Page 155 ⋆ Jersey Bites

Wining and Dining at WineMakers Cellar in Hawthorne

Linda Arceo

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April 12, 2013

Wining and Dining at WineMakers Cellar in Hawthorne

For the most part, my definition of “refined” is drinking a craft beer with my pants on. In other words, for me, sitting at a gastro pub imbibing a beverage with my pinky out and discussing the finer points of Fantasy Baseball, without cursing every third word, is generally, as classy as I get. Now everyone knows that every rule has to have at least one exception in order to prove said rule, right. So, every now and again, I don a shirt with at least 2 buttons, slacks instead of jeans, and even take off my baseball hat to enter the wonderful world of wine. Although quite foreign to me at first, I have become somewhat of a novice scholar of wine, and it is all thanks to wine tastings and food pairings like the one I attended at The WineMakers Cellar, located at 1050 Goffle Road, in Hawthorne, NJ recently due to a Living Social Coupon that I stumbled upon.

The first thing to note about the WineMakers Cellar is that they are not a restaurant, nor are they a liquor store; they are actually a full-fledged wine making facility. With that said, they offer something that other vineyards, wineries, restaurants, and liquor stores simply cannot, the option to create your own wine from scratch. This process involves crushing the grapes, pressing the grapes, racking the wine and of course everyone’s favorite, bottling, and the knowledgeable professionals at The WineMakers Cellar will walk you through each process, imparting some of their wisdom to you along the way.

The event my wife and I attended was described as an evening of educational entertainment that will help the attendees diversify their palates in a relaxed and comfortable environment, whilst learning about wine and the wine making process. With a description such as this, I probably would have been slightly interested, but then the gracious hosts at The WineMakers Cellar also included two glasses of wine per person, live music, gourmet cheeses, crackers, hot hors d’ oeuvres, a dinner catered from Justin’s Ristorante in Hawthorne, NJ, and two bottles of complimentary wine to take home at the end of the evening. Considering everything that this deal encompassed, Zoe and I could not say no, and we bought our tickets immediately, unfortunately so did half of Bergen County so it took quite some time to acquire a table to one of these exclusive events.

Not knowing what to expect on our first adventure to the WineMakers Cellar, Kat and I drove to Goffle Road in Hawthorne, NJ. Since this establishment is on my way to work, and I pass the sign every day, I knew that the actual site of the WineMakers Cellar is somewhat clandestine, so if you plan on attending one of these events keep your eyes open as soon as you exit the highway for the small sign that will point you in the right direction. After turning into the parking lot, driving down a slightly narrow one lane, yet two-way road, we found ourselves in the parking lot of an industrial park which is the home of The Winemakers Cellar. To be honest, Kat and I caught the nervous giggles for a second or two as we arrived. But, we have learned to not judge a book by its cover more times than I would like to admit, so we did not let this establishment’s shabby exterior taint our evening’s promise.

While we slowly walked to the front door of the facility, we noticed a quote on the sign that hung above the entrance which read, “Enter as strangers…Leave as friends,” which seemed to sooth our uneasiness for the moment. As we entered the building, the small amount of apprehension that still existed in us, melted away, due to the delightful interior décor of the WineMakers Cellar. The first section of the large warehouse like structure was sectioned off from the rest of the building and decorated as a small bistro complete with its very own bar, which Kat and I headed straight for. With a glass of Red in our hands we decided to explore the expansive structure that is The WineMakers Cellar.

Our first stop was the appetizer tables where we helped ourselves to artisanal cheeses, gourmet crackers, and assorted Hors d‘oeuvres that were each better than the last one we tried. We then took our glasses of wine and plates full of food to the area of the building that was set up with tables. There was no assigned seating, and we chose a table at random to call ours for the evening. The room we were in was full of barrels of all different sizes, presumably full of wine that had been created by inexperienced folk such as ourselves under the watchful eye of The WineMakers Cellar Staff. As Kat and I talked with the newcomers at our table we were serenaded by the wonderful eclectic stylings of Jeff & Karen, which was a delightful addition to the ambiance of this event.

After finishing off our first glass of The WineMakers Cellar house blend Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc which was damn near celestial, Kat and I procured another glass of red before the presentation commenced. With our learning juice in hand, we were ready and willing to be educated. One of the experienced owners of the WineMakers Cellar approached the front of the room and began to speak to us about wine. To tell you the truth, Kat and I were expecting the hard sell approach about what The WineMakers Cellar offers but that was not the case. The presentation complete with a fancy Power Point slide show, consisted of the history of wine, the terminology that wine aficionados use, the different types of wine, the actual wine making process, and a quick and easy wine tasting lesson. I was pleasantly surprised that this educational lecture felt more like a community college course than a time share offer.

After the learning was done, our glasses were empty, which was perfect because the wine tasting was up next. We all had the opportunity to utilize the information that we had just absorbed and taste four different wines that were made on site, at the WineMakers Cellar. As we sniffed, sipped and swallowed the wines that we were given, we discussed the complex flavors of each of the tasty potions.

Just when we thought that this enjoyable and informative evening could not get any better, dinner was served. I have been to Justin’s Ristorante a few times before, and I was really excited when I heard that they would be catering this event. I was not disappointed by the tremendous spread of Italian food supplied by this often underrated local eatery. The offerings included Chicken Parmesan, Meatballs, Eggplant Rollatini, Penne in Vodka Sauce, and a hearty salad all served buffet style. As we ate this truly fantastic Italian smorgasbord, we continued to discuss the wine we had tasted throughout the evening with our table mates as if the 15 minute lesson made us wine experts.

As the night wound down and dessert was served, I thought back to the sign above the entrance of The WineMakers Cellar, and I understood why it was placed at the hearth of this establishment. We all entered the building as strangers but in a few short hours found ourselves saying goodbye to new friends. There are few things in this world that can create a bond among strangers like wine and food, and The WineMakers Cellar gets it. On our way out the door, we were presented with our two bottles for the road and exited the building with full bellies and smiling faces. After attending this event, I do believe that for a Blue Collar Foodie wine may be an option all thanks to the fine folks at The WineMakers Cellar.

Mike Arp a/k/a The Blue Collar Foodie was born and raised in Northern New Jersey and has spent most of his adult life on a relentless quest to uncover eateries that deliver white collar fare at blue collar prices. This never ending journey, combined with his passion for writing gave birth to his current food blog, The Blue Collar Foodie, which is published on both WordPress.com and The Fair Lawn Patch. This blog chronicles him and his wife Zoe’s excursions to eccentric, unconventional, and of course affordable restaurants throughout the great state of New Jersey and beyond. If you are the type of person that would rather rock a Nirvana T-shirt and jeans while eating your filet mignon then you most likely will enjoy what The Blue Collar Foodie has to say. Follow him on Twitter @Fairlawnfoodie or Like him on Facebook to keep up to date with his current gastronomic gallivanting.

Foodie Things to Do, this Weekend and Beyond

Events

aaccardo

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April 12, 2013

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Foodie Things to Do, this Weekend and Beyond

April 11th: Oyster Point Hotel’s “All Hands On Deck” Re-Opening in Red Bank, New Jersey from 6:00-9:00 PM. The opening will support The Boondock’s Fishery in Red Bank. The Navesink Business Group and Red Bank Flavour Restaurants have joined forces with The Oyster Point to help Boondocks’ owner Kelly Ryan rebuild her business.

The popular lobster shack was washed away on October 29, 2012, when Sandy slammed the area. The Boondock’s Fishery, Molly Pitcher Inn, and The Oyster Point Hotel are all located on the banks on the Navesink River, which was heavily affected. The Oyster Point has been closed since Sandy hit and only recently reopened operations on February 15, 2013.

Many of the Red Bank Flavour Restaurants will be offering a palatable array of menu samplings, complemented by entertainment from Gary Philips and his Steele Drum Band.

Tickets for the event are$50.00 in advance or $60.00 at the door. Tickets are available by visiting www.allhandsondecknj.eventbrite.com. For more information, go to www.theoysterpointhotel.com or call The Oyster Point Hotel at 732-530-8200, extension 155.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling or emailing Ken Scaggs at 732-610-4587 or [email protected]. Parties interested in supporting Kelly Ryan of The Boondock’s should visit www.indiegogo.com/boondocks.

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week April 5-14 Spring Breaks at The Jersey Shore. Ten days, great deals, and fabulous meals!

It’s a wonderful opportunity to shake off the winter blues and re-visit your favorite restaurants or try some new ones. Enjoy 3 course dinner menus for $20.13 or $30.13 and special lunch menus at participating restaurants. See their Special Events Page for all the fun details.

April 14th-20th: Atlantic City: Tropicana Seafood Week will debut for the first time April! Celebrate everything under the sea with property-wide seafood specials, drink specials and discounted retail shopping. Enjoy fresh seafood at FIN, shop nautical fashions and accessories in The Quarter, or even unwind with a sea salt scrub at bluemercury spa. Tropicana is serving up seafood every which way, and there are plenty of ways to get your fix with various specials throughout the week.

The official Seafood Week Kickoff will take place Monday, April 15^th at 12:30pm in Palm Walk where guests can sample Fin’s famous lobster bisque, share the wonder of the Atlantic City Aquarium’s touch tank, and catch a special “Under the Sea” themed Zumba demo by Tilton Fitness.

For more info, see Seafood Week at the Tropicana online!

April 15th: Taste of Madison 2013

The annual Taste of Madison will be hosted at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park on Monday April 15, 2013. This year there will be over 30 wines, beer, and spirits for tables hosted by distinguished vendors of Gary’s Wine & Marketplace. There will also be a large amount of Madison restaurants participating in this years event. Come out and try some good food & good wine!

You can also win (through the silent auction) a dinner for 8 with wines paired from Gary’s Wine and Marketplace. Taste of Madison is organized and presented by a committee of volunteers from the Madison Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and the Madison Downtown Development Commission. All proceeds from this event benefit local charities and business development.

Tickets are available for purchase at Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, dtorr boutique, Salvatore Minardi Salon or www.tasteofmadison.org.

Tickets are $65 for general admission or $100 for VIP.

April 18th: Atlantic City: Chef Jose Garces Hosts “THE LATIN ROAD HOME” Multi-Course Meal

At 7:00 p.m., join Chef Jose Garces at his gorgeous tapas bar and restaurant, Amada (609-225-9900) at Revel (500 Boardwalk, 855-348-0500) for a decadent, multi-course meal celebrating the publication of his second cookbook, The Latin Road Home.

The show-stopping menu will include: Tiradito de Lubina, black bass ceviche with yuzu (Peru); Pan de Yuca, yuca bread with queso fresco, served with guava-chile butter (Ecuador); Crema de Quinoa de Zuleta, quinoa chowder with sweet corn (Ecuador); Enchilado de Langosta, lobster in spicy tomato sauce (Cuba); Carne Asada a la Tampiqueña con Arroz Rojo y Refritos, grilled marinated skirt steak with red rice and refried beans (Mexico); and Crema Catalana, chocolate custard with vanilla berries (Spain).

For $85 per person, excluding beverages, tax and gratuity, guests will enjoy dishes from each of the book’s five chapters: Ecuador; Spain; Cuba; Mexico; and Peru. An optional wine pairing will also be available for $40. Reservations required, please call 609.225.9900 for more information.

April 22nd: West Long Branch: The Red Bank Rotary’s Thirteenth Annual Two Rivers Food and Wine Tasting

Come join the Red Bank Rotary on April 22nd from 6-9 Pm to benefit Lunch Break! For many local families who are struggling with poverty, Lunch Break is their only option for a healthy, well-balanced meal and for many other much needed services.

For the past 12 years The Rotary Club has organized The Two Rivers Food and Wine Tasting event with proceeds going to local charities. This event is a huge culinary and social success and gives people the opportunity to meet friends and make new ones while sampling delicious food and a great selection of wines and other beverages from leading restaurants in the area.

Tickets for $65.00 each may be purchased by sending a check payable to Red Bank Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 8444, Red Bank, NJ 07701 or through paypal on the Red Bank Rotary website: www.redbankrotary.org

For additional information, please call 732-979-4459.

April 22nd: Red Bank: A Conversation with Bobby Flay. Are you obsessed with barbecue? Bobby Flay? Well we have a treat for you! Bobby Flay will be at Count Basie Theatre to share his approach to food. Don’t miss hearing tips, stories, and recipes from his new book, Bobby Flay’s Barbeque Addiction. All tickets include a signed copy of the book (a $35 value), available exlusively at this event before it’s official public release the following day.

Bobby Flay, a New York Times bestselling author, is the chef-owner of six fine-dining restaurants, including Mesa Grill, Bar Americain, and Bobby Flay Steak, and numerous Bobby’s Burger Palaces. He is the host of many popular cooking shows on Food Network, from the Emmy-winning Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction, Grill It! with Bobby Flay, and Boy Meets Grill, to the Iron Chef America series, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, and Food Network Star.

Long known and beloved for his skills at the grill, Bobby now expands his cooking horizons to include slow and low with his Food Network cooking show Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction and in this book. Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction presents Bobby’s secrets for cooking anything and everything on the grill—from quickly grilled steaks and seafood to smoky barbecued ribs and fork-tender pulled pork. This is his only area appearance; don’t miss out!

Tickets are $49.75, and a limited number of Gold Circle tickets are available at $79.75. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Count Basie Theatre’s website.

April 23rd: The 13th Annual Taste of Weehawken will be held on Tuesday, April 23 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Food Court at Lincoln Harbor. Proceeds from the event, which has historically been used to support Library programming, will instead be donated by the Library to the Weehawken & You Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund.

Hundreds of food enthusiasts gather at the Taste for a splendid evening of food, fun and fundraising. The Taste has something for everyone; samplings of signature dishes and unique fare from high profile and emerging local restaurants, caterers, bakers, along with fine wines, and mouthwatering desserts. Giannone Wine will once again be hosting wine tasting stations at the Taste; new this year will be the tastings of specialty beers.

If you are a chef, restaurant owner or other food business proprietor and would like to participate in Taste please call the Library at 201-863-7823, visit our website, like Taste of Weehawken ’13 on Facebook or follow on Twitter @weehawkennj.

April 27th: Kitchen Tour Through Interlaken

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School will host a kitchen tour through Interlaken on April 27, 2013 from 11 AM – 3 PM. Six houses with seven caterers will be showcased. Caterers include et al fine foods, Cravings, the Caramel Shop, Chef Michael Thompson, Falco Brothers Catering, Joe Leone’s, and Mike’s Deli.

Tickets, $35 prepaid and $40 on the day of the tour, are available at the Allenhurst Cleaners, 530 Main St., Allenhurst or by calling Vicki at 732-531-9609.

Participants must pick up brochures at the Interlaken Boro hall, 100 Main St, Interlaken at 11 am on the day of the tour.

April 29th: New York City: Taste of the Nation NYC

Where can you sample over 65 of New York’s most notable restaurants, over a dozen impossible-to-get-into cocktail bars, rub elbows with your favorite culinary personalities, and bid on priceless experiential auction packages in one evening? Share Our Strength’s 26th annual Taste of the Nation® NYC will bring the city’s finest chefs and mixologists together to donate their time, talent, and passion to end childhood hunger in America.

This year’s event includes support from our chef chairs Marc Murphy and Alex Guarnaschelli and our host committee members, fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff, interior designer Athena Calderone and nightlife maven Simonez Wolf. The evening will also include book signings from top toques and food personalities as well as exclusive culinary and travel packages offered during the famed live auction.

Where: 82 Mercer Street, NYC

When: April 29th, 6:30-9:30 PM VIP, 7:30-9:30 PM General Admission

Tickets: VIP-$425, General-$225

Buy tickets online here. 100% of ticket sales go toward ending childhood hunger.

May 8th: Atlantic City: The 16th Annual Atlantic City Host Awards will take place on May 8th in the Adrian Phillips Ballroom of Boardwalk Hall. Presented by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) and the ACCVA Foundation, the program salutes and encourages excellent customer service industry-wide.

In addition to honoring award winners in 26 categories ranging from various food service, bar and hotel personnel to retail, visitor information, spa and casino positions, the prestigious Spirit of Hospitality Award will be presented to the Dougherty family, which has owned and operated some of the city’s most famous restaurants for generations. The Doughertys currently own and operate Dock’s Oyster House, Knife and Fork Inn, and Harry’s Oyster Bar. Dock’s has been in the family’s control since it opened in 1897.

Scholarships for students attending hospitality programs at area colleges will also be presented during the banquet. The scholarships are awarded by the Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association and the ACCVA Foundation.

Tickets for the Host Awards banquet are $65.00 each and are available by calling Jacqui Carole at 609-449-7174. More information on sponsorship, nominations, and the ACCVA Foundation can be found by visiting their website.

May 18th: Atlantic City: 3^rd Annual Big Teplitzky Challenge

The Chelsea, Atlantic City’s chic non-gaming hotel on the Boardwalk, will host the 3^rd Annual Big Teplitzky Challenge on Saturday, May 18, 2013. The Atlantic City Fire Department will face off with the Atlantic City Police Department and compete to be the first to clear their plates of the mega 4-pound Big Teplitzky breakfast of pancakes, stuffed French toast, eggs, bacon, turkey sausage, pork roll, hash browns, grilled tomato, toast, a bagel, along with orange juice and coffee to wash it all down! While competing for fun, both departments are partnering for a serious cause-to raise community support and awareness of suicide prevention particularly among first responders.

All proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships will benefit The Andrew Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund and Cop2Cop. Andrew’s Scholarship Fund is a tribute to Captain James’ son who was a brilliant chemical engineering student at Northeastern University in Boston at the time of his tragic death. Cop2Cop is a New Jersey based phone counseling service for law enforcement. Law enforcement officers, some of who have faced their own struggles with depression or seen colleagues suffer, volunteer their time to staff the service.

Individuals or businesses interested in becoming sponsors of The Big Teplitzky Challenge should contact the Atlantic City Firemen’s Federal Credit Union at (609) 272-1000. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10 each through ACPD (Jane Tayoun: [email protected]/ 609-271-2500) or ACFD (Christine Parker: [email protected]/609-576-4084) or purchased at the door.

For more information on the Chelsea hotel, please call 1-800-548-5030 or visit www.thechelsea-ac.com.

May 18th-19th: Glassboro: Glassboro Vintage South Jersey Wine Festival

Come to the 2nd Annual Wine Festival where fifteen southern New Jersey wineries will be on hand for tastings and purchases. Live musical entertainment and gourmet food selections will also be featured in this two-day event, expected to draw more than 5,000 guests. Tickets are now available for the event which runs 12:00-5:00 p.m. each day on Rowan Boulevard as part of the Glassboro Marketplace series of large-scale community activities.

Participating wineries include Amalthea Winery, Auburn Road Vineyard and Winery, Bellview Winery, Cedarvale Winery, Chestnut Run Farm, Coda Rossa Winery, DiBella Winery, DiMatteo Vineyards, Heritage Vineyards, Monroeville Winery, Natali Vineyards, Plagido’s Winery, Sharrott Winery, Valenzano Winery and Wagonhouse Winery.

Local restaurants including Landmark Americana, Bomb Bomb BBQ and Sandwich Grille, Think Greek Grill and Yogurt Bar, Little Beef’s, Carolina Blue, Liscio’s and Green Zebra will offer gourmet and pre-packaged food selections. Glassboro artisans including Second Look Mosaic and the Glassboro Honey Company will join more than two dozen vendors offering specialty items for wine lovers.

The festival will be alive with musical entertainment. Appearing from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Saturday is Cold Blue Electric, featuring their brand of Jazz fusion. Enjoy classic rock from Love Alive on Saturday from 2:30-5:00 p.m. Singer/songwriter Dan Bell kicks off Sunday’s entertainment from 12:00-2:00 p.m., followed by Mike Dugan and the Blues Mission from 2:30-5:00 p.m.

Advance tickets are available at www.glassboromarketplace.com. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Admission includes a souvenir glass and parking is free.

The Wine Festival will take place rain or shine. Additional tents will be used in case of inclement weather.

Cranford Chefs Selected for “Best Chefs America”

MStavrou

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April 11, 2013

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Cranford Chefs Selected for “Best Chefs America”

Two of Cranford’s chefs were recently named in the inaugural edition of Best Chefs America, a book dedicated to exceptional chefs, as selected by their peers. The book covers all 50 states, with 196 honorees coming from the Garden State!

The two chefs from Cranford are Kara Decker from A Toute Heure and Frank Rizzo from The Italian Pantry. Both chefs expressed their gratitude over being selected and were happy to bring recognition to their establishments.

Chef Kara Decker grew up in Cranford and has been the Executive Chef at A Toute Heure for a number of years. She graduated from the French Culinary Institute and found herself at Chez Catherine in Westfield before ending up at A Toute Heure. She relishes the creative freedom A Toute Heure affords her as the menu is constantly being updated to reflect the changing seasons and local food availability. Kara and her sous chef, Robyn Reiss, brainstorm every month on what dishes will make up their menu.

As if serving as Executive Chef at one of NJ’s most well-regarded restaurants wasn’t enough, Kara is also working with the owners of A Toute Heure to open another restaurant across the street. The new restaurant is scheduled to open this summer and will not have a focus on local food, allowing Kara to bring in her favorite ingredients from across the country. She acknowledges that the next few months will be extremely hectic but she feels that her staff is so strong that they’re more than up to the task.

Across town, Chef Frank Rizzo at The Italian Pantry is offering up his own spin on comfort food with an Italian twist. Frank was also trained at the French Culinary Institute before taking time to travel throughout Europe. Once he returned to the U.S. he worked at a number of well-known restaurants in New York City including Esca and Mesa Grill. When the opportunity arose to open his own restaurant in downtown Cranford, Frank took the leap and hasn’t looked back.

Frank’s cooking is based around tweaking traditional dishes so they’re transformed. Macaroni and cheese becomes even more delicious with the addition of lobster. Short rib is braised in root beer and served over vanilla gnocchi. Onion rings are piled sky high on a hamburger, causing customers to do a double take. Sunday brunch has become so popular, thanks to dishes like Boston Cream French Toast and Lemon and Ricotta Pancakes, that Frank plans to expand brunch to Saturday also.

Frank emphasizes that he always strives to get the best product possible to serve at The Italian Pantry. He uses Breadsmith and Vanilla Bean Creamery across the street for their bread and ice cream, respectively. He also changes up the menu every 3-4 months in an effort to offer a seasonal menu. Frank acknowledged that when The Italian Pantry first opened customers weren’t quite sure what to make of a restaurant that had Italian in its name but didn’t offer Chicken Parmesan. Now the restaurant is not only a local favorite but it’s gaining the statewide recognition it deserves.

A Toute Heure
232 Centennial Avenue
908.276.6600

The Italian Pantry Bistro
13 Eastman Street
908.272.7790

Michelle Stavrou, the Union County regional editor, grew up in Bergen County, then moved to Hoboken (after a stop over in Queens) before finally settling in Cranford where she lives with her husband and daughter. Michelle was amazed to discover all of the delicious food in the Cranford area, which she documents on her blog, What’s Cooking In (& Around) Cranford.

10 Wines to Celebrate Spring

Veronique @ Food & Wine Chickie

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April 9, 2013

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Winter seems to be giving way to spring, finally! When buds are breaking on the trees, tulips are blooming and heavy foods give way to lighter fare, I find myself craving wines that are equally as light.

Whether you’re making grilled fish, seared scallops or pasta with a light sauce and sautéed chicken, the following 10 springtime wines will pair beautifully with any of them.

2011 Herdade do Esporao Monte Velho White – fruity, ripe citrus aromas and ripe apricot and Meyer lemon flavors. $10 (Alentejo, Portugal).
Pfaffl Austrian Pepper The Dot – citrusy and grassy aromas and fruity flavors. $11 (Weinviertel, Austria).
2010 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc – super aromas of grapefruit and fruity, zippy flavors. $12 (Marlborough, New Zealand).
2011 Steelhead Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc – tropical fruit aromas, lemony fresh flavors with great acidity. $12 (North Coast, CA, USA).
2009 Trimbach Pinot Blanc – very floral aromas and flavors of peach and ripe lemons. $16 (Alsace, France).
2011 Kellerei Kaltern Caldaro Pinot Bianco Weissburgunder – Asian pear aromas with apple and Meyer lemon flavors. $17 (Alto Aldige, Italy).
2010 Albert Mann Crémant d’Alsace – super bubbly with pear aromas and crisp apple flavors. $20 (Alsace, France).
2010 Lucien Albrecht Riesling Réserve – apple aromas with juicy pear flavors. $20 (Alsace, France).
2011 Heritance Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley – citrusy aromas with tropical fruit flavors. $24 (Napa Valley, CA, USA).
2011 Zuani Vigne Collio Bianco – fruity, wet stone aromas with rich peach flavors. $24 (Fiuli, Italy).

Here are a few of our favorite New Jersey wine shops selling some of these springtime wines:

Gary’s Wine – Bernardsville, Madison and Wayne
Amanti Vino – Montclair
ShopRite Liquors – Rockaway, Lincoln Park
Bottle King – Hillsborough
Buy Rite Liquor – Milltown, Pompton Plains

Veronique Deblois, Food & Wine Chickie: Veronique is a food and wine writer based in Morris County, NJ. As the author of the popular blog, Food & Wine Chickie Insider, Veronique shares recipes, wine and restaurant reviews and insight into the travel industry of which she’s a 15-year veteran. Follow Veronique on Twitter or like her Facebook page.

Hoboken Top 10 “foodie cities” for 2013

Hudson County

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor

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April 9, 2013

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Hoboken named to best foodie town list (via NJ.com)

What were we just saying about Montclair being a foodie’s dream town? Livability.com, which rates best places, just named Hoboken to its list of top 10 “foodie cities” for 2013 (although only small and medium-sized cities were considered). Hoboken was named number two, behind Decatur, Ga., and topping…

Chilly Start to April Pushes Back Planting for NJ Farmers

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor

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April 8, 2013

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Chilly Start to April Pushes Back Planting for NJ Farmers

Mercer County farmers consider market prices, weather conditions before planting begins (via NJ.com)

As farmers in Mercer County prepare for the season ahead, they have been paying close attention to the market prices of crops and weather conditions that have been less than favorable so far this year. The chilly start to April has pushed back planting for some farmers, like Frank D’Amico, owner…

Foodie Things to Do this Weekend and Beyond

Events

aaccardo

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April 5, 2013

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April 5th: Trenton: New Jersey Agricultural Society Annual Gala. The New Jersey Agricultural Society will be hosting its Annual Gala on Friday April 5th at 6:00 pm at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe, NJ. The Gala supports the Agricultural Society’s three programs: New Jersey Farmers Against Hunger, Learning Through Gardening, and the New Jersey Agricultural Leadership Development Program. The New Jersey Agricultural Society is a 501(c) 3 non-profit dedicated to preserving and enhancing agriculture, farming and related activities and businesses in New Jersey through educational, informational, and promotional programs. NJAS is the oldest agricultural organization in the nation.

The Gala, consisting of a cocktail hour, open bar, buffet stations, silent auction, palm readers, casino, raffle, and award ceremony. The event is open to the public, and the Ag Society encourages anyone interested in supporting their mission to attend. Businesses can support the Gala through donations of Silent Auction prizes and advertisements in the NJAS Gala Ad Journal. Ad journal rate range between $50 and $125 and are due by March 15th, 2013.

Tickets are $85. More information is available at www.njagsociety.org, and registrations and donations can be sent to [email protected].

April 5th: Jersey Shore Restaurant Week April 5-14 Spring Breaks at The Jersey Shore. Ten days, great deals, and fabulous meals!

It’s a wonderful opportunity to shake off the winter blues and re-visit your favorite restaurants or try some new ones. Enjoy 3 course dinner menus for $20.13 or $30.13 and special lunch menus at participating restaurants. See their Special Events Page for all the fun details.

April 6th: Belmar: The Great Jersey Shore Burger Contest will be held on April 6th from 1:00-4:00 PM at Bar Anticipation. The event is sponsored by Driscoll Foods and MagnaCare and DL Foodservice, and promised to be a great time for all! (Our Executive Editor, Deborah Smith, will be serving on the Judging panel.)

Come vote for the “Best Burger at the Shore,” enjoy samples of select craft beers, and taste ALL of the competitors’ burgers. Your vote will help determine the “People’s Choice Award” winner. Live classic rock will be provided by The Billy Lawlor Band, and a cash bar is also available

Where: Bar Anticipation, 703 16th Avenue, Lake Como NJ

When: April 6th, 1:00-4:00 Pm

Price: $25

Order your tickets here and don’t miss out on an awesome event!

April 8th: 2nd Annual Taste of Montclair, at The Conference Center, University Hall at Montclair State University. Enjoy the culinary delights of more than 30 chefs who will serve up tastes in an eclectic array of food to the approximately 500 people who will once again enjoy The Taste of Montclair. Freshly shucked oysters, Italian, Spanish, American, Fusion, barbecued chicken and ribs, French, Southern, and even good old fashioned American ice cream are some of the expected treats.

Tickets are $50, and can be purchased online or from any of the ticket locations listed on the Taste of Montclair website.

April 11th: Oyster Point Hotel’s “All Hands On Deck” Re-Opening in Red Bank, New Jersey from 6:00-9:00 PM. The opening will support The Boondock’s Fishery in Red Bank. The Navesink Business Group and Red Bank Flavour Restaurants have joined forces with The Oyster Point to help Boondocks’ owner Kelly Ryan rebuild her business.

The popular lobster shack was washed away on October 29, 2012, when Sandy slammed the area. The Boondock’s Fishery, Molly Pitcher Inn, and The Oyster Point Hotel are all located on the banks on the Navesink River, which was heavily affected. The Oyster Point has been closed since Sandy hit and only recently reopened operations on February 15, 2013.

Many of the Red Bank Flavour Restaurants will be offering a palatable array of menu samplings, complemented by entertainment from Gary Philips and his Steele Drum Band.

Tickets for the event are$50.00 in advance or $60.00 at the door. Tickets are available by visiting www.allhandsondecknj.eventbrite.com. For more information, go to www.theoysterpointhotel.com or call The Oyster Point Hotel at 732-530-8200, extension 155.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling or emailing Ken Scaggs at 732-610-4587 or [email protected]. Parties interested in supporting Kelly Ryan of The Boondock’s should visit www.indiegogo.com/boondocks.

April 14th-20th: Atlantic City: Tropicana Seafood Week will debut for the first time April! Celebrate everything under the sea with property-wide seafood specials, drink specials and discounted retail shopping. Enjoy fresh seafood at FIN, shop nautical fashions and accessories in The Quarter, or even unwind with a sea salt scrub at bluemercury spa. Tropicana is serving up seafood every which way, and there are plenty of ways to get your fix with various specials throughout the week.

The official Seafood Week Kickoff will take place Monday, April 15^th at 12:30pm in Palm Walk where guests can sample Fin’s famous lobster bisque, share the wonder of the Atlantic City Aquarium’s touch tank, and catch a special “Under the Sea” themed Zumba demo by Tilton Fitness.

For more info, see Seafood Week at the Tropicana online!

April 15th: Taste of Madison 2013

The annual Taste of Madison will be hosted at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park on Monday April 15, 2013. This year there will be over 30 wines, beer, and spirits for tables hosted by distinguished vendors of Gary’s Wine & Marketplace. There will also be a large amount of Madison restaurants participating in this years event. Come out and try some good food & good wine!

You can also win (through the silent auction) a dinner for 8 with wines paired from Gary’s Wine and Marketplace. Taste of Madison is organized and presented by a committee of volunteers from the Madison Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and the Madison Downtown Development Commission. All proceeds from this event benefit local charities and business development.

Tickets are available for purchase at Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, dtorr boutique, Salvatore Minardi Salon or www.tasteofmadison.org.

Tickets are $65 for general admission or $100 for VIP.

April 18th: Atlantic City: Chef Jose Garces Hosts “THE LATIN ROAD HOME” Multi-Course Meal

At 7:00 p.m., join Chef Jose Garces at his gorgeous tapas bar and restaurant, Amada (609-225-9900) at Revel (500 Boardwalk, 855-348-0500) for a decadent, multi-course meal celebrating the publication of his second cookbook, The Latin Road Home.

The show-stopping menu will include: Tiradito de Lubina, black bass ceviche with yuzu (Peru); Pan de Yuca, yuca bread with queso fresco, served with guava-chile butter (Ecuador); Crema de Quinoa de Zuleta, quinoa chowder with sweet corn (Ecuador); Enchilado de Langosta, lobster in spicy tomato sauce (Cuba); Carne Asada a la Tampiqueña con Arroz Rojo y Refritos, grilled marinated skirt steak with red rice and refried beans (Mexico); and Crema Catalana, chocolate custard with vanilla berries (Spain).

For $85 per person, excluding beverages, tax and gratuity, guests will enjoy dishes from each of the book’s five chapters: Ecuador; Spain; Cuba; Mexico; and Peru. An optional wine pairing will also be available for $40. Reservations required, please call 609.225.9900 for more information.

April 22nd: West Long Branch: The Red Bank Rotary’s Thirteenth Annual Two Rivers Food and Wine Tasting

Come join the Red Bank Rotary on April 22nd from 6-9 Pm to benefit Lunch Break! For many local families who are struggling with poverty, Lunch Break is their only option for a healthy, well-balanced meal and for many other much needed services.

For the past 12 years The Rotary Club has organized The Two Rivers Food and Wine Tasting event with proceeds going to local charities. This event is a huge culinary and social success and gives people the opportunity to meet friends and make new ones while sampling delicious food and a great selection of wines and other beverages from leading restaurants in the area.

Tickets for $65.00 each may be purchased by sending a check payable to Red Bank Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 8444, Red Bank, NJ 07701 or through paypal on the Red Bank Rotary website: www.redbankrotary.org

For additional information, please call 732-979-4459.

April 22nd: Red Bank: A Conversation with Bobby Flay. Are you obsessed with barbecue? Bobby Flay? Well we have a treat for you! Bobby Flay will be at Count Basie Theatre to share his approach to food. Don’t miss hearing tips, stories, and recipes from his new book, Bobby Flay’s Barbeque Addiction. All tickets include a signed copy of the book (a $35 value), available exlusively at this event before it’s official public release the following day.

Bobby Flay, a New York Times bestselling author, is the chef-owner of six fine-dining restaurants, including Mesa Grill, Bar Americain, and Bobby Flay Steak, and numerous Bobby’s Burger Palaces. He is the host of many popular cooking shows on Food Network, from the Emmy-winning Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction, Grill It! with Bobby Flay, and Boy Meets Grill, to the Iron Chef America series, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, and Food Network Star.

Long known and beloved for his skills at the grill, Bobby now expands his cooking horizons to include slow and low with his Food Network cooking show Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction and in this book. Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction presents Bobby’s secrets for cooking anything and everything on the grill—from quickly grilled steaks and seafood to smoky barbecued ribs and fork-tender pulled pork. This is his only area appearance; don’t miss out!

Tickets are $49.75, and a limited number of Gold Circle tickets are available at $79.75. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Count Basie Theatre’s website.

April 23rd: The 13th Annual Taste of Weehawken will be held on Tuesday, April 23 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Food Court at Lincoln Harbor. Proceeds from the event, which has historically been used to support Library programming, will instead be donated by the Library to the Weehawken & You Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund.

Hundreds of food enthusiasts gather at the Taste for a splendid evening of food, fun and fundraising. The Taste has something for everyone; samplings of signature dishes and unique fare from high profile and emerging local restaurants, caterers, bakers, along with fine wines, and mouthwatering desserts. Giannone Wine will once again be hosting wine tasting stations at the Taste; new this year will be the tastings of specialty beers.

If you are a chef, restaurant owner or other food business proprietor and would like to participate in Taste please call the Library at 201-863-7823, visit our website, like Taste of Weehawken ’13 on Facebook or follow on Twitter @weehawkennj.

April 27th: Kitchen Tour Through Interlaken

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School will host a kitchen tour through Interlaken on April 27, 2013 from 11 AM – 3 PM. Six houses with seven caterers will be showcased. Caterers include et al fine foods, Cravings, the Caramel Shop, Chef Michael Thompson, Falco Brothers Catering, Joe Leone’s, and Mike’s Deli.

Tickets, $35 prepaid and $40 on the day of the tour, are available at the Allenhurst Cleaners, 530 Main St., Allenhurst or by calling Vicki at 732-531-9609.

Participants must pick up brochures at the Interlaken Boro hall, 100 Main St, Interlaken at 11 am on the day of the tour.

April 29th: New York City: Taste of the Nation NYC

Where can you sample over 65 of New York’s most notable restaurants, over a dozen impossible-to-get-into cocktail bars, rub elbows with your favorite culinary personalities, and bid on priceless experiential auction packages in one evening? Share Our Strength’s 26th annual Taste of the Nation® NYC will bring the city’s finest chefs and mixologists together to donate their time, talent, and passion to end childhood hunger in America.

This year’s event includes support from our chef chairs Marc Murphy and Alex Guarnaschelli and our host committee members, fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff, interior designer Athena Calderone and nightlife maven Simonez Wolf. The evening will also include book signings from top toques and food personalities as well as exclusive culinary and travel packages offered during the famed live auction.

Where: 82 Mercer Street, NYC

When: April 29th, 6:30-9:30 PM VIP, 7:30-9:30 PM General Admission

Tickets: VIP-$425, General-$225

Buy tickets online here. 100% of ticket sales go toward ending childhood hunger.

May 8th: Atlantic City: The 16th Annual Atlantic City Host Awards will take place on May 8th in the Adrian Phillips Ballroom of Boardwalk Hall. Presented by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) and the ACCVA Foundation, the program salutes and encourages excellent customer service industry-wide.

In addition to honoring award winners in 26 categories ranging from various food service, bar and hotel personnel to retail, visitor information, spa and casino positions, the prestigious Spirit of Hospitality Award will be presented to the Dougherty family, which has owned and operated some of the city’s most famous restaurants for generations. The Doughertys currently own and operate Dock’s Oyster House, Knife and Fork Inn, and Harry’s Oyster Bar. Dock’s has been in the family’s control since it opened in 1897.

Scholarships for students attending hospitality programs at area colleges will also be presented during the banquet. The scholarships are awarded by the Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association and the ACCVA Foundation.

Tickets for the Host Awards banquet are $65.00 each and are available by calling Jacqui Carole at 609-449-7174. More information on sponsorship, nominations, and the ACCVA Foundation can be found by visiting their website.

Mamajuana Café at the Meadowlands

Veronique @ Food & Wine Chickie

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April 4, 2013

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Last week, I was invited to the newly-opened Mamajuana Café in Secaucus. Having spent over 20 years in Fort Lauderdale, I was looking forward the bold flavors I’d been accustomed to in South Florida’s melting pot of cultures.

The Secaucus location is the sixth for Mamajuana, with a seventh on the way. Corporate Chef Ricardo Cardona serves up Nuevo Latino Cuisine, a mix of Caribbean, South American and Spanish cuisines, unlike any I’ve encountered since moving to the northeast. The food is creatively-presented, the flavors are bold and explosive and the portions are more than generous.

Besides being the man behind the delicious food at Mamajuana, Chef Cardona recently catered the food for the annual Empire State Building Valentine’s Day weddings contest with Preston Bailey. He has also cooked for the NY Yankees, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and more.

The first of three starters we enjoyed during our visit was the Maduro Relleno ($12) – a ripe, sweet plantain stuffed with a perfectly-briny stew of bacalao fish. I was actually disappointed my dinner guest enjoyed it as I could have eaten the entire dish myself. Another winning starter was the Mini Mofongo Trio ($15) – a sampler of shrimp, crabmeat and chicken-stuffed Mofongo, fried plantain smashed with garlic. I’d forgotten how much I love and miss Mofongo until I tasted Chef Cardona’s version. The third appetizer we sampled was the Empanadas ($12) – fried turnovers: beef, chicken or eggplant with goat cheese. These were pretty typical empanadas enhanced with tangy chimichurri.

Entrees were equally delicious. We enjoyed perfectly-cooked Churrasco ($28) – a grilled skirt steak with herb chimichurri and garlic fries. The skirt steak was served spun in a flower / spiral which was a nice touch. Don’t pass up the chance to order the Mamajuana Paella ($30) – Saffron-infused rice with Chorizo, calamari, octopus, shrimps, clams, mussels and nearly half a lobster. The dish is topped with green peas and roasted red pepper. It’s simply a great dish that could perhaps use a larger plate as it was difficult to contain the generous portion of food in the smallish bowl.

I already know what I’ll order on my next visit – the Puerquito (serves two $28). It’s slow-roasted pork with onion Escabeche and pigeon pea rice.

We had the opportunity to try several of the homemade desserts. A nicely-moist version of chocolate mousse cake, a berry pie with above-average crust, a milky, somewhat dense Tres Leche cake and a solid flan execution.

The 200-seat restaurant and lounge also serves as the room-service supplier for the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn Secaucus-Meadowlands. I think hotel guests won’t mind the Secaucus business trip nearly as much while enjoying Chef Cardona’s food. I’m thrilled to live in the area and to have return visits to look forward to.

875 Route 3 East, Secaucus, NJ 07094. 201-558-1200.

Monday & Tuesday: Lunch 11:30 am – 3:00 pm, dinner 5:00 pm- 11:00 pm

Wednesday & Thursday: Lunch 11:30 am – 3:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm- 12:00 am

Fridays: Lunch 11:30 am – 3:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm- 2:00 am

Saturdays: Dinner 5:00 pm- 2:00 am

Sundays: Brunch 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm – 1:00 am

Veronique Deblois, Food & Wine Chickie: Veronique is a food and wine writer based in Morris County, NJ. As the author of the popular blog, Food & Wine Chickie Insider, Veronique shares recipes, wine and restaurant reviews and insight into the travel industry of which she’s a 15-year veteran. Follow Veronique on Twitter or like her Facebook page.

Book Review: Curtis Stone’s What’s For Dinner?

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor

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April 2, 2013

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Book Review: Curtis Stone’s What’s For Dinner?

When I saw on Facebook that Curtis Stone was coming to New Jersey to promote his new book “Whats for Dinner?” I quickly tracked down “his people” and scored a shiny new copy to review. As much as I love the web, and you know I do, there’s still something about a hardcover cookbook that excites the food geek in me. For me, a glass of wine and cookbook reading is a fun Saturday night. Can’t believe I just admitted that, and yeah, I know I need to get out more.

But, not this past Saturday. I decided it was time to try one of the many delicious sounding recipes offered in this very creative collection of mostly dinner recipes. He does end the book with a chapter called “Something Sweet” and, afterall, every good dinner deserves a dessert.

The book is divided into chapters by the days of the week which he labels: Motivating Mondays – Time Saving Tuesdays – One-Pot Wednesdays – Thrifty Thursdays – Five Ingredient Fridays – Dinner Party Saturdays – Family Supper Sundays – and the aforementioned, Something Sweet.

What I really like about the cookbook is that he delves into recipes from around the globe which makes sense given his recent hosting gig on Around the World in 80 Plates. From Chicken Masala with Cucumber Raita and Chicken Cassoulet with Fennel and Bacon to Mushroom Risotto with Fresh Herbs and Kimchi Fried Rice, this book is sure not to bore. But, since I was feeding 15 and 11 year old boys on Saturday night, I went the safer route and chose the Turkey Meatballs with Marinara Sauce.

I tell you honestly, with a Girl Scouts three finger pledge, Best Turkey Meatballs I ever had. I had to bold it just so you know I’m serious.

Here is the recipe, some action photos and where and when you can meet Curtis Stone in person.

FOR THE MARINARA SAUCE:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup finely chopped shallots

6 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

4 large sprigs of fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup dry white wine

Two (28 ounces each) cans of whole tomatoes, undrained

1/2 cup loosely packed torn fresh basil leaves

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

MEATBALLS:

1 1/2 cups cubed (1/4-inch) crustless Italian or French bread (about 2 ounces)

2/3 cup reduced-fat (2%) milk

1/2 cup finely chopped shallots

5 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika

1 large egg

2 pounds ground turkey

1/4 cup olive oil

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

TO MAKE THE MARINARA SAUCE:

Heat a wide heavy pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring often, for about 2 minutes, or until tender but not browned. Add the thyme, bay leaf, and wine, then add the tomatoes. Crush them with a potato masher to break them up.

Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced slightly and the flavors are well blended. Discard the thyme stems and bay leaf. Stir in the basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

MEANWHILE, MAKE THE MEATBALLS: In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes and milk. Set aside for about 5 minutes, or until the bread is soggy. Using your hands, mash the bread mixture. Add the shallots, garlic, parsley, thyme, mustard, salt, paprika, and egg and mix until blended. Add the turkey and, using your hands, gently mix until blended. The mixture will be soft, which will ensure tender meatballs. Form the mixture into 8 large meatballs.

Heat a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, for about 12 minutes per batch, or until browned all over. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate.

When the sauce is ready, add the meatballs and simmer for about 5 minutes more, or until the meatballs are cooked through, with no sign of pink.

Spoon the meatballs and tomato sauce into serving bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve hot.

Book Signing:

Tuesday April 09, 2013 7:00 PM

Barnes & Noble

Paramus

765 Route 17 South

Paramus, NJ 07652

201-445-4589

Deborah Smith , Founder and Executive Editor of jerseybites.com. Launched in 2007 as a home for her growing collection of recipes, Jersey Bites soon grew into a hub for all things edible in the Garden State. In her spare time, (Ha) she works as a Social Media consultant and speaker. You can learn more about her services and marketing through social media on her blog www.DeborahLSmith.com

Test Driving Two NYC Chefs at Buick Discovery Tour

Deanna Quinones

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April 1, 2013

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Test Driving Two NYC Chefs at Buick Discovery Tour

As close as we are to Manhattan, it can sometimes be daunting to choose a restaurant when heading into the city for an evening or, as happens often, out-of-towners send frantic pleas for recommendations on where to eat while they’re in town. It’s great, then, to have the chance to sample the artistry of NYC chefs right here in Jersey when they bring their show on the road. In the case of the Buick Discovery Tour, they’re quite literally doing just that.

Motoring through Morristown on a recent weekend, the Discovery Tour – co-hosted by Buick and Food & Wine magazine – featured celebrity and up-and-coming chefs, an irreverent wine expert, and delectable samples of food, drink, and drive (not necessarily in that order). It’s an interesting concept, pairing the foodie experience with that of test driving glossy new cars with heated steering wheels and less than 100 miles on the odometer. The goal of the sponsors is to create an experience and perhaps inspire an ah-ha moment next time you venture out to buy a car. The event promoted the theme of “new discoveries” and offered a great opportunity to learn about cooking techniques, specialty ingredients, flavor palettes, and the personal stories behind award-winning culinary stars.

Manhattan-based chefs Michael Psilakis, owner of several modern Greek restaurants—including Kefi and FISHTAG, both on the Upper West Side—and George Mendes, owner of Aldea, which puts a new-millennium twist on Portuguese cuisine, were on hand to demonstrate simple dishes that can easily translate to make-at-home meals you can present with flavor and flair. Here are the recipes they’ve shared with us at JerseyBites, courtesy of the Buick team:

Gyro Spiced Sliders, by Michael Psilakis

Make 1 dozen sliders

Ingredients:

12 2 oz. beef patties

6 oz. Tsatziki (recipe below)

12 slider potato rolls

Extra virgin olive oil

Salt & pepper

12 cornichons (optional)

12 frilly toothpicks

Gyro slider spice mix:

12 tbsp. Cumin

2 tbsp. Coriander

8 tbsp. Yellow mustard seed

2 1/2 tsp. Cloves

2 tbsp. Black cardamom

4 tbsp. Fennel

2 tbsp. Cinnamon

Combine all spices in mixing bowl, transfer to airtight container.

Recipe:

1. Make gyro spice & set aside.

2. Make Tsatziki sauce & store in refrigerator until ready to use.

3. Preheat a large cast iron skillet on medium high heat and coat bottom of pan with

olive oil.

4. Season sliders on both sides with salt and pepper and dredge sliders in gyro

spice mixture.

5. In small batches of 3-4 patties sear sliders for approximately 1 minute per side. Allow to rest once cooked.

6. Remove excess grease with paper towel and repeat until all sliders are cooked.

7. To serve, place each slider on bottom of potato roll and top with dollop of Tsatziki

sauce and cover gently with bun top and cornichon. Spear with toothpick.

Tsatziki Sauce

Makes 1 pint:

1/2 English cucumber, peeled

5 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

2 shallots, thickly sliced

1/2 cup fresh dill

1 1/4 cups strained Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Kosher salt and cracked black pepper

1. Cut the cucumber into very small pieces, even dice. Transfer to a mixing bowl.

2. In a food processor, combine the garlic, vinegar, shallots, and dill. Pulse until finely

chopped, but not pureed.

3. Add the mixture to the cucumbers; add the yogurt. Fold together with a rubber

spatula, adding the olive oil and lemon juice.

4. Season liberally with kosher salt and pepper, starting off with 1 tablespoon salt.

5. You can store the Tsatziki in a covered, clean jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Salted Cod Scrambled with Egg, Crispy Potato and Black Olive, by George Mendes

Serves 4

Ingredients

¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives

Extra virgin olive oil as needed

¼ cup peeled shoestring, julienned Yukon gold potato

½ cup flaked desalted bacalao

4 large eggs

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

½ thinly sliced small onion

2 thinly sliced garlic clove

Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste

2 tbsp of chopped parsley leaves

¼ tsp fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 200°F. Place the olives on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan and bake until totally dried and easy to crumble. Alternatively, use a dehydrator set at 145°F. Cool completely, then mince. You should have 2 tablespoons.

Fill a small saucepan with canola oil to a depth of 2 inches. Heat to 375°F. Add the potatoes in batches to fry until golden brown and crisp, adjusting the heat to maintain the temperature and gently stirring to cook evenly. Drain on paper towels.

Break the eggs into a small bowl and whisk until blended. Reserve.

Heat a medium nonstick pan over low heat and coat with the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and sweat, stirring occasionally, until translucent. Add the flaked cod and cook for 15 seconds, stirring, then add the beaten egg and a few strokes of white pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until just set but still wet. Fold in the parsley, lemon juice, add the olives and potatoes.

Serve immediately.

Meeting and sampling the work of these two chefs was a terrific new discovery, and visiting their restaurants for the full experience of each one’s updated takes on their culinary ethnic heritages is something I eagerly look forward to. Alas, I’ll be chugging into the city on a swaying NJTransit rust bucket rather than in a luxury sedan, but I’ll always have the delicious memories. Thanks, Buick!

For a full recap of the event, check out JerseyBites editor Veronique Deblois’ post over at foodandwinechickie.com.

FISHTAG

222 West 79th Street, between Broadway & Amsterdam

NYC

212-362-7470

michaelpsilakis.com

Aldea Restaurant

31 West 17^th Street

NYC

212-675-7223

aldearestaurant.com

Deanna Quinones is the Jersey Bites Regional Editor for Morris County. A freelance writer, blogger, and unrepentant chocolate addict, Deanna spent 20 years in the San Francisco Bay Area where life was good and the burritos even better. She recently returned to the Garden State and now resides in Morristown, where she and her Texas-born/Jersey-raised/California-found husband are raising two wild and wonderful kids. An experienced book marketer, award-winning greeting card writer, and entertainment writing dabbler, Deanna can be reached at [email protected]. (photo credit Pete Genovese/The Star-Ledger)

5 Eggcellent Egg Recipes

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor

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March 30, 2013

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For all you Bugs Bunny fans, who can forget the “I wanna Easter Egg” episode (actually called Easter Yeggs). For nostalgia sake, and maybe for those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about this is for education sake, enjoy a little trip back to 1947 and then enjoy the recipes our writers have collected in their baskets for before, during and after your Happy Yeaster.

Pan Bagnat, Michele Errichetti, Atlantic County

A French creation, Pan Bagnat means bathed bread. Sounds so much more chic in French doesn’t it? What it is, is basically a good quality whole grain roll, meat and hardboiled egg with salad and some kind of vinaigrette which you bath the bread in and let sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. I have had it made with rare roast beef, turkey and chicken. The choice is yours. I think a meaty veggie like eggplant or zucchini grilled or fried would make a great choice as well. This is sort of the French version of a sub or hoagie but with egg as an added layer of creamy taste. Serves 2.

Ingredients:

¼ lb. turkey,chicken,beef,eggplant or zucchini

2 good quality whole grain rolls, split

4 slices romaine leaves

4 slices red onion

4 slices sweet red pepper

4 slices tomato

2 hard boiled eggs, sliced

10 to 12 black or Kalamata olives, pitted and cut in half

¼ cup virgin olive oil

1 tbsp vinegar, apple cider

salt and pepper to taste, ¼ tsp

½ tsp thyme, oregano

1 clove garlic

Directions:

Take out inner dough of bread. Rub cut garlic clove on both sides, inside of roll. Mix olive oil, vinegar, spices. Brush ½ of dressing in the rolls. Layer lettuce, tomatoes, meat, eggplant or zucchini ,peppers, onions, eggs and olives and top with remaining ½ of dressing mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Wrap in foil and let sit for 10 minutes and serve. Eggs-cellent!

World’s Best Hollandaise Sauce, Veronique Deblois, Morris County

Over vegetables or draped over eggs benedict, this versatile sauce is a winner.

Ingredients:

7 egg yolks, at room temperature 1 cup butter Pinch of cayenne pepper ½ tsp. sea salt 2 Tbsp. freshly-squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cool for 3 minutes. In a tall container, like a pitcher, add the egg yolks. Using an immersion blender, add the butter to the yolks in a slow, steady stream until the sauce thickens, about 30 seconds. Add the cayenne pepper, the salt and the lemon juice. Keep sauce at room temperature until ready to use.

Makes about a cup.

Dijon Egg Sandwich, Deanna Quinones, Morris County

This whole MUFA craze has resulted in a lot of interesting recipe ideas based around foods that supposedly help reduce belly fat. Here’s one adapted from Prevention magazine. The original recipe calls for scrambled egg whites so leave out the yolks if you prefer.

Ingredients (per serving):

1 hard-boiled egg

Whole wheat English muffin

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 oz. reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese

¼ c. Hass avocado, cubed

Peel and mash hard-boiled egg. Scoop onto toasted English muffin spread with Dijon mustard. Top with cheese and avocado.

Egg-Olive salad, Beth Christian-Burlington County

This is not a recipe per se-but we make egg salad by adding some chopped green olives to the mix of eggs and mayo-it gives the eggs a nice tangy flavor! Serve on lettuce or on bread.

Deviled Egg recipes we highly recommend: Alabama Deviled Eggs from 2010 and the Caesar Salad Deviled Eggs on Smitten Kitchen. Do you have a favorite recipe? We’d love to hear about it. Please leave a comment or share with us over on Facebook.

Happy Easter from all of us at JerseyBites.

New Jersey’s Chocolatiers are Rabbit Ready

Sweets

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor

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March 29, 2013

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New Jersey’s Chocolatiers are Rabbit Ready

According to our candy makers, Easter is an important holiday. Jelly Beans, Chocolate Bunnies and Chocolate Eggs all play a part in the tradition of Easter for many of us. Chocolate Eggs actually date back to 19^th century Europe where Jelly Beans only became part of our Easter festivities in the 1930’s. And then of course, there’s the peep which came on the market in the 1950’s.

When we reached out to a few of NJ’s Candy kings, they were gracious enough to answer our questions in the little time they had between orders. Barbera’s Chocolate on Occasion told us that Easter is probably the biggest holiday of the year for them and Mrs. Hanna Krause Candy echoed that, saying that their Easter business “carries them through to November!” With their incredible selections of candy and treats, it’s no surprise. When we asked Mrs. Hanna Crause Candy if they had an Easter Best-Seller, the response was, “Oh, god no! There’s so many different things! It all depends on what a person likes.” From hollow eggs at Barbera’s to the 3 foot tall chocolate bunny at Mrs. Hanna Krause’s (they actually only sell 1 or 2 each year!), there really is something for everyone.

So, whether you’re a peep fan or all about the chocolate, these New Jersey candy stores are sure to have just what the bunny ordered.

Jagielky’s Homemade Candies, submitted by Michele Errichetti

Jagielky’s has been around since 1974 making delicious homemade confections handed down from secret family recipes. They have every kind of Easter bunny favorites you can think of to fill your basket. They even have diet and 70% dark chocolate creations. There are two locations in both Margate and Ventnor. My personal favorites if anybunny is listening are Turtles and Krispies.

5115 Ventnor Ave, Ventnor 609-823-6501 and 8018 Ventnor Ave, Margate 609-822-2204 I

Rauhauser’s Own Make Candies, submitted by Alison Heller

The Easter Bunny would be remiss if he didn’t make a stop at Rauhauser’s to fill his baskets. With three generations of candymakers preparing mouth-watering morsels, these candies are as close to perfection as I’ve ever tasted. Your life is not complete until you’ve tried Rauhauser’s Butter Creams. The only thing my grandmother ever wanted on Easter was a box of their Butter Creams, which she sweetly shared with all seven of her grandchildren.

721 Asbury Ave, Ocean City, NJ 08226 | 609-399-1465 | http://www.rauhausers.com/

Barbera’s Chocolate on Occasion, submitted by Jennifer Malme

Owner and Chocolatier Amy Barbera turned her love of all-things-chocolate into a thriving, hometown-homemade chocolate shop in Vineland. For Easter, you will find Chocolate bunnies of all shapes and sizes, filled eggs, hand-dipped fruits, jelly beans and custom baskets.

In Madison Square Center, 782 South Brewster Road, Vineland. 856-690-9998 or barberaschocolate.com

Enjou Chocolate, submitted by Deanna Quinones

Enjou is a classic chocolate shop in every sense: small, inviting, and overflowing with seasonal treats. Along with a range of a jacket-wearing Peter Rabbit (from small to frighteningly huge), Enjou features its own long-eared holiday hopper in adorable variations from Baseball Bunny to Film Buff Bunny. Edible Easter baskets, jelly bean carrots, and peanut butter-filled eggs are also on offer. Be assured no matter what novelty treat you choose, their milk chocolate is wonderfully creamy and their dark simply divine.

8 Dehart St, Morristown, 973-993-9090 http://www.enjouchocolat.com

Mrs. Hanna Krause Candy, submitted by Melissa Baratta

Hanna Krause has the absolute best candy in the area. Around Easter time the lines are out the door, with patrons buying everything from homemade chocolates and truffles to pastel-colored jelly candies. The chocolate is high quality melt-in-your-mouth chocolate and comes in a variety of flavors, and their melting white and milk chocolate discs are great for making molds or cake pops. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed!

2220 Rt. 37 East, Toms River: http://www.hannakrausecandy.com/index.php