The Italian Kitchen: Ravioli in browned butter garlic sauce

Have you ever been to the Old Spaghetti Factory? There is a dish there that I love and get any time I go. It is Mizithra Spaghetti in browned butter. This is not that recipe but when I decided to make ravioli for dinner, I wanted to do something other than the basic marinara sauce. I found a recipe for browned butter garlic sauce and thought I'd give it a try and like I am known to do...I made some slight changes. 

Ingredients:

Frozen ravioli

4 TBSP butter

1 tsp of garlic powder or 1 clove of garlic

1 tsp of Italian seasoning

parmesan cheese to top

Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe: 

Make the ravioli as usual (added part water and part chicken broth to cook the ravioli) once done drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 C of water for later. 

In saucepan or skillet, add butter and melt, cook for 3-6 minutes (mixing as you cook) until turns brown and brown specks are visible (be careful not to overcook). 

Remove from heat and add garlic and Italian seasoning and mix well for an additional 30 seconds. 

Add ravioli back in with the reserved water and top with parmesan cheese.

Bake (if desired) for a few minutes to melt the cheese. 

What I added is the Italian seasoning and I used garlic powder instead of garlic clove. I also added the parmesan cheese. 

Recently while shopping I found a new kitchen tool that looked very convenient that I just had to try. It is a mason grater jar set. It is a mason jar with a lid that has a grater attachment so you can grate the cheese right into the jar. I had to have it and it was less than $10. The convenient part it is easy to clean, and if you have left over cheese, you can store it in the fridge right in the jar! But who has left over cheese!

I tried it for the first time tonight and it made grating the cheese a breeze and was so convenient and easy to clean! I, of course, had no leftover cheese to store. 

You can also use this grater for other things you would like to grate like garlic, cinnamon, cocoa, or even carrots.  The brand is Kilner, and I found this item at Harvest Market. 

                                     

 

Local Markets

 Did you know that Springfield is home to some small local markets? Among them three international markets and a small market full of local foods. Below is a brief overview of some of the places if you would like to check them out. 

Asian Market

Some of my favorite things to get at this market are sauces and vinegars, Yakisoba noodles, and thinly sliced meats. This week all I bought was some seasoned soy sauce. There are all sorts of things from produce to rice, noodles, snack foods, wine, and cookware. This is a great market if you are looking to expand your tastes a bit and are looking for some unusual items. 

1330 Wabash Ave Springfield IL 62704

Masala Market

The Masala Market is a market for Indian cuisine. I was not able to purchase anything since their EBT system was down but they had my favorite brand of premade Indian dishes, Deep.

I would like to go back and try some new things. I am especially interested in these Chutney sauces. They have rice, spices, produce, meat, snack foods and cookies. This would be a great place to check out if you are wanting to try Indian food. I highly suggest the Deep brand of frozen premade dishes. This is a great way to try Indian food if you are not sure if you will like them. 

1650 Wabash Ave Springfield IL 62704

Almandina International Foods Market

This is a local international market focusing on authentic Middle Eastern, Indian, and African food. This is a little hole in the wall place, but they have the best selection of Deep frozen options that I have seen in town. I bought some new things to try. Like the other markets they offer frozen foods, meats, produce, snacks, rice, spices. There are a number of things I was not familiar with. I was secretly hoping to find the fruit leather I had in South Africa or the Biltong. I did not see these items on my first visit. This place does have some things you would find at a regular market as well. 

              

2700 W Lawrence Ave Springfield IL 62704

Country Market

This was not an international market but is a place full of local items and some Amish baked goods. They also had some great spices, meat options, and produce. This market is local and family owned. They focus on selling locally grown, harvested, and sourced products. I bought a couple new spices to try from the Spice House. I also bought some Amish baked goods to enjoy! They also sell plants as well!

                                       

1610 Wabash Ave Springfield IL 62704

Grab a cuppa and let's chat!

 So, what is the 4-1-1 on coffee?

The US is the world's largest importer of coffee.

On average in the US, we spent $270 per person on coffee in 2022.

62% of American's drink coffee daily.

53% of consumers want to buy ethical coffee.

Arabica and Robusta beans make up 99% of the world's coffee. 

Worldwide, we drink over 500 billion cups of coffee per year!

Coffee grows best in areas outside of the US and often in third world countries where farming practices, labor laws, and other conditions can be poorly regulated. That's why good farming practices is such a large part of the sustainability of coffee. 

Today, I am going to share with you some of my favorite coffee brands, shops, and delivery companies. 

I love supporting companies that are direct trade, ethically sourced, and focus on sustainability. 

Favorite Delivery companies:

Lifeboost Coffee

Lifeboost offers a low- acid coffee in light, medium, dark, and espresso roasts. They also offer various different flavors. They offer whole bean, ground coffee, and K-cups. The coffee is single origin, and shade grown in Nicaragua. It is mycotoxin-free, GMO-free, and pesticide-free. They source the top 2% of coffee in the world from small farms. It is roasted fresh in small batches when you order. They 3rd party test their beans for toxins, molds, bacteria, heavy metals, and pesticides. It is delivered directly to you. 

Lifeboost supports the farmers, their families, and communities. They also support sustainable farming methods, wildlife protection, and first responders. You also have the capability of making your order carbon neutral for an additional fee.

Lifeboost though does come down on a higher price point. You will spend about $35 for a 12 oz bag of coffee. However, they do have a subscription program, a rewards program, and the more you buy the more you save. They also provide discount deals frequently. Their subscription service will save you up to 48%. 

I was introduced to this coffee by a friend, and at the time I struggled with some issues with the acidity of coffee. It really helped me, and it tasted really good.  As the economy has changed, I don't always get this coffee due to the cost and convenience, but it is well worth it if you are looking for a low acid coffee that is sustainable. 

Birch Coffee

Not going to lie...one of the draws to trying this coffee was the name. This is actually a coffee shop with multiple locations around NYC. However, they also have a website where you can order their coffee and have it sent to you. This is a small business owner that focuses on relationships in their shop. Their slogan is even "Birch Loves You" which I love! 

This company also believes strongly in giving back. They work with the NY Brewery mission by providing high quality coffee for their morning service and regularly provide a crew to serve those in need. They also created a coffee blend called Bully Blend where all the profits go towards pitbull rescue. They work with Animal Care Centers of NY by sending monthly donations and hosting adoption events. 

They source their green coffee from all over the world. They are always on the hunt for the best product available. They roast their own coffee twice a week to make sure you get the freshest coffee. 

Birch coffee offers many blends including my favorite Birch blend. They offer whole bean and ground options, and they have a subscription option. For a one time purchase a 12 oz bag of coffe is $16.00. Each bag tells you were the coffee comes from the tasting notes, and gives you tips on the best way to brew it. 

Favorite local coffee:

Smart Owl Coffee

Smart owl coffee is a local supplement infused organic coffee designed by doctors and backed by science. It is a company that is woman owned and family run. The blends of their coffee uses ethically sourced USDA organic coffee beans. The supplements that they use are proven to safely counter the anxiety and jitters that commonly accompany caffeine consumption. This is a newer company that began in 2020.

Smart owl is very selective about the farms that they work with to ensure that the practices are not only ethical but will result in the best coffees. Their beans are USDA organic, ethically sourced, roasted in small batches, and available in several roast varieties, caffeine levels, and package sizes. This coffee is direct trade, meaning that the roaster works directly with the farmer and establishes a mutually beneficial relationship in regard to wages and pricing and quality. Cutting out the 'middleman' improves both traceability and transparency. 

Smart owl coffee is third party tested after coming into the US. They perform multiple tests to confirm the best quality from purity tests to contamination tests, heavy metals test, etc. 

Smart owl offers a number of blends like a digestive blend, a clean bean blend (only available in whole bean), immune blend, recharge blend, cognition blend, balance blend, and my favorite seasonal Spiced Mocha Rose blend. Their coffee also is available in a sample pack if you would like to try the different blends. They have a subscription, and you can get discounts online. This brand is also available in local coffee shops like Pease's Bunn Gourmet, Harvest Market, and The Talisman at Broadgauge (a full list of the brick-and-mortar stores in online). 

The new seasonal blend is the Essential blend which will support the Treehouse Wildlife Center by donating $2 of every bag sold. This blend will have tasking notes of cinnamon and vanilla. It is an Italian medium roast with medium caffeine. It is single origin, shade grown, from Nicaragua. It is also low acid. I personally can't wait to try this new summer blend once I finish my last bag of the Spiced Mocha Rose.

Favorite coffee shops:

Kaldi's Coffee

This coffee is the brand sold at the local Harvest Market coffee shop. It is my favorite sit-down coffee shop in town, and I go weekly it seems. Kaldi's coffee focuses on relationship coffee. This means they offer the consumers the opportunity to take a proactive and global approach to coffee purchasing. Relationship coffee provides even greater transparency than fair trade. Kaldi's is committed to helping farmers by buying direct trade quality coffee. The coffee they purchase is always 'green' and they purchase for at least 15% above the fair-trade minimum price. They also seek relationships with farmers that focus on sustainability- preserve the soil, and protecting insects, birds, and wildlife. 

You can buy their coffee online, but you can also buy it buy the cup at local coffee shops around the Midwest. Online they offer blends by the bag or as pods (Kcups). A bag of coffee will cost around $14-20, while a 10pack of pods is $10.

My favorite thing about the coffee shop at Harvest Market is the sugar free options. I can get a sugar free raspberry white chocolate latte and its good! The coffee shop hours are limited so keep that in mind. Weekdays they close at 3pm and weekends at 5:30pm. 

Scooters Coffee

Since the coffee shop at Harvest Market closes early, I found another option for a coffee shop that I love as well. Scooters coffee is locally owned, farm to cup, and focus on relationship coffee as well. 

Scooters has strong ties with their farmers, employees, and suppliers. Scooters was created in 1998. They only roast from the top 10% of specialty coffee beans in the world. They realize that relationships are the foundations of their success. They personally visit the farms, and they purchase through direct trade from family farms all over the world. Scooters always pays the farmers above the market price. This allows the farmers to reinvest into their own communities, their farms, and their environment. This is the true meaning of sustainability. 

Not only does Scooter's have a great mission but their coffee is delicious. They have an app you can download for rewards and specials deals. If you download the app your first drink is $2 off.  A large at Scooters is comparable to a large (Venti) at Starbucks, but they have better taste and more sugar free options. Scooters is a drive thru coffee shop so keep that in mind. There are two locations in Springfield IL and I would highly suggest checking them out if you haven't already. I know I plan on going on Sunday! The hours for the coffee shop are 530am to 8pm

*Some honorable mentions I like for various reasons are:

The Talisman at Broadgauge located in Petersburg IL is another favorite sit in shop. They serve both Custom Cup and Smart Owl coffee. In my opinion other than the historical aspect of the location itself the shining star of this location is the food. They have the best quiche and is almost always a stop for me on Saturday mornings. They also have amazing pastries and cookies. The staff is super friendly as well. 

Grab A Java is another local coffee shop that I like. This is another drive through coffee shop I would go to a lot and still go on occasion depending on where I am at. They have great sugar free options and quite a lot of them if that is something you are interested in. They also have a punch card for discounts. They provide some food options- the pumpkin chocolate chip bread is pretty good and gluten free. 

Oh the possibilities! Part 2: review of the Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro

 Part 2 of the Ninja Food Possible series is the multi cooker Pro! This like the others is multi-functional so it is not just a slow cooker. It is an 8-in-1 cooker and makes the possibilities endless! It also offers cooker to oven to table function. 

This machine cooks up to 30% faster using the triple fusion heat technology. Traditional slow cookers only cook from the sides. This multi cooker cooks from the bottom, sides, and uses steam heat. This is what allows the additional cooking options. The one I am most excited about is the ability to sear meat directly in the cooker before adding other ingredients. This allows you to use only one pot so you save time and have less clean up. 

This cooker replaces 14 cooking tools and appliances. You can slow cook, steam, saute, braise, and roast among other things. 

This cooker not only has the base for cooking, but you can remove the main pot for cooking in the oven up to 500 degrees. This allows for meals to be finished in the oven if you are looking for that crispy finish. 

This cooker is great for entertaining with a larger 8.5 qt capacity. This allows you to make enough chili for 20, 9lbs of spaghetti and meatballs, or enough pulled pork for 30 sliders!

There are 8 different cooking functions including slow cook, sear/sauté, steam, keep warm, sous vide, braise, bake, and proof. 

The cleanup is a breeze! The nonstick enables you to wipe away messes and is so quick to clean! The lid of the pot and utensil included are dishwasher safe. The pot is recommended to be hand washed for longevity. 

The cooker is not only easy to use, clean, and multi-functional, it is also safe. It is free of PFOA, cadmium, and lead. It also is lightweight, weighing only 12.6 lbs and includes a 30 in cord.

The only con I have is that this cooker does not have a secured lid like you can get on some slow cookers for easy transportation. But if you do not use this cooker to take places it is a great option for your kitchen. Especially if like me you have limited kitchen space. Since you can do so much with this cooker, you need fewer items. 

This cooker does have a higher price point like the others in this series. However, the ease of cleaning alone is worth it in my opinion. My old slow cooker I would always use slow cooker bags to help with clean up because it was such a pain to clean. I no longer have to use those and it cleans up so fast! The price of this runs from $120-150 depending on where you get it. It also is available in multiple colors (I have the sea salt gray). 

The cooker also comes with a recipe booklet for some suggestions and tips on how to use the cooker. It includes a Sunday Pot Roast that I made and it was very good! You can also get other ideas from the Ninja Foodi Family Community on facebook.

Oh the possiblities: Review of the Ninja Foodi Neverstick Possiblepan

A while back, I was in the market for some new cookware. My dilemma was I don't have a lot of storage space. I definitely did not have room for a whole set of pans. I did some research and stumbled upon the Ninja Foodi Neverstick Possiblepan. I read reviews and did some research and decided to bite the bullet and buy one. I love this pan!

Some basic features of this pan are:

• It does the work of different tools (frypan, sauté pan, skillet, saucier, saucepan, steamer, strainer, spatula, cast iron skillet, roasting pan, and baking dish)
• It is oven safe up to 500 degrees.
• It is dishwasher safe  
• It is all range capable including induction ready
• It has a 10-year guarantee for the never stick technology. It is heated to 30,000 degrees F and is PFOA, cadmium, and lead free. 
• It includes a nylon spatula that is curved on one side for easy to reach on all sides of the pan and the glass lid includes a resting spot for the spatula. 
• The pan has a 4-quart capacity. 

My review:

• Cleaning is so easy! The non-stick is really fantastic! Most everything comes off with just the sprayer. I have not had to do any strong scrubbing to get the pan clean. 
• I've had it for a few months with use a couple times a week at least and it looks brand new still!
• The space it takes up it great considering all it does. 
• I love the straining basket. I can make pasta in this and drain it. Honest review: I have discovered if I cook the pasta in the straining basket the water can overflow. I can cook it in the pan though without breaking spaghetti then pour into the strainer to drain and it does not overflow that way.
• Honestly, I have not tried the using it in the oven, I have a tiny oven and it won't fit with the handle. 
• It is plenty big enough for all of my cooking needs. 

Overall, I am very happy even thrilled with this purchase. It is a bit on the pricey side for one pan but when you look at all of the things you can do with this pan and how great it is I believe it is well worth the price. Especially if you are looking for something that is multipurpose but saves on space. The price point for this pan runs between $100-130 on amazon and is available in the colors of sea salt gray, macaroon blue, smoked paprika, vanilla bean, cherry tart, and olive green. 

There is also a Ninja Foodi Neverstick Possiblepot! I am very excited to try it out and a review will be coming for it as well. It is multipurpose and can be used on stovetop and in oven, much like the possiblepan but the items it replaces are a bit different. 

Welcome to a World of Incredible Flavor: Company Review of Burlap and Barrel

Last year I was on a mission to find companies to support that were more environmentally friendly and while listening to a podcast I was introduced to Burlap and Barrel, and I have not looked back!

They work towards ending inequality and exploitation in food systems by connecting smallholder farmers to high-volume markets, educating consumers, and sourcing unique spices that are grown organically and sustainably. 

When you think of sustainability what comes to mind? Most likely the impact on the environment or the impact on animals. Rarely does this take into account the people involved in growing, harvesting, transporting, processing, and cooking food. Burlap and Barrel strives to help the standard measures of sustainability to evolve to include the conditions in which farmers who drive the global food supply chains earn their livelihoods.

They do this through single origin spices. By drawing attention to the unique environments in which these incredible ingredients grow and to the farmers with the expertise and commitment to grow them well.

Burlap and Barrel is a Public Benefit Corporation. This means that they are a spice supply chain that is equitable, transparent, and traceable.  They source spices directly from farmer cooperatives and small farmers bypassing brokers and middlemen. They visit farms and spend time with the farmers, learning firsthand about the economic, social, and cultural factors behind their farming methods.

The farmers benefit from greater financial security through purchase commitments, shared knowledge from across their global farmer network, and support in expanding on-site value activities like sorting, grinding, and packaging to increase their revenue.

Most spice supply chains are completely opaque. Where the spices are grown, who grew them, and how they were grown in usually a mystery. The systems we live with today were designed to disenfranchise farmers and shortchange consumers. Burlap and Barrel brings spices to the consumer that come from transparent, direct supply chains. They pay their farmers 2-10X the commodity price. 

So, the big question...what does it mean to be single origin? This means that all of their spices can be traced back to a single area of production, even a single farm or cooperative of farmers. Other spices are sourced from many different farms or countries, high- and low-quality spices are blended together and as a result much of the flavor is lost along the way.

Another huge part is the freshness of the spices. Generally, from the time a spice is harvested it has a shelf life of 3 years. And ground spices have an even shorter span. Most spices you get at the supermarket have spent several years in transit (in warehouses, distribution centers, and the store shelf). Commodity spices have traded hands 15+ times and have taken years en route to the market. Burlap and Barrel sources directly from the farms, bringing the spices to the consumer at peak freshness, faster, and with a longer shelf life. This also means the color is better, the aroma is better, and usually you can use less of the spice to get the flavor you desire. In my experience though...your spices will not sit for years and not get used they are that good. 

Environmentally speaking the jars are made from recyclable materials and can be recycled or you can do what I do and clean them and reuse them for blends made (i.e.: creole, steak seasoning). The spices are free from preservatives, fillers, anything artificial, gluten, soy, egg, dairy, and nuts. I love that each jar tells me exactly where the spice came from and gives me ideas on how to use it. 

 The website www.burlapandbarrel.com has some great tips on how to use the spices, of course a shop where you can purchase the spices, a recipe catalog for inspiration, a spice quiz, you can build a set, and they have a quarterly subscription. Most of the spices range from $9-12, even though it is a bit more than the store the quality is amazing! There is also a Facebook group called the Burlap and Barrel Spice Forum where you can swap recipes, ask for inspiration, you can connect with the farmers that grew the spices, and I've even had contact with a chef from an HBO cooking show called, La Pitchoune: Cooking in France! The show airs on HBO Max and they use the Burlap and Barrel spices at their cooking school!

To learn more, you can watch Shark Tank this Friday, April 7th, at 7pm. The co-founders of Burlap and Barrel are going to be on sharing Burlap and Barrel with the sharks. They have a special shark tank collection available for purchase https://www.burlapandbarrel.com/products/shark-tank-spices?variant=43435969478810.

If you are interested in trying the spices out. I found a discount code, RISEUP, and was able to get the Dill and Parsley blend for free. I was not able to find out if you need to spend a specified amount first to be honest, but feel free to try it out. Also, if you place an order and it is over $45 then shipping is free. 

If you would like suggestions on a spice to try my favorites are: Black Lime, Toasted Onion Powder, Purple Stripe Garlic, Silk Chili, and Tomato Powder. They also have blends that I love like the Jollof blend, the Pumpkin Pie Spice blend, the Garam Masala is good as well. I cannot tell you how wonderful the colors and aromas of these spices are! If only you could smell them through the computer!

Here's to a world of incredible flavor that is equitably sourced and new spices that are unique and have never before been available in the US. 

*For copyright purposes all info obtained in the post was from the Burlap and Barrel website*