Category

Southern Foods

Festive Flavors: Mardi Gras Menu Inspirations and Fish Fry Fun

By | Gourmet, Ham, Meats, Mustards, Oysters, Pork, Poultry, Rice, Seafood, Southern Foods, What Chefs Want

As the vibrant Mardi Gras season approaches, bringing joy, music, and colorful parades, it also marks the beginning of the Lenten Fish Fry season. These two celebrations share a rich tapestry of traditions, and what better way to commemorate them than by exploring the delicious world of Cajun and Mardi Gras-inspired cuisine? In this blog post, we’ll share some valuable tips for hosting the perfect Fish Fry or cooking up authentic Mardi Gras dishes. Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

Fish Fry Season

Seafood Selection is Key

Opt for mild and flaky white fish varieties like cod, haddock, or swai. Their delicate texture allows them to absorb flavors and maintain moisture during frying. Choose fresh fish to ensure the best taste and texture. Look for clear eyes, vibrant skin, and a mild ocean smell. If using frozen fish, thaw it thoroughly before frying.

  • Wild Caught Cod Loin Skin Off – Frozen – 10 lb case (available in 5, 6, 7, and 8 oz portions) (Item #48329, 48330, 48331 & 48332)
  • Swai – Skin Off – Frozen – 15 lb case (available in 5,7, and 9 oz portions) (Item #48307, #48308 & #22950)

Want to get a little more out of the box? Include oyster or shrimp po boys for a fish fry twist that your patrons never knew they needed!

  • Mariblu Shrimp – Available in peeled, deveined, tail on and tail off, in a wide variety of sizes. Search Mariblu to see all our offerings.
  • Shucked Oysters – wild caught in Chesapeake Bay – Gallon (item #48218)

Perfectly Battered and Breaded Seafood

For a classic fish fry batter, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and spices. Experiment with adding herbs like parsley or dill for an extra flavor boost. For a light and crispy texture, consider using a beer batter. The carbonation in beer creates a bubbly, airy batter. Mix beer with flour, salt, and spices for a delicious coating. Or, try a tempura-style batter for an incredibly light and crispy result. Use a mixture of flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and ice-cold water. Dip the fish in the batter just before frying.

The key to the perfect fry is all in the temperature and the timing. Maintain the right oil temperature. The ideal range is around 350-375°F (175-190°C). Too hot, and the fish may burn; too cool, and it can absorb too much oil. Fry the fish in small batches to avoid overcrowding. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets. Typically, it takes 3-5 minutes per side for a golden-brown finish. And remember, serve the fried fish immediately for the best taste and texture!

Or, without the added step of creating your own batter, achieve the perfect crispy texture with our Cod Battered and Oyster Breaded Frozen options. These products make the frying process a breeze, allowing you to focus on creating a memorable dining experience.

  • Battered Cod – Dipped in a tasty beer batter coating made with real Corona beer – 2-3 oz portions – 10 lb case – (Item #22033)
  • Breaded Oysters – 5/2 lb cases (Item #48441)

Let’s Take it Beyond the Ordinary

Citrus Zest in the Batter: Add a burst of freshness to your batter by incorporating citrus zest, such as lemon or orange. The citrusy notes cut through the richness of the fried fish, providing a vibrant and unexpected flavor.

Dill Pickle Juice Marinade: Before coating the fish in batter, marinate it in dill pickle juice for an hour. The acidity and subtle dill flavor will enhance the taste of the fish and add a unique twist to the traditional fish fry.

Beer and Mustard Dip: Prepare a tangy dip by combining beer and Zatarain’s Creole Mustard. This unique dipping sauce complements the fried fish with a zesty and slightly spicy flavor.

  • Zatarain’s Creole Mustard – It is a coarse, stone ground mustard with a uniquely vibrant flavor (Item #95110)

Coconut and Curry Infusion: Incorporate tropical flavors by adding shredded coconut and curry powder to your batter. This unexpected combination transports your fish fry to a new level of exotic deliciousness.

Mardi Gras Menu Magic

Gumbo

Gumbo is a hearty and flavorful stew that originated in Louisiana, particularly among the Creole and Cajun communities. It is a staple of Southern cuisine, known for its rich, complex flavors and diverse mix of ingredients. Gumbo is often considered a symbol of Louisiana’s culinary heritage and cultural diversity.

Gumbo can include a variety of proteins, such as andouille sausage, crawfish, catfish, shrimp, oysters and/or chicken. The combination of meats and seafood contributes to the dish’s depth of flavor. Similar to the French mirepoix, the holy trinity is a key flavor base in gumbo, consisting of onions, bell peppers, and celery. This aromatic trio forms the foundation of many Cajun and Creole dishes.

Add a twist to your gumbo by incorporating smoked okra and fire-roasted tomatoes. The smokiness from the okra and the depth of flavor from the tomatoes elevate the dish, creating a unique and delicious variation.

  • Louisiana Crawfish Tail Meat – Frozen – (Item #48371)
  • Harvest Select Catfish – Premium farm-raised frozen catfish from North Carolina (Item #48317)
  • Andouille Sausage – 12 lb case – (Item #00470)
  • Fresh Okra – (Item #20919)

Jambalaya

This one-pot wonder is a celebration of diverse ingredients and bold spices, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. Jambalaya is known for its unique combination of meats, seafood, vegetables, and rice, resulting in a dish that captures the essence of Louisiana’s cultural melting pot.

Similar to gumbo, jambalaya features a mix of proteins, and the holy trinity. The rice used in Jambalaya is typically 100% Louisiana Popcorn Long Grain Rice. The long-grain rice absorbs the flavorful broth and complements the variety of ingredients. Serve it hot, straight from the pot, for a true taste of Louisiana’s culinary heritage.

As you embark on a culinary journey inspired by the festive spirit of Mardi Gras and the Lenten Fish Fry season, let the traditions and flavors guide your menu. What Chefs Want offers a range of premium products to elevate your dishes and create an unforgettable experience for your guests. Celebrate with authenticity, savor every bite, and make this season a true feast for the senses!

  • 100% Louisiana Popcorn Long Grain Rice – 20 lb bag – 98338

Cajun Grits with Tasso

Cajun Grits with Tasso is a Southern classic that combines the creamy goodness of grits with the smoky, flavorful kick of Tasso ham. Tasso, a highly seasoned and smoked pork, enhances the traditional grits, a staple in Southern cooking.

Enjoy Cajun Grits with Tasso as a standalone dish for a comforting and filling meal or as a flavorful side alongside blackened seafood, chicken or other cajun-inspired dish.

Add a kick to this dish by incorporating diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. The spiciness complements the smokiness of the Tasso, creating a dynamic and flavorful bowl.

  • Comeaux’s Cajun Hickory Smoked Tasso – (Item #96572)
  • Weisenberger Yellow Grits – Stone ground old fashioned grits (Item #92217)

* Some featured items may not be available in all regions. Please contact your customer advocate for substitutions or new menu ideas.

Springer Mountain Farms Chicken

By | Chef's Feed, Farm To Table, Local and Specialty, Meats, Southern Foods, What Chefs Want

Springer Mountain Farms is a family-owned business nestled in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with over 50 years experience in raising chickens. We exercise great care in all that we do, and our dedication to providing our chickens with a quality of life and healthy diet results in a healthier, more delicious chicken for our customers.


All Springer Mountain Farms chickens are responsibly raised on a high quality diet of pesticide-free, American-grown grains, without antibiotics, hormones, steroids or animal by-products -EVER! We are certified by the American Humane Association as being the most humane possible with verified regular, independent audits of all farms and facilities.

Search Springer on our website or app to see available Springer Mountain Farms Chicken products.

For more information about Springer Mountain Farms check out their website here.

Fresh Catches from Bluefin Seafoods and Boat Direct!

By | Chef's Feed, Farm To Table, Local and Specialty, Seafood, Smart Catch, Southern Foods, What Chefs Want

Wild Rock Shrimp, White Creek Farms Rainbow Trout, Texas Redfish and more!

Rock Shrimp

Mexico – Wild / Peeled & Deveined

Item 48669 – 5 lb. frozen


Redfish

Texas – Farmed

Item 48074 – Whole 4-6 lb. each

Item 48072- Fillet per lb.


Rainbow Trout

White Creek Farm of Indiana – Farmed

Item 48143 – Whole 1.5 lb. avg.


For seafood questions please call 502-587-1505

Item of the Day: Jalapeno Jack Cheese from Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese

By | Cheese, Chef's Feed, Dairy, Gourmet Cheese, Hors d'oeuvre, Item of the Day, Products, Salads, Southern Foods, What Chefs Want

Jalapeno Jack Cheese from Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese

Origin: Kenny’s (Austin, Kentucky)


Product Details: This monterey jack is speckled with medium-spiced red and green jalapeno peppers, giving just enough spice to the creamy original.


Producer Bio: Kenny’s Farmhouse cheeses are made by hand from raw cows milk – using purebred cows raised with no artificial hormones in Austin, Kentucky.

Item 91898 – 5 lb. block

Item of the Day: Noble Goat Feta Cheese from Noble Springs Dairy

By | Cheese, Chef's Feed, Dairy, Gourmet Cheese, Hors d'oeuvre, Item of the Day, Products, Salads, Southern Foods, What Chefs Want

Noble Goat Feta Cheese from Noble Springs Dairy

Noble Springs Feta is our version of the traditional Greek cheese. Our feta is aged in a brine before being packaged. It has a tangy and salty flavor and is a firm cheese that is great for crumbling. Our Feta is great in a Greek salad with fresh tomatoes, olives and onions, it can be used in a quiche or is a great salty complement to sweet watermelon salad.


From their website: “At Noble Springs Dairy we produce a variety of all natural farmstead goat cheeses. We also bottle and sell Grade A Fluid Goat Milk. Our goats are allowed to browse on our rolling pastures at their leisure. Our cheeses have a distinctive flavor that is due to the forage based diet and special care our animals receive. Here at Noble Springs Dairy, Dustin and Justyne have over 40 combined years of experience in providing exceptional care to dairy goats.” “Quality milk comes from healthy, happy animals. Our high quality milk is the most important ingredient in our cheese making process. All of our products are created at our farm, in our creamery, by us and from only the milk our goats produce. We gently pasteurize our milk in a small vat pasteurizer, this allows us to pasteurize our milk at145 degrees. Our milk is never mechanically homogenized.”

Item 91390 – 2 lb. pack

Fresh Catches from Bluefin Seafoods and Boat Direct!

By | Chef's Feed, Farm To Table, Local and Specialty, Seafood, Smart Catch, Southern Foods, What Chefs Want

Wild Swordfish, Farmed Texas Redfish, Carolina Catfish and more!

Swordfish

Costa Rica – Wild

Item 48180 – Whole H&G 60-120 lb. avg.

Item 48126 – Loins per lb.


Redfish

Texas – Farmed

Item 48074 – Whole 4-6 lb. each

Item 48072- Fillet per lb.


Flounder

Virginia – Wild

Item 48948 – Whole 4-6 lb. avg.

Item 48033 – Fillet per lb.


Fresh Catfish Fillets

North Carolina – Farmed

Item 48912 – 10 lb. case


For seafood questions please call 502-587-1505

Item of the Day: Sequatchie Coppinger Cheese

By | Cheese, Chef's Feed, Dairy, Gourmet Cheese, Hors d'oeuvre, Item of the Day, Products, Salads, Southern Foods, What Chefs Want

Sequatchie Coppinger Cheese

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.


Pairs nicely with fruity lighter bodied reds such as Beaujolais Nouveau, malty ales and stouts, pickled vegetables, and charcuterie. Try it melted on a burger or as the ultimate grilled cheese. 

Item 91166 – 3.5 lb. wheel

Item of the Day: Buttermilk Cheddar from Sweetwater Valley Farm

By | Cheese, Gourmet Cheese, Hors d'oeuvre, Item of the Day, Products, Salads, Southern Foods, What Chefs Want

Buttermilk Cheddar from Sweetwater Valley Farm

Origin: Sweetwater Valley Farm (Philadelphia, Tennessee)


This buttermilk cheddar has the tangy snap of  buttermilk in a pleasantly smooth cheese.
Sweetwater Valley Farm, located in Tennessee’s dairy-rich Sweetwater Valley, offers a variety of award-winning high-quality cheddar cheeses made from their own cows.


Learn more here.

Item 91214 – 5 lb. block

Item of the Day: Chilean Sea Bass Portions

By | Chef's Feed, Farm To Table, Gourmet, Products, Seafood, Southern Foods

Chilean Sea Bass Portions

Did you know that before 1977 Chilean Seabass was known as Patagonian Toothfish? Marketers changed the name to make it more appealing, and gourmands learned that this white, flaky Codfish is delicious no matter what it’s called. Because of its high oil content, Chilean Seabass is versatile in the kitchen and remains one of the healthiest options for seafood. Wixter’s Chilean Seabass is exclusively sourced from producers that meet the highest international sustainability standards, this is extremely important for preserving wild stock of this deep-sea delicacy, which is caught along the continental shelves in the southern oceans.


In the bag: (2) 6 oz. Boneless, Skinless Case Pack Size: 12 x 12 oz. bag for 9 lb. case Country of Origin: USA Harvest Location: FAO Area 48 (Atlantic, Antarctic) Harvest Method: Wild Caught – Longline MSC Certification

Item 24132 – 9 lb. frozen case