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Foodie Things to do in NJ This Weekend and Beyond!

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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Third Annual Great American Bake Sale:  Saturday, May 7,  From 10AM – 3PM Little Achievements in Roxbury will be hosting their third annual Great American Bake Sale. The bake sale to benefit Share Our Strength, an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger.  For more info, please visit: http://gabs.strength.org

Jersey Burger Day: May 7th is our self-proclaimed Burger Bites Day. Since May is National Burger Month we here at Jersey Bites have decided to spread out and sample some of the best Jersey has to offer.  Our team members will be picking their favorite places to get their burger on, and we invite you to get in on the Patty Party. Whether your burger is vegilicious or double beef with a side of pork, we want to hear about it. Facebook and Twitter (#jerseyberger) will be our “Burger Bites” headquarters for the day. Tune in, upload a pic of your burger destination and give us a peek at what you decided was your ultimate Burger Bite. If you need help finding a place for a great burger, check out the results of New Jersey Monthly’s Best Burger Competition.

Mother’s Day Early Lunch Cruise: Sunday, May 8  Come down to the Lincoln Harbor Marina and take your mother on a lovely cruise around the harbor. An early lunch will be served, buffet-style. There will also be an interactive DJ and dancing. A late lunch cruise is also available. For more info, please call: (201) 333-8600

Mother’s Day Luncheon Buffet: Sunday, May 8, The Four Sisters Winery in Belvidere, NJ will be hosting a Mother’s Day buffet with live music, wine by the glass and tour of vineyards and wine cellar. For more information, please visit: http://www.foursisterswinery.com/

Looking ahead:

Whole Foods Market Edgewater – Strawberry Smackdown! Tuesday, May 10, 2011 May is national strawberry month, one of the tastiest on the calendar! Whole Foods in Edgewater will be hosting a competition to create the ultimate strawberry dish. The public is encouraged to try their creations and vote for their favorites. Each person who votes is automatically entered to win a strawberry themed prize as well as a Whole Foods gift card! For more information, please visit: http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/edgewater/

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: In an authentic Chinese meal, the last course is soup because it allows the roast duck entree to “swim” toward digestion.

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.

Cupcakes By Carousel in Ridgewood, Sweet Treats For Mom

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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In today’s epic battle for cupcake supremacy, Cupcakes By Carousel in Ridgewood deserves a medal of honor. Just like your Mom.

That’s why we asked the owners of this tiny shop, to give us a special deal for Mother’s Day. $10 for $20 worth of amazing, unforgettable cupcakes or towards the purchase of any cake in the store.

In the trademark brown and pink box, these colorful little cupcakes and other sweet delights will help you score brownie points with the most important gal in your life.

A little background: Two years ago, the family-owned Carousel Cakes, baking for everyone from Zabar’s to Museum Of Natural History, opened the little cupcake store on East Ridgewood Avenue, next door to the movie theatre.

The store attracted our attention for its good deeds; donating thousands to charity from special cupcake sales, supporting the United Way, the battle against breast cancer, and camps for children who’d lost their parents.

In a short while, Cupcakes By Carousel earned a stellar reputation. Everyone in town knows the place. Especially the chocolate lovers.

The dark chocolate frosting will transport you –this is a dessert fantasy. The cake has just the right amount of fluff, to off-set the dream toppings. They’ve got everything from upscale Hostess (our favorite) to Red Velvet, and S’mores. Click here and scroll down to see the rest of the menu.

The cupcakes are miniature versions of the cakes (also featured at the shop) that have made fans across the country, from The View, to Oprah’s “O” List, to Zabar’s. With these great ingredients they are not inexpensive. And they rarely offer a deal like this.

Click here to purchase your $10-for-$20 coupon. You’ll thank us, and so will Mom!


Cinco de Mayo Jersey Style

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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Senoritas, Bloomfield, NJ:  Senoritas will be hosting an outside party with a beer garden and taco bar. It will also feature a DJ and a temporary deck outdoors. Drinks for the event will be readily supplied by their four bars, three inside and one outside.  Call (973) 743-0099 to make your reservations!

The Red Cadillac, Union, NJ: The Red Cadillac will be open at 11:30am on May 5th to kick off their Cinco celebration. There will be specials on tacos and tequila all day in addition to free prizes and giveaways. At 6:00pm the Jose Cuervo Tequila Girls will drop by to give away more prizes and tequila shots. And don’t miss their first ever taco eating contests!
Call (908) 349-8411 for more info!

Branches, West Long Branch, NJ:  Branches will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring tapas and samplers in their Waterfall Garden, a selection of classic cocktails, and a sumptuous three course dinner.  Call (732) 542-7790 to make your reservations!

Rattlesnake Ranch Café, Denville, NJ:  This Cinco de Mayo celebration lasts until Saturday, May 7th. All three days are chock-full of specials on Corona, Cuervo, and Dos XX as well as numerous prizes and giveaways. But be sure to drop by Thursday to see the Corona girls! Call (973) 586-3800 to make your reservations!

Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser at Bright Side Manor, Teaneck, NJ:  For a little change of pace, why not attend the Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser at the beautiful Bright Side Manor in Teaneck? Thursday, May 5 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Proceeds from the dinner with benefit Bright Side Manor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to affordable assisted living. (Rain Date: May 12, 2011 at same time) Call (201) 692-1000 to make your reservations!

Loaded Guacamole

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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My “Loaded Guacamole” is a regular party favorite. Since Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, I thought it was time to share.  Here’s my guarantee, you will be the hit of any party you attend or host, promise.  Now, I know the whole 7 layer Mexican dip thing is very popular, but I find them to be a bit annoying (and oh so 5 years ago). Way too much mayo and forget getting all 7 layers on your chip before the whole thing gets swallowed up and you look like an idiot with a half empty chip in your hand.

My solution, store bought Guacamole (good store bought) and lots of added goodies on top. (If you insist on fresh made Guacamole, awesome, buy those avocados 2 to 3 days in advance and place them in a paper bag. Last resort you can Microwave but not recommended.)

For my latest variety, I added fresh squeezed lime juice, chopped cilantro, sliced black olives, sauted red onion, yellow and orange bell peppers, and fresh tomatoes. Add grated Cheddar cheese, sour cream, Queso Manchego, scallions, black beans, whatever floats your Mexican boat. This is a never fail hors d’oeuvre and just in time for that Cinco de Mayo party you have in the works.

The store bought brand I prefer is Wholly Guacamole. They have not paid Jersey Bites, contacted Jersey Bites or even heard of Jersey Bites, so no disclosure required. This is my personal recommendation. I get Wholly Guacamole at Costco in a 3 pack and keep it in the freezer. You can defrost on the counter or in the microwave. For other locations, check their site.  If you have a favorite Guacamole brand, leave a comment, I’m sure our readers would appreciate it. Enjoy!!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo.

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

Bites from the Editor: May

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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Even though I sniffle my way through May, it is still one of my favorite months. The smell of newly cut lawns and lilacs with a hint of charcoal and fresh laid mulch in the air always resurrects pleasant childhood memories for me.  Unfortunately, for me “the grownup” May is a busy month of painting and power-washing, pool openings and planting, but I never miss the opportunity to stop and marvel at all of the new growth. (Especially after this past winter.)

Here on Jersey Bites, we are celebrating some growth of our own. We are excited to announce a few big developments this month, starting with our new partnership with NJMyWay.com, New Jersey’s first daily e-newsletter offering the scoop on shopping ideas, getaways, spas, things to do every weekend, nightlife… and much more.  Jersey Bites is now the official source for food news and restaurant reviews for NJMyWay and we will be cross promoting their exciting NJ Hot Deals along with offering banner advertising on both sites. Look for our first deal on Wednesday, May 4th.

We are also thrilled to roll out this month our very own Restaurant Directory.  Restaurants will be able to add a listing in the directory which will include a photo, Google Map link, search engine optimized listing and a link to their website.   Readers will  be able to locate the latest restaurants by county, town, and cuisine type.  If you would like to be notified when this new service launches, please send us an email to [email protected], subject: Restaurant Director.

May is also the month for our big Restaurant.com giveaway. Restaurant.com, is all about exploring the local restaurant scene, without breaking the bank.  We like that and are excited to be offering 2 $50 Gift Certificates to Restaurant.com.  Look for the giveaway to launch on May 16th.

In the meantime, we’ve got some great posts coming your way. We’ll be sharing some special Cinco De Mayo celebrations going on throughout the state.  And, May 7th is our self-proclaimed Burger Bites Day. Since May is National Burger Month (you did know that didn’t you?) we have decided to spread out and sample some of the best Jersey has to offer.  I will be visiting Smashburger in New Providence, our team members are picking their favorite places to get their burger on, and we invite you to get in on the Patty Party. Whether your burger is vegilicious or double beef with a side of pork, we want to hear about it. Facebook and Twitter will be our “Burger Bites” headquarters for the day. Tune in, upload a pic of your burger destination and give us a peek at what you decided was your ultimate Burger Bite. If you need help finding a place for a great burger, check out the results of New Jersey Monthly’s Best Burger Competition. There are also some restaurants doing some fun things in honor of Burger Month, like Iron Horse Brewery’s 31 Different Burgers for Each Day of the Month. May 7th’s Burger is Hickory Burger with house-smoked pulled pork, sharp cheddar and barbeque sauce. OMG, I want a picture of that one.  So, we’ll be wiping our chins and chatting it up on Facebook. Please join us.  If you haven’t “Liked” us yet, please do. Facebook.com/JerseyBites and on Twitter.com/Jerseybites. Let’s use hashtag #JerseyBurger shall we?

As we all know, May is that bridge month between Spring and Summer with the final crossover culminating in Memorial Day Weekend. Our own, Alison Heller, from Cape May County will be taking one for the team and covering the Curley’s Fry Fest that weekend.  She’ll also be dishing up a great recipe for barbecue sauce and a review of the “Jekyll and Hyde” Cheesesteak at Alumni Grill in Wildwood.

Danielle Kohler will be reviewing “gastropub” Salt, in Byram Township.  If you don’t know what a “gastorpub” is, well, I guess you will just have to come back to find out. (Yeah, you could Google it, but what fun is that?) Our South Jersey girl, Beth Christian, took an enticing visit to the Philadelphia Chocolate Tour which will be hearing about as well as her Weight Watchers atonement post of figure friendly BBQ recipes. John and Lisa Fusco will be reviewing Shut Up and Eat! in Toms River (you don’t get any more Jersey than that, do you?) and paying a visit to Cowabunga Ice Cream in Forked River to sample some of their “designer” ice cream. I’m sure their son is going to hate that assignment. Colleen Wood from Camden County will be going to opening day for the Riversharks to check out Kuzina’s new concessions at the ballpark.  As always, we will be bringing you more restaurant spotlights, as well as visits to the area Farmer’s Markets and our recommendations for seasonal picks and how to prepare them.

And, lastly, we must not forget our ongoing “Jersey’s Best Wings” competition. I’ll be sharing my favorite wings recipe here this month, but we want to know where you like to go for your favorite chicken wings. If you haven’t voted yet, Click Here, for the survey.

As you can see we’ve got a busy month ahead. We hope you’ll join us as we grow here on Jersey Bites and discover all the best New Jersey has to offer. If you would like to be a “food writer for a day” please take part in our Burger Bites Day on May 7th and send us your pictures and burger reviews.  Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mom’s out there and happy Memorial Day. See you in June.

Special Note: I am very proud and honored to be representing Jersey Bites at the Governor’s Conference for Women in Atlantic City this Tuesday on a panel about the power of Networking. If you are attending, please be sure to say Hi. I’d love to meet you.

Foodie Things to do in NJ this Weekend and Beyond!

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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St. Andrew’s Episcopal Chruch – Wine, Beer and Cheese Tasting :Friday, April 29, 2011. With ten different vendors in attendance, this event is sure to be a hit. Sample a variety of wines, beers, and cheeses, as well as an assortment of appetizers, desserts and coffee. The event is taking place at St. Joseph’s Halloran Hall in Lincoln Park, NJ.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Susan Leeds at (973) 696-0369

The Mill at Spring Lake Heights: Friday, April 29 (101 Old Mill Road, Spring Lake Heights) 29 from 6:30-8:30.  They are offering a sampling from the following breweries: Erie Brewing Company, Beach Haus Classic American Pilsner (a NJ owned brewery), Blue Point Brewing Company, Cricket Hill (a NJ brewery), Brooklyn Brewery, Flying Fish, Sierra Nevada,Sam Adams.  This is a casual event where company reps will be on hand to answer questions about their products.  Bottles only as The Mill doesn’t have a draft.  Tickets are $20 (+ tax) in advance or $25 at the door.  Call 732.449.1800 to purchase tickets

Taste of Asbury Festival: Saturday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Asbury Park.  Rain date is Sunday, May 1.  Growing in deliciousness each year, Taste of Asbury Park 2011 features your favorite go-to restaurants from the thriving Asbury Park restaurant scene: Old Man Rafferty’s, Synaxis, Munch, Lailia’s, Bond Street Bar, Belmonte’s, Stella Marina and Brick Wall plus newcomers FISH, Brando’s, DJ’s Delight, Asbury Blues and Johnny Mac.  New this year, A Taste of Asbury Park will offer sips too, as it debuts a spectacular new VIP Wine Tent sponsored by Living In Media to complement the many good tastes visitors can enjoy all day long. Sample from more than six of New Jersey’s finest wineries, including Unionville and Auburn Road Vineyards. For more information click here.

Shad Fest 2011: April 30-May 1, 2011  Shad Fest 2011 Lambertville, New Jersey: 12:30-5:30 pm both days – no fee for admission – rain or shine! Each year the festival highlights our region’s arts community, the City of Lambertville, the Delaware River, and of course, Lambertville’s favorite fish, the Shad.

Slow Food Northern: Annual Meeting & Local Foods Picnic Lunch On Sunday, May 1, 2011 from 1-4 PM . $12 SLOW FOOD members. $18 non-members, $37 non-members (includes meeting and $25 membership) BUY TICKETS NOW. 1-2:00PM Local Foods Picnic & Social Hour. 2-4:00PM Annual Meeting–DETAILS BELOW. 4-5:00PM Tour Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, if you like

Looking ahead:

Mother’s Day Cooking Demo: Monday, May 2, 2011. Signature Kitchens, Inc in Hawthorne will be hosting a cooking demo with Chef Blazena Federer. The demo includes a three course meal prepared by the chef. Tickets are $65 per person. For more information, please visit:

Chef’s Gala to Benefit Table to Table: Thursday, May 5, 2011 Drew Nieporent is the guest of honor at this event which is being held to support the Table to Table organization. Guests will have the opportunity to try a number of dishes prepared by award winning chefs including Anita Lo from Annisa, David Burke of David Burke Towhouse, and Peter Kelly of Xaviars, among others.  For more information, please visit: http://www.tabletotable.org/

Whole Foods Market Edgewater – Strawberry Smackdown! Tuesday, May 10, 2011

May is national strawberry month, one of the tastiest on the calendar! Whole Foods in Edgewater will be hosting a competition to create the ultimate strawberry dish. The public is encouraged to try their creations and vote for their favorites. Each person who votes is automatically entered to win a strawberry themed prize as well as a Whole Foods gift card!

For more information, please visit: http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/edgewater/

Fun food fact of the day: Coca-Cola was originally green.

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.
Send your Food event updates to [email protected]

A Budget Friendly and Delicious Italian Dinner

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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It’s been a very long time since I have followed a recipe to the letter, but when the recipe comes from America’s Test Kitchen, I don’t feel the need to mess with things on the first try.  This past Saturday as I tried in vain to burn a few calories on the treadmill, I watched their Italian Comfort Classics episode from beginning to end. And, consequently, hopped off the treadmill and headed to Shoprite.  (Hopping off the treadmill and grocery shopping burns calories folks, I promise. )

If you’ve never caught an episode of America’s Test Kitchen, you should.  I just love their Saturday Night Live’ esque intro. What I really love about the show is that they test many versions of one recipe until they come up with the winner and then explain why that particular recipe version worked the best. So, its interesting and educational.

On Saturday’s episode, they demonstrated Chicken Canzanese and Creamy Polenta. I added a side of Garlicky Broccolini to round out the dish.

What I loved about it:

A.  Its inexpensive. Eight chicken thighs cost pennies less than $5 at Shoprite. Polenta, a couple bucks for a bag that will last months probably. The amount of prosciutto required is minimal. The only relatively expensive ingredient is the 2 cups of white wine.  All the other ingredients I had on hand either in the garden or pantry. If you don’t have fresh sage and rosemary growing, it will obviously be more expensive to make. (Tip: Plant some Sage this year. It comes back year after year, and is wonderful in so many ways. The same goes for Oregano. You can read more about my love affair with fresh herbs here.)

B. I love a dish that starts on the stove top and finishes in the oven. You can sit down with a magazine and a glass of wine and relax while dinner cooks and makes the house smell amazing.

and C. It was delicious. The skin is so crispy you can hear it crackle as you fork each piece onto the plate. The sauce is aromatic and glossy and elegant. It elevates the $5 chicken thighs to restaurant worthy fare. Pair it with the Creamy Parmesan Polenta and Garlicky Broccolini courtesy of Rachel Ray, and you have one crowd pleasing Sunday supper.

Notes: I had to brown chicken in batches, and it took 7 minutes on the first side to get them as brown as demonstrated in the video. I recommend watching. It will make preparing the meal a breeze. If you give it a try, please come back and leave your comments. Did you pair it with something else? Please share your tips with our readers.

 

Ready or not, Spring Beers are here

Peter Culos
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As Spring still struggles to free itself from Winter’s icy grip, New Jersey’s brewers have been hard at work producing offerings for milder temperatures. In fact, some Spring beers have already come and gone with Summer selections starting to trickle in. For instance, I really wanted to try Ramstein’s Maibock, but I couldn’t find it locally. I’ve heard good things about it so grab some if you can find it. So, without further ado, here’s what I did find locally…

First up is Boak’s Double BW. Billed as a “twisted Belgian style wheat beer” I figured this was a good choice for celebrating the end of winter. It pours out clear and light golden yellow in color. Promising. A quick sniff reveals the Belgian yeast with a tart banana scent. There’s a definite citrus character and maybe some green apple. Next comes a little ginger spice and the wheat rounds it out in nice dry finish. This is a subtle beer, so think mild seafood and salads.

The next beer to gallop up is River Horse’s Double Wit. Brewers love to double up everything these days, so it was only a matter of time until someone got around to a Wit. It’s deeper amber color is evidence of the double billing. This is a pretty complex beer. I got a cotton candy sweetness in the nose, but you may get something else entirely. It was surprisingly spicy and tart up front with a boozy sweetness following. The finish was definitely dry though. I told you it is complex! Go ahead and pair this beer with more full flavored foods. It’s robust and versatile.

The final beer to surface is Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale. Ok, I know it has the word “summer” in the name, but when I think “farmhouse ale” I think of Spring. That said, my tasting tells me that this one might be better left until it’s 80 degrees and sunny. It pours a shade lighter than the Wit, but the nose is far more neutral. There is some faint tropical fruit flavor that gives way to tart peach. It has a thin mouthfeel and is very subtle so it takes a while for the flavor to come through. A great refresher after mowing the lawn and should be paired with milder foods.

That’s it for my tasting. What have you found? Just about every brew pub in the state has some form of Spring seasonal, so drop me a line and let us know what you liked.

Pete’s pick:

After my tasting, the first beer I reached for was the Riverhorse Double Wit. Dinner was ready and I knew it would go great with whatever was coming out of Debbie’s kitchen!

Peter Culos is the editor of “Beer Bites,” our 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.

This is New Jersey: Cherry Blossoms

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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These beautiful pictures were taken by a fellow blogger known as SaucyB from “Life of SaucyB” at Branch Brook Park in Newark during the 35th Annual “Cherry Blossom Festival.”  There are more than 4000 Cherry Blossom Trees in the park. Click on the link for more photos and even a Cherry Blossom Wallpaper for your computer.

“This is New Jersey” is our Weekend “way of life” feature bringing you images of New Jersey.  We welcome submissions from photographers and amateur photographers. Contact info (at) jerseybites.com.

Foodie Things to do in NJ This Weekend and Beyond!

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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Joe’s Crab Shack Opening : April 19 – 30, 2011: Joe’s Crab Shack is celebrating the opening of their newest New Jersey location in Clifton. Stop in before April 30th to donate to No Kid Hungry, Share Our Strength’s anti-childhood hunger campaign. Each donation made will get you a coupon for various items off of the menu.  Visit Joe’s Crab Shack’s website for more information: http://www.joescrabshack.com/

Looking ahead:

Blue Moon Mexican Café: Community Night Monday, April 25, 2011 : On Monday, April 25th Blue Moon Mexican Café in Wyckoff will be hosting a Community night during which 20% of proceeds will benefit the Relay For Life team. Please be sure to print out a flier and show it to your server.  Fliers can be found at: www.bluemoonmexicancafe.com

The 7th Annual Family Connections International Tasting Gala

Wednesday, April 27, 2011  Join Family Connections for their 7th Annual Tasting Gala. Donations to Family Connections are tax-deductible and help to ensure that this organization can continue to provide essential services to children and families. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit: www.familyconnectionsnj.org/

Fun food fact of the day: In the United States, a pound of potato chips costs two hundred times more than a pound of potatoes.

The Second Annual Long Branch Chef Challenge April 28th, 2011

This event is a fantastic opportunity to experience local fare at its best as the top chefs of Long Branch, NJ compete for the title of Best Dish at the Second Annual Long Branch Chef Challenge. Guests will have the opportunity to sample all of the competing dishes as well as meet the artists behind them.

For more information or to purchase your tickets, please contact Susan Woolley or Nancy Kleiberg at 732-222-0400 or email them at [email protected]

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.

Shake Up Your Easter Menu with Some New Side Dishes

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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Have you been serving the same menu for Easter for more years than you can count? With a few variations from a traditional Easter menu, the celebration will be a memorable one. Tradition is an important part of any holiday. Feature a few Easter favorites and highlight the menu with some Spring-inspired twists to liven up the menu. Most Easter tables will include a honey-baked ham, a roasted turkey or an herbed leg of lamb. A couple unique salads would be welcome additions to your holiday table. Serve Honey Dijon Spinach and Apple Slaw and Roasted Beets with Green Beans and Goat Cheese and they are sure to become new Easter favorites.

Honey Dijon Spinach and Apple Slaw

Try this alternative to traditional cole slaw that includes baby spinach, apples and sunflower seeds tossed with a sweet and tangy dressing.

Serves 6

For the dressing –

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

3 tablespoons sour cream

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 – 2 tablespoons half and half or milk

salt and pepper to taste

For the Salad:

8 cups of baby spinach

2 cups of shredded cole slaw mix

1 large apple, julienne

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

In a small bowl combine the ingredients for the dressing. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the spinach, cole slaw mix, apple, onion, and 3 tablespoons of the sunflower seeds. Set aside.

To serve, toss spinach mixture with the dressing. Sprinkle the remaining sunflower seeds and serve immediately.

Roasted Beets with Green Beans and Goat Cheese

Serves 6

4 beets, trimmed of leaves and stems

olive oil

1 ½ pounds green beans, trimmed

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup olive oil

4 ounces goat cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place beets in a small baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Roast for about 45 minutes or until tender. Remove from oven and let cool. Peel beets when cool and cut into large dice. The beets will stain whatever they come in contact with. Wear disposable or rubber gloves to keep your new manicure looking its best.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for about 3 – 4 minutes until they are just tender crisp. Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.

In a small bowl combine the balsamic vinegar, mustard oregano, salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil to combine. Adjust seasonings. Set aside.

In a large bowl, place the green beans and top with the roasted beets. Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the vegetables. Crumble the goat cheese over the top and serve at room temperature.

For more Easter Menu Ideas, check out our posts from years past. Easter Menu

Amy Casey has had a lifelong love of food. It began at an early age with many hours watching Julia Child on The French Chef and learning to cook from the many fabulous cooks in her family. Her love of food lead her to become a personal chef, and she is the chef/owner of EAT! A Personal Chef Service in northern New Jersey, and also a member of the United States Personal Chef Association. Always wanting to share her love of food, she chronicles her collection of recipes in the blog Dinners for a Year and Beyond.

Bibi’z Restaurant in Westwood – Versatile, Wallet-Friendly Menu

HeidiR
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Bibi’z Restaurant I Lounge, the three month old “Global American” 210 seat restaurant that opened in the space formerly occupied by Mountain House Pizza, offers diners an array of wallet-friendly, palate-pleasing options.  Owner Ida Assaf, whose restaurant experience includes former GM posts at Napa Grille in Paramus and 90 Grand in Englewood, brings her parents’ Lebanese and Jordanian background into play and allows 26 year old Paramus-native executive chef Bill Kang to freely interpret.  Kang hails, according to Assaf, from NYC’s Gramercy Tavern, where he was lead line cook.  Assaf makes dining room rounds, greeting regulars and introducing herself to diners — a welcome touch.

Look for the unexpected at Bibi’z, from the name, which stems from Assaf’s young nephew’s version of sweetie blended with “z” (symbol for the “ohm” symbol, to corn dogs (more on this later), to organic and locally sourced ingredients to an extensive wine by the glass list which emphasizes alternative grapes and smaller wine houses.  It’s all part of the plan for Assaf, who already has plenty of regulars who enjoy the dimly lit, modernist ambience, which has been “refreshed” sparingly from the former tenant’s space, conveying a hip, adult vibe.   The diverse, versatile menu which freely blends Nibbles ($5 each, ranging from hot kettle chips, minty yogurt dip and chickpea masala to cauli fries), with moderately priced appetizers like steamed mussels with Palestinian sausage and T-Bone lamb chops, ranging from $11-$16.  This is where the corndogs come in.  Don’t think this is kid stuff:  Assaf is a big fan of franks and she challenged Kang to come up with something adults would dig, the latter using corn bread batter dipped fried beef wieners.  Corn dogs are almost as popular, Assaf says, as Grilled Garlic Shrimp or Wild Mushroom flat bread personal pies.

Bibi’z menu encompasses brunch options on Sundays, although it remains the same for lunch and dinner.  This makes low-fare options like salads, from a sumac and lemon-tangy dressed chopped version to fork-n-knife Caesar attractive.  All can be topped with grilled proteins like chicken (add $5) or shrimp, salmon or skirt steak (add $8).  The Classic Hamburger ($11), weighing in at 8 oz. includes addictive hand-cut canola fried fries, plenty of toppings and housemade steak sauce.  It’s a more traditional sandwich compared to lamb sliders ($9) or Spicy Korean Pulled Beef ($11) served with kimchi, coleslaw and cucumber.  Pastas can be order in half ($10) or whole ($18) portions and include vegetarian, whole wheat offerings along with protein-imbued options like meat lasagna and chipotle chicken penne.

The Grill portion of the menu devotes itself to fresh, sustainable fish ranging from swordfish over spring peas, arugula, Sojuk, figs and orange ($29) to pan-seared scallops with mushroom polenta and brussel sprouts ($25.)  Poultry items include organic pan-seared duck breast served with a duck filled egg roll alongside baby bok choy ($25) and free range roasted chicken ($18).

My companion and I, both meat eaters, opted for the New Jersey grown lamb shank ($19) which was intensely flavored and succulent, served atop buttery mashed potatoes and plenty of nicely reduced pan-jus.  The skirt steak (10 oz.) was full of flavor and nicely crusted, was served with fries and brussel sprouts and a sassy housemade chimichurri sauce.  Veggie sides ($6) are abundant in variety, from sautéed beet greens to grilled asparagus, so patrons can easily mix them with Nibble items if they want to keep things in the small plate mode and vary tastes and textures.

We started with the appetizer special of potato pancake topped with crème fraiche, smoked salmon, nicely oily and chive topped.  The crab cake didn’t disappoint, with a crusty exterior, tasty watercress salad and chipotle mayo for dipping.

Things I love about Bibi’z?  The fact that they filter their water and provide in still or bubbly varieties, so trucked in bottles aren’t necessary.  The coffee service ($3.75) is well thought out, an intensely flavored American brew presented with little dishes of shaved chocolate, lump brown sugar and whipped cream, a trio of pleasures.  Desserts, ranging from $7-9, are locally sourced as well, if not prepared on premises.  Ice cream from Conrad’s of Westwood is offered, along with a buttery, not overly sweet apple tart tatin and lovely flourless chocolate cake.  The patio overlooking the parking lot will eventually feature outdoor seating, making it a relaxed place to spend an afternoon or balmy evening.  Local emphasis on provisions, whether from a Paterson Lebanese bakery or butcher shop, area farms and meat producers or sandwiches prepared on Trader Joe’s bread, make Bibi’z a place worth visiting, whether you are local to Bergen or visiting from out of town.

Bibi’z Lounge
284 Center Avenue

Westwood, NJ
201-722-8600

www.bibizlounge.com

Heidi Raker Goldstein is our Bergen county regional editor.  A locavore, cooking enthusiast, publicist and mother of three junior gourmands, Heidi is equally comfy in greasy spoons and high-end restaurants.  When not visiting local farmers markets and farm stands in Bergen and Rockland counties, this New England native, former Manhattanite and Bergen county resident is busy running her PR and green marketing agency, Raker Goldstein & Co., buying food, planning menus, cooking food, writing about food or simply eating.  To reach Heidi, email her at [email protected].

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