Category

Gourmet

Fall into Flavor: Inspiring Autumn Recipes with What Chefs Want

By | Gourmet, Local, Local and Specialty, Meats, Produce, Vegetables, What Chefs Want

As the scorching summer sun continues to blaze, it’s hard not to daydream about cooler days ahead. While we’re still reaching for iced beverages and sunscreen, our minds are already drifting to the comforts of fall: football games, our favorite sweaters, and, of course, those irresistible fall flavors that define the season. Though the weather might be hot, our anticipation for the culinary delights that autumn brings is even hotter. So, grab a glass of iced tea, kick back in the shade, and let’s explore the mouthwatering fall recipes to inspire your menus and warm our hearts.

Freedom Run Farm Lamb Chili with Sweet Potatoes, Black Beans and Poblanos

From Freedom Run Farm

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground American lamb (item #62538)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder seasoning
  • 2 1/2 cups lamb stock, such as Saffron Road, or low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 large sweet potato (about 12 ounces), peeled and cut into 1/3-inch cubes
  • 2 (14-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • optional toppings: chopped cilantro leaves, lime wedges, diced avocado, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and broken tortilla chips

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Add the lamb and break it up into chunks. Stir in the onion, poblano, and garlic and sauté until the excess water evaporates, the lamb is browned, and the vegetables are very soft and begin to brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the chile powder and cook about 30 seconds. Stir in the stock, tomatoes and their juices, 2 teaspoons of salt, and a big pinch of pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover the pot, and cook for 30 minutes at a gentle simmer.

Uncover the pot and stir in the sweet potatoes and beans. Continue simmering until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors come together, about 30 minutes more. For a thick chili, leave the pot uncovered at this point, or partially cover for a soupier consistency.

Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve the chili topped with any of the optional garnishes.


Alfresco Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter Sauce

Inspired by Alfresco Artisan Pastas

Ingredients:

  • Alfresco Butternut Squash Ravioli (item #95698)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, minced
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
  • coarse salt
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • 3-4 extra fresh sage leaves for garnish if desired

Directions:

Butternut Squash Ravioli

While cooking ravioli, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently and swirling the pot to ensure even cooking. After about 5 minutes, the butter will start to foam up. Add the minced sage and continue stirring the pot. Golden brown flecks, milk solids, should start to form on the bottom of the pan. Continue stirring to make sure these don’t stick and burn. When the butter is nutty in aroma and golden brown in color with plenty of flecks, about 2 more minutes, remove from heat and cool for 2 minutes. Slowly pour the broth and whisk frequently, as the butter will foam up, until completely incorporated. Repeat this process with the cream.

Add the lemon juice and parmesan cheese, whisking until completely combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Gently stir in the cooked ravioli. Garnish with extra parmesan cheese.


Bourbon Smoked Curry Roasted Carrots

From Bourbon Barrel Foods

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds small/medium carrots, peeled and sliced down the middle
  • 3 tablespoons, olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Bourbon Smoked Curry Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt, more to taste (item #96026)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Bourbon Smoked Pepper (item #97165)
  • 1 tablespoon of Bourbon Barrel Aged Sorghum (item #93514)
  • parsley or seasonal herbs for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Toss carrots with olive oil, Bourbon Smoked Curry Powder, Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt and Bourbon Smoked Pepper in a large bowl until fully coated.

Spread evenly on baking sheet.

Place in the oven to roast, stirring with a rubber spatula a few times to prevent sticking and burning, until desired tenderness, 30-35 minutes. Remove carrots from oven and drizzle with sorghum or maple syrup directly on the baking sheet.

Taste and add more salt, pepper if desired and garnish with fresh herbs.


Soy Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

From Cin Soy Foods

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds chicken wings
  • 1/4 cup corn starch
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • Black pepper
  • Soy sauce salt
  • Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup CinSoy soy sauce (item #26702)
  • 6 cloves garlic – minced
  • 1 inch ginger – minced
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp Sesame seeds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and pat chicken wings dry.

Mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl. Toss the chicken wings in the spice mixture. Lay out on a foil lined baking sheet topped with a rack.

Bake for about 45 minutes (flipping halfway) – or until wings are golden brown and fully cooked.

Meanwhile – in a small saucepan – cook ginger and garlic in butter. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer and thicken for 3-4 minutes.

Remove wings from the oven and toss in the sauce. Put back in the oven for 5-7 minutes. Enjoy!


Remember chefs, when it comes to crafting your fall menus, What Chefs Want has you covered. From farm-fresh, local ingredients to artisanal delights, we’ve got everything you need to make your autumn culinary creations truly spectacular. So, as we bid adieu to summer’s heat, let’s welcome fall’s delicious chill (and chili!) with open arms and open kitchens. Click here to place your order!

The Artistry and Inspiration Behind Sequatchie Cove Creamery’s Unique Cheeses

By | Charcuterie, Cheese, Dairy, Gourmet, Gourmet Cheese, Local, What Chefs Want

Nathan and Padgett Arnold, founders of Sequatchie Cove Creamery in southeast Tennessee, are the driving forces behind an artisanal cheese venture that encapsulates passion, creativity, and a profound connection to the land. Their journey into the world of cheesemaking is a captivating tale of love, innovation, and dedication to preserving the essence of their region. From humble beginnings to becoming an award-winning creamery, the Arnolds’ story unfolds as a testament to the transformative power of inspiration, both local and global. Through their intricate process of crafting unique cheeses, the Arnolds pay homage to their surroundings while embracing flavors and techniques from around the world. Join us as we talk with Padgett Arnold and delve into the narrative of Sequatchie Cove Creamery.

What led to the creation of Sequatchie Cove Creamery? How did the idea to start making cheese originate for you and Nathan?

Padgett: We took a unique path from our original backgrounds. Back at the University of Georgia, I was studying horticulture with the aim of becoming a specialist in edible crops. Nathan and I connected through shared interests and found ourselves working at Crabtree Farms, an urban farm with a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture and community access to food. This was during the late 90s in Chattanooga.

During that time, we met the Keeners, and Nathan joined them at Sequatchie Cove Farm to grow their produce program in 2003, while I remained at Crabtree. While Nathan was at Sequatchie Cove, he became increasingly drawn to working with the farm’s animals and exploring ways to add value to the operation.

The question arose: How can we create sustainable livelihoods for multiple families on this small farm while meshing well with its existing enterprises? The notion of cheese came into play, along with the concept of adding value to the farm. It’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation, but that’s the journey that brought us here.

Let’s delve into your sources of inspiration. Where did you find the creative spark for Sequatchie Cove Creamery?

In 2004, a trip to Italy left a lasting mark on us. At an international farming and food festival, we were exposed to a diverse array of foods that planted the seeds of inspiration. It was there that we encountered new cheeses, particularly French alpine varieties.

There was a period that Nathan was traveling a lot, making contacts through the American Cheese Society and learning as much as he could through these contacts. He also studied cheesemaking in France, which became a huge source of inspiration for our own creations. He adapted the unique techniques and essence of those French cheeses and blended them with the distinct character of Tennessee’s Sequatchie region.

Cheese making is both scientific and artistic. It’s not just a wheel of cheese, it’s a work of art. Our cheeses have aesthetic appeal that resonates, particularly among chefs.

Ok, let’s talk about these cheeses. Take me through them and what makes them so special.

Cumberland

Our first cheese, the Cumberland, is a simple and rustic Tomme, inspired by the French Tomme de Savoie. It offers buttery and earthy flavors, complemented by a tangy grassy note and subtle hints of macadamia nut. Chefs love its versatility – it can be grated onto pizza, used as a substitute for gruyere, Havarti, or cheddar, and it’s even “kid friendly.” Its natural rind boasts a distinctive gray and white spotted appearance that makes a statement on a cheese board. With a long shelf life, it’s very kitchen friendly as well.

Search Item #91165 

Coppinger

Coppinger is our top-selling cheese and demand is really driving production. Demand has been going up and up.

It is a Southern take on the classic French Morbier, Coppinger is a semi-soft washed rind cheese with a striking layer of decorative vegetable ash in its center. The velvety elastic paste is savory with notes of fresh grass and smoked meats, making it ideal for the cheese plate or melted into any dish.

This is a another very versatile cheese and it blends well with a lot of flavors Try it melted on a burger or as the ultimate grilled cheese; it’s also great as a substitute for raclette.

There is a bit of an education curve here with Coppinger, and people sometimes think with the ash line, that this is blue cheese. It is not. That unique line through the center is an ash line, that doesn’t change the flavor at all. Beyond being visually interesting, the ash line mellows out the tanginess and smooths out the finish.

Chefs are drawn to the Coppinger for its visual appeal and versatility.

Search Item #91166 

Shakerag Blue

Shakerag Blue was just recently added to the What Chefs Want offering, so it is now available to your customers!

Shakerag Blue’s colorful name is derived from both the beautiful Shakerag Hollow known for its wildflowers and rich moonshining past.

It is a crumbly yet dense, blue-veined cheese wrapped in local fig leaves which have been soaked in Chattanooga Whiskey. It matures gradually in our cool room and the slow ripening process yields a mellower flavor profile and creamier texture. The flavor isn’t overpowering, it is much more delicate, in fact, often people who don’t enjoy blue cheese, enjoy Shakerag Blue. It crumbles well for salads and steaks and deserves a prime spot on the cheese board.

I am actually the one who harvests the fig leaves to wrap this cheese. We store them in food-grade buckets, submerged in whiskey until we are ready to wrap the cheese. The fig leaf wrapping does mean that our scalability is limited by leaf availability. Occasionally, we experience production pauses as we await the readiness of fig leaves.

It is a very labor-intensive process, but the chefs go nuts for it.

Search Item #91934

As you continue to grow, how do you intend to maintain the authenticity and community-centered approach that has been integral to your creamery’s success?

It is important to us to be connected to agricultural raw materials. We never want to lose that local touchpoint.

Right now we are sourcing our milk from the only surviving dairy in the Sequatchie Valley. We really see our role as we grow as being about the cheese itself, but also about growing and supporting dairy in the region. We want to turn the ship around for the farmers – and the more we are able to grow, the more we are able to buy from the local farmers, making dairy farming a viable option for new farmers in the area.  

What would your advice be to someone just starting out?

Learn everything from people who can teach you. Really. Seek a mentor and learn as much as you can before you just jump in.  Start with a narrow focus. Study and understand someone else’s successful enterprise.  Fortunately for us, this industry has been a supportive and inclusive atmosphere and we’ve had people very enthusiastically cheering us on, but it is not an easy path.


Item of the Day:  Ghyslain Macarons

By | Catering, Charcuterie, Chef's Feed, Desserts, Gourmet, Hors d'oeuvre, Item of the Day, What Chefs Want

Ghyslain Macarons

 

Perfect for the upcoming catering season!

These carefully made, hand-crafted macarons provide a welcome splash of color before they melt in your mouth. Each flavored macaron is filled with a delectable ganache. Flavors include chocolate coffee, fleur de sel bourbon, orange praline, passionfruit coconut, pistachio strawberry and raspberry chocolate. Gluten-free. 


Item 95796 – 150 Ct Case

*Not available in all regions – see website or app for more information.

Item of the Day: Unseasoned Rice Vinegar   

By | Chef's Feed, Gourmet, Item of the Day, Japanese, Oils and Vinegars, Vinegars, What Chefs Want

Unseasoned Rice Vinegar  

Brewed in the traditional method, Nouka Genuine Brewed Rice Vinegar from Hotaru Foods is a fundamental ingredient of Japanese Cuisine. Appreciated for its mild acidity and subtle, natural sweetness Rice Vinegar can be used in many applications. All natural and contains no salt or added sugar.

From pickling and marinades to dressing and sauces – rice vinegar is a versatile kitchen staple! 


 Item 97322 – 1 Gallon Jug


Item of the Day: Kimchi – Korean Fermented Vegetables    

By | Asian, Asian Cuisine, Chef's Feed, Gourmet, Item of the Day, What Chefs Want

Kimchi – Korean Fermented Vegetables 

Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from fermented cabbage, radish, or cucumber.

Kimchi has quite a complex flavor and not every kimchi has the same taste.

First, it is slightly salty because it has been pickled in salty brine. Second, it is slightly spicy, excluding white kimchi which does not use any Korean chili flakes. Third, it has umami flavor. It’s also seasoned with Korean fish sauce to aid fermentation, so as time goes by, the deeper the kimchi’s flavor develops. Forth, ripened kimchi is sour and has a pungent smell. This stage of kimchi is great for cooking.


 Item  90018 – 32oz Jar 


Item of the Day: Gochujang – Korean Hot Pepper Paste   

By | Asian, Asian Cuisine, Chef's Feed, Gourmet, Item of the Day, Vegan, What Chefs Want

Go Chu Jang – Korean Hot Pepper Paste 

Gochujang is a savory and pungent fermented Korean condiment made from red chili, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt.

From Ssamjang to brushing on a grilled burger – adding this to dishes will heighten the spice, a little sweetness, and boost the complexity. 

This is a vegan product. 


 Item 90142 – 2.2 LB Tub


Item of the Day: Yakami Orchards Yuzu Juice

By | Chef's Feed, Gourmet, Item of the Day, Japanese, Juice, Mixology, What Chefs Want

Yakami Orchards Yuzu Juice – Marugoto Shibori

Marugoto Shibori, meaning “in its natural state,” is a first press using the whole fruit, capturing the intense floral aroma and tart flavor qualities of ripe Yuzu Fruit. Yuzu flavor is tart, closely resembling that of the grapefruit, with overtones of tangerine and meyer lemon with subtle hints of pine.

Yakami Orchards Yuzu Juice is a vibrant ingredient perfect for cocktails, ceviches, vinaigrettes, and more! Add a splash to any dish to add brightness and complexity. 


 Item 93710 – 750 ML Bottle


Item of the Day: Tutto Calabria Whole Chili Peppers

By | Charcuterie, Chef's Feed, Gourmet, Hors d'oeuvre, Italian, Item of the Day, What Chefs Want

Tutto Calabria Whole Chili Peppers

Whole Calabrian Chili Peppers by TuttoCalabria are vegan and vegetarian friendly. Really delicious on meat sandwiches, or added to your favorite sauces. Wonderful on antipastos, sandwiches and martinis. Try them sliced and tossed in a chili or stew, or atop pizza with anchovies. Beautiful versatile item imported from Italy that delivers true home jarred taste. A must have in the pantry at all times.

INGREDIENTS: Chili Peppers, Sunflower Seed Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Vinegar (contains natural sulfites)INGREDIENTS: Chili Peppers, Sunflower Seed Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Vinegar (contains natural sulfites)


 Item 90680 – 6 LB Tub 


Item of the Day: Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil

By | Chef's Feed, Gourmet, Italian, Item of the Day, Oils and Vinegars, Olive Oil, Pasta, Staples, What Chefs Want

Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Acquerello – The Tastiest, The Richest, The Healthiest

Only made with ”Nocellara del Belice” olives from the province of Trapani, in Sicily. Very rich flavor profile with notes of artichokes, almonds, and a peppery finish. Filtered and low acidity level make this a very versatile oil. Can be used for finishing, dipping or cooking.


 Item 98260 – 101 oz Tin