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Grato Ristorante, Morris Plains

Terry Krongold
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You may be thinking exactly what I thought when I first heard about Grato…”another Italian restaurant in a state that has more Italian restaurants than Imelda Marcos had shoes?” But wait! This one is different. How, you ask? Well, for starters, the Executive Chef worked at Gramercy Tavern, honing his skills in the Danny Meyer school of fine dining. Second, it appears that the chef brought along the outstanding service Meyer’s restaurants are known for. This bodes well.

Grato is part of the Harvest Restaurant Group, the parent company for some of the best known and well loved restaurants in north Jersey, such as Huntley Tavern in Summit, Tabor Road Tavern (the next door neighbor of Grato), and Trap Rock in Berkeley Heights. I’ve eaten at one or two of these over the years, and while they are all good, none of them ever blew me away. Until Grato.

Grato has the winning combination of a carefully thought out menu, a stellar wine and cocktail list, well executed and delicious food, and professional, gracious service.

Entering the restaurant, to your left is a small but welcoming bar, where you won’t mind relaxing for a bit if you have to wait for a table.  Once seated, your table is capably serviced by a team of two waiters. I thoroughly enjoyed the Grato Signature Bellini (Prosecco & Passion Fruit Puree) while reviewing the menu.

Getting down to business, our appetizers included a delicious Burrata & Raspberry Salad (arugula, pistachios, mint, vincotto & EVOO), and Fried Artichokes. The creamy burrata with the tart raspberries and peppery arugula was luscious.  And the fried artichokes were the best I’ve had since discovering the gold standard of fried artichokes at the trattorias in the Jewish Ghetto of Rome a few years ago – crisp artichoke hearts dressed with parmesan, parsley, and lemon (delicioso!). We also sampled the hearty Salumi Plate, an overflowing platter of  tender prosciutto, salami, soppressata, pepperoni, cannelini beans, olives, and Italian cheeses.

My dinner entree was a special that evening – Spaghetti & Ramps. Sounds like a simple peasant dish if I ever heard one.  A glorious bowl of wild leeks tossed with guanciale (unsmoked pork jowls), ricotta, chili flakes, garlic bread crumbs & parmesan. Not a strand was left in the bowl.

Another fabulous dish was the succulent Grilled Rack of Baby Lamb, served with eggplant caponata, tri-color greens & lemon vinaigrette. Tender, perfectly medium-rare chops set on a bed of sweet caponata. One of the finest lamb chop dishes we’ve ever had.

And to top off the evening, Maple Sugar Zeppoles. Served in a brown paper bag as if they had just been ordered from a stand at the San Gennaro Festival, only better. Warm, lightly fried, dusted with maple sugar. I couldn’t ask for a better finish.

Grato Ristorante – not your typical Italian restaurant, and that’s fine by me.

Grato Ristorante

2230 Rt 10 West

Morris Plains

973-267-4006

Lunch: 11:30am – 4:00pm Mon-Sat

Dinner: 4:00pm – 10:00pm Mon-Thurs; 4:00pm – 11:00pm Fri-Sat; 4:00pm – 9:00pm Sunday

www.gratorestaurant.com

Terry Krongold is a life-long passionate baker. In addition to a full-time job in the pharmaceutical industry, Terry has been involved with food for many years, including co-ownership of a dessert catering company in the late eighties called I Love Cheesecake, specializing in fine cheesecake and unique desserts. Terry is the author of The Cook’s Tour, a blog focused on food, baking, and travel. When not working, writing, or baking, she spends time planning vacations around restaurants to visit. She can be reached at [email protected].

Red Cabbage Roquefort Slaw

Terry Krongold
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Roquefort cheese is one of the oldest cheeses made in France. Pair it with red cabbage, some dijon mustard, mayo and citrus and you’ve got one decadent and different side for your memorial day barbecue.  Oooh, and it takes a good picture too.

This recipe is a collaborative effort. Our wonderful cook and writer, Terry Krongold sent me the recipe. I decided to make it for my family barbecue recently and felt the need to lighten it up a bit with some lemon juice and white wine vinegar. You can choose your favorite. Create the original. Taste and tweak any way you wish.

Ingredients:

2 medium heads red cabbage
1-1/2 C crumbled Roquefort
2 C fresh chopped parsley
½ C grainy Dijon mustard
3-1/2 C Hellman’s mayo

(Deborah’s Tweak:) 2Tbs. Lemon Juice, 2 Tbs. White Wine Vinegar

Directions:

Remove outer cabbage leaves & reserve. Core & finely shred cabbage. In large bowl, add 1 C Roquefort & 1 C parsley with the cabbage. Toss well. In separate bowl, combine mustard & mayo; add to cabbage & coat thoroughly. Line large glass bowl with reserved outer leaves. Add cabbage mixture. Chill 2 hours.

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. Deborah is also the owner of Parents With Nannies, Inc. which operates a network of nanny employment websites established in 1999.  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

Foodie Things to do in NJ This Weekend and Beyond

Melissa Beveridge
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SalsaCookOff

22nd Annual NJ State Chili & Salsa Cook Off – Saturday, May 21

Come on down to Toms River for family fun, contests, chili and salsa tasting, live music and more.  The competition is open to cooks from across the country!

For more information, please visit: http://www.downtowntomsriver.com/chili/chilisiteframe.htm

A Taste of Bradley Beach: Bradley Beach, NJ – May 2011 Sample the best of Bradley Beach’s most popular restaurants at Taste of Bradley Beach, to be held in Riley Park from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. Rain date is Sunday, May 22.  A dozen great restaurants, fun for the kids, plus many vendors to shop, from fashion accessories to crafters. Beer and wine available with proper ID. Admission is $5; food samples are $3 to $5. Presented by the Bradley Beach Chamber of Commerce and produced by The Passion Group. For more information visit www.bradleybeachnj.org.

The Shannon Rose Irish Pub Celebrates American Craft Beer Week: Clifton  Sample a different featured craft beer every day of the week May 16 – 22 Saturday, May 21–Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA (Bear Republic Brewing Company, Cloverdale, CA) & Rogue Chipolte Ale (Rogue Ales & Spirits, Portland, OR)  Sunday, May 22–Tommyknocker Imperial (Tommyknocker, Idaho Springs, CO) & Boulder Beer Hazed and Infused (Boulder Beer Company, Boulder, CO) For a full listing of the week’s festivities and featured craft beers, visit www.theshannonrose.com.  The Shannon Rose Irish Pub is located at Clifton Commons, Route 3 East, across from Target in Clifton with a second location in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

Point Pleasant Beach Jazz and Blues Fest: May 21 & 22nd. Wine tasting by New Jersey Wineries, Great Local Cuisine, Explore Unique, Hand Made Craft Vendors and more. This is a free festival, except for the wine tasting which is a nominal charge. For more information:

Grill Masters Cooking Class – Sunday, May 22 A Grill Masters cooking class taught by executive chef Todd Villani will be held at the Park Avenue Bar & Grill, 3417 Park Ave, Union City. For more information, please call: 201-617-7274.

Cherry Grove Farm

Cherry Grove Farm Cookout – Sunday, May 22

Cherry Grove Farm in Lawrenceville, will have a cookout sale with special guests, food, 40 percent off country ribs (all week long), and cooking demos at 1 and 3 PM with chef Marcia Willsie. 11 AM to 5 PM.

For more information, please call: 609-219-0053.

National Burger Month in Asbury Park: Asbury Park Restaurants are celebrating the entire month of May. Click here for specials from area restaurants.

Rumson’s “Family Night Out” to Benefit Lunch Break in Red Bank.  Tuesday, May 24th, please join in the fight against hunger by dining out in one of our participating establishments in Rumson. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated directly to Lunch Break. Your support will be greatly appreciated!!  Participating Restaurants :  – BARNACLE BILLS — MURRAY MacGREGORS — SALT CREEK GRILLE — WHAT’S YOUR BEEF — VAL’S TAVERN — UNDICI –

Top Chef the Tour: Red Bank, May 26th. Bravo’s fourth annual Top Chef: The Tour. This spring, you can see your favorite cheftestants live 21 cities across the nation. Information on Times and Tickets:

Looking ahead:

ATasteofSomerset

A Taste of Somerset – Monday, May 23 A Taste of Somerset is an annual culinary event that strives to bring people together with great food and for a great cause! Proceeds from this event will benefit the PeopleCare Center for Nonprofits. It will be held at the Palace at Somerset Park from 6 to 9 PM.For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 908-725-2299 or visit www.peoplecarecenter.org.

Beach Ball – Tuesday, May 23 The Atlantic City Country Club of Northfield will be hosting a Beach Ball to benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Southern Branch. The event will take place from 5 to 9PM and will feature food, entertainment, celebrity bartenders, live and silent auctions, and more.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please call: 609-383-8843.

Dessert Wars: Tuesday, May 24th, 2011 from 6-8pm at Branches Catering in West Long Branch. Area bakeries, caterers, pastry shops and restaurants will compete in the Jersey Shore’s first ever “battle of the batter”… Click for more information.

Great New Jersey Hot Dog Showdown: Monmouth Park, Oceanport May 28 & 29. Do you relish great hot dogs and burgers? Kick off the summer by munching on the best hot dogs and burgers from across the Garden State at the Great New Jersey Hot Dog Showdown. Decide which ones cut the mustard and cast your vote. Sample them all, vote for your favorites and enter to win great prizes. Live entertainment, crafters and plenty of fun for the kids plus the ultimate in thoroughbred racing.  Admission included in Monmouth Park entry fee. Food prices vary. www.monmouthpark.com or 732-222-5100 for details.

Fun food fact of the day: Fresh apples float because 25 percent of their volume is air.

Don’t Forget our Restaurant.com Giveaway, going on Now!! Click Here to Enter.

Candida Sadigh, Assistant Editor. Born in Montreal, Canada to an Italian mother and a Persian father, Candida comes from an obscenely large family. Needless to say she grew up surrounded by lots of great food. While she has always been passionate about trying new foods and enjoying favorites, she only began to try her hand at cooking a few short years ago. Her adventures in the culinary arts have drastically enhanced her appreciation for a good meal and, especially, for a creative menu.

Graduate from Boring at Alumni Grill

Elizabeth Norton
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Living at the Jersey Shore, it’s easy to get tired of pizza and cheesesteaks. Alumni Grill in Wildwood takes traditional American cuisine and subjects it to amazing twists and transformations to create an innovative menu that keeps me counting down all winter for opening day. While their menu is packed with flavorful, interesting sandwiches, wraps and burgers, there’s one in particular that’s like nothing I’ve ever had before: The Jekyll & Hyde Cheesesteak.
Jekyll and Hyde Wrap
It looks pretty unassuming (shown here on a wrap so I can tell myself it’s healthy), but wait until you take a bite. It’s 1/2 beef and 1/2 chicken steak with savory bits of bacon tossed in, melted provolone cheese and “special Jekyll Sauce” that makes this cheesesteak unforgettable if not addictive. I’m always full after one half, but it’s so delicious I can’t stop taking bites.

Dodge Balls

Their potato wedges are a popular side, but I recommend everyone try the Dodge Balls. These amazing little things are created by deep frying garlic mashed potatoes until the batter is light and crispy. They come with a honey jalapeno dipping sauce to satisfy any sweet and spicy craving.

Alumni offers an extensive menu of creative American cuisine, including salads, vegetarian and healthy options. They also have the Brain Freeze milkshake bar where you can quench your thirst with a shake or float. Milkshake bar

This year, Alumni Grill has added a food challenge worthy of an episode of Man vs Food. They’ve created a 7 lb monster consisting of 2 Jekyll & Hyde cheesesteaks, a large order of potato wedges with cheese and to complete the challenge, you must wash it all down with a Hank’s root beer float within 20 minutes. If you win, it costs $2. If you lose, it costs $20. The winners’ $2 will go into a pot and the winner with the best time at the end of the summer will win it all!

Alumni Grill
3316 Pacific Ave
Wildwood, NJ 08260
(609) 523-1111

Alison Heller is the Jersey Bites Cape May County Regional Editor. She also writes for Examiner.com and TrendHunter.com. She grew up on the beach in Wildwood Crest and currently works in advertising. After earning her Master of Fine Arts in English and Creative Writing in New York City (a place that was essentially Food Rehab), she stopped putting ketchup on everything and started experimenting with flavors. She loves sushi and cupcakes, sushi that looks like cupcakes, but never cupcakes that look like sushi. www.superalzy.com

Check out our NJ Hot Deal for some of the best food writing in New Jersey: Buy a one-year subsciption to NJ Monthly Magazine today for $9! You won’t get a better price anywhere!

Making Mozzarella Makes For A Good Time at The Grape Escape!

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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This weekend we learned everything you need to know in order to make homemade mozzarella, in only two hours, at The Grape Escape!

This 5,000 square foot Dayton winery hosts many types of classes besides mozzarella making all year long, from wine-making to wine and food pairings, as well as wine infused chocolate making. While these classes can be found on their website, they fill up fast, so register when they become available to secure your spot.

From the onset, we were really impressed with the wealth of knowledge that proprietor and winemaker, Tom Nye, was eager to share about getting the most out of your fresh mozzarella.

First, it is best served at room temperature. Remove it from fridge at least two hours prior to serving. Consume fresh mozzarella within the first week, or freeze it.  Wrap tightly in clear plastic freezer wrap making sure not to leave any air bubbles. Freezing can preserve the cheese for up to six months, but you must defrost properly in order to restore the original flavor and texture. Thaw in fridge for 3-5 days, and then cover it with very warm (not hot) tap water. Wait five minutes and repeat the process by replacing the very warm water. Wait 15 minutes, unwrap and slice.

After going over these basics, he proceeded to demonstrate the Art of Mozzarella Making, using a starter curd from Lioni’s in Union (http://www.lionimozzarella.com/).  It was fascinating to see how the hot water poured against the curd transformed it into a marshmallowy lump.  Tom then stretched it until stringy and finally shaped the cheese into fist sized balls.

Now, it was our turn. All twenty two participants paired off to attempt to replicate the technique. If you are looking for a food exercise that builds your upper arms and shoulders, this is it! If it weren’t for the complimentary glass of vino while we worked, we might not have had the energy to complete our own batch!

In the end, The Grape Escape judged the Best and Worst Looking Balls. (I’m sorry, there’s no other way to say that.) And, yes, Wayne’s were the worst. Really. Not to worry though, we scored a bottle of their house EVOO for being the worst.

We all celebrated our new found skill by sipping a bit more wine and snacking on Tom’s favorite appetizer:  Fresh mozzarella on cucumber slices, drizzled with 15 year old Modena Balsamic Vinegar and Basil Chiffonade.  Very refreshing, and definitely a new favorite treat for us to share with our friends and family!

He also shares these recipes with our JerseyBites fans:

Peppers and Mozzarella

  • 3 red bell peppers
  • 3 yellow bell peppers
  • 3 orange bell peppers
  • 3T Grape Escape EVOO
  • 3/4 t sea salt
  • 3/4t freshly ground black pepper
  • Italian or French Bread, thinly sliced and grilled
  • 1lb Grape Escape mozzarella, cut into ¼” slices
  • Fresh basil leaves, to garnish

Heat your grill to high. Brush bell peppers with 2T of the EVOO and season with 1/2t

salt and ½ t pepper; grill the peppers until charred on all sides.

Remove from grill, place in a brown bag, and let sit for 10 minutes. Remove the skin from the peppers, brush them with the remaining oil and season with salt and pepper, and place back on the grill and cook until slightly charred on all sides.

Slice peppers into quarters or to fit over bread slices. Place a slice of mozzarella over each pepper and drizzle with the (following) Caper-Basil Vinaigrette. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve at room temperature.

Caper-Basil Vinaigrette

  • 3T red wine vinegar
  • 1t Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/4t salt
  • 1/4t freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4C Grape Escape EVOO
  • 2T capers, drained
  • 2T chopped fresh basil leaves

Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. Stir in the capers and basil.

The Grape Escape
12 Stults Road
Suite 101
Dayton, NJ 08810

Home

Anne Galya: Anne and Wayne Galya have found the recipe for a long and happy marriage…sharing a common interest, which in this case happens to be All Things Food. They began their early days exploring cookbooks and attempting to replicate the recipes in their tiny apartment kitchen (kind of like Julie’s in Julie & Julia).  Date nights were visiting strategically chosen restaurants. Here they would sample, savor and critique what they each experienced. Turned out this is what they love to do best! So much so, that in retirement, their calendar is filled with proposed visits to ‘secret’ locations, in hopes of bringing those exceptional experiences to Food Lovers’ attention here at JerseyBites. You can reach them at [email protected]

Win a $50 eGift from Restaurant.com

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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Restaurant.com is all about exploring the local restaurant scene, without breaking the bank, and we here at Jersey Bites really like that idea.  We were thrilled when the folks from Restaurant.com contacted us about doing a Giveaway since food + discounts really makes us smile.

Before we get to the details, why not hop over to Restaurant.com’s Facebook page and “Like” it. They use their FB page to post their special discount codes (which frequently change) so stay in the know on the latest deal codes which range from 60-80% off.   They often do fun contests, promotions, giveaways on both Facebook and Twitter as well!  Ok, go on, hop away, but don’t forget to come back.

(Hmmmm, waiting patiently…tap, tap, tap. Hmmmmm, Hmmmmmm, Hmmmmmmmm. Geez, hurry up already.)

Oh, nice to have you back. Now, on to the details.

On Restaurant.com, users have access to deals at 18,000 restaurants nationwide – we’re talking everything from standard American fare to one of a kind ethnic gems.

We are excited to be offering 2 (that’s two) $50 eGift Cards to two lucky winners for use on Restaurant.com. To enter, just click on this link which takes you to the New Jersey page of Restaurant.com. Find a restaurant that you would like to purchase a coupon for with your winnings and come back to leave a comment with the name of that restaurant.

Be sure to leave your contact email in your entry if your profile doesn’t include one or we will have to pick another number.

You can also gain extra entries by Tweeting, “Liking” on Facebook (see our link below) or Blogging about this Giveaway. You must come back and leave a comment and let us know you Liked this post, or link to your tweet, blog post to be counted.

Deadline for entries is Tuesday, May 31st at 11:59pm. Winners will be chosen with the help of Random.org. Best of luck.

Foodie Things to do in NJ This Weekend and Beyond!

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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Toms River Food Festival:Saturday, May 14th Sample specialty food items, demonstrations, beer and wine garden, free games and face painting for kids. Entertainment by area bands. Also, 95.9 the WRAT Radio personality Rockin’ Robyn Lane and MAGIC 100.1 radio personality Tripp Rogers will be co-Emcees on the stage with prizes and giveaways. Parade will begin at 11 a.m., event runs from noon-8 p.m.; rain date May 15 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753 Downtown Toms River, on Washington Street, between Main Street and Hooper Avenue

Murder Mystery Dinner: Saturday, May 14 Get ready for some thrills, chills… and fine wine?! The Four Sisters Winery is hosting a Murder Mystery Dinner featuring a formal wine tasting, hot buffet, and, of course, a grisly murder for all the guests to solve!  Please call the winery to reserve your seats ! (908) 475-3671 For more information about The Four Sisters winery as well as a listing of their upcoming events, please visit: http://www.foursisterswinery.com/

Buy-Rite & Super Buy-Rite Super Sampling: May 14, 2011 (Sat) from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM. Jersey City, NJ  Over 500 wines, craft beers and specialty spirits. Gourmet food will be served as well. Tickets are $99 and the proceeds will benefit the Sarala Bathena Cancer Fund and the Jersey City Police. Have the time of your life while raising money for two amazing causes. To purchase tickets, click here.

Somerville Restaurant Week: May 14 – May 19 Enjoy three-course prix fixe menus at a variety of excellent restaurants in downtown Somerville. Some participating restaurants include: Gabriella’s Authentic Portuguese Restaurant, Il Pomodoro Restaurant, Mannion’s Pub and Restaurant, The Melting Pot, and many more! For more info including a full list of participating restaurants and menus, please visit: http://www.findsomerville.com/

Looking ahead:

Slow Food Northern NJ Spring American Wine & Farmstead Cheese Tasting
Friday, May 20, 2011

Van Vleck House and Gardens will be hosting a wine and cheese tasting on May 20 to benefit their school garden program. The event will also feature two special guests: Steve Lieder, a wine educator from the Chelsea Wine Vault in NYC, and Daniel Epstein, a cheese monger from Eden Gourmet in South Orange. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.slowfoodnnj.org/

Fight Cancer with Your Fork – Featuring Susan Silberstein, Ph.D.: May 20, 2011 – 6pm-9pm, Jersey Shore Arts Center. 66 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ. . Light Refreshements by Dean’s Health Foods. Violin Concert by Ocean Grove Violin Academy.  Tickets $20 advance register online.

Susan Silberstein, Ph.D. is the Founder/Director, Center for Advancement in Cancer Education Author of the Books Hungry for Health and Hungrier for Heath Nationally-Recognized Lecturer on Nutrition and Cancer Creator of the video, Breast Cancer: The Diet Connection Editor of Immune Perspectives and Global Woman Magazines Phi Beta Kappa and Fulbright Scholor.  Learn what science says about diet and cancer prevention! Learn over a dozen advantages of using nutrition in a cancer treatment program! Learn the best foods and beverages for fighting cancer! Learn how to create an inner environment unfriendly to cancer! For more information, you can use these contacts: Phone: 732-775-1919. Email: [email protected]

Dessert Wars: Tuesday, May 24th, 2011 from 6-8pm at Branches Catering in West Long Branch. Area bakeries, caterers, pastry shops and restaurants will compete in the Jersey Shore’s first ever “battle of the batter”… Click for more information.

Great New Jersey Hot Dog Showdown: Monmouth Park, Oceanport May 28 & 29. Do you relish great hot dogs and burgers? Kick off the summer by munching on the best hot dogs and burgers from across the Garden State at the Great New Jersey Hot Dog Showdown. Decide which ones cut the mustard and cast your vote. Sample them all, vote for your favorites and enter to win great prizes. Live entertainment, crafters and plenty of fun for the kids plus the ultimate in thoroughbred racing.  Admission included in Monmouth Park entry fee. Food prices vary. www.monmouthpark.com or 732-222-5100 for details.
Fun food fact of the day: Lettuce is a member of the sunflower family.

Candida Sadigh, Assistant Editor. Born in Montreal, Canada to an Italian mother and a Persian father, Candida comes from an obscenely large family. Needless to say she grew up surrounded by lots of great food. While she has always been passionate about trying new foods and enjoying favorites, she only began to try her hand at cooking a few short years ago. Her adventures in the culinary arts have drastically enhanced her appreciation for a good meal and, especially, for a creative menu.

Calling North Jersey Biters! Join us at the Second Annual Food Blogger Bake Sale this Saturday, 5/14

Melissa
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Calling North Jersey Biters! Join us at the Second Annual Food Blogger Bake Sale this Saturday, 5/14

Please join the North Jersey editors of Jersey Bites this Saturday, May 14, as they take a bite out of childhood hunger!

The Second Annual Food Blogger Bake Sale, created by Gaby of What’s Gaby Cooking? Blog, will be happening at locations across the country, and Jersey Bites is proud to be representing the NJ team, hosted by Sussex County Editor Amanda from Our Italian Kitchen.  We’ll be set up at Heaven Hill Farm and Garden Center, located at 451 New Jersey Rt. 94 in Vernon, NJ from 10:00 am – 4:00pm.  Click here for a google map link.

While you enjoy a variety of cookies and cupcakes, you’ll also be helping to support  No Kid Hungry, Share Our Strength’s campaign to end childhood hunger in America by 2015. Nearly one in four children in America struggle with hunger, adding up to more than 17 million kids nationwide. Lack of nutritious food in children impairs a child’s ability to concentrate and perform well in school, makes the child more likely to experience headaches, stomachaches, colds, ear infections and fatigue, and leads them to be sick more often, recover more slowly, and are more likely to be hospitalized. (Facts provided by http://strength.org)

We hope to see you at Heaven Hill Farm and Garden Center on Saturday and if you can’t join us, you can still support the cause by donating here. Just $25 helps feed one child three healthy meals every day for a month.

For more info on Share Our Strength, No Kid Hungry or the Second Annual Food Blogger Bake Sale, visit http://strength.org and Gaby’s Bake Sale page.

New Jersey’s Best Wings

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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When it comes to making chicken wings at home, I am obsessed. I have tried all types of sauces and all types of cooking techniques, and to me, nothing beats my deep fryer. 11 minutes exactly at a temperature of 285 degrees, and they are perfectly crispy and golden brown every time. Make sure your wings are dry. Salt and pepper them and toss them in a bag of flour with a little cayenne pepper mixed in. Tap off all excess flour and gently slide into the hot oil. I use canola oil, and make sure it is fresh and clean. Once cooked, place on paper towels until you are ready to toss with your favorite sauce. Don’t toss too far in advance of eating, or you will end up with soggy, pathetic wings (nothing sadder than that).

Up until a few months ago, I always preferred the standard Buffalo Sauce that I took straight off of the Red’s Hot Sauce Bottle. 1/2 cup FRANK’S® REDHOT® Cayenne Pepper Sauce and 1/3 cup melted butter.  Melt butter in a saute pan and add the sauce.

Then I was turned onto what my BF described as a “Memphis Style” sauce he had at a restaurant. He raved about it, and I started experimenting. What we came up with is so damn addicting, no one; not my friends, kids or relatives want any other sauce from here on out.  And, it couldn’t be any easier. Just take the above recipe and add 1/2 cup of your favorite bottled barbecue sauce. I prefer Jack Daniel’s Original. You won’t believe how delicious. Trust me on this and give it a try. I serve with bottled blue cheese dressing that I add crumbled blue cheese to, just because I have to.

I know there are a million and one ways to dress chicken wings. What is your favorite?  We’d love to hear about it. Please leave a comment below.  And don’t forget, if you haven’t voted yet for your favorite New Jersey Wing restaurant, please cast your vote here. Click here to Vote.

Boonton’s Heavenly Temptations On Sweet Mission for The Seeing Eye

Deanna Quinones
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Heavenly Temptations, a vibrant café and gift shop in Boonton, hosted a fundraiser earlier this month to benefit The Seeing Eye. Offering a sugar fiend’s dream of endless dessert samples—from crunchy mini cannoli, powdery Linzer tarts, and tart lemon bread to a fluffy mountain of tiramisu, hunks of chocolate streusel, and irresistible squares of the house-specialty peanut butter pie—along with a basket raffle, a visit from an adorable aspiring Seeing Eye pup, and plenty of good cheer, the “Sweet Treat Night” event raised more than $1,500 for the venerable Morristown guide dog–training organization.

But that was only part of the goal set by Heavenly Temptations owner Ann Cox, who kicked off a campaign in January to raise at least $5,000 for the Seeing Eye by the end of 2011.

Continue

Salt in Byram Township, NJ

DKohler
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Salt is a Gastropub is Sussex County NJ.  Yes, that’s right folks, a Gastropub in good ole Sussex County.  In fact, the owners (Bradley and Laurie Boyle) have determined Salt to be the first New Jersey gastropub!  Now, what exactly you might ask is a Gastropub?  It can simply be defined as, a British term for a pub which specializes in high-quality food a step above the traditional pub grub.

One of the owners, Bradley Boyle, recently competed on an airing of Chopped (one of my favorite shows, essentially it’s a cooking competition on the Food Network).  Although he came in second place, the food served at his restaurant is tops!  Bradley is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY.  Upon graduation he apprenticed at the famed Le Cirque restaurant in Manhattan and then worked in a number of Manhattans finest restaurants before settling down in Sussex County with his partner and wife Laurie Boyle.  Bradley has stepped out from behind the kitchen to manage Salt.  He appointed Tony Mandeville (a graduate of the Johnson & Wales University) to take over the position of Chef.

The restaurant features 6 beers on tap and has over 60 other varieties to choose from.   My husband’s choice on our recent visit: Dogfish Head Imperial India Pale Ale.  His review of the Ale: Refreshing!  They also offer live entertainment every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening.

On our plates that evening for starters was the Salt Salad and Panko Crusted Chicken Strips.  Their signature salad is prepared with fresh baby greens, sliced apples, candied nuts and artisan cheese, tossed in their roasted tomato vinaigrette.  The combination of fruits, nuts and cheese on the salad was scrumptious.  The Panko Crusted Chicken Strips were perfectly crisp and the dipping sauce – delightful.

For our entrees, we moved on to one of the specials for the evening (a Strip Steak) and the Balbriggan Salmon.  The Aged NY Strip Steak special was grilled in a spicy marinade and then placed atop a creamy potato puree with roasted carrots in a rosemary chimi-churri sauce.  The flavors melded together brilliantly.  The Balbriggan Salmon is a regular menu item, of which I savored every single bite!  It as a pecan crusted salmon atop smashed sweet potato and sautéed spinach in a sweet malt vinegar sauce.  Now if only I could get my veggies to taste that good maybe I’d cook more at home!

Danielle Kohler, who grew up in Cedar Grove, is thrilled to be the first Sussex County regional editor for Jersey Bites.  She moved to picturesque Highland Lakes a few years ago and has been enjoying all the area has to offer, which of course includes indulging in the local fare.  In her free time, she and her husband love to soak up the scenery with walks and outdoor activities, as well as, visiting nearby wineries.  Her foodie passion was fueled at an early age by her grandmother’s love for cooking.  Later in life she expanded her palate and culinary inspirations with international travel to Italy, China, England, Mexico and more.  When not spending time with family and friends, Danielle works in marketing for an appliance company in Bergen County.

Opa! Campbell’s Field Goes Greek in Camden

Colleen Wood
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Kuzina Express Riversharks
The Riversharks took their first win of the 2011 season on Tuesday night in a victory over the Long Island Ducks. Two home runs by the home team weren’t the only big plays at the home opener as Kuzina Express hit one out of the park in the concession’s debut. While a smaller ballpark, Campbell’s Field has a certain majestic quality that reveals itself after you climb the stairs to the main concourse and the landing opens to the bright green diamond and massive Ben Franklin Bridge backdrop. Walking down the right side of the concessions–past the Bud Light Dugout where the sponsor drink is $1 on Tuesdays–you’ll find the franchise’s newest addition.

The stadium’s outpost of Cherry Hill’s Kuzina by Sophia introduces an elevated level of cuisine to the Riversharks’ offerings. The menu focuses on what Assad Khoury, co-owner of the restaurant with wife and chef Sofia Karakasidou Khoury, referred to as Greek street food–gyros, falafel, a cheese-filled sesame bread stick called koulouri that I will have to return to sample, and spanakopita among other choices. Assad walked me through my Kuzina Express experience explaining their process for creating chicken gyros with such full flavor and tenderness it is amazing they refrain from being greasy. The secret is in the layering of white and dark meat.

Kuzina ExpressI also had the opportunity to try the spanakopita with layers of buttery filo wrapped around a thick spinach center, the traditional beef and lamb gyro with tangy tzatziki sauce, and iced coffee with homemade baklava. To be honest, I had to wait until I got home to dig into dessert partly because it is a bit difficult to eat in the stands but also because I just didn’t have any more room! While prices are standard at $5-$7.50, the portions are bigger than most park menu items and are a substantial enough dinner to break from the hot dogs and french fries.

The partnership was a natural pairing for the restaurant with Sophia’s culinary vision and Assad’s catering experience and knack for networking. “It’s always been in the back of my mind. I do a lot of networking and at one of these South Jersey chambers’ luncheons Drew Nelson (Riversharks Corporate Partnerships Manager) was at my table,” Assad explained. “He said we have this opportunity and that’s how it started.”

Assad expressed the couple’s excitement at the new venture and hope that Kuzina Express at Campbell’s Field is the first of future outposts, including possibilities across the river.

Με πάρτε έξω στο παιχνίδι με μπάλα! (Take me out to the ball game!)

Kuzina Express

Campbell’s Field

401 North Delaware Avenue

Camden, NJ 08102

For schedule and park times: www.riversharks.com

www.kuzinabysofia.com

Colleen Wood, regional editor for Camden County, maintains her blog jerzEATS.com by making food discoveries and retrying old haunts in and around New Jersey.  She loves a good deal and learning how to make restaurant dishes at home. After spending her college years up at Boston University earning her journalism degree, Colleen returned to our great state as a marketing assistant by day and dance teacher and restaurant enthusiast by night! A foodie by birth, Colleen credits her mother for her love of good food and talent in the kitchen, and hopes they’ll one day get to open a bake shop!

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