Spice it up.

This week's share contains a little something extra, and we hope you love it.

We have started working with Curio Spice Co. on Mass Ave in Cambridge. Visit their storefront, it is beautiful! Their spice blends are inventive and delicious. More about them below. 

This week we asked Claire, the owner, for a suggestion to pair with Chicken and Pita. She suggested her Kozani blend; a Greek herb/fennel blend with saffron. She also included a recipe for using the spice in a Tzatziki sauce - let us know what you think!

About Curio: 
"Curio specializes in directly sourced, sustainably produced spices from around the world. We work hard to build relationships with farmers and share their stories with you. Our unique blends help tell these stories through their beautiful aromas and the depth of flavor they add to your food....Curio is a woman-owned benefit corporation, working to improve the lives of farmers and add value to our local community through educational events and classes. "


WHAT'S IN THE BAG?

HALF SHARE

Protein and Dairy - Half Chicken and Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Plain Greek Yogurt from Brookford Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Shiitake Mushrooms from MycoTerra Farm; Dino Kale, Burgundy Beans, Golden Beets from Brookford Farm; Sweet White Onions from Kimball Fruit Farm
Grains -Fresh Pita from Samira's Homemade/Hellen Bakery
Spice- Kozani Spice Mix from Curio Spice Co.
Special Treat - Baklava from Samira's Homemade

 

WHOLE SHARE

Protein and Dairy - Whole Chicken, Hot Italian Sausage and Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Plain Greek Yogurt from Brookford Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Shiitake Mushrooms from MycoTerra Farm; Dino Kale, Burgundy Beans, Golden Beets from Brookford Farm; Japanese Eggplant, Yellow Nectarines and Sweet White Onions from Kimball Fruit Farm
Grains - Fresh Pita from Samira's Homemade/Hellen Bakery
Spice- Kozani Spice Mix from Curio Spice Co.
Special Treat - Baklava from Samira's Homemade

 

RECIPES
Yogurt Chicken:  This week's yogurt from Luke at Brookford is plain, a departure from our regular addiction to their maple offering.  Yogurt is a wonderful (if unexpected) marinade for chicken. Its slight acidity renders the meat more tender and moist. Grill up this chicken over rice, or a salad or go full on Chicken Pita for the perfect summer meal.

Beets and Salted Yogurt:  A nice bright side dish for anything that comes off your grill.

Magic Beans: Royal Burgundy Beans are a vibrant purple bean that can be used just like their more common, more verdant counterparts.  Chop them into tiny pieces to add crunch to a salad or your chicken pita. Or give them a light sauté with some onions and watch them turn green under the heat. Magic.

TIPS AND TRICKS 
There are a couple of classic tricks that really make chicken shine, resulting in deliciously tender and juicy meat, and a crispy flavorful exterior:

• Tender Meat: We recommend two methods that help retain moisture in chicken - brining and dry rubbing.  Thomas Keller's recipe for lemon-brined chicken produces great results. If you have a little more time, you can also dry rub your chicken with salt and pepper, and then place it back in the fridge - overnight for best results.
• Crispy Skin: The key to achieving crispy chicken skin is removing moisture from the skin. Pat the chicken skin dry and rub your bird with oil or butter before cooking.  Dry rubbing your chicken with salt and pepper will also help remove moisture from the surface of your bird, while adding some salt to keep the meat juicy while cooking.  These methods will create a crisp, beautifully browned exterior.