When deciding which wine will be served before certain others, take into account the foods being served. Basic guidelines call for dry whites to be served before reds, light wines to be served before heavier wines, young wines to be served before old, and dry wines to be served before sweet wines. Of course, rules were made to be broken, and if you want to drink a sherry with soup, by all means go ahead. Flexibility allows a Sauterne to be drunk with foie gras before turning to a dry red wine with the main course. And, guests are unlikely to protest too much if a mature red wine proceeds a younger white.
ROBERTS MARKET wants you to know that a world of white, red, and blush wines await you here. If you are hosting a special dinner or a party and would like some suggestions regarding which wines to serve with most all foods, we are here for you. Choose from our great selection of wines from around the world and in all price ranges. Of course you’ll also fine everything else you will need for that dinner party right here in our unique market. We treat all food with respect and feature freshness, innovation, quality, and variety, coupled with outstanding service.
HINT: Intensely flavored fine German Rieslings, which are traditionally light-bodied and low in alcohol, may be used to contrast with rich foods.

Most floral arrangements will last four to seven days, or longer, depending on the type of flowers used and the kind of care they receive. To get the most life out of an arrangement, add the flower food provided by the florist to the vase water. It is important to follow the mixing directions on the flower packet when doing so. Most packets are formulated to be mixed with either a pint or quart of water. Flower foods should not be diluted with more water than is specified on the packet. Beyond that, if the flower food solution becomes cloudy, replace it entirely with properly mixed flower food solution. Also, recut the stems by one to two inches.
ROBERTS MARKET is known for not only their great seafood, poultry, meats, produce, etc. but for their fresh cut flowers, perfect to grace your table for any occasion. Our meat department even grinds their own different style sausages here to insure the finest and freshest quality. Stop by and have a real taste treat, one of our famous smoothies. Don’t forget to also visit our wine & liquor department.
HINT: Keep flower arrangements in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), as well as away from direct sunlight and heating /cooling vents.

Barbecued ribs grilled to perfection are fantastic, and the right seasonings just add to the sensational taste. Brushing ribs with barbecue sauce while grilling is fine, but remember that most barbecue sauces contain sugar, which can cause ribs to burn. You may want to consider using a baste or mop, a thin sauce consisting of mostly vinegar or water. Brushing a mop on ribs during grilling will add flavor while retaining moisture. You could also try a flavorful rub before grilling, then top ribs with a thin sauce when done. To protect your ribs’ seasonings or rub, cover ribs with prepared yellow mustard before grilling. The mustard creates a nice crust on the ribs’ surface that doesn’t taste of mustard.
Whether grilling ribs, steaks, poultry, or fish, when shopping at ROBERTS MARKET you’ll find everything you might need for a great meal. We carry only the best in meats, poultry, and seafood, as well as an outstanding selection of marinated meats, sauces, rubs, and spices. We treat all food with respect and feature freshness, innovation, quality, and variety, coupled with outstanding service. Of course, visit our flower department for fresh cut flowers to grace your table. Don’t forget a great wine from our wine department to complement your meal.
HINT: Avoid using too much heat when grilling ribs. They need to cook slowly over indirect heat.

According to a 6-year Dutch study, moderate alcohol consumption may offer some protection to the brain as well as to the heart. When researchers tracked the food and beverage consumption of nearly 8,000 men and women aged 55 years and older, they found that those who consumed one to three drinks per day (beer, wine, or spirits) were half as likely to have developed dementia. The gap was even bigger when the researchers focused on vascular dementia, the deterioration of brain function linked to damage of the arteries that supply the brain with oxygen. Researchers speculate that whatever it is that reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease is also helping the brain by improving the functioning of the circulatory system.
Moderate amounts of alcohol are supposedly healthy, so enjoy a good wine. ROBERTS MARKET has available a wide array of wines from around the world; and one that will be the perfect complement to whatever type of meal or party you are planning. We are very knowledgeable about the wines we carry so if you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask. That’s what we are here for. Of course, count on us also for the finest and freshest of meat, seafood, poultry, and produce.

HINT: It should also be pointed out that high alcohol intake is associated with brain damage and alcohol dementia.

These days, restaurants sell the way they cook almost as much as the food they cook. Trendy cooking techniques include searing, smoking, braising, and slow-roasting. The low-and-slow methods allow chefs to use less expensive cuts and maintain moisture in low-fat ingredients. Poaching involves cooking in seasoned liquid or fat, while pan roasting begins on the stove then moves to the oven. Items that work well with these techniques include pot roast, short ribs, and pulled pork, especially when accompanied by the right sides and sauces. Plank cooking is becoming popular for chicken, pork chops, beef tenderloin, and fish fillets. For this type of smoking, chefs typically use cedar wood. Chefs are also working with bigger wood-burning and gas-heated rotisserie units.
No matter what cooking method you are planning to use for that great meal, nor what you are planning to cook, you’ll find only the finest and freshest ingredients here at ROBERTS MARKET. We carry the best in poultry, meat, seafood, and produce. If you are planning to grill, select from our many marinated meats. We also have skewered kabobs of beef, chicken, lamb, etc., ready to put on the grill. If sausages are on your mind our meat department grinds their own sausages of various types daily.
P.S. Buffalo, and Cajun, flavored items continue to increase on U. S. menus.

Americans are consuming more seafood than ever. Restaurants offer a growing number of seafood appetizers and entrees, and more than $30 billion is spent on seafood annually in U. S. restaurants. Over the past decade, U.S. sushi bars have quadrupled to 5,000. Salmon is still the most popular seafood menu item. As restaurants add seafood items, things like seafood kabobs, crab cakes, seafood bisque, shrimp Caesar salad, and shrimp fajitas are often in the plan. Other up-and-coming items include whole lobster, sushi, and sashimi. Smoked fish is popular, especially when it’s trout, skate, or a Hawaiian species. Other excellent choices include clams, grilled tuna, calamari, and oysters. While beef and chicken entrees remain level or decline, seafood choices continue to grow.
Seafood, in any form, and prepared in any way, is an excellent source of protein. At ROBERTS MARKET we treat all food with respect and feature freshness, innovation, and variety, coupled with outstanding service. Our seafood selection is outstanding. Of course, count on us also for the best in poultry, meat, and produce. Take a break while shopping here and try one of our “smoothies,” a real taste treat. If espresso is more to your taste visit our espresso coffee stand.
P.S. The number of Americans who eat sushi has recently grown by 40%

Lemons and limes have always added a tasty zing to drinks, salads, main courses, and desserts. But dozen of other citrus fruits are becoming popular enhancements in restaurants across the country. On salads and seafood, in poultry sauces, and at the bar, chefs are finding interesting ways to incorporate the unique color, flavor, and aroma of citrus into their menus. The sweet tangerine, for example, partners well with salty miso in a scallop sauce. Minneolas, which are a cross between the grapefruit and daisy tangerine, can be added into a salad with baby arugula and oven-dried plum tomatoes flavored with olive oil and lemon juice. And blood-oranges bring a deeper flavor than other oranges when used in vinaigrettes.
Citrus fruits can be paired with many things in many wonderful and tasteful ways. Here at ROBERTS MARKET we carry the finest and freshest in produce of all types, seafood, meats, poultry, and just about everything one might need for a great meal. If you are pressed for time visit our “heat it and eat it” department for outstanding gourmet prepared foods. Of course, visit our wine department for a wine to complement your meal. Don’t forget to pick up some fresh cut flowers from our flower department to grace your table.
P.S. Giant pomelos, yuzus, and Buddha’s hands are other lesser-known citrus fruits.

While no one is ready to declare that flowers can take the place of psychotherapy, research conducted at Rutgers University shows that flowers trigger happy emotions, heighten feelings of life satisfaction, and affect social behavior in a surprisingly positive manner. These findings stem from research that explored the link between flowers and life satisfaction in a ten-month study of participants’ behavioral and emotional responses to receiving flowers. It was found that all the study participants demonstrated extraordinary delight and gratitude upon receiving flowers. They also reported feeling less depressed and anxious after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction. Common sense tells us that flowers make us happy and, now, science has proved it.
Today’s column shows us how flowers can go hand-in-hand with great food and wine to boost sagging spirits. At ROBERTS MARKET you can find beautiful fresh cut flowers to grace your home and table, along with the finest in fresh meats, poultry, produce, seafood, and just about everything needed for a fine meal. A visit to our wine and spirits department will amaze you with outstanding selection of wines from around the world and in all price ranges. Visit us for a shopping adventure.
Hint: The study mentioned above also found that people tend to place flower arrangement in areas of the homes that are open to visitors (foyers, living and dining rooms, etc.), which suggest that flowers promote a sharing response.

Vegetable purees add an elegant touch to lamb, pork, sandwiches, fish, and even pizza. And the leftovers make great soup. Varieties are endless and include butternut squash, carrot, potato, cauliflower, corn, and white beans. Black-bean purees reign supreme in Mexican eateries, while chickpea puree is the key ingredient in hummus. Purees are a made-ahead affair, making them a favorite in restaurants. White-bean purees have become particularly popular. They are turning up in cafes, delis, and restaurants in different entrees, including grilled-shrimp tarts, roasted lamb loins, and grilled rabbit. Some New York restaurants even serve a small dish of white-bean puree with their bread baskets instead of butter or oil. The creßaminess and flavor create a wonderful accompaniment without excessive preparation.
Nutritionists and health officials recommend several servings of vegetables a day, and a vegetable puree is an interesting approach that can add much to a simple or elegant entree. At ROBERTS MARKET you will always find the finest and freshest in produce, poultry, seafood, meat, etc. If you are pressed for time visit our heat-it-and-eat-it department for outstanding prepared foods, a gourmet meal on the fly. Of course, visit our flower department for fresh cut flowers to grace your table.
P.S. hite-bean puree makes a great condiment for a sandwich of avocado, tomato, lettuce, and lemon.

AWhile restaurants continue to experiment with pizza sauces, toppings, and crusts, Americans still love the traditional pepperoni. High-quality ingredients and consistency are the keys to success for restaurants boasting high pizza sales. And it’s not just the pizzerias and Italian restaurants offering pizza on the menu. Many eateries now offer pizza dishes featuring the traditional cheese and meat varieties to more exotic varieties, such as Wolfgang Puck’s smoked salmon, red onion, dill, sour cream, and chives, or California Pizza Kitchen’s barbecued chicken, Gouda and mozzarella cheese, red onions, and cilantro. Topping combinations are endless, and most diners will try anything once. Next time you crave pizza, consider the adventure of a different crust or a new sauce.
Gourmet pizzas are easy to make at home. You can find ready-to-form pizza dough right here in our unique market. Of course, you will also find great ingredients for toppings. Don’t forget to visit our cheese department for a world of exotic cheeses. Don’t be shy, try a lot of different ones to experience a wide taste sensation. At ROBERTS MARKET we treat all foods with respect and feature freshness, innovation, and variety coupled with outstanding service. And, how about a great Red Zin or Chianti from our wine department·a perfect accompaniment.
P.S. Wood-burning brick ovens are the most common choice for cooking pizza in today’s restaurants.

As the days grow warmer, most of us take a lighter approach to eating by including more salads. This poses a problem for those of us who like to take wine with our meals, as wine has traditionally posed a problem pairing with vinegary salad dressings. To circumvent this potential problem, think about pairing green salads with wines that have a decidedly herbal note, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. To complement the high acidity of tomatoes, consider such high-acid wines as Riesling or Champagne. To offset the saltiness of anchovies in a Caesar salad, try a fruity wine. Then, again, to make any salad more compatible with wine, add chicken, cheese, nuts, avocados, boiled eggs, or bacon bits.
Today’s column offers some interesting wine/salad combinations for the summer. At ROBERTS MARKET you’ll be sure to find a wide selection of white and red wines of all types and price ranges, to complement that special meal, whether it is a salad or a multi-course dinner. Of course count on us for everything else you might need, from soup to nuts. We pride ourselves in the quality, freshness, and variety of our produce, meats, seafood, poultry, and more. Visit our unique market for a great service and a wonder shopping experience.
Hint: To help make your salad more wine-compatible, add an extra amount of extra virgin olive oil, which partners very well with wine.

While Louisiana has become the barbecue capital of the country, barbecued meats and fish flavored with the perfect dry rub, marinade, or sauce are favored by Americans everywhere. Port roast, butt, or Boston butt are especially popular choices, although pork ribs, poultry, beef, and seafood can also be successfully barbecued. Halibut fillets grill well because of their firmness. Shrimp wrapped in bacon, scallops, and cubed beef and chicken can be threaded onto skewers, placed on the barbecue, basted with sauce, and served with rice and vegetables. Pork and beef steaks on the grill create a smoked sensation that is enhanced when topped with a hearty barbecue sauce. Seasoning choices are endless, but Creole and Cajun selections are particularly flavorful.
Barbecues are perfect for summer and if you are a little adventurous, all year round. At ROBERTS MARKET you will find the finest and freshest in meats, poultry, fish, and produce, perfect for the grill or smoker. There are also a variety of great marinades, mops, and rubs, each imparting a different taste. You’ll find everything you might need right here, including a great selection of wines, fresh salads, and fresh breads.
PS: For rubs, think pepper, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and dry mustard for great flavor.

Thai restaurants and those cooking Thai food at home already know the power of lemongrass. For soups, sauces, and stews, lemongrass is a welcoming addition, brining a lemony, fresh taste to everything it touches. Found in Asian markets and many grocery stores, lemongrass looks somewhat like green onions. Choose stalks with thick, firm, weighty bulbs and tightly bound, thin green leaves. When the outer leaves are removed, a white inner core is revealed. To prepare lemongrass for use, chop or slice the core into thin pieces. Use the back end of a knife to whack the slices to release the lemon aroma and flavorful oils. Toss some into a simmering sauce or soup, then remove after a few minutes.
Lemon grass is just one of the many Asian herbs and spices finding their way into other cuisines. Here at ROBERTS MARKET you’ll be amazed at the variety and quality of the fresh herbs and unusual produce we carry. Of course, we also carry the finest and freshest in produce, poultry, meats, and seafood. If you are pressed for time, visit our heat-it-and-eat-it department for a wonderful selection of prepared gourmet foods. Don’t forget to pick up some fresh cut flowers to grace your table from our flower department.
Hint: Lemongrass is also available as a dried herb.

Make-your-own pizza parties are a great way to entertain your child’s soccer team, enjoy a casual evening with friends, or just relax with your family. All you need is dough, sauce, cheese, and some toppings. Use bread flour for a thick, light, fluffy crust and regular flour for thinner, crisper dough. Use plenty of flour when rolling dough to prevent stickiness. Add a favorite sauce, although this is not a required ingredient. Sauce adds flavor and helps keep cheese on the dough. Traditional tomato sauce is always a great choice, but consider Thai peanut sauce, pesto, or a cream sauce. Cheese is a critical component with pizza. Buy high-quality, fresh cheese. Toppings can include meats, chicken, seafood, vegetables or fruits.
Have you tried any of the great “designer” pizzas when eating out? They are easy to duplicate at home. All it takes is a little imagination and a variety of fresh ingredients. Here at Roberts Market we carry a wonderful assortment of high quality exotic cheeses from around the world, great sauces of all kinds, and just about everything you might want to add to the top of your homemade pizza. You can even find ready-to-bake pizza dough just waiting for you to top. Don’t forget to pick up some wine to accompany your pizza here in our wine department.
Hint: Leave up to a half-inch around the edge of the pizza when spreading on the sauce.

Many diners shy away from poultry dishes on menus because they think they cook enough chicken at home. But take a good look during your next restaurant visit, and you’re sure to find something different that you may not make in your own kitchen. How about chicken quesadillas filled with shredded chicken breast, refried beans, and cheese? Or a pesto focaccia sandwich with grilled chicken breast and roasted bell peppers? Chicken saté, chicken breasts stuffed with goat cheese and chutney, and barbecued chicken pizza are other great options. Let’s not forget other types of poultry, either. Turkey, duck, and quail are a delicious treat when eating out. Think game hens with a pesto rub or quail with grapes and grappa.
Poultry is a major ingredient in most every cuisine. It is so versatile that there is no need to be bored. At Robert’s Market we treat all food with respect and feature freshness, innovation, and variety, coupled with outstanding service. Whether it be poultry, meats, seafood, produce, exotic cheese, etc. you’ll find everything you’ll need right here, even fresh cut flowers and wine.
Hint: Waiting to remove skin until after cooking still saves fat but preserves significant amounts of flavor.

Recent research shows how wine, and red wine in particular, may provide a protective effect against heart disease. The difference is in the skin of the grape, which contains compounds called polyphenols that are believed to inhibit the production of a protein that can cause coronary arteries to constrict. With constriction may come a decrease in the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. And, a greater amount of polyphenols is extracted from grape skins during red wine production. Thus, when researchers tested the effects of red, white, and rosé wines, they found that the red wines were highest in polyphenol content and were most effective at inhibiting the protein endothelin-1, which is thought to constrict coronary arteries.
A little wine is healthy and red wine is the healthiest. Roberts Market has available a wide array of wine that will be the perfect accompaniment to whatever type of meal or party you are planning. Our friendly staff is very knowledgeable about the wines we carry so if you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask. Of course, you will also find the finest and freshest of seafood, poultry, meats, and produce right here at our unique market, and just about everything you will need for that great meal. Please don’t drink and drive!
Hint: Despite the potential health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, it is not
recommended that you start drinking just for health benefits.