At Red Stick Spice Company, we love sheet pans . We teach sheet pan classes; we sell sheet pans . Most important: we use sheet pans all the time to make marvelous meals at home. Anne Milneck (Chef, Smidgen host, sheet pan cheerleader and owner of Red Stick Spice Company ) says we can’t really call sheet pan suppers a trend anymore—simply because sheet pan cooking is so ubiquitous and helpful to the home cook. In this episode, Anne shares new recipes and new techniques that you can start using ri...
Jun 20, 2024•25 min•Season 7Ep. 13
Did we fall out of love with the Instant Pot? How long has it been since you’ve used your Instant Pot? Anne Milneck (Chef, Smidgen host, INSTANT POT USER and owner of Red Stick Spice Company ) thinks it’s time to revisit your Instant Pot and give this multi-purpose tool a glow up. The Instant Pot is so good at what it does… with a few considerations (that Anne goes over in this episode. Spoiler alert: the Instant Pot can be your meal prep secret weapon. More in the episode.) Three brand new reci...
Jun 06, 2024•35 min•Season 7Ep. 12
The month of May is jammed packed! If you are going to multiple graduation parties Anne Milneck (Chef, Smidgen host, and owner of Red Stick Spice Company ) feels ya! Anne knows the parties can pile up—you may even be hosting multiple parties through this grad season. What is a busy home cook to do? Enter the nearly foolproof graduation party menu from Red Stick Spice Company. Anne has put together a practical selection of dishes that allows you to make ahead most of the party menu, allowing you ...
May 23, 2024•25 min•Season 7Ep. 11
Make a beautiful, manageable breakfast for Mom! Anne Milneck (Chef, MOM, and owner of Red Stick Spice Company ) has a wonderful menu that you or family members (ESPECIALLY teens or tweens) can make to celebrate Mother’s Day. We all cherish memories of children earnestly preparing bowls of cereal… but if you’re ready for a slightly more advanced Mother’s Day breakfast menu, this episode for you. Hearty pancakes (or waffles); berries with an Earl Grey Crème simple syrup; crispy candied bacon; egg ...
May 09, 2024•20 min•Season 7Ep. 10
Attention, Barefoot Contessa fans—Anne Milneck (Chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company ) is back as an Ina Garten superfan on this episode of Smidgen to share some solid recipes, perfect for the home cook to try out. (Please note: this episode has several homework assignments, including making Overnight Mac & Cheese and Lemon Bars.) Home cooks: If you are looking for approachable yet refined recipes that will please your family and guests alike this episode will get you on the right track...
Apr 25, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 9
People love enjoying an Afternoon Tea. While it is less of a regular event in the United States, many people, including Anne Milneck—host of Smidgen, and chef/owner of Red Stick Spice Company —have fond memories of special tea outings. Did you know you can enjoy a special Afternoon Tea at home with family or friends? On this episode of Smidgen, Anne shares tips on how to pick the teas to serve your guests; how to put together a savory course, a scone course, and a sweet course (and recipes OF CO...
Apr 11, 2024•30 min•Season 7Ep. 8
If you have questions about using dried herbs or fresh herbs in your home cooking, this informative Smidgen episode is for you. Anne Milneck—host of Smidgen, and chef/owner of Red Stick Spice Company —answers the top two questions she gets asked about dried vs. fresh herbs (can you guess what they are?) plus Anne spotlights a bounty of recipes that will give you a chance to experience some dishes where fresh herbs get to shine and some dishes where dried herbs excel. Trust us—you are going to wa...
Mar 28, 2024•28 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Easter is here! If you are planning on hosting a brunch (or attending an Easter brunch) Anne Milneck—host of Smidgen, and chef/owner of Red Stick Spice Company—has a brunch menu that will have you rejoicing . Yes, we talk about brunch a lot—but brunch is flexible and fun, a perfect time to try out some new, fresh spring flavors and prepare your favorites. What is a good Easter Brunch menu? - All in one spot: read Anne's blog post about Easter brunch (complete with recipe links): https://blog.red...
Mar 14, 2024•26 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Sweet Potato love is a real thing. But have you ever wondered what the difference is between yams and sweet potatoes? Well, our host Anne Milneck (chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company ) dives into the history of yams—or should we say “yams”—in the United States and reveals all, including how Louisiana lost out on being the Yam (or Sweet Potato) capitol of the world and if there is such a thing as sweet potato fudge. After “nerding out” on the history, Anne gives a set of sweet potato recipe...
Feb 29, 2024•28 min•Season 7Ep. 5
The Lenten Season changes the menu for some families as they observe the 40-day period before Easter. Traditionally, this has meant a lot of fish meals (especially on Fridays.) But what if you want to observe lent without leaning too heavily on fish? This new episode of Smidgen—hosted by Anne Milneck, owner of Red Stick Spice Company is here to help. What are the best meals to serve during Lent? Read Anne’s blog post on the Lenten meals here: https://blog.redstickspice.com/more-lenten-meals-that...
Feb 15, 2024•28 min•Season 7Ep. 4
You can make a lovely and romantic dinner for Valentine’s Day at home! Anne Milneck of Red Stick Spice Company has you covered with an elegant, multi-course meal that will impress—and that you can actually successfully make—that is sure to make your evening in something special. What is a good menu for home cooked Valentine’s dinner? - Read Anne’s blog post on Valentine’s , complete with menu and optional variations. Click here to read Anne’s blog post . - Did someone say vanilla balsamic? Shop ...
Feb 01, 2024•19 min•Season 7Ep. 3
What food trends are home cooks going to be seeing everywhere in 2024, and maybe more importantly, what are some of the recipes that will help you explore the best this new year has to offer? Smidgen host and owner of Red Stick Spice Company Anne Milneck loves food trends. So when she saw Southern Living’s list of pertinent food trends for 2024, she knew she wanted to talk about them on the show—and bring some exciting recipes from the Red Stick Spice Company teaching kitchen to help our custome...
Jan 18, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Hello, 2024! Are you ready to cook up a storm this year? Do you want to love your kitchen and your home cooking even more this year? On this episode of Smidgen, Anne Milneck—chef and proprietor of Red Stick Spice Company —has some practical resolutions that you can easily incorporate to your routines and are you ready for this? Are resolutions you can actually stick to. What are cooking resolutions can I actually stick to? Meal prep one thing each week (just one!); try a new recipe from a new co...
Jan 04, 2024•22 min•Season 7Ep. 1
The holidays and Christmas season is here! Are you or a favorite home cook feeling stressed? Less than jolly? Anne Milneck, chef, owner of Red Stick Spice Company , and host of Smidgen has some help for you. Lots of outlets churn out “helpful hints for the holidays” lists that… let’s face it… are a little less than robust. We need real help this year, and Anne delivers on this episode of Smidgen. What are the best tips to make holiday cooking easier? - Read Anne’s blog post with 12 Holiday Tips ...
Dec 14, 2023•31 min•Season 6Ep. 19
We’ve all said it: we don’t want more “stuff” and we want to keep our Holiday budget intact. But we also don’t want to go empty handed to our friend’s house this season. Anne Milneck—chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company has a delicious solution on this episode of Smidgen. Have fun and a joyful kitchen as you make these 5 wonderful gifts from your kitchen to share with the people you love. What are the best homemade Christmas gifts? From scratch granola, shortbread, sumptuous dessert sauces,...
Dec 07, 2023•31 min•Season 6Ep. 18
Oh my! What are we going to do with all this food?? If you are looking upon your Thanksgiving Leftovers with a little bit of dread, Anne Milneck—chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company reveals her skill as a meal makeover artist in this episode of Smidgen. Now, keep in mind: we are pro-leftover on Smidgen; this is not about simply eating down the Thanksgiving meal. Rather, this episode is all about fully transformed meals, using food from Thanksgiving. Each of the recipes Anne discusses are gr...
Nov 23, 2023•22 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Spatchcock your Thanksgiving turkey for gorgeous crispy skin and juicy turkey meat. Smidgen host Anne Milneck of Red Stick Spice Company details on this episode why everyone should consider taking a note out of Kenji Lopez-Alt’s book (or podcast appearance) and spatchcocking this year’s Thanksgiving turkey. What do you get? CRISPY, crispy golden lovely delicious skin Plump, juicy turkey (NO dry bird—you’re not relying on all the great Thanksgiving sides to carry the meal. Enjoy the bird, too!) R...
Nov 09, 2023•23 min•Season 6Ep. 16
Boo! Halloween is a fun and special time for Smidgen host Anne Milneck and Red Stick Spice Company . Anne likes to go big with costumes, decorations, and Halloween festivities! You can too—even at this date, you can pull together a delightful and delicious Halloween celebration for friends and neighbors . On this episode, 7 Halloween recipes that are easy and can feed a crowd. Spooky root beer, sheet pan nachos, pumpkin soup, mummy-wrapped baked brie, sloppy joes, ogre-green matcha popcorn, witc...
Oct 26, 2023•24 min•Season 6Ep. 15
Doesn’t everyone love Fall? A reprieve from the heat, leaves change color, root veggies show up at the Farmer’s market, and soup sounds lovely for dinner. Some of us wait all year for the flavors of Autumn. Anne Milneck, host of the Smidgen podcast and owner of Red Stick Spice Company has 5 essential recipes for Fall that prove the season is much more than a bunch of PSL talk. What are some good Fall recipes? - Get all the recipes Anne shares in this episode in one blog post: https://blog.redsti...
Oct 12, 2023•25 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Everyone is re-discovering their Dutch ovens. Make crusty bread, roast a chicken, make a beautiful stew—you can do all of this in a Dutch oven, and more! On this episode of Smidgen, Anne Milneck of Red Stick Spice Company gives a useful lesson about what sets Dutch ovens apart from other cookware (hint: you’ll be inspecting the lid of your favorite cooker after this show.) Plus, Anne shares 7 Dutch oven-ready recipes, each one sounding better than the next. What do you cook in a Dutch oven? - An...
Sep 21, 2023•29 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Smoothie lovers unite! If you enjoy a smoothie to get your macros or extra nutrition or add some protein to your diet—OR just because they taste good, this is the Smidgen episode for you. Anne Milneck, host and owner of Red Stick Spice Company provides smoothie inspiration with 5 smoothies you make and enjoy today. Yum! What should you put in a smoothie? - Here’s a great blog post from the Red Stick Spice Company website with all the smoothies Anne has for you: ROUND UP: 5 NUTRITION-PACKED SMOOT...
Sep 07, 2023•26 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Getting back into the swing of the school year can be a little tough. Everybody’s schedule changes, how much you are driving around changes, mealtimes change. To help you ensure dinnertime is a pleasant, delicious, and homecooked experience, Anne Milneck—chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company has 5 quick and easy dinners you can use to help the whole family adjust to the school year. What are quick and easy dinners I can make tonight? - Anne has a great blog post that collects all the recipes...
Aug 17, 2023•19 min•Season 6Ep. 11
If you or someone in your family is going plant-based with their eating, getting some great vegan recipes into your mealtime lineup can be a lifesaver. Smidgen host and owner of Red Stick Spice Company Anne Milneck’s own daughter went vegan and Anne explains some expert tips for how to navigate the culinary landscape that comes with this type of eating. After you learn all of Anne’s tips, it’s on to five essential vegan recipes that you’re going to love to eat—whether you are a vegan or not! How...
Aug 03, 2023•36 min•Season 6Ep. 10
It’s too dang hot, y’all. If the thought of cooking in the kitchen has you crying right now, Anne Milneck, chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company shares 8 cooldown recipes to help you take the temp down just a bit. Make the most of produce that’s available now; get some sumptuous sips; indulge in some frozen sweet treats that are sure to make summertime memories. What recipes can I make to cooldown and beat the heat? - Are you intrigued by ice box cakes and pies? Make some space in the freeze...
Jul 20, 2023•28 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Tapas—or small plates—are a signature of Mediterranean and Spanish cooking; Tapas give you a wonderful variety of dishes that give you lots of things to try and experience in a single meal. Tapas are also a phenomenal way to throw an unforgettable party. On this episode of Smidgen, Anne Milneck, chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company shares 7 incredible tapas recipes to help you throw an amazing tapas party, complete with some expert tips. How can I throw a tapas party? Here are some of the r...
Jul 06, 2023•16 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Honey is more than a sweetener in a jar, hiding in your pantry. On this episode of Smidgen, host Anne Milneck—chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company —gives us four delicious ways to add honey to our cooking. This episode is to help celebrate pollinator week, a celebration of the buzzing beneficials that help flowers bloom and food grow. (Be sure to follow Red Stick Spice Company on Facebook and Instagram so you can see how Anne is honoring pollinators this week!) What ways can honey be used i...
Jun 22, 2023•17 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Who doesn’t love brunch? Whether you are spending time with friends (nibbling and sipping) or preparing dishes you rarely get to enjoy (like quiche or breakfast rolls) brunch is a delightful meal. And the best part? You don’t have to go out for brunch! As soon as this weekend, you can make a memorable brunch that will wow. On this episode of Smidgen, host Anne Milneck—chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company —shares five brunch ideas (that actually turns into six then seven brunch recipes— we c...
Jun 08, 2023•15 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Ina Garten is a cooking icon. Her show, The Barefoot Contessa , has been inspiring home cooks for just over twenty years. Her cookbooks are staples for many, and her knowledge of comfort food cooking; simple but elegant entertaining; and her attention to lovely décor details make her a go-to influencer. It’s no wonder that so many love her and her approach to cooking. On this episode of Smidgen, host Anne Milneck—chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Company —shares four lessons you can learn from I...
May 29, 2023•20 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Click here to learn more about Culinary Madrid , the cooking (and eating!) travel experience with Anne Milneck and Red Stick Spice Company: Culinary Madrid You can learn to cook the flavors of Spain this Fall in Madrid, Spain. Join Anne and Lili for a six-day food, wine, and cultural experience. Where did this tour come from, how did Anne and Lili get the idea? On this episode of Smidgen, you’ll learn the story of how this experience came together, as well as an overview of each day. Anne shares...
May 04, 2023•14 min
Click here to learn more about Culinary Madrid , the cooking (and eating!) travel experience with Anne Milneck and Red Stick Spice Company: Culinary Madrid Anne (Red Stick Spice Company owner and host of Smidgen) makes this cake for nearly every family gathering, and you can, too. The Tarta de Santiago has something for everyone according to Anne. Santiago translates to St. James, and this cake, named for this “greater” Saint, traditionally bears a stencil of his sword on top. (Make a simple ste...
May 01, 2023•13 min
