Smidgen

Hurricane Ida made landfall on August 29, 2021, cutting a path of destruction across part of South Louisiana. La Place, Louisiana was particularly hard hit, and La Place happens to be the hometown of Smidgen host and owner of Red Stick Spice Company, Anne Milneck.

From that ruin, Anne responded by creating a beautiful tribute, Pathway: A Culinary Journal. One part recipe collection, one part guidebook, Pathway contains gorgeous pictures, enticing recipes, and a special invitation to visit these places that were most profoundly impacted by Ida.

Join us on this episode of Smidgen to explore Pathway through the stories and recipes of this special region of Louisiana.

Mentioned on the show:

- Anne walks us through the delicious preparation of a Hot & Crispy Des Allemands Catfish Sandwich. After listening, view the recipe for yourself here.

- Smidgen, Season 4 is a geaux! We need to hear from you—literally! Email audio messages of your cooking conundrums to Anne and we'll pick select questions to be answered by Anne in our upcoming season. Send audio of your questions to [email protected] and then listen to Season 4 to hear if your questions was chosen!

- Do you know who got news of Pathway first? Our newsletter subscribers get the first peek at what we're cooking up at Red Stick Spice Company. Sign up for our newsletter here.

We hope you loved learning more about South Louisiana and are intrigued to make your own visit down bayou soon. Don't forget to email audio of your cooking questions to Anne. 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 podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

The very first interview on the very first episode of Smidgen was with Galen Iverstine of Iverstine Farms Butcher. Galen is back on this Season 3 finale episode of Smidgen to talk about what impact the last year had on his small business; what he learned as a rancher from the pandemic; and what customers are shopping for now at the meat counter.

Galen and Anne Milneck, host of Smidgen and owner of Red Stick Spice Co. discuss the realities of shopping local—is "shop local" just a popular slogan or does it have real results for a community?

Galen and Anne both had supply chain concerns when the pandemic lockdowns first were announced. If you've never really thought about how food gets to your local food provider, this part of the conversation will be enlightening and informative (really—if you're thinking, "Uh, supply chain??" these two small business owners will give you new insights.)

Finally, Anne uses one of her favorite items from Galen's shop—the Iverstine chorizo—to make Cast Iron Chorizo Queso as she walks us through the recipe. Not too picante, but plenty flavorful, and mucho cheesy, Cast Iron Chorizo Queso is your next crowd pleaser or the perfect filling for tacos.

Mentioned on the show:

- ¡Que rico! Watch Anne prepare Cast Iron Chorizo Queso on Facebook Live. You can find the complete recipe over on the Red Stick Spice Co. blog.

- Yes! Chili is a powder, but Chili Powder Blend is… well, a blend! Try any of the Red Stick Spice Co. chili varieties—from pleasantly warm to whoo-my-oh-my hot!

- Anne is a big fan of the Butcher Bundles available at Iverstine's. Galen mentioned the bundles briefly—take a peek and see if a Butcher Bundle is right for you.

- Galen referenced a Freakonomics podcast episode about the supply chain that he thought was particularly good. Listen here.

- Are you in the Greater Baton Rouge area (or do you plan to be?) Attend one of the Red Stick Spice Co. farm tours. One of the stops is Iverstine Farm. Learn more about our Farm, Food & Cooking Tour.

- We are so excited for our C'est Si Bon subscription boxes! Get the goodness of Red Stick Spice Co. each month with a C'est Si Bon subscription—each box contains a curated tea in addition to a full size spice and a local product. Makes an amazing gift. C'est Si Bon!

Listen to the episode for a Red Stick Spice Company discount code, special for you, our Smidgen listener.

We loved bringing you this season of Smidgen. What would you like to hear about on a future episode? Did you have a favorite of Season 3? Let us know! Hit us up on any of the 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 podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

When you walk into Red Stick Spice Co. looking for tea, the staff will ask you, "Caffeine or no caffeine?" Your answer will set a course for your sipping future. Last week on Smidgen was all about tea from Camelia Sinensis. This episode of Smidgen is the no caffeine side of things—herbals and botanicals.

Host Anne Milneck walks us through the leaves, flowers, bushes, roots, and other delights that make up herbal teas. The "rules" of herbal tea are different (in that there really aren't any rules… for the most part.) You get lots of flavors with herbal tea, but one of the main reason folks opt for herbals is for wellness properties. Anne highlights two herbals in particular that are noted for their attributes—meet kudzu root (yes, the invasive plant which also happens to be the hero of Hangover tea) and learn more about anti-oxidant rich rooibos (and finally feel confident about how to pronounce the name of this rich, red tea.)

To close, Anne offers a "sipping segment" featuring Namaste tea—perfect for yogis after a deep yoga practice or anyone who wants a bit of restoration. Anne selected this tea to prepare since it has layers of aromas followed by flavors and colors, topped off by benefits for you to experience.

Mentioned on the show:

- Wow—did you hear some of the teas Anne mentioned? Try Fais Do Do (made with chamomile and rooibos) or Biscotti tea (beautiful cornflower bring color and flavor.) Get some replenishment with Rooibos Renewal.

- Wellness is a property, but it's also a tea. Sip Wellness and enjoy! If you really need to unwind, give Chill tea a try.

- See all tea selections offered by Red Stick Spice Co. on the website. From single variety to blends to botanicals, we are sure to have a tea you will love.

- Anne mentioned that lots of customers like rooibos as an alternate to coffee. (Producer Catherine is now hooked on Vanilla Rooibos, a tea she tried after this episode.)

- Did you miss it? Catch last week's Camelia Sinensis episode to get your dose of black, white, and green tea.

- This gorgeous tea is what Anne would serve at a luncheon. Get French Lemon Ginger tea and fall in love for yourself!

- We are so excited for our C'est Si Bon subscription boxes! Get the goodness of Red Stick Spice Co. each month with a C'est Si Bon subscription—each box contains a curated tea in addition to a full size spice and a local product. Makes an amazing gift. C'est Si Bon!

Listen to the episode for a Red Stick Spice Company discount code, special for you, our Smidgen listener.

Did this episode get you thinking about herbals? Ready to try a blend? Let us know! Hit us up on any of the 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 podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Watch the leaves dance about in the water, allow the aroma to change and develop, maybe gently raise and dunk the infuser in your cup… and in a few minutes, take a sip of something rich and complex. It's tea—delicious, flavorful joy in a cup. Red Stick Spice Co. is a spice shop, yes, but it's also a purveyor of tea. Anne Milneck, host of Smidgen, is a tea sommelier and certified tea lover. All of the skills that make Anne passionate about blending spices translate to the world of tea (and what a world it is!) In this first of two tea episodes, Anne talks about tea from Camelia Sinesis—the tea plant that produces black, green, and white tea.

In this episode you'll learn everything you want to know about the most common varieties of tea; equipment to brew a great cup; how to brew; how to appreciate the flavors evoked by tea (and how that differs from flavored tea—which are also delicious and wonderful.) Anne teaches a bit about caffeine and bitterness: two factors that are important to understand when considering tea (Anne even walks producer Catherine through a test to learn more about bitter receptors. You'll want to try this yourself!)

To close, Anne offers a "sipping segment," introducing listeners to The Big Fig—a great tea blend that combines fig, cinnamon, and green tea. Anne selected this tea as a fragrant and savory introduction for the person who wants the benefits of green tea, but might not yet be familiar with the concept of "pleasantly bitter." (A phrase you will learn and love from this episode.)

Mentioned on the show:

- Intrigued by some of the teas you heard about on the episode? Try The Big Fig or Razz-ma-tazz or even indulge in a dessert tea like Chocolate Covered Strawberry tea. Want more? We've got you covered…….

- See all tea selections offered by Red Stick Spice Co. on the website. From single variety to blends to botanicals, we are sure to have a tea you will love.

- Did Anne sell you on a tea infuser? What about a glass press for tea? Explore the teaware at Red Stick Spice Co. so you can pick just the right pot, infuser, or cup for you to enjoy your sipping.

- Reminder: next Smidgen episode is about botanical and herbal teas.

- Are you in the greater Baton Rouge area? Come visit our shop and look forward to the Barista-led tea bar that will open inside our store soon!

- Did your ears perk up at the mention of a tea class, led by Anne? Red Stick Spice Co. offers a variety of classes—even some online classes (we're talking to you, worldwide Smidgen listeners!) Check the calendar and find a Red Stick Spice Co. class for you.

- We are so excited for our C'est Si Bon subscription boxes! Get the goodness of Red Stick Spice Co. each month with a C'est Si Bon subscription—each box contains a curated tea in addition to a full size spice and a local product. Makes an amazing gift. C'est Si Bon!

Listen to the episode for a Red Stick Spice Company discount code, special for you, our Smidgen listener.

We want to know if you tried the tonic test and what exactly you learned about tea in this episode Let us know! Hit us up on any of the 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 podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Here we are, back with our ol' pal CHICKEN! This reliable protein finds the way onto many of our dinner tables (for lots and lots… and lots of meals.) With all this poultry, it could be easy for chicken to be boring or even a chore. Anne Milneck, chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Co. has some things stored in the pantry to let chicken be the star of dinner.

Long time listeners of Smidgen know that Anne might even joke about the most convenient forms of the bird (we're looking at you, boneless skinless chicken breasts!) and there is a lot to learn about the various cuts of chicken, since each portion requires different things for cooking. Anne offers some teaching about what to expect and how to prepare whole chickens; thighs; breasts; and even (gasp!) chicken tenders. Listen to this episode to get a new perspective how to prepare chicken if that's what is on the menu.

Next Anne shares five items to stock up on (and understand!) if you want to keep chicken interesting. You'll know how to create new and exciting recipes night after night with Anne's five pantry staples. Finally, this episode features some of the staffers of Red Stick Spice! Right from the shop floor, you'll get the skinny on what home cooks like you are looking for, and how the staff helps solve any chicken quandary that comes up.

Mentioned on the show:

- This is a chicken recipe to get excited about! Cashew chicken coconut meatballs with curried tomato sauce. Oh yum! Get the recipe here on the Red Stick Spice Co. blog and be sure to catch Anne making this dish on Facebook Live.

- Anne gives a shout-out to the Zuni Method Chicken. There is a whole post about Sunday Roast Chicken which features a detailed description and recipe.

- Brine! We've got you covered with a dry brine or wet brine.

- Did your ears perk up when you heard about a Kale Caesar Salad? Perfect with chicken, maybe this hearty salad will become a part of your weekly meals.

- Spice is nice! Especially for chicken, here are some of the blends to try: bold Barbacoa is your new BBQ flavor with a twist. Mole blend delivers Latin flavors. You heard it more than once: it's Nashville Hot Chicken! Ow!

- Did you hear the staff mention Fixin' Chicken spice blend? They all seemed to love it-- we think you will, too.

- Avocado oil is your poultry friend. Welcome back to Madras spice blend and Garam Masala.

- We are so excited for our C'est Si Bon subscription boxes! Get the goodness of Red Stick Spice Co. each month with a C'est Si Bon subscription—it is so, so good. Makes an amazing gift. C'est Si Bon!

Listen to the episode for a Red Stick Spice Company discount code, special for you, our Smidgen listener.

What did you think of these pantry staples? Did this give you a new view of chicken? Let us know! Hit us up on any of the 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 podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

It happens to everyone—don't panic—and there is hope to escape. We're talking about cooking ruts. Even Anne, a chef and foodie pro, has known a rut or two in her time and assures us it's not just the pandemic that is causing this bout of malaise. In this episode, Anne diagnoses two common cooking ruts and gives specifics on how to get out.

Anne details how to take your most successful meals—the mainstays, the favorites—and make strategic swaps to give new life to your staples that you don't want to forgo. You'll get new ideas for the regulars that are sure to return the spark to your meal planning.

Do you know your base palate? This mental experiment is sure to give you food for thought and explain some of your habits and tendencies for your cooking. Anne walks producer Catherine through the concept of a base palate—try it yourself to get some insight about how your base palate might inadvertently lure you into a cooking rut.

Finally, Anne suggests how following a recipe can actually be a step to breaking free of a cooking rut and set you back on a happy cooking path.

Mentioned on the show:

- To the letter! Try Ottolenghi's Seared Salmon with Pine Nut and Currant Salsa. Watch Anne prepare this dish on Red Stick Spice Co's Facebook Live.

- Anne gave Ottolenghi's cook book Jerusalem a shout-out; learn more on Ottolenghi's website.

- Inspired to try Anne's swaperooni? Red Stick Spice Co. has some fabulous flavored oils, including Roasted Garlic Avocado Oil. Experimenting with acids? Select a balsamic to compliment your meal.

- Intrigued by the Taco Tuesday blend Anne mentioned? Or adding cinnamon to savory beef stew? There are so many Red Stick Spice Co. spice blends to choose from—you can also find beautiful saffron threads for the Seared Salmon with Pine Nuts and Currant Salsa. We have a spice for you!

- Anne drew some inspiration from Deb Perelman of Bon Appetit in a post (authored by Kelsey McKinney.) Read the post, titled, I Fell Into a Deep Cooking Rut—Here's How I Got Out.

- We are so excited for our C'est Si Bon subscription boxes! Get the goodness of Red Stick Spice Co. each month with a C'est Si Bon subscription—it is so, so good. Makes an amazing gift. C'est Si Bon!

Did you need this ep? Have you been in a cooking rut as of late? Did you get some unstuck ideas from the show? Let us know! Hit us up on any of the 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 podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

It's the equipment episode of Smidgen! It's not just food that goes into meal preparation. Anne takes us on a tour of the kitchen—from smallwares to the stove to the oven to electrical tools—everything we use to be amazing home cooks.

Since Anne just spent the pandemic building out a 2,000 ft teaching kitchen, she's got lots of thoughts about what goes into a kitchen that serves the needs of cooks who are making meals for families daily. Want to learn how your oven works? Anne has a couple tests you can perform at home to identify hot spots, broiler quirks, true heat and more. Do you need to outfit someone's kitchen or you want to know what items are the best multi-taskers? Anne shares the smallwares that get the job done (and if you don't love tongs now, you will by the end of the show!) You'll learn how to manage heat (and why it's so important for cooking.)

Finally, Anne introduces the Monogram line of ranges and ovens that she selected for the Red Stick Spice Co teaching kitchen and why she took the plunge. To cook, Anne's got Rosemary Chicken Pizzettas—so tasty and you can make tonight!

Mentioned on the show:

- Red Stick Spice Co. Rosemary Chicken Pizzettas. Watch Anne prepare the pizzettas on Facebook Live!

- Try the bread in the oven test to discover the hot spots (or not spots). An oven thermometer (even an inexpensive one) will show if your oven temp is true.

- Whip up some cupcakes to experiment with the convection setting on your oven.

- Listen back to Smidgen, Season 1 to hear more about your Instant Pot.

- Learn more in store about Staub cast iron; pick up a microplane; sneak around the shop and count exactly how many pairs of tongs Anne has stashed at Red Stick Spice Co.

- Curious about what the Red Stick Spice Co. teaching kitchen? Peek some pictures here on the blog. Experience it for yourself with a class at Red Stick Spice Co.

- We love Monogram and think you will, too. Visit the Monogram website here.

- We are so excited for our C'est Si Bon subscription boxes! Get the goodness of Red Stick Spice Co. each month with a C'est Si Bon subscription—it is so, so good. Makes an amazing gift. C'est Si Bon!

Listen to the episode for a Red Stick Spice Company discount code, special for you, our Smidgen listener.

Did this episode get you excited about any kitchen equipment? Did you buy a bevy of tongs? How about cooking the Pizzettas? Let us know! Hit us up on any of the 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 podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

The pandemic impacted so many families' eating routines, but one thing that never changes is the need to get dinner on the table quickly. Quick dinners that are hot, nutritious, and delicious are always in demand, no matter what the current circumstances.

How much of fast dinners is hype? What can we keep in the pantry to make quick dinners easier? How do we keep fast dinners from getting boring (or plunging us into a cooking rut?) All these questions and more answered on this episode of Smidgen, the podcast of Red Stick Spice Company.

Host Anne Milneck shares tips and strategies to help the home cook get ready to make fast dinners, even multiple times a week. Special this episode: we hear from Meredith Waguespack, CEO of Sweet Baton Rouge, as she describes the dinner situation in her home. As a business owner and Mom, Meredith experiences the need for dinner in a hurry often—you'll likely recognize some of your own situation after hearing from Meredith.

To close the show, Anne walks us through a true, for-real 30-minute dinner that is as delicious as it is fast: Easy Chicken Tikka Masala. This one is sure to become a staple in your home.

Mentioned on the show:

- Red Stick Spice Co. Easy Chicken Tikka Masala. Watch Anne prepare Easy Chicken Tikka Masala on Facebook Live!

- Explore the Red Stick Spice Co. selection of spice blends as you pull fast dinners together. All things Indian use the flavors of Garam Masala—fragrant and savory.

- Test drive a new spice blend on some crispy chickpeas. Anne recommends trying new spices in this yummy chickpea dish—you get to experience the flavor, imagine what else you'd like to try with that blend AND you get a delicious snack. Recipe here.

- Anne suggests you try spice blends like Zahtar, Zhug, or Berbere on the chickpeas to get familiar, then bring those spice blends to your other meals.

- Thaw the right way! Here's a post on proper defrost techniques here on the Red Stick Spice Co. blog.

- Did you hear our previous Smidgen episode where Anne explains the famous stock bag for your freezer? Listen here (and fall in love with slab grilled cheese, by the way.)

- We are so excited for our C'est Si Bon subscription boxes! Get the goodness of Red Stick Spice Co. each month with a C'est Si Bon subscription—it is so, so good. Makes an amazing gift. C'est Si Bon!

- Visit our friends at Sweet Baton Rouge and follow on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks again to Meredith for being on Smidgen!

- Use Smidgen15 at checkout to save 15% on your purchase, just for Smidgen listeners.

What is dinnertime like in your house? Did you get some new ideas for getting dinner together quickly? Let us know! Hit us up on any of the 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 podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Smidgen is back! The podcast of Red Stick Spice Company, hosted by Anne Milneck, kicks off Season 3 with a dive into some of the best (and most delicious) food trends of 2021. The prior year had people cooking—a lot—and now, this year, folks are getting specific about the brands used; high-quality, top of the line spices and ingredients; and adding fancy touches to go-to weekly dinners (standby for more on that in a moment!)

If you want to be ahead of the foodie curve, you'll get introduced to all these amazing food trends. Big breakfasts are… well, BIG, with homemade, from scratch biscuits, bacon, and eggs (seasoned with French Herbs de Provence or Brunch Spice Blend.) Anne explains how Bannoffee jumped from the Great British Baking Show (in the form of Bannoffee pie) to cake balls, cupcakes, PANCAKES (!) and more. Mocktails, cocktails, and fancy drinks with humble foods are all happening (Anne is the originator of that last trend—y'all take it from here.)

Barramundi makes an appearance and the show closes out with all things Smashburger. For you to try at home, Anne walks you through a Smashburger paired with Anne's twist on a French 75 cocktail. We're glad to be back and can't wait to hear what trends you jump on after this episode.

Mentioned on the show:

- Red Stick Spice Co. Smashburger recipe here. Watch Anne make a Smashburger on Facebook Live and then make one in your home.

- Yum up your Smashburgers with BBQ Shrimp Seasoning or try Back Yard Burger Blend

- Going big on the BIG breakfast? Cure your own bacon with Prague Powder #1

- It might be a breakfast, but Brunch Spice Blend is waiting for you.

- Get in on the Mocktail trend with a delicious strawberry shrub syrup

- Use discount code Smidgen15 at checkout for 15% off your purchase—just for Smidgen listeners!

Anne is waiting to hear how you are going to hashtag the trend of humble food with extravagant cocktails. Hit us up with what you are enjoying with your Smashburgers on any of the 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 podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

New year, new flavors, by now you probably have some new cooking skills, new favorites AND now—a new season of SMIDGEN, the podcast of Red Stick Spice Co is coming soon. Join your host Anne Milneck—chef, spice girl, and teacher to talk about…

• the food trends you need to know about (and how to bring these trends to your own table);
• how to cook for your family NOW;
• cooking ruts (and how to get out of them);
• we're going to take a deep dive into tea—two whole episodes!
• and SO MUCH MORE.

Also new on Smidgen: each episode, host Anne will walk you through a new recipe that you will love. Listen to this home cooking podcast and get inspiration for dinner tonight!

We're ready to have a lot of fun with the new season of Smidgen and you are invited to come along. Check out all of Red Stick Spice Company 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 podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.