Page 161 ⋆ Jersey Bites

Food Bank’s nominee wins Congressional Commendation

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January 20, 2013

Matt O'Rorke, 18, of Medford, won a Congressional Commendation for his volunteer service benefitting the Food Bank of South Jersey. — Matt O’Rorke, 18, of Medford, won a Congressional Commendation for his volunteer service benefitting the Food Bank of South Jersey.

Matt O’Rorke, 18, of Medford, has been awarded the Congressional Commendation for 2011 and 2012. It is the highest level of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. South Jersey Local News reports that The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) nominated O’Rorke for his work organizing food collection drives that have benefitted the organization since 2006.

O’Rorke also initiated, organized, and carried out the “Medford Students’ March Against Hunger” campaign, a district wide food collection drive in the Medford Township Schools. The March, 2012, campaign involved seven different schools and resulted in the collection of thousands of pounds of food for the FBSJ.

In response to the Hurricane Sandy disaster, O’Rorke has collected donations for the FBSJ and the American Red Cross. A Shawnee High School senior, O’Rorke is also a member of the National Honor Society, a year-round varsity athlete, captain of the Shawnee cross country team and a member of the Shawnee Leadership Academy.

Kerry Brown loves casual meals from the grill and cocktails featuring fresh ingredients, especially when shared with family and friends in the backyard of her Medford, NJ home where she lives with her husband, two children, and a little gray cat named Tiki.

Foodie Things to Do this Weekend and Beyond

Uncategorized

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor

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January 18, 2013

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Foodie Things to Do this Weekend and Beyond

January 19th: Round 2 of the Ultimate Chef Bergen County: In each of 3 rounds, two of Bergen County’s top chefs will compete head to head to select a challengerto the reigning UCC, Ninamarie Bojekian of Ooh La La Catering in February. Round 1 winner: Chef Adam Weiss. Competitors in Round 2 are Chef Arthur Toufayan of Cafe Amici (Wychoff) vs. Chef Ryan Lagud of Biddy O’Malley’s (Northvale) Competition begins at 11am at Chef Central in Paramus.

Culinary Classes: Cape May Court House: The Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College offers amateur chefs and food enthusiasts alike the opportunity to learn how to prepare a variety of tasty meals in classes running from January to May. Classes will be held at Atlantic Cape’s Mays Landing Campus, 5100 Black Horse Pike and at the Cape May County Campus, 341 Court House-South Dennis Road, in Cape May Court House. All classes take place 6-9 p.m. For fees and to register, call (609) 343-4829, or visit www.atlantic.edu/conted.

January 20th: Hoboken: Stuff your face and the ballot boxes at the First Annual Hoboken Mutzfest Hoboken is a town known not only for baseball and Frank Sinatra but also for its world-famous mozzarella. On Jan. 20 we’ll bring the best that the town has to offer at the First Annual Mutzfest in which you can sample and vote for your favorite. The event promises to be fun-filled with friendly competition in order to earn sought-after bragging rights to be named the city’s best. Competing for the top honors are Biancamano, Fran’s Deli, Lisa’s Deli, Losurdo Brothers Bakery and Vito’s Deli. While all of the city’s top deli’s known for the fresh-made mozzarella were invited to participate, some are unable to attend because of other obligations. The Mutzfest, which runs from 2 pm – 6 pm at the Elk’s Club, will also feature a mozzarella-making demonstration, live entertainment and DJing by Angelo Cerrone, desserts, beer, wine and prizes. The cost to enter is $10 per person and is free for kids 10 and under. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Hoboken Family Alliance philanthropic efforts including a portion of proceeds for the Rebuild Hoboken fund and programs for children with special needs. Buy your tickets today. Tickets are on sale now at participating deli’s or at www.mutzfest.com.

January 22nd: Asbury Park: Mr. Green Tea Presents a Night Out to Restore the Shore. $100 Tickets include full access to this exclusive event. Full course family style meal, drinks, live music and silent auction with items that range from bottles of wine to lavish vacations. Hurry only a few tickets are still available. Go to MrGreenTeaIcecream.com/RTS

January 26: The Asbury Park BeerFest will be held at Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park featuring craft beers from all over the world, as well as conventional retro beers. Noon to 4 PM or 6 to 10 PM; $30 advance $35 at the door. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com, the Stone Pony or the Asbury Park Boardwalk box offices.

Januray 27th: Holmdel: Dearborn Market Hosts a Chili Cook-off to benefit Bridges Outreach Dearborn Market will host a Chili Cook-off Challenge, Sunday January 27th, 2013 from 12:00pm – 3:00pm. All proceeds from the event will go to the Bridges Outreach Program. Participants can enter their favorite chili recipe online or in-store and then will bring samples of their cooked dish to Dearborn on Sunday, Jan. 27th to be judged by D.J. Luccarelli, Vice President of Dearborn Market, Kathy Logan, from Bridges, as well as a local restaurateur. Everyone is invited to sample all the chili’s to vote for Customer Choice Award too. Winner of the Chili Challenge will receive a $100 Dearborn Market gift card, an official trophy, and their winning recipe will be featured in Dearborn’s February Almanac. The winning chili will even be offered as a limited time deli special that will be available to purchase throughout the month of February.There is a $10 entry fee that will be donated directly to the Bridges Program. Dearborn will also be providing participants with a $10 Dearborn Market gift card to be used in purchasing ingredients for their recipe. The event will take place in the state-of-the-art 11,000 square foot greenhouse, and it is likely to be a delicious afternoon for an incredible worthy cause. For more information, please visit Dearborn’s website – www.dearbornmarket.com.

January 27th: Princeton: “East Slow” Winter Farmers Market . Stock up on and eat locally produced meats, cheeses, breads, mushrooms, baked goods, wine, sweets, pies and more. Held at D&R Greenway Land Trust. 609-924-4646

Januray 31st: Westwood: Westwood’s Fourth Annual “Green Screen” — a week-long festival of fascinating and informative environmental films — will kick off on Thursday, January 31, 2013 and run through February 6, 2013 at the Westwood Cinema, 182 Center Avenue, Westwood, NJ and at the Westwood Public Library, 49 Park Avenue, Westwood, NJ. This environmental film series, which has a couple great foodie flicks, one of which is free with a talk from Guy Jones, one of the Garden State’s most acclaimed farmers, will kick off at pre-festival reception on Thursday, January 31^st at 6:00 p.m. at Bibi’z Restaurant, 284 Center Avenue, Westwood, NJ where organic and sustainably produced hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and wines will be served. The pre-festival reception is tickets-only. The price of all six films plus the Pre-Film Reception at Bibi’z Restaurant is $35. All films are priced separately or are free. For a full schedule and pricing information, or to purchase tickets, go to: www.westwood.bccls.org and click on Green Screen..

February 1st: Wayne: The William Paterson University Performing Arts Center Distinguised Lecturer Series will be hosting French Chef Jacques Pepin 7:30 PM. Admission is $25. For tickets call 973-720-2371

February 6th: Point Pleasant Beach is “Open for Business Benefit” to be held at Europa south, 521 Arnold Ave. 6-11pm $15 admission, includes a full buffet, live entertainment and prizes. Come help us spread the word that Point Pleasant Beach and our members in the surrounding areas are open for business. For information or if you would like to donate a prize for this evening contact the chamber office at 732-899-2424.

February 18th and April 2nd: Mays Landing: Gourmet dinners at Careme’s hosted by the American Vegan Society, at the Academy of Culinary Arts. Experience a meal of exceptional quality prepared and served by the culinary students under a chef educator. Call 856-694-2887 or visit www.americanvegan.org.

February 24th: Princeton: “East Slow” Winter Farmers Market . Stock up on and eat locally produced meats, cheeses, breads, mushrooms, baked goods, wine, sweets, pies and more. Held at Tre Piani Restaurant. 609-452-1515

February 26th: Atlantic City: A Taste of Atlantic City. $35.00. Experience an exclusive Preview of Atlantic City Restaurant Week. Tickets are available only online at www.acrestaurantweek.com. The ticket price includes the tasting and live music. A cash bar will be available. The restaurants will serve “tasting size” portions of items that will be included on their special Restaurant Week menus, as well as specialties from their regular menus. One hundred percent of proceeds will benefit Community FoodBank of NJ/Southern Branch, Alcove of Atlantic County and the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority Foundation.

March 14: Atlantic City: The 30^th anniversary Atlantic Cape Community College Restaurant Gala will take place on Thursday, March 14, at Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino. With the theme, “Celebrate the 30 kNights,” the Gala will feature Camelot-inspired décor and an opulent feast.

The Restaurant Gala’s 30^th anniversary honorees include the Donio and Crescenzo families of Hammonton and Chef Kevin Scull of Egg Harbor Township.

The annual fundraiser celebrates food by highlighting hors d’oeuvres prepared by students in the Academy of Culinary Arts and showcasing the specialties of 50 of the region’s best restaurants at a progressive dining experience. Each year hundreds of guests attend the Gala, which also includes live music and an elegant dessert reception.

The event has raised nearly $3 million for scholarships since 1984. All Gala proceeds benefit student scholarships at the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College and Atlantic Cape Foundation operations.

For more information on the 2013 Gala, contact Carrie Leahy at (609) 463-4672, [email protected], or visitwww.atlantic.edu/gala.

March 21st: Newark: Manischewitz Cook-Off Contest. The Cook-Off will be held at the Manischewitz Headquarters and Manufacturing Plant in Newark, NJ on March 21, 2013 where Matzo and other Manischewitz goodies are produced! Click here for information on entering.

Growing School Gardens: An insiders guide to the Farm to School movement

Christine Van Arsdalen

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January 18, 2013

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Growing School Gardens: An insiders guide to the Farm to School movement

Grease is no longer the word. These days it’s sustainable. People are going back to their roots, moving on from an era of processed food and “super sizing” to a more wholesome way of life. Healthy eating is climbing the food pyramid so to speak, as people are becoming more concerned with where, and who their food comes from. However, sustainability is still limited to mostly restaurant and home cooking. With issues such as childhood obesity still plaguing the country, a more widespread understanding of sustainable living has become more a necessity then a lifestyle choice. Thus poses the problem how do we create continuity between healthy eating both in and out of the classroom?

The “Growing School Gardens” community on edWeb.net provides the seeds needed for the adoption of sustainability in schools to grow. In their new community, edWeb.net, a social networking and continuing education site for professionals in the education field, and the New Jersey Farm to School Network team up to create a place for “educators, gardeners, parents, and community volunteers to come together to share information and resources on how to start and maintain a school garden, and integrate it into the curriculum and the life of a school” (edWeb.net). Its goal is to make sustainability a community wide effort in order to “help children understand where their food comes from and how their food choices impact their bodies, the environment, and their communities at large” (edWeb.net).

Contributing to the community is Dorothy Mullen, a pioneer of the Farm to School Movement, and author of the Guide to Starting a School Garden. Dorothy is not only an organic gardener, but she has successfully implemented a garden-based curriculum for grades K-5 at Riverside Elementary School in Princeton NJ. She brings fresh ideas to the table, providing lesson plans, guides, and articles rich in information (and nutrients).

Aside from traditional chat-based communication, the community takes a more “hands on” approach with a web based seminar series. The hour-long sessions will cover a variety of topics from planning to plating your school garden. Whether you are a green thumb or just starting out, this informative series will give you the skills you need to turn a budding idea into thriving garden that would give Mr. McGregor a run for his money.

The first webinar in the series will air live on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 4pm / Eastern Time. Presenters Beth Feehan, Director of the NJ Farm to School Network, and Dorothy Mullen, Founder of the Princeton School Garden Program, will discuss “Winter Planning for the Spring School Garden.” You can pre-register for the live session at http://tinyurl.com/brhc92l.

To learn more about “Growing School Gardens” go to www.edweb.net/schoolgardens

Christine Van Arsdalen is a born and raised Jersey Girl; native to central and Costal NJ. As the author of the blog the Dexterous Diner, Christine chronicles her efforts as she indulges her foodie side on her very small budget which she likes to call “champagne dining on a beer budget”. She grew up being yelled at by an old Italian woman in the kitchen who was surprisingly not her mother. Her love of food grew from a combination of cooking in a restaurant and fond memories of creating scrumptious meals from scratch with her father. Today she travels around the state of New Jersey and beyond searching for new twists on her old favorites; foods that bring you back to your childhood in a modern and sophisticated way. She loves unexpected and creative combinations, both in the food she eats and cooks. Though her palate has become more refined, she is still excited by a grilled cheese sandwich; that, and a great cup of coffee.

Flying Fish Brewing to Debut Forever Unloved

Beer Bites

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor

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January 17, 2013

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ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO NJ VICTIMS OF SUPERSTORM SANDY

In early February, New Jersey’s largest craft brewery, Flying Fish Brewing Company (900 Kennedy Boulevard, 856-504-3442), will debut Forever Unloved (F. U.) Sandy, a hybrid wheat-pale ale, with 100% of proceeds going to New Jersey victims of 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. Founder Gene Muller and many Flying Fish employees are proud NJ residents, and they hope that by brewing and selling this special beer, they can help to support the renaissance of the iconic but heavily storm-damaged Jersey shore.

“At Flying Fish, we proudly hail from the great state of New Jersey, so when tragedy struck, we knew immediately that we wanted to do something to help,” says Muller. “Every single aspect of this beer, from the man-hours spent brewing it to the hops used to season it to the kegs that will contain it, has been donated so every cent brought in goes to Superstorm Sandy victims.”

The F.U. Sandy brew will produce approximately100 kegs of beer, sales of which will generate $50,000 directly towards a charity. The recipient of the F. U. Sandy funds will be a grassroots NJ-based charitable organization dedicated to Superstorm Sandy relief and chosen by Flying Fish fans via social media. To nominate a charity, visit the brewery on twitter @jerseyfreshale and on Facebook. The beer will be available beginning in February, exclusively on draught, throughout the New Jersey and Philadelphia region.

F. U. Sandy is brewed with a 50/50 blend of Two Row Pale Malt and American White Wheat. It is hopped with experimental hop ADHA 483, donated by the American Dwarf Hop Association, which has never been used in a beer before this one. Muller and Head BrewerCasey Hughes expect a beautiful, tropical nose of mangoes and guavas that will accentuate the beer’s soft mouthfeel and contribute to a truly one-of-a-kind ale – much like their beloved Jersey shore.

Flying Fish was the world’s first ‘virtual’ microbrewery, establishing an Internet presence as early as 1995. That presence helped to generate press interest and woo investors to the fledgling brewery, which would not open for business until late 1996. Flying Fish primarily distributes in Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington D.C. The also have limited distribution in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

In 2012, Flying Fish moved into a new facility in Somerdale, making it the largest brewery built in the state since prohibition. The move will allow Flying Fish to quadruple production. The facility boasts many sustainability features to brew beer in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Flying Fish produces a range of beers year-round as well as some seasonal specialties. They also produce the Exit Series, a special selection of beers highlighting the state through the various turnpike exits.

For more information about F. U. Sandy or any of Flying Fish’s beers, please visit them online at www.flyingfish.com or call (856) 504-3442.

Helping a Helper: Local Restaurateur Needs Your Help

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor

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January 16, 2013

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Helping a Helper: Local Restaurateur Needs Your Help

“As Buddha says your cup must be full in order for it to runneth over.”

Hurricane Sandy affected a lot of our fellow Jersey Biters. Many families are still not in their homes, waiting for reconstruction to finish or in some cases, to begin. An area that’s just starting to receive attention is the number of businesses that have been closed since the Hurricane and still haven’t scheduled a definitive opening date. One of those restaurants is a personal favorite of mine, Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park. Marilyn Schlossbach, owner of Langosta Lounge and Pop’s Garage in Asbury Park, manager of Dauphin Grille also in Asbury Park, as well as Labrador Lounge in Normandy Beach, knows first hand how Hurricane Sandy impacted the local communities and she’s asking for help.

After evacuating her home with her two 4-month-old twins to move in with her in-laws, whom she stayed with for 3½ weeks, she finally visited Langosta to see the damage for herself.

“The first day I headed back to Langosta Lounge someone said to me ‘How does it feel to help yourself instead of others now?’” she recalls. On the verge of tears she thought that comment wasn’t a reach. For the past few months, she describes what she’s going through as experiencing “a death loss.“ The damage done to the restaurant will take hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair. After three months, Marilyn has still been unable to open two of her venues (Langosta Lounge and Labrador Lounge). Langosta Lounge hasn’t even begun demoing due to lack of funds and Labrador Lounge remains closed due to the curfew and lack of residents. Without the cash flow, there’s little Marilyn and her team can do.

In order to open successfully in the near future, she needs to keep her credit intact with her vendors, who have also been affected. The closing of the restaurants have not just hurt Marilyn, but also her employees. The restaurants together have 75 employees and many vendors, all with families. “My fish vendor lives in the Highlands and his whole family has been affected. It’s a chain reaction.”

“We’re working class people. I never expected to make more than what I needed and to pay for a few vacations. We’re restaurant operators. I can’t get unemployment because I’m a corporate officer.” She now understands that in the future she will need that safety net that she had lived without, but to get back to that point, she needs help. That’s where Go Fund Me came into the picture.

Asking Others for Help

“It’s weird to ask people for money, but we just need some capital to continue. We’re giving back with gift certificates,” she says with a smile. “I would never put the full amount I need,” so she came up with $25,000 that will help her start. (A recent Asbury Park UEZ loan allowed her to lower the goal to $20,000.) As of January 15^th, only 20 days later, 65 people have raised $7,315 in hopes of helping Marilyn get the restaurants back on their feet. To contribute be sure to visit Langosta’s Hurricane Sandy Go Fund Me site.

“If everyone on my 6,000 person list donated $5 it would help a lot.” The fund will help the businesses build momentum and hopefully continue to move forward to grand reopening in the spring.

A Brighter Future

Marilyn is a fixture in the local community, volunteering with organizations including Waves for Water and Food for Thought By the Sea. Not only does she own the restaurants that we love to frequent, but she also hosts community dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas (even though Langosta Lounge was closed this year for both holidays, Marilyn along with the “cooperative” efforts of Dauphin Grille’s owners, were able to still hold the dinners for those who didn’t have a hot meal for the holidays).

It’s hard to see someone who does so much be so down. Sitting in front of her computer where she continues to file appeals to FEMA and her insurance companies, I can feel the frustration that she’s experiencing. However, she is positive that they will push through. Her goal is to open the restaurant sooner rather than later, put people back to work, and make the business better than ever before. “We gained the ability to start fresh, a chance to do everything better.”

“I hope to have a community dinner for everyone who donates at Langosta Lounge and a coming home party for Labrador Lounge. If we can learn anything, it’s to move forward, be positive, and be a part of your community.” The community has been stepping up for Marilyn. From receiving a hand written note and a $5 check from a woman she knows can hardly afford to give to a man who donated $50 and told Marilyn to give the gift certificates to another. Comments from donors range from “We miss you!” to “Your passion for helping others has inspired so many people.”

“I can’t express how touching all of your support is… As soon as our cup refills we will be there to help anyone who needs us,” Marilyn states on the site.

If you can help Marilyn, a woman that has helped so many, the ripple effects will travel through the community. Not only will your donation get Marilyn back up and running, but you’ll even get a hug and a gift certificate to Dauphin Grille. Who can say no to that?! Langosta’s Hurricane Sandy Go Fund Me Site

Melissa Beveridge was raised in Monmouth County, and has been hunting, gathering, and tasting different shore foods for as long as she could eat, while creating unique dishes in her home. She earned her Bachelors in Political Science and Masters in Public Policy at Monmouth University where she wrote her thesis on childhood obesity. She is an ESL professor, designer, cook, and editorial writer for the Greenwich Village Gazette (nycny.com). Traveling to various locales, Melissa has a taste for spicy foods and a flare for finding those hidden gems.

Heavenly Health Cafe in Somers Point

Jennifer Miller

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January 15, 2013

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I was doing my regular weekly shopping trek to the Somers Point ShopRite and missed the light to make the left into to the shopping center parking lot. I had to go to the next traffic light and after I cursed under my breath, it turned out to be a good thing. Low and behold a new restaurant had opened in place of Chubby’s. Was it a sign, a lucky coincidence or kismet?! Who knows, but in it’s place was Heavenly Health Cafe. Talk about opposites! Hopefully it is a sign of better things to come in regard to better food choices. The name certainly was promising. Inside was a warm dining room with a gleaming open air stainless steel cook area. When I first arrived we were the only two in the place, ( I dragged my husband along to carry all the bags, I mean to help) but it quickly filled with people. The young waitress was friendly and helpful. We were told all the soup was made fresh and from scratch and the fruit, veggies and meats were organic as much as possible. Their breads are locally sourced. We both ordered the Vegetable Soup which came hot and full of veggies in a flavorful tomato broth with spaghetti squash “Noodles”. Neither of us missed the pasta noodles and the next time I make my own vegetable soup I am going to steal that idea!

My husband Richard chose the Whole Grain Grilled Pannini with house baked hand carved turkey, brie, cranberry chutney, and honey mustard, a delicious sounding combo, and I decided to stick with a salad.

I love Roasted Beets so it was a no brainer for me, they had a Roasted Beet, Arugula, Pears, Goat Cheese with Sliced Almonds topped with a House Made Wine Vinagarette. It was yummy with just the right blend of bitter and sweet and creamy goat’s cheese to round it out. And oh so good for you too. And my husband devoured his pannini saying it was moist and juicey and the combo of brie and cranberry chutney made him think of Thanksgiving all rolled into one sandwich. So that is a good thing because Thanksgiving is one of my husband’s favorite holidays. Ask about juicing! They will make design one for you. The sisters plan on building a juice bar soon.

Owners and sisters Marie Peterson and Joan Branella told us that all the soups, dressings, chutneys and sauces are created with loving hands in the restaurant. Also the turkey and chicken is roasted fresh here. No red meat is served. Peterson is a health care professional employed as a medical assistant, so she wanted to make food that not only tasted delicious, but was healthier fare as well. A much needed and welcome addition to our south shore area. Their father was a pharmacist in Atlantic City’s Italian, Ducktown section for many years and they grew-up on Georgia Avenue. All food was homemade at home as well!

I will be back for sure! This a gem for all who want to eat healthfully as well as deliciously. Remember your body is a temple so be mindful of what you put into it. Heavenly Health Cafe is currently open six days a week from 8AMto 4PM serving breakfast and lunch. Catering and parties are available for up to 50. Plans for dinner are in the works! Please hurry!

Heavenly Health Cafe
581 Ocean Heights Avenue/Bethel Road
Somers Point. 609-601-1700.

Michele Errichetti is from South Jersey born and fed. She comes from an Italian family where they eat, live, and breathe FOOD. Michele was cooking and eating under her grandmom’s feet every Sunday for “gravy” and at home with her mother (a Medigan or American) during the week. Nowadays, she cooks for her two sons, husband, and father most days of the week. She takes “Girl Road Trips” with her friends at least once a month that always culminate with you guessed it, FOOD. She hopes fresh, local, organic, and free range will become the norm. Michele is searching Atlantic County for everything that has anything to do with good food and she’s taking you along for the ride.

Meatless Monday – Magnificent Marinara Sauce

MStavrou

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January 14, 2013

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Meatless Monday – Magnificent Marinara Sauce

As a former vegetarian I love the idea of Meatless Monday and try to incorporate a few meatless dinners into our rotation every week. Before I gave birth to my daughter in September I made sure I had a batch of this marinara sauce in the freezer. Time is at a premium now, and it’s hard to beat the ease of defrosting this sauce and throwing it over some pasta. I guarantee you won’t miss the meat with this recipe.

Marinara Magnifica (from Cooking Light)

1 tablespoon olive oil
6 cups chopped onion (about 3 medium)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
6 garlic cloves, crushed
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, undrained
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add onion and sugar. Cook 30 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Stir in wine; cook 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Makes 9 cups of sauce.

Michelle Stavrou, the Union County regional editor, has hop-scotched across the Garden State, growing up in Bergen County, then moving to Hoboken (after a stop over in Queens) before finally settling in Cranford. After too many years stuck in tiny kitchens Michelle finally has a kitchen that can accommodate multiple batches of cookies. Her husband and her co-workers are probably even more thankful than she is. Michelle’s baking adventures are documented here: jerseygirleats.blogspot.com.

2012: The Beer in Review

Beer Bites

Peter Culos

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January 13, 2013

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What’s your favorite beer of 2012? To be honest, I have no idea how to answer that question definitively. Sometimes the perfect moment and the right beer collide to create a memory. I’ve heard that theme echoed by brewers more times than I can count. Ironically, they often focus on what’s around the glass and not just what’s in it. The story is important for them. Foodies know that presentation, atmosphere and circumstance can enhance (or detract) what’s on the plate. So too for beer geeks.

Here is my favorite beer moment of 2012.

We knew it was going to be bad, there was no question about that. Still, there was no way to understand how cruel Sandy would be as she bore down on the Jersey Shore. We vacated our little hamlet of Point Pleasant Beach for Deb’s mom’s house in Red Bank on a bluff over looking the Navesink River on the west side of town. Although our house was fine in the end, it was a good thing we left. Two flooded out families took refuge there while we were gone.

I’ll never forget looking out of the picture window, across the Navesink toward Middletown where the lights were still on. As the wind shifted and the storm swung around with it’s full force, the sky went a blue-green neon. Substations started to blow in orange flashes punctuated by showers of sparks. Suddenly, as if in a movie, all the lights in that landscape went out at once. The hills across the river were just flat black cutouts against that eerie colored sky. The wind howled. I knew it would be a long, long time before life got back to anything close to normal. However, we would at least get a glimpse of normal the following day.

Deb noticed it first. “There are cars in the parking lot of that strip mall. Something must be open.” She was right. Although the lights were still out, Crates Liquors was open for business. I got in the long line outside (very depression era bread line looking) and waited my turn. The store was too dark to let people in so an employee – somewhere in the darkness – collected your order and brought it to the door where you paid in cash. When the disembodied voice called out to me I asked, “What kind of beer do you have?” “A lot.“ was the exasperated answer. I could hear the groans of those in line behind me. They would lynch me if I took too long. I would survive a hurricane only to meet my sorry end being too picky about my beer. My chest tightened as I felt hot breath on my neck.

What do I want? Abbey Dubbel, Porter, Stout, Imperial something…..“IPA?” I croaked. “How about Stone?” said the ghost voice hopefully. I could feel the daggers poised at my back as the crowd waited for my reply. If ever there was a time to try something new, exotic or extreme it would certainly be the day after surviving a super storm, right? What gem of amber was hidden in those shadowy aisles? I so wanted to know! But the crowd closed in and time was short. Clearly, no more questions would be tolerated. “Perfect!” I shouted as cheerfully as I could and the crowd relaxed. A pasty white face emerged from the gloom and delivered my order. Cash exchanged hands and we were gone.

I’ve had Stone IPA a million times and so have you. It’s nearly ubiquitous. I know some people would think this to be a more memorable story if the voice had miraculously said, “Heady Topper” or “Pliny the Elder” . There are some who are down right disappointed that my most memorable beer of 2012 was a Stone IPA.

They weren’t there when I poured the first one.

Deb’s brother lives two doors down and had fired up his generator. He was having a gathering of friends and family. We walked in to the blue glow of the TV, the yellow light of incandescent bulbs and the whirring hum of the generator. Our delight was short lived. The generator gave up the ghost within 5 minutes of our arrival. Darkness again. Matches flared and we were soon bathed in quiet, golden candle light. Suddenly the place took on the feel of a tavern of yore.

That was when I opened the first bottle of my precious six pack. I stood close to a candle as I poured lest I spill a drop. That first familiar sip was like an old friend. It was a bit of normal in one of the most surreal weeks I’ve ever had. For a couple of hours, everything was going to be ok.

In 2013 I’ll pursue the extreme, rare and exotic around the world of craft beer. That’s part of the fun. But every once in awhile, I’ll make sure to revisit some old favorites too.

There’s an art to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Peter Culosis the editor of “Beer Bites,” a new monthly feature about breweries, bars and good beer in the garden state. A graphic designer by day, and a life long New Jersey resident, Peter was first introduced to the novel idea that beer could actually have flavor during several visits to the UK. He’s been riding the craft beer bus ever since. It has been called the ultimate social lubricant and Peter’s philosophy on beer is, “I’d rather split my last good beer with a friend than drink the whole thing by myself.” Besides beer he also likes history, dogs, Jeeps and painting. In the past, he has written a History and Art blog for the Weider History Group and occasionally contributes to his own blog, history-geek.com. Life is short. Drink good beer.

Food Tank: A “Go To Source” for Food Solutions

Food News

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor

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January 11, 2013

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Sustainability has been a buzzword in among “foodies” for awhile now. We visit the farmer’s market in order to “eat local” and concerned with what we’re feeding our families and ourselves. However, the bigger issues of childhood obesity, hunger, and agriculture daunt us and as consumers, we’re not sure how to help the system. That’s where founders, Danielle Nierenberg and Ellen Gustafson, of the just launched Food Tank: The Food Think Tank hope to help.

Food Tank aims to be the connection between the players in the food industry, from consumers, to policy makers, and farmers, not just in the United States, but also throughout the world, by creating a network of information that is available for everyone. Their website aims to “bridge the domestic and global food issues by highlighting how hunger, obesity, climate change, and unemployment, and other problems stem can be solved by more research and investment in agriculture.”

Co-founder Danielle Nierenberg envisions Food Tank to be a “go to source” for people from all walks of life who have an interest in various parts of the agriculture system whether it is how Europe is managing sustainable farms, how obesity is affecting sub-Saharan Africa, or what schools in the U.S. have been implementing as healthy food initiatives. All of these issues are connected and to have the latest research in one place will help researchers, consumers, and policymakers begin to fix the current food system, which both Nierenberg and Gustafson believe is broken.

Being a Part of the Solution – One Step at a Time

In such a large and complicated system, the question becomes what can one person do? Food Tank offers an answer: “As much as we need THINKING on global food system issues, we also need Doing.”

So what is Nierenberg’s suggestion on just what New Jersey consumers can be Doing to begin making the system better? “The key thing is to look into your community, see what is missing, and fill that void. Be a part of the solution.” Whether it’s helping your local grocery store donate their leftover produce to the local food bank or soup kitchen, asking your local farmer at the farmer’s market to help local families who may not be eating the fruits and vegetables they should be, or planting a garden at your child’s school, Nierenberg believes it’s all a part of the solution to the bigger problem.

We can start right at home by eating lower on the food chain which will not only benefit our own health but also the world. “Good food, the healthiest food, has the lowest environmental impact on the world.” Who said little changes can’t make a world of a difference!

Eating healthy may seem easy to those who have the means to purchase the needed ingredients, however Nierenberg wants consumers to realize the divide in the market. “There’s a resurgence of farmer’s markets, mostly in the elite, white neighborhoods, and it hasn’t spread to the rest of us. Everyone deserves to eat healthy.” It is important for people to reconnect with their food, no matter what their financial status may be.

Nierenberg also believes in getting back to our roots and understanding just how important communality is when we sit down to eat (we discussed how a lot of people eat by themselves from a box, out of the microwave, in front of the television instead of with their families.) “We’ve forgotten how to cook. We need to reestablish our culinary traditions.” By reestablishing our food traditions we will begin to connect once again because “food is really the thing that connects all of us together.”

Food Tank will also be a part of the solution along with consumers. Their website will highlight real world examples of how people and organizations throughout the world are developing innovative solutions so that others can follow suit in their own communities. So if you’re still not sure of what you can do to help, be sure to visit their website to get some ideas.

To learn more about Food Tank: The Food Think Tank, visit their website at http://foodtank.org.

Melissa Beveridge was raised in Monmouth County, and has been hunting, gathering, and tasting different shore foods for as long as she could eat, while creating unique dishes in her home. She earned her Bachelors in Political Science and Masters in Public Policy at Monmouth University where she wrote her thesis on childhood obesity. She is an ESL professor, designer, cook, and editorial writer for the Greenwich Village Gazette (nycny.com). Traveling to various locales, Melissa has a taste for spicy foods and a flare for finding those hidden gems.

Foodie Things to Do this Weekend and Beyond

Events

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor

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January 10, 2013

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Click here for information on how to get your event listed and promoted.

Culinary Classes: Cape May Court House: The Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College offers amateur chefs and food enthusiasts alike the opportunity to learn how to prepare a variety of tasty meals in classes running from January to May. Classes will be held at Atlantic Cape’s Mays Landing Campus, 5100 Black Horse Pike and at the Cape May County Campus, 341 Court House-South Dennis Road, in Cape May Court House. All classes take place 6-9 p.m. For fees and to register, call (609) 343-4829, or visit www.atlantic.edu/conted.

January 11th: West Windsor: West Windsor Farmer’s Market End of Season Wine & Cheese. Get together and toast the New Year with friends and vendors from the Market at a Wine and Cheese party. View the pilot of Fresh a new series starring some of our farms from the market. To purchase tickets: https://m.bpt.me/addtocart.html

January 12th: Titusville: Dutch Foodways in the Colonies 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee: Please call for fee; reservations necessary Washington Crossing State Park, Johnson Ferry House Sponsor: The Open Hearth Cook Mercy Ingraham, Instructor (215) 757-4397

January 13th: Iselin: “Sit Down” with Vincent Pastore & Friends Casa Giuseppe, 487 Route 27, Iselin,NJ 08830. Ticket price is $100. Includes a Meet & Greet with Vincent Pastore from the Sopranos, a tradional Italian 5 Course dinner, music by Tony “Boccigalupe” Amato and friends. Proceeds to benefit the Light of Day Foundation. Click for more information and tickets.

January 13th: Cherry Hill: Local “Food for Thought” Fare

Learn how to think and buy locally at this interactive program with our partners, the Master Gardeners of Camden County:

Meet representatives from local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms
Get up close and personal with worm composting
Learn how to grow veggies in raised bed and container gardens
Master Gardeners on hand to answer all your “growing” questions
Presented by the Sustainable Cherry Hill Garden Task Force and Master Gardeners of Camden County. Registration required: Click Here