Show 500, November 19, 2022: Tara “Teaspoon” Bench with Delicious Gatherings – Recipes to Celebrate Together Part One

Tara Bench

Tara “Teaspoon” Bench’s newest cookbook (and just in time for the Holidays) is Delicious Gatherings – Recipes to Celebrate Together. “Here is your invitation to step into the kitchen and create a meal worth remembering! Tara Teaspoon helps you impress guests and gather friends around your table with recipes for elevated everyday meals and special holidays, plus helpful tips and how-tos. This cookbook aims to bring joy, flair, and amazing taste to all your get-togethers.”

“From Sunday suppers and weeknight family meals to elaborate buffets for bigger crowds and holiday celebrations, Tara’s recipes include delicious showstoppers and unique takes on comforting classics. You can gather together around savory recipes, including Spicy Maple Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pepitas or the Ultimate Chili con Queso. Then bring on dessert with Chocolate Peanut Butter Puddle Cookies or Maple Hazelnut Pie.”

“Tara brings her comforting-but-elevated approach to recipes that cover “Main Events,” “Serious Sides,” “Breakfast and Brunch,” and “Baking and Sweets.” The book opens with “Gather-Around Dinners,” which takes the stress out of meal planning with full-course menus for memorable gatherings.”

“I am so passionate about the power of food and cooking, and how it can bring people together, allow us to explore our creativity, and nourish our bodies and souls.”—Tara Bench (aka Tara Teaspoon).

“Tara Bench has been in the food publishing industry for more than twenty years and is also the author of Live Life Deliciously: Recipes for Busy Weekdays and Leisurely Weekends. As a recipe developer and professional food stylist, she creates food content for brands, books, television, and advertising, as well as shares her expertise on her blog.”

In the spirit of the Holidays, Tara has graciously shared with us two representative recipes from Delicious Gatherings. They are Loaded Guacamole Dip and Waldorf Salad with Radicchio and Buttermilk Dressing.

Tara “Teaspoon” Bench is our guest with whisk in hand.

Show 500, November 19, 2022: Tara “Teaspoon” Bench with Delicious Gatherings – Recipes to Celebrate Together Part Two

Tara Bench

Tara “Teaspoon” Bench’s newest cookbook (and just in time for the Holidays) is Delicious Gatherings – Recipes to Celebrate Together. “Here is your invitation to step into the kitchen and create a meal worth remembering! Tara Teaspoon helps you impress guests and gather friends around your table with recipes for elevated everyday meals and special holidays, plus helpful tips and how-tos. This cookbook aims to bring joy, flair, and amazing taste to all your get-togethers.”

“From Sunday suppers and weeknight family meals to elaborate buffets for bigger crowds and holiday celebrations, Tara’s recipes include delicious showstoppers and unique takes on comforting classics. You can gather together around savory recipes, including Spicy Maple Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pepitas or the Ultimate Chili con Queso. Then bring on dessert with Chocolate Peanut Butter Puddle Cookies or Maple Hazelnut Pie.”

“Tara brings her comforting-but-elevated approach to recipes that cover “Main Events,” “Serious Sides,” “Breakfast and Brunch,” and “Baking and Sweets.” The book opens with “Gather-Around Dinners,” which takes the stress out of meal planning with full-course menus for memorable gatherings.”

“I am so passionate about the power of food and cooking, and how it can bring people together, allow us to explore our creativity, and nourish our bodies and souls.”—Tara Bench (aka Tara Teaspoon).

In the spirit of the Holidays, Tara has graciously shared with us two representative recipes from Delicious Gatherings. They are Loaded Guacamole Dip and Waldorf Salad with Radicchio and Buttermilk Dressing.

Tara “Teaspoon” Bench continues with us with whisk securely in hand.

Show 235, August 5, 2017: Robert Schueller, Melissa’s World Variety Produce, Hatch Chile Season is on!

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioFor some seven short weeks the incredible Hatch Chiles from New Mexico are available fresh. Unusually they can be purchased in a range of heats from mild to hot.

It’s no secret why everyone is obsessed with Hatch Chiles. Named after the original growing area in Hatch, New Mexico, authentic Hatch Chiles are truly a Southwestern favorite. No other chile is prized more than this variety which grows in the Hatch Valley, just north of Las Cruces. The valley, which stretches along the Rio Grande’s southern-most bend before crossing into Texas and Mexico, is covered with row after row of these green leafy chile plants for most of the summer. Chefs say that the intense sunlight and cool nights in this valley result in a uniquely flavored chile that’s unrivaled by any other.

Hatch Chiles have a meaty flesh and mild-medium heat making them ideal for use in Chile Con Queso, Chile Rellenos, and Chile Verde. But it doesn’t just stop there. You can also try roasting and using them in salads, soups, stews, dips, and sandwiches. For even more great ideas on how to use this incredible chile, purchase a copy of Melissa’s Hatch Chile Cookbook with over 150 unique, home-kitchen tested and classic Hatch Chile recipes.

Hatch chiles are so popular savvy folks load up each summer and freeze (in portioned freezer bags) enough roasted chiles to enjoy year-round.

Our resident produce guru, Robert Schuller of Melissa’s, steps away from the roaster to give us the piquant specifics.