2. Sugarhouse Edam

Vermont Farmstead added a twist to this semi hard Dutch cheese by adding the spice Fenugreek. The traditional Indian spice imparts a maple and walnut nuance that is reminiscent of Vermont beloved sugar shacks. The Edam has a soft buttery note that adds just enough savory to balance the sweet.  Our favorite Wozz! pairings with this cheese were Sticky Date Candied Orange Gourmet Chutney and our Moroccan Tomato Onion Relish.  

3. BrikHaus Tilsit

 A medium firm cheese and a distant relative of the Havarti family, Vermont Farmstead Cheese BrickHaus Tilsit is rich with buttery and fruity notes and a full flavor and is also a terrific melter.  Tilsit paired best with our Balsamic Fig Mostarda Spread and our Triple Ale Onion Savory Spread.  

4. Smoked BrikHaus Tilsit

 A smoked version of their BrikHaus Tilsit.  Absolutely delicious.  Pairs best with our Triple Ale Onion Savory Spread and our Sticky Date Candied Orange Chutney.

5. Alehouse Cheddar

Made with two brews from Harpoon Brewery.  This cheese leads with a fragrant ale nose, has a flavorful balance of cheddar and nuts and ends with a strong hop finish.  Obviously is a classic pairing with our Triple Ale Onion Savory Spread and also a great pairing with Sticky Date Candied Orange Chutney and Balsamic Fig Mostarda.

6. Windsordale

This firm, flaky raw milk cheese which leads with a hint of tart apple and delivers a honeyed aftertaste that pairs perfectly with all things apple.  It was fantastic paired with our Sticky Date Candied Orange Gourmet Chutney and with our Triple Ale Onion Spread.  

and there you have it....summer days paired with artisan cheese and Wozz! condiments. Don't forget to also add these delicious accompaniments to your cheese plate:  artisan crackers including Jan's Farmhouse Crisps and Castleton Crackers.  If you are looking for cheese and cracker pairings check out Vermont Farmstead's website they have a great pairing guide featuring Castleon Crackers.  Additions to our cheese plate also included charcuterie, in-season fruits including apricots and grapes, raw honeycomb and these fantastic greek olives from Lakonia Greek Products.

Don't forget to check out our complete cheese pairing guide here or have a look at our complete line of cheese pairing condiments. They make perfect hostess and housewarming gifts!

 

 

 

 

We are dancing in the living room today....all gitty and gleaming with the latest announcement that our North African Chermoula Dressing has won the prestigious NYC sofi™ Gold award for outstanding dressing.  Chermoula was one of our original products introduced back in 2010 and has always been one of our faves.  It's eye popping puckery and spiced...it will hit all your senses and people often try it and say "wow" as they get all wide eyed and crazy....okay i am exaggerating but not really.  Trust me...It is the most un-boring dressing you will ever try.  

Questions:  

Is it hot?

No..it's not spicy...it's full of spice and flavor but it's not hot spicy.  It's intriguingly spicy and bright and zesty! 

Is it curry?  

That is a question we often get because of it's bright yellow color...it's full of Moroccan and North African spices but it's not curry...

What is Chermoula you ask?  Our North African Chermoula is a bold lemony dressing full of Moroccan spices including coriander, cumin, ginger, turmeric, paprika and saffron.  It's super healthy and full of clean non gmo ingredients including 100% fresh lemon juice, fresh local cilantro from our local friends at Meadowstone Farm, high quality spices and olive oil. Full of tang and bite, chermoula traditionally is served over fish and seafood but is just as delicious used as a marinade for lamb, beef and chicken.  We often drizzle it over a dish of warm lentils or couscous with fresh torn mint or cilantro.  We also mix it with Greek yogurt for a zingy dipping sauce for grilled lamb chops or chicken skewers. You can use this same dip in place of mayonnaise on a wrap or pita sandwich. 

It's May and it's grilling season....Who isn't excited?  A time to eat healthy and clean, so marinate some chicken wings, lamb chops or beef skewers with our chermoula and chuck em on the grill...you won't be disappointed.  

Oh Chermoula....you make us proud! 

 

 

Happy 2016 everyone!  It's January, it's so cold and all you see on TV is ads to get back in shape, get healthy, eat clean....yada yada yada...well we are trying but when it's -13 outside I just want to sit in front of the fireplace and eat buttery bread dunked in stew and drink red wine.  But in saying that, I also do not want to be a big ole chunky pasty girl come spring so, we've come up with 10 delicious healthy recipes using our condiments, sauces and dressings that are not only good for you but taste awesome and are full of flavor. So if you found a little Wozz! in a gift basket this Christmas, it's time to get creating!

Before I get to the list of our top picks...I just want to emphasize that our condiments and sauces pair well with the simplest of meals...whether it be chicken thighs in the oven, a pork chop on the stove top or a simple couscous salad, a simple drizzle or topping of our condiments and sauces work well to add a heap of flavor without you having to change much of your cooking style.  So with these recipes below keep this in mind...you don't even need a recipe!  Throw a bit of chicken in a crockpot with our Moroccan Tomato Onion Savory Relish and there you go!  Slather some Wozz! Balsamic Fig Mostarda Spread onto some chicken thighs and bake in the oven.  Dinner done. Easy. Healthy. Simple. Goodness.

So for more inspiration and recipes ideas:  Here are our top 10 healthy recipes using Wozz! Condiments and Sauces:

1.  Chicken Salad Bowls with Wozz! Spicy Tomato Kasundi Savory Sauce

Our spicy tomato kasundi savory sauce tastes like a spicy smoked amped up ketchup that is delicious on this grilled chicken salad with Israeli couscous, avocado, feta and fresh lime.  It's kind of like a bbq chicken bowl meets the Mediterranean.

 

 2.  Grilled Salmon with Wozz! Japanese Sesame Miso Dressing

This grilled salmon recipe is so easy.  Basically just grill salmon on hot grill pan and drizzle some Wozz! Japanese Sesame Miso Dressing over top.  (just a note make sure your grill pan is brushed well with oil so it doesn't stick!)  

3. Kale Citrus Salad with Grilled Halloumi Cheese and Wozz! Spiced Beet Vinegar

This bright and lively salad with gorgeous in season blood oranges and grapefruit is perfect for beating the winter blues!  If you have never had grilled or fried halloumi cheese, you must try it. It's a cheese from Cyprus, made from sheep and goats milk and it's known as "grilling cheese".  It's mild and salty in flavor with a springy type texture similar to mozzarella.  You can find it in the gourmet cheese section in most grocery stores and coops.   

The pairing of our spiced beet vinegar, the fresh citrus and grilled halloumi is a classic medley of flavors that are delicious when combined.

  

4. Blackened Fish with Spiced Pickled Cabbage and Wozz! Jamaican Jerk Pineapple Chutney

This is the best fish recipe, it's so full of flavor and our pineapple chutney gives it a vibrant tropical punch!  Serve with spiced pickle cabbage or make a quick and easy rice by just folding through some Wozz! Jamaican Jerk Pineapple Chutney with basmati, jasmine or white rice. (I told you, you don't need a recipe!)

 

5. Lentil Salad with Wozz! North African Chermoula Dressing

Cheap and easy.  I'll take it!  Green lentils are boiled and drained and tossed with our North African Chermoula Dressing, fresh parsley and fresh mint.  This dish can be served warm or cold, it's refreshing and lemony.  

6. Grilled Chicken Breasts Marinated in Wozz! Lychee Coconut Lime Sauce

Sweet lychee, creamy coconut and a splash of fresh lime make up our Lychee Coconut Lime Dressing which works well as a marinade and sauce.  We added a bit of chili to this recipe to give it some spice for the grill.  

7.  Chopped Asian Chicken Salad with Ginger Soy Infusion Dressing and Sesame Toasts

Want the full flavor of a restaurant Asian salad without the fuss?  This salad is it.  Simple chopped romaine, shredded carrot, spring onions tossed with grilled chicken and our award winning Ginger Soy Infusion Dressing.  That's it.  and the sesame toasts on the side are so good..maybe not so healthy...but hey at least you are eating salad right!?  

and just fyi-  Our Ginger Soy Infusion Dressing like all of our condiments is so versatile.  Try it on this Ginger Soy Salmon, drizzle over a cold noodle salad, use it on chicken skewers, pork stir frys, over rice, etc. 

8.  Baked Cod with Thai Orange Ginger Sauce

Want to know a simple easy no mess way to cook fish?  Cook it in foil or wrapped up in parchment paper and chuck it in the oven.  This method is also called "fish en papillote".  Our Thai Orange Ginger Savory Relish is perfect for fish and seafood.  It's tangy spicy and complex and adds the perfect savory zing.   You can also do a recipe like this with our award winning Kiwi Lime Salsa Verde.

9. Shrimp Vermicelli Salad with Sweet Orange Chili Sesame Dressing

This cold noodle salad with chilled shrimp and our spicy sweet orange chili sesame dressing is light and flavorful.  Who doesn't love a shrimp cocktail style of salad? 

10.  Salad Power Bowls with Wozz! Japanese Sesame Miso Dressing

For the ultimate healthy vitamin packed salad bowls with no lack of flavor, this is it.  Protein packed grilled chicken salads with brown rice, cherry tomatoes, heart healthy avocados, purple cabbage and beta carotene rich roasted sweet potatoes topped with our toasty nutty and creamy Japanese Sesame Miso Dressing.  These salad bowls are delicious and a great way to start the new year's detox!

There you have it. Our top picks for healthy recipes using Wozz! condiments and sauces...but like we always say...you don't need a recipe! Just whack it on. Grill a piece of fish, whack it on. Make some rice, whack it on. Chop up some lettuce, whack it on. Make a sandwich, whack it on. Got it? Good!  :) 

 

 

 

Oh the taco.  You basically can put anything you want in a taco and it will taste good right?  Well, to a point, yes....because who doesn't love meat cheese and sauce stuffed into a tortilla.  But if you really want to be blown away by your tacos, you do need a good sauce....one that hits all the right notes and you do want a selection of ingredients in your taco that give you that sweet, sour, crunchy, creamy and spicy punch with every bite.  So we here at Wozz have created the ultimate taco bar with toppings guide that of course isn't complete without our award winning sauces. 

We've got a great selection of gourmet condiments here at Wozz! that make the best toppings for all your favorite taco combinations.  From our award winning Kiwi Lime Salsa Verde to our Jamaican Jerk Pineapple Chutney, we have quite the selection of sauces to jazz up all your tacos from grilled chicken tacos to fish tacos to vegetarian black bean tacos.

So get your grill on and let's make some tacos Wozza style shall we? 

Featured Recipe: Cream Cheese and White Bean Chicken Enchiladas Verdes with Wozz! Kiwi Lime Salsa Verde

Taco Bar Ingredients Guide

Grilled Meats, Fish, Seafood, Beans and Vegetables:

Grilled chicken or Shredded Chicken
Beef Flank Steak spiced, grilled and sliced
Grilled or Sautéed Shrimp
Pulled Pork {Carnitas}
Blackened Fish
For All Your Vegetarian Tacos: Grilled Peppers, Poblanos, Red Onions, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Cauliflower
Beans: Black Beans, White Beans, Cannellini Beans, Great Northern Beans, Pinto Beans, Refried Beans
Meatless or Vegan Taco Options:  TVP (Texturized Vegetable Protein), Tofu, Tempeh, Jackfruit

Tortillas:

Flour Tortillas Grilled or Warmed
Corn Tortillas Grilled or Warmed

Alternative To Taco Tortillas (If you are skipping the bread)
Lettuce Wraps
Stuff Bell Pepper Halves with Taco Ingredients
Stuff Poblano Peppers with Taco Ingredients
Make A Taco Salad
Serve Your Taco Fixings atop Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Taco Bar Toppings:

Jalapenos Grilled
Cherry Tomatoes Fresh or Grilled
Pickled Onions
Pickled Jalapenos
Black Beans Drained, add a squeeze of lime, sprinkle of salt
Sliced Red Peppers
Corn Grilled and cut off cob
Rice or Cauliflower Rice
Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese
Cotija Cheese Crumbles (A Mexican cheese similar to parmesan but a little more earthy and a little more savory/salty - I highly recommend)
Fresh Cilantro, Fresh Mint, Thai Basil (whatever fresh herbs you prefer)
Bean Sprouts 
Diced Avocado or Guacamole  (Try our amazing Salsa Verde Guacamole Recipe)
Fresh Limes
Chopped Raw White Onions
Shredded Purple Cabbage, ColeSlaw or Pickled Red Cabbage

Our Favorite Wozz Sauces For A Variety Of Tacos

Kiwi Lime Salsa Verde - Drizzle this classic verde style salsa over fajitas, enchiladas, tacos and nachos.  Made with all fresh ingredients, fresh tomatillos, kiwi, charred jalapeno, cilantro and lime, It's tangy and fresh with a smoky spicy kick.

Super Hot Chili Sambal Hot Sauce - a superb combination of fresh Thai chilis, ginger, garlic and lemon with heat level of about 7/10.  

Jamaican Jerk Pineapple Chutney and Taco Simmer Sauce- Grilled pineapple with aromatic jerk spices, fresh herbs and a bit of chili heat.  This tropical chutney is delicious served on blackened fish tacos, grilled shrimp tacos and pulled pork tacos.  For a vegan option, we love this with black bean and bbq jackfruit tacos.  *You can either use this as a condiment for topping your taco or as a cooking simmer sauce for your protein.

Serrano Cilantro Lime Hot Sauce - Fresh tangy spicy Verde style hot sauce just perfect for pork carnitas. This is hands down my favorite taco hot sauce!

Spicy Summer Mango Chutney and Taco Simmer Sauce - Juicy sweet mango and a medley of spices with a little bit of habanero chili heat.  Simmer your shredded chicken, pork, black beans, cauliflower or shrimp in this sauce and serve hot in your taco shells.  Top with your favorite fresh herbs, sour cream and a little pickled onion and voila, you got yourself some mango tacos.

Featured Recipe:  Mexican Pork Carnitas with Wozz! Serrano Cilantro Lime Hot Sauce

Taco Spice Mixes For Seasoning Your Meats

Simple Taco Spice Mix For Grilled Meats:
Cumin+ Smoked Paprika + Chili Powder + Juice of 1 Lemon + Salt & Pepper

Simple Taco Spice Mix For Blackened Fish & Shrimp
Jamaican Jerk Spice Blend + Salt + Pepper + Juice of 1 Lime

Quick Pickled Onions Recipe:

1 Large Red Onion Sliced
1.5 Cup White Wine or Red Wine Vinegar
1 Tbs Kosher Salt
1/2 cup sugar

Bring salt, sugar and vinegar to a boil, add onion, turn off heat, allow onions to cool in liquid stirring to make sure onions are submerged in liquid. store in fridge.  this will work with cucumbers, cauliflower, jalapenos, banana peppers and carrots as well.

Simple Guacamole Recipe:

3-4 Avocados
1 Tomato
1 Clove Garlic
1/2 large Red Onion
2-3 Limes Juiced
Handful Cilantro
1/4 Red Pepper
Salt Pepper

In a small food processor chop tomatoes, onion, red pepper, cilantro, garlic, salt and pepper.  In a bowl crush up avocado with a fork or masher with chopped ingredients.  Squeeze in lime juice and serve. Add additional salt pepper or lime juice as needed.

For a fast and easy guacamole recipe try our:

1-2-3 Easy Guacamole:  Wozz! Salsa Verde Guacomole Recipe

 

Taco Combinations Featuring Wozz! Taco Simmer Sauces Trio:

Shrimp Tacos: 

Grilled Shrimp + Jamaican Jerk Pineapple Chutney + Fresh Mint or Cilantro, + Sour Cream + Fresh Lime Wedges

Shrimp sauteed in Spicy Summer Mango Chutney + Shredded Purple Cabbage Slaw + Cilantro Lime Sour Cream + Red Onion

Fish Tacos:

Grilled Fish + Kiwi Lime Salsa Verde + Sour Cream or Cilantro Infused Mayo + Grilled Tortillas + Fresh Cilantro + Avocado + Shredded Purple Cabbage + Sliced Radish + Fresh Lime Wedges
(Pictured Below)

 

Fish Taco #2: Blackened Cod + Jamaican Jerk Pineapple Chutney + Sour Cream + Avocado + Fresh Cilantro + Grilled Corn Tortillas + Fresh Lime Wedges   (Pictured Below)

Beef Tacos:

Grilled Sirloin Beef + Spicy Summer Mango Chutney + Black Beans + Diced Red Pepper + Cilantro + Sour Cream

Grilled Sirloin Beef + Kiwi Lime Salsa Verde + Sliced Avocado + Feta or Cotija Cheese + Grilled Corn
(pictured below)

Chicken and Pork Taco Combinations:

Pulled Pork + Jamaican Jerk Pineapple Chutney + Fresh Mint + Pickled Onions + Sour Cream + BBQ Sauce

Grilled Chicken + Spicy Summer Mango + Black Beans + Sour Cream + Shredded Lettuce + Pickled Red Onion 

Shredded Chicken + Refried Beans + Kiwi Lime Salsa Verde + Cilantro + Diced White Onion + Sour Cream + Fresh Lime 

These are just a few of many combinations, mix match toppings per your liking.

And don't forget to add some of our favorite Serrano Cilantro Lime Hot Sauce to all your taco combinations.  Can't go wrong with this one.

Happy Taco Tuesday! 

Okay, so as an actual "maker" of specialty foods as in yes, we are in the kitchen every week peeling fresh vegetables, stirring pots, twisting lids and carrying boxes...we are thrilled to take the aprons off, leave the land of more pine trees than people and head down to NYC for the annual sofi™ awards to receive the sofi™ Gold for our Kiwi Lime Salsa Verde.  I guess peeling the sticky skins of tomatillos for hours and topping and tailing jalapeno after jalapeno and let's not forget peeling fresh kiwis....well I guess it's worth it?!

We were in great company at the awards ceremony with fellow Vermont producers taking home a few honors as well. Big Picture Farm won Best New Product for their Raspberry Rhubarb Goats Milk Caramel, Fat Toad Farm won Outstanding Product Line for their line of farmstead goats milk caramel sauce and Vermont Creamery took home the gold for their cultured butter sea salt basket. You can't get any more artisan than these guys...from raising your animals to the making of the products...that is straight up hard work and a whole lotta love. 

{photo courtesy of Big Picture Farm Blog}

I must add that Vermont Creamery was also nominated for their Bonne Bouche aged goats cheese which goes fantastic with our Spiced Beet Savory Spread and Balsamic Fig Mostarda....just thought I would slip that into the conversation.

Potlicker Kitchen took home a sofi™ Silver for their Carrot Cake Jam...yup carrot cake jam...and well it's THE jam.  We hung out with them at NYC's Eataly post show and closed the place down....so much good cheese, pasta, wine...It's Eataly what can I say. 

{Vermont Sofi Winners: Potlicker Kitchen, Fat Toad Farm, Big Picture Farm and us}

We also got to share a table and a few bottles of wine with our new friends; Wackym's Cookies whose salted sour lemon cookie was nominated for a sofi™ in the cookie, cakes and brownies category...they were lovely, lovely people and Bittermilk, whose line of cocktail bitters is beautiful...they have the nicest packaging and they handcraft all their own products themselves down in Charleston, South Carolina.  They even smoke their own honey and char-grill grapefruit...don't you want a cocktail now?  That's why they were nominated for Oustanding Product Line.

I have to also give a little shout out to CoolHaus Ice Cream because if you guys didn't know it ...I work with your uncle Dr. D at the hospital. For real. Small world. And to Nella Pasta...#Boston #SOWAsundays

The sofi™ ceremony was held at the Javitz Center and not only were newbies like us celebrated but pioneers of the specialty food industry were recognized.  The founders of Dean and Deluca were one of the recipients of the lifetime achievement awards and listening to their speech was quite insightful. On opening up the first Dean and Deluca shop in NYC's soho district, co-founder Jack Ceglic spoke about the start up and how they painted the walls themselves because they had no money...my mom was our first cashier, he said.  You realize we all start somewhere with a fire in our hearts and you learn quickly that opportunity is usually dressed in overalls.  Dean and Deluca, the big shiny storefront speckled with the best cheeses, cookware and specialty foods that you see now all over the world...it started with one shop and a few people who had an idea. 

To be in a room a few tables across the way from these pioneers, to sit at a table and chat with fellow producers and to have won the sofi™ award  is such an honor and something we are truly grateful for.  The Specialty Food Association has been pivotal in our success, they've provided us with some amazing opportunities and we feel pretty damn lucky. ###

 

After sailing the high seas for almost a decade as a private luxury yacht chef, I have retired my sea legs and started a specialty foods company. Within the last few years we have been lucky enough to have gained a great customer base, fantastic retailers and even brought home a couple sofi™ awards.  Who would have thought?  Not me, that's for sure.  However, at the end of the day, my roots bring me back to the kitchen, not to only make specialty foods, chutneys and sauces but to make everyday meals.  So I want to do more than offer you a line of gourmet products, I want to offer you basic cooking tips tricks and recipes that I have learned from my years working as a chef abroad.  I also want to keep our company personal because our food is personal.  All of our products are handcrafted by us in small batches and each product has it's own story that is ever evolving much like our own lives that we want to share with you.  So here you will find a mix of everything; Recipes, cooking lessons and tips, product posts, random stories, and a few flashbacks thrown in of our life abroad and our life now....so welcome to our blog.