Smidgen

Who doesn’t love brunch? Whether you are spending time with friends (nibbling and sipping) or preparing dishes you rarely get to enjoy (like quiche or breakfast rolls) brunch is a delightful meal. And the best part? You don’t have to go out for brunch! As soon as this weekend, you can make a memorable brunch that will wow. On this episode of Smidgen, host Anne Milneck—chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company—shares five brunch ideas (that actually turns into six then seven brunch recipes— we couldn’t help ourselves! Brunch is just too good! You’re going to love all these brunch items!) How do you do a brunch at home? - Anne likes to serve two egg recipes at brunch—giving your guests a couple of options. Great options include shakshuka and quiche (like the sweet potato quiche featured here.) - Amazing idea: a bagel board for brunch. See how to do a bagel board the Red Stick Spice way here. - Get all the brunch suggestions Anne has here on the Red Stick Spice Company blog: 5 Fab Brunch Recipes. But wait, there’s more! - Read about the Red Stick Spice Brunch Roundup. Yee haw! - How do I get the Red Stick Spice Company newsletter with recipes and cooking ideas? Sign up for our newsletter here. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Ina Garten is a cooking icon. Her show, The Barefoot Contessa, has been inspiring home cooks for just over twenty years. Her cookbooks are staples for many, and her knowledge of comfort food cooking; simple but elegant entertaining; and her attention to lovely décor details make her a go-to influencer. It’s no wonder that so many love her and her approach to cooking. On this episode of Smidgen, host Anne Milneck—chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company—shares four lessons you can learn from Ina and how you can bring a little more of The Barefoot Contessa way into your home right away. What can you learn from the Barefoot Contessa? - Read Anne’s blog post about The Barefoot Contessa on the Red Stick Spice Co. website - Try some vinaigrette recipes like… · Zahtar Vinaigrette · Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette · Dirty Martini Vinaigrette - Make this week: Cauliflower Toast (and then report back to Anne.) Recipe here. - Browse the selection of young olive oils offered by Red Stick Spice Co. Shop the collection here. - How do I get the Red Stick Spice Company newsletter with recipes and cooking ideas? Sign up for our newsletter here. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Click here to learn more about Culinary Madrid, the cooking (and eating!) travel experience with Anne Milneck and Red Stick Spice Company: Culinary Madrid You can learn to cook the flavors of Spain this Fall in Madrid, Spain. Join Anne and Lili for a six-day food, wine, and cultural experience. Where did this tour come from, how did Anne and Lili get the idea? On this episode of Smidgen, you’ll learn the story of how this experience came together, as well as an overview of each day. Anne shares how Insider’s Travel crafted the trip and what you can expect each day. If you want to learn to prepare tapas and paella in their home country—Spain—you’re going to love this experience. Anne shares how Chef Gabriela Llamas plans the day’s menu based on what is available fresh at the market. You will immerse yourself in this method of cooking directly with Chef Gabriela. Finally, Anne explains how the trip is designed to allow a wonderful balance of planned activities and self-directed alone time, too. If you’ve been considering joining Anne for Culinary Madrid, we’re sure this “virtual tour” episode will get you excited for the adventure. Only a few days remain to register for Culinary Madrid! Mentioned on the show: · Did you miss any of our Spain focused Smidgen episodes? Tapas, and paella, and Tarta de Santiago—oh my! Listen to all those episodes here: Smidgen podcast. · Get excited: Try one of our favorite paella recipes—Easy weeknight paella. · How can I learn more about Culinary Madrid—the six-day cooking and food tour of Madrid, Spain—and how can I sign up? Click here for Culinary Madrid. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Click here to learn more about Culinary Madrid, the cooking (and eating!) travel experience with Anne Milneck and Red Stick Spice Company: Culinary Madrid Anne (Red Stick Spice Company owner and host of Smidgen) makes this cake for nearly every family gathering, and you can, too. The Tarta de Santiago has something for everyone according to Anne. Santiago translates to St. James, and this cake, named for this “greater” Saint, traditionally bears a stencil of his sword on top. (Make a simple stencil of James’ sword and dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar. Adorable!) A flavorful, beautiful crumbed cake—light but with a chew; almond and citrus playing off each other—this cake is the perfect finish to a dinner of the complex flavors found in paella. Tarta de Santiago is easy to make and is naturally gluten free. If you love simple but elegant baked goods, this one is for you. Mentioned on the show: · Bake it: Try Tarta de Santiago at home. · Go the distance and finish the cake with a powdered sugar stencil of St. James’ sword. Make a stencil of St. James’ sword with this image. (Via Wikipedia. There’s even a picture of the tarta on that page!) · Want an extra punch of almond flavor? Red Stick Spice Co. almond extract is the answer. · Try one of our favorite paella recipes—Easy weeknight paella. · How can I learn more about Culinary Madrid—the six day cooking and food tour of Madrid, Spain—and how can I sign up? Click here for Culinary Madrid. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Click here to learn more about Culinary Madrid, the cooking (and eating!) travel experience with Anne Milneck and Red Stick Spice Company: Culinary Madrid Get to know sofrito—a dynamic base that gives a start to Spanish paella and many other Mediterranean dishes that can be made with ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen right now. Anne Milneck—owner of Red Stick Spice Company and the host of Smidgen loves sofrito after learning it from Jim, the instructor for Red Stick Spice’s ultra-popular paella class. After listening to this episode of Smidgen, not only will you be prepared to make sofrito tonight, you’ll want to try Shrimp with Sofrito and try cooking paella at home. (But did you know there’s something better than cooking paella at home? Listen in to learn more.) Mentioned on the show: · Step one: make Sofrito. Recipe here. Step one and a half: fall in love. · Two birds, one stone: tapas and sofrito in one swoop—make Shrimp with Sofrito (recipe here.) · Try one of our favorite paella recipes—Easy weeknight paella. · How can I learn more about Culinary Madrid—the six day cooking and food tour of Madrid, Spain—and how can I sign up? Click here for Culinary Madrid. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Click here to learn more about Culinary Madrid, the cooking (and eating!) travel experience with Anne Milneck and Red Stick Spice Company: Culinary Madrid Tapas—delicious small plates—are a wonderful way to experience a variety of flavors, textures, temperatures, without being overwhelmed at mealtime. Tapas are a great way to try out many different dishes at once and a terrific way to entertain. Tapas are closely associated with Spain (and with good reason!) On this episode of Smidgen, Anne Milneck (host and owner of Red Stick Spice Company) shares some tapas love and suggests some “flavor bombs” you can try at home to get familiar with tapas. Mentioned on the show: · Try Papas Bravas with Smoky Aioli to get started with tapas in your own home cooking. · Red Stick Spice Company offers a Hot Smoked Paprika that is sure to satisfy—perfect for tapas. · Psst! We’ll talk about this is a few weeks here on Smidgen, but you can get a sneak peek right now on planning a perfect tapas party here. · How can I learn more about Culinary Madrid—the six day cooking and food tour of Madrid, Spain—and how can I sign up? Click here for Culinary Madrid. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow! It’s Wednesday my dudes. All the prep work will be oh so appreciated tomorrow, but today is about most folks’ favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal: the side dishes. Our tasks today, 1 day until Thanksgiving, is to work on the Thanksgiving sides: Ciabatta Sausage Stuffing and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Thanksgiving Side Dishes dressingstuffingCiabatta and Sausage Stuffinghttps://blog.redstickspice.com/recipe/ciabatta-sausage-stuffing/ Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes https://blog.redstickspice.com/recipe/roasted-garlic-mashed-potatoes/ Roasted Garlic Olive Oil Roasted Garlic Avocado Oil More from Red Stick Spice Company Red Stick Spice Company newsletterSign up for our newsletter hereFacebookInstagramTwitter Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Two days to go! It’s Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Time to bake a sumptuous Pumpkin Cheesecake. This two-layer cheesecake is as gorgeous as it is beautiful. And we don’t want to hear anything about “cracked” cheesecakes—that’s what the Cardamom Infused Whipped Cream is for. Pies to Make for Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cheesecake with Cardamom Infused Whipped Cream https://blog.redstickspice.com/recipe/pumpkin-cheesecake-pie-with-cardamom-whipped-cream/already made the crust ahead of time on Day 5Flaky Pie Crust recipe Chinese 5 Spice Pecan Pie It’s almost Thanksgiving! So close! It’s going to be a good one. More from Red Stick Spice Company Red Stick Spice Company newsletterSign up for our newsletter hereFacebookInstagramTwitter Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Three days until Thanksgiving, this is a biggie. Monday: Brine the Bird and whip up a delicious batch of Make Ahead Gravy. How to Brine a Thanksgiving Turkey dry brineShop Dry Brine Blend hereother brining methodsBrine Time AnytimeTurkey Brine KitShop here How to Make Thanksgiving Gravy Make Ahead Gravywhopping 8 cups of gravyhttps://blog.redstickspice.com/recipe/make-ahead-turkey-gravy/ More from Red Stick Spice Company Red Stick Spice Company newsletterSign up for our newsletter hereFacebookInstagramTwitter Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Happy 4 days until Thanksgiving. It’s Sunday. Today: Shake and store a vinaigrette; cook your cranberry sauce; infuse a cardamom simple syrup. Hint: you’ll use the simple syrup for whipped cream later on with an amazing pie we’re going to make in a few days. Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving Ginger Pear Cranberry Sauce https://blog.redstickspice.com/recipe/ginger-pear-cranberry-sauce/ Vinaigrette for Thanksgiving Pomegranate Salad with Carrots and Blue Cheesemake the dressing todayshake with vigor https://blog.redstickspice.com/recipe/pomegranate-salad-with-carrots-blue-cheese/ More from Red Stick Spice Company Cardamom Infused Simple Syrupcocktailswhole cardamom podshttps://blog.redstickspice.com/recipe/cardamom-simple-syrup/Cardamom5 Spices to Add to Your Spice RackRed Stick Spice Company newsletterSign up for our newsletter hereFacebookInstagramTwitter Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Happy 5 days until Thanksgiving. It’s Saturday. Today: Prep pie crust and cookie dough. (Have you not heard about fresh cookies on Thanksgiving? It’s a tradition at Anne’s house. With the recipes ahead, you’re going to want start this tradition for your family!) Pie Crust for Thanksgiving Flaky Pie Crusthttps://blog.redstickspice.com/recipe/flaky-pie-crust/ Cookies for Thanksgiving infused sugar Dark Chocolate Cherry cookies https://blog.redstickspice.com/recipe/dark-chocolate-cherry-slice-bake-cookies/ Salted White Chocolate Oatmeal https://blog.redstickspice.com/recipe/salted-white-chocolate-oatmeal-cookies/Fleur de Sel saltShop hereVanilla Bean Sablesshortbread roundup here More from Red Stick Spice Company Red Stick Spice Company newsletterSign up for our newsletter hereFacebookInstagramTwitter Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

On Smidgen, we love to bring you new insight on your favorites. Adding new spices to your standbys can give new life and new perspectives to dishes you prepare all the time. Like tacos? Try them with new chiles for a whole new taste sensation. Like hot chocolate? Mix in this spice for a whole new sipping experience. Want more like this? In this season finale episode, Smidgen host Anne Milneck will give you 5 spices to explore plus dishes to try out these new spices. There’s nothing more fun than trying new flavors with Anne as your guide. Mentioned on the show: Pasilla Negro Chiles Pasilla Pulled Chicken TacosMexican oreganoTimut Hot ChocolateTimut Peppercornswhole cardamom podsCardamom Simple SyrupThanksgivinga short podcast episode each dayRed Stick Spice Company newsletterSign up for our newsletter hereFacebookInstagramTwitter Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

You can’t get more down to basics than olive oil. Don’t let the familiarity of olive oil prevent you from finding new and intriguing ways to use (and enjoy!) this kitchen must-have. Besides all the glorious regions that produce a variety of olive oils, there is an array of flavored olive oils to sample and savor (Smidgen host Anne Milneck shares some suggestions for you to try—available from Red Stick Spice Company.) If you are ready to get some new eyes for olive oil, dive into this episode of Smidgen. Plus—you’ll get a dinner idea you can use this week and a dessert idea (a dessert CHALLENGE in fact.) Don’t miss the secret bonus way to use olive oil (get out your cocktail shaker. You read that right: olive oil in a cocktail. Who knew?!) An especially delicious episode of Smidgen. Mentioned on the show: Crispy Skin Salmon recipe here Herbes de Provence extra virgin olive oil Porcini Extra Virgin Olive Oil Shallot Extra Virgin Olive Oil Citrus Olive Oil Mini Loaf Cakes Meyer Lemon Olive OilBlood Orange Avocado OilRead up about it herethree ways to use olive oilRead it hereBonusTry an Olive Oil Gin SourJulianna McIntoshFeedFeedRed Stick Spice Company newsletterSign up for our newsletter hereFacebookInstagramTwitter Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

We love sheet pans! Sheet pan suppers, sheet pans themselves—if it can be made on a sheet pan, we are here for it. Anne Milneck—host of Smidgen, chef/owner of Red Stick Spice Company, and unabashed sheet pan enthusiast—has four new* recipes for home cooks to try and enjoy. (*New? Maybe not. Anne explains how most sheet pan recipes are actually a combination of techniques. In any case, each recipe is fun, flavorful, sets you up for success, and can solve your dinner quandaries this week!) Mentioned on the show: - Get the recipes here: School Cafeteria PizzaSheet Pan RatatouilleSheet Pan Nachos Sheet Pan Italian Sandwiches - Read the blog post Anne wrote about these sheet pan suppers here. - Want to shop USA Pan? See the variety of USA Pan pans (including muffin tins; cake rounds; square pans, etc) offered via Red Stick Spice Company here. See all the sizes of sheet pans available from USA Pan at Red Stick Spice here. (Bonus: Here’s the gasp-worthy USA Pan cookie sheet and the most adorable mini sheet pan you’ve ever seen.) - How do I get the Red Stick Spice Company newsletter with recipes and cooking ideas? Sign up for our newsletter here. - Listen to Anne’s conversation with sheet pan cookbook author Molly Gilbert here. Smidgen Season 1, Episode 2 (!) While you’re at it, fall in love with slab grilled cheese here. - Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

The original food influencer? None other than Julia Child. Between hosting one of the most long-running cooking TV shows (really, we wouldn’t have food TV without her) to bringing French cooking to the mainstream American kitchen, Julia Child made an impact. Julia Child’s influence is back in a big way with HBO’s new show Julia, reinvigorating fan’s love for her and introducing a new generation to Julia Child’s work. Smidgen host and owner of Red Stick Spice Company Anne Milneck brings us three lessons everyone can take from Julia Child. If you want to bring some flair to your dinners or want to dive into cooking with wine—this is the Smidgen episode for you. Please note: You will most likely clamor to purchase a blow torch after listening. You’ve been advised. Mentioned on the show: - This episode is inspired by this blog post, penned by Anne—take a read to get even more Julia Child! - Get fancy with Suprêmes de Volaille aux Champignons—recipe here. (Special thanks to Kati and Guy for pronouncing this dish on the episode.) - Make Julia Child’s Vinaigrette—learn the Julia oil/acid ratio for salad success here . Shake with great vigor! - Are you ready to try Mini Baked Alaskas? Fall in love with your new favorite chocolate cake and learn a manageable way to create beautiful, show-stopping desserts for your next dinner party. (A perfect chance to use your brand-new blow torch.) See the gorgeous pictures and try the recipe at home. - Want more? Red Stick Spice Company hosts the class: What Would Julia Do? Get the details here. - How do I get the Red Stick Spice Company newsletter with recipes and cooking ideas? Sign up for our newsletter here. - Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Intuitive cook, Improv cook, Recipe cook—which type are you? What are each of these home cook types like, and how can knowing which type of home cook you are help you be a better cook? In the over 300 cooking classes taught at Red Stick Spice Co., (and YES—Anne’s counted them!) the instructors and staff have noticed some patterns… some styles… some types, if you will. Now, this is no criticism, in fact Smidgen host and owner of Red Stick Spice Co. Anne Milneck thinks knowing your type is actually a boon. There’s something to be learned from each type, and knowing your type can improve your cooking skills. By the end of the episode, you’ll know what kind of cook you are and have specific tips and recipes to try to understand who you are in the kitchen even better. Mentioned on the show: - This episode is inspired by this blog post, penned by Anne. LINKS to all the recipes mentioned on the podcast can be found here. Be sure to click over and see the amazing pictures of Timmie Callais modeling each cook type in the Red Stick Spice Co. Teaching Kitchen. - Test out your cooking style while making Sheet Pan Pizza Chicken with Pancetta, Mozzarella, and Spicy Tomatoes. Yum! Recipe here. - Intrigued by the Roasted Root Burger Anne was enticingly describing on the episode? It’s a featured dish in the Cooking with a Cardiologist class. Learn more here. (We love you Dr. Gadi!) - Did you say Folded TikTok Breakfast Tortilla? Make your own—recipe here. - How do I get the Red Stick Spice Company newsletter with recipes and cooking ideas? Sign up for our newsletter here. - Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Your pantry is your secret weapon. In this season premiere episode of Smidgen, Anne Milneck shares 5 new pantry staples she is loving right now—each item is a gem you should discover and is chock full of meal inspiration. From a rich (adorably packaged) mayo to a protein-packed rice to a roasty toasty Ginger Garlic Toasted Sesame Oil (made just for Red Stick Spice Company!) plus others—you’re going to love hearing about each of these items and how they can make your mealtimes even better. Included in the episode: Anne walks you through Spicy Beef Pan Fried Dumplings, featuring Ginger Garlic Toasted Sesame Oil—delicious lil’ dumplings everyone can make. Mentioned on the show: - This episode is inspired by this blog post, penned by Anne. LINKS to all the recipes mentioned on the podcast can be found here. - Is there a cuter mayo than Kewpie mayo? (Spoiler alert: no.) Red Stick Spice Co offers a Sushi Workshop. Check for dates and details here. - Other products: Ginger Garlic Toasted Sesame Oil (hello roasty toasty); Soom Dark Chocolate Tahini (excuse us as get a spoon); Parish rice (welcome back, rice!); Red Boat Fish Salt (putting the U in UMAMI!) - Anne gave a shout-out to Weeknight Dirty Rice. Find the recipe here. - If you loved the Spicy Beef Pan Fried Dumplings (and we’re sure you will), consider signing up for the Lil’ Dumplings class. Learn to make all kinds of pot stickers and other yummy dumplings. Details here. - Want to learn how to fold dumplings? We like this video from Wei's Red House Kitchen. - Bonus: Click here for a special dumpling recipe pack from Anne, complete with some how-to pictures for folding dumplings. - Did you hear Anne say Red Boat Salt Buttermilk Fried Chicken? Oh yes: get the recipe here. - How do I get the Red Stick Spice Company newsletter with recipes and cooking ideas? Sign up for our newsletter here. - Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Tea is tasted through an activity called cupping, where tea is sipped at various temperatures and is assessed for color, aroma, and finally taste. One aspect of experiencing tea in this way is having a particular vocabulary of vivid words to describe the way the tea looks, smells, and its flavor. That vocabulary comes from daily practice—which means lots and lots of trying tea. On this episode of Smidgen, host Anne Milneck (a self-described perpetual student of tea) is joined by wine professional Lauren Luquet (Luquet Wine Co.) and coffee professional Dominick Blanda (City Roots Coffee Bar) to tase milk oolong, courtesy of SoGo Tea Bar. Lauren and Dominick have that vocabulary for wine and coffee—how can their perspective help us appreciate tea more, and get excited for the adventure that can be found in a lovely cup of tea? SoGo Tea Bar is located just inside of Red Stick Spice Company in Mid City, Baton Rouge. SoGo is a must-visit stop in Baton Rouge, and the knowledgeable SoGo baristas are ready to get you to a tea you’ll love. Mentioned on the show: - Enjoy tea the SoGo way! In Baton Rouge: look over the SoGo menu here and pop in for a sip. Outside of Baton Rouge: Check out the selection of tea available and place your order to be shipped right to your door. - Anne leads a Tea 101 class! Learn more here. - Follow SoGo Tea Bar on Instagram. - Lauren Luquet is a wine professional, specializing in American-based wineries. Learn more: Luquet Wine Co. Follow Lauren on Instagram. - Dominick Blanda is a partner, coffee roaster/enthusiast, and jack-of-all-trades at City Roots Coffee Bar in Baton Rouge. Visit in person when in Baton Rouge or order online here. Follow City Roots Coffee Bar on Facebook and Instagram. - How do I get the Red Stick Spice Company newsletter with recipes and cooking ideas? Sign up for our newsletter here. - Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

A simple dredging of melted butter, a beautiful brick red spice blend, and an absolutely scorching hot cast iron skillet are all you need to make tempting blackened fish at home. (You’ll also probably need to temporarily disable your home smoke alarm, but we’ll get to that shortly.) The question comes up: is the blackening the seasoning or the cooking technique? There’s no one better to answer that question than Chef Frank Brigtsen, who with his wife Marna, owns Brigtsen’s restaurant in the Riverbend neighborhood in Uptown New Orleans. Chef Brigtsen has personally blackened over 60,000 fish (!) and even enjoys blackening a variety of fish, steaks, and even veggies when he’s eating at home. In addition to having his own restaurant in New Orleans, Chef Brigtsen apprenticed at Commander’s Palace and was the first night chef at K-Paul’s, working with Chef Paul Prudhomme. In this episode, you’ll not only hear the story of the very first blackened redfish to be ever cooked at K-Paul’s by Paul Prudhomme, you’ll learn enough of how to blacken fish to try this style of cooking at home yourself. Mentioned on the show: - In the New Orleans area, be sure to visit Brigsten’s in Riverbend. You can find Brigtsen’s on Facebook and Chef Frank Brigtsen on Instagram. - What can be blackened? Can I blacken steak, shrimp, or salmon? - What seasonings should I use when I try to blacken fish? - Did Chef Paul Prudhomme inspire the overfishing of redfish in the Gulf of Mexico? - Anne used Red Stick Spice Company Cajun Blackening Spice Blend for her Blackened Gulf Fish recipe. - DON’T FORGET TO REACTIVATE YOUR HOME SMOKE DETECTOR! - How do I get the Red Stick Spice Company newsletter with recipes and cooking ideas? Sign up for our newsletter here. - Oven questions? Listen back to Anne’s episode about managing heat and getting to know your oven to help you bake: Smidgen episode, The Right (Kitchen) Tool for the Job. Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Baking gluten-free is a bear, even for experienced bakers. A lot of the usual rules don’t apply and gluten-free baking has tons of methods and practices that bakers need to know before they can achieve “GF” baking success. We get this episode’s question from Connie, who knows her way around an oven; she simply had disaster after disaster trying to bake gluten-free. To help Connie out, Smidgen host (and infamous non-baker) Anne Milneck brings on Kelly Courson of CeliacChicks.com to get into some of the ways bakers can make beautiful and delicious baked goods, and to share some of the factors that go into successful gluten-free baking. If you want to make delectable goodies for your friends or family that forgo gluten, in this episode you’ll learn about several key ingredients every GF bakers need to know; you’ll have cookbooks and recipes that are kitchen-tested; you’ll be connected to mixes that are specially formulated for the home cook. To top off all this valuable information, Anne heads into the Red Stick Spice Company teaching kitchen—with some help from friend of the shop Kayla and bakes a classic birthday cake, complete with rainbow sprinkles. Mentioned on the show: - If you know someone with celiac disease, Kelly’s website CeliacChicks.com is a must. Follow Kelly on Instagram. - Kelly recommends you try Cup4Cup products—flours, mixes, recipes. See the Cup4Cup website here. - Some cookbooks to try: Culinary Institute of America Gluten-Free Baking is one Kelly likes; Anne got the birthday cake recipe from Cannelle et Vanille by Aran Goyoaga. - Were you tempted by talk of the almond cake on Smidgen? Here’s the recipe on the Red Stick Spice Company website. - How do I get the Red Stick Spice Company newsletter with recipes and cooking ideas? Sign up for our newsletter here. - Oven questions? Listen back to Anne’s episode about managing heat and getting to know your oven to help you bake: Smidgen episode, The Right (Kitchen) Tool for the Job. Follow Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app. Smidgen is the award-winning podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.