The Toad & The Butterfly, a Blog

From Guster to Hot Ones

From Guster to Hot Ones


Claire Georges

I have always loved the depth and texture of roasted butternut squash, and I was thrilled to discover it was the perfect foil for smoked onions and red jalapeños. The result was Ooh La La, a sauce I adore just as much as the album itself.

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Putting my mark on our bestselling flavored caramel

Putting my mark on our bestselling flavored caramel


Claire Georges

When you cook with alcohol, especially in caramel, you concentrate everything. Good flavors get better. Bad flavors get louder. With only five ingredients in our Salted Bourbon Caramel, there is nowhere for a bad bourbon to hide.

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We're back on Hot Ones!

We're back on Hot Ones!


Claire Georges

4th time's a charm. We're back on Hot Ones. Meet Smoked Serrano Squash Reaper X!

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4 Years of Wanting it Back

4 Years of Wanting it Back


Claire Georges

Every once in a while we make a sauce that folks just can't get out of their brains.

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Caramel Isn't Just For Dessert

Caramel Isn't Just For Dessert


Claire Georges

It’s just as good on a cheese board as it is as a snack at the counter while dinner’s in the oven.

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January, Simple and Tasty

January, Simple and Tasty


Claire Georges

My husband is stretched out on the other one, and my daughters are being wonderfully goofy while working on a bunny-in-an-umbrella puzzle at the kitchen table. It’s nothing special. It’s everything.

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You're doing great.

You're doing great.


Claire Georges

Wherever you are tonight, however you are celebrating, however much is done or undone, we hope you feel proud of yourself.

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Reflections on a big little year

Reflections on a big little year


Claire Georges

It’s hard to believe that “Small Farms, Big Flavor” is less than a year old. We’ve been living that life for over 20 years, but only gave it a name in the last few months. And when something has a name, it has power.

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A Peek Behind the Microbatch Magic

A Peek Behind the Microbatch Magic


Claire Georges

Our microbatch process has shifted a lot over the years, but right now we release three batches a month. Most are brand new. Some are fan favorites that we bring back because we like to keep y’all happy.

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Our Accidental Superstar

Our Accidental Superstar


Claire Georges

It turns out there’s a real sweet spot where super hot meets super flavorful. Chili heads can handle the heat, but they also taste every spiced, garlicky, citrusy note that we put into it.

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Two new micro batch hot sauces and a favorite back in stock!

Two new micro batch hot sauces and a favorite back...


Claire Georges

Almost of the year's peppers are in and our kitchen smells like fall. This month’s micro batches are all about autumn flavors.

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Making hot sauce is empowering. But making mustard is humbling

Making hot sauce is empowering. But making mustard is humbling


Claire Georges

Mustard is almost as versatile as hot sauce. Think sausages, sandwiches, salads, pretzels, tofu, or stir fry. Or, do like my mom and spread on a wedge of cabbage.

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Do you want to taste the first hot sauce that we ever sold?

Do you want to taste the first hot sauce that...


Claire Georges
Jalapeno Fennel Hot Sauce was the very first hot sauce that I ever sold at the farmers market - just over 14 years ago. I thought that it would be fun to recreate and boy, it seems like 14 years ago, I was onto something! 
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Good to the last drizzle

Good to the last drizzle


Claire Georges

Three fast ways to use every last bit of your Fat Toad Farm Caramel Sauce...plus simple jar reuses.

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Featured Small Farm: Familia Farm

Featured Small Farm: Familia Farm


Claire Georges
Unlike many Vermont farms, Familia Farm focuses almost entirely on custom growing. Instead of setting up at a weekly farmers market, Geoff grows crops ordered in advance by food producers like us.
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