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Time to take some “Jersey Bites” from some Fresh Picked Jersey Apples!

Tom
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Weather.com forecasts daily high temps in the 75 F range for the balance of September.

This cool down upon us is perfect for getting out and enjoying the numerous apple festivals occurring NOW in the Garden State!

This weekend you can Pick Your Own at Terhune Orchards in Princeton NJ, varieties being picked this weekend are Gala, Jonamac, Jonathon, McIntosh, and Liberty – all great apples! Hours are 9AM to 5PM daily and there are free wagon rides on the weekends.

Two of my favorite Apple Festivals are hosted by Terhune Orchards in Princeton and Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck.

Terhune’s Apple Day Festival is September 18 and 19th 10 AM to 5PM

Delicious Orchards Apple Festival is September 18th and 19th 11AM to 4PM

Easmont Orchards is the “Original” Delicious Orchards, located in Colts Neck and they offer fantabulous “Pick Your Own” Apples!

For a complete list of Pick Your Own farms in New Jersey go to Pickyourown.com

If you like incredibly juicy Asian Pears the Best in the United States are grown in Hamilton Township, New Jersey at Evergreen Farm.  You need to see this place! This Korean Owned farm, pictured above utilizes an amazing trellis system! Be warned, they are closed on Saturdays.

Tom Kovacevich is in the wholesale fruit and vegetable business in Philadelphia. His company, TMK Produce, distributes top quality produce to retailers and food service companies up and down the east coast. In 2008, Tom started a blog at BestFruitNow.com as a way to share his thoughts on what fruits are best each month. Geared for consumers, BestFruitNow.com also offers tips on how to select and prepare the fruits being recommended. An avid cook, gardener and all around foodie, Tom regularly travels the world meeting with growers ever learning more about his passion for fresh produce.

This is New Jersey: 9/11 Memorial Mount Mitchill, Atlantic Highlands

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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Photo by John

Of the 2, 595 lives lost in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on 9/11, 674 were New Jersey residents.  147 of them lived in Monmouth County where this monument was erected in 2005 at the top of Mount Mitchill in Atlantic Highlands, overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

The monument centers around a sculpture of an eagle flying away from Ground Zero by artist Franco Minervini. In its talons it clutches a piece of a steel beam from one of the World Trade Center towers.  The memorial actually has three symbolic components.  In addition to the Eagle sculpture there is a time-line walkway to recollect the day’s events and a stone base carved with the names, ages and hometowns of the county residents who lost their lives.

It is one of those places you have to visit, sit and remember.  My son was only 4 months old on 9/11.  This is a place I will take him to help him understand the impact of that day on the lives of so many innocent people and their families.  Our prayers are with all of them today and every day.  God Bless.

“This is New Jersey” is our Saturday “way of life” feature bringing you images of New Jersey that may be new to you or at least a reminder of all that is wonderful about New Jersey.  We welcome submissions from photographers and amateur photographers, so please send us your photos.

5 Foodie Things To Do in Ocean County This September

John Fusco
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Photo by Joan Manzo

So the calendar says September, and the summer tourists have all gone home, making it a little bit easier for the locals to navigate the roads and enjoy some beach time while there is still some decent weather to be had. And while you enjoy zipping around the traffic-reduced highways and byways (legally, of course – we at JerseyBites do not advocate speeding), here are some food events to point your car in the direction of this month:

Island Beach State Park is a wonderful place to enjoy the sun, sand and sea during the summer. It is also the location for the annual Beach Plum Festival, which will take place on September 12. Ever want to make jelly out of beach plums? Now you have your chance. And even if you don’t, there will be lots of other activities in which to participate.

Seafood lovers from far and wide make their way to Point Pleasant Beach every September for the annual Festival of the Sea. This year the event will take place on September 18, and as always will feature local restaurants doing all things seafood – lobster, crab cakes, chowder…and even a few non-seafood items get slipped in for good measure. This festival is quite heavily attended (in the tens of thousands), so you might want to look into using the shuttle service that will be available.

Two things that the Greeks do as well as about any other ethnic group: they eat well, and they know how to have a good time. That is why Greek festivals are usually quite the treat. The Greek Festival at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Toms River, which will run from September 23 to 26, will be four days of great food, rides, music, dancing…all the fun stuff you could want in a festival. If you have never been to a Greek festival, you really need to experience this for yourself.

Listen up: forget those guys on ‘Jersey Shore’…how about some swine you can really enjoy! I am, of course, referring to barbecue that has been cooked low and slow by folks who know their way around a grill. The second annual Que By The Sea in Seaside Heights will take place from September 24 to 26, and it is not just fun and games. No sir – this is a serious competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society that will judge competitors on their chicken, ribs, pork and brisket. But the real winners here will be you, the tasting public.

Finally, we head back to Toms River on September 25 for their annual Pizza-Pasta-Pastry Italian Food Festival. As the name indicates, there will be plenty of pizza, pasta, and Italian pastries on hand for you to enjoy. Feeling a little competitive? Try your hand (and your mouth) at the pizza and pasta eating contests. Or maybe check out the pasta making demo. Or even try out for the US Pizza Team! The choice is yours, but always remember to take the cannoli.

John and Lisa Howard-Fusco Regional Editors, Ocean County.  Although they and their two kids call Ocean County home, their John and Lisa Are Eating in South Jersey food blog has them traveling all over the southern region of New Jersey.  They and their blog have been mentioned in articles by the New York Times, Courier-Post, nj.com and njmonthly.com.  Lisa has written articles and reviews for South Jersey magazine as well as for Ed Hitzel’s Restaurant Newsletter and Hitzel’s Restaurant Magazine.  And John could use a Gaetano’s cheesesteak right about now.

Bistro 44 in Toms River

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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Having watched Toms River chef, Erik Weatherspool, dice the competition on The Food Network’s “Chopped,” I decided that I had to try his Washington Street restaurant, Bistro 44. My dining partner and I were not disappointed. The food was sublime, the upscale atmosphere relaxed and the service impeccable.

I’ll start with the most important part of the meal: dessert. Our curiosity was piqued. We ordered the Orange Tiramisu and the Citrus Basil Crème Brule. Our waitress was absolutely spot-on with her recommendation of the Tiramisu. The creamy filling and lady fingers were divine with a bright orange flavor that lingered on the palate, not overly sweet or creamy, perfectly balanced. We were a bit disappointed with the Citrus Basil Crème Brule.  The sugar was slightly overcooked so the burnt flavor overpowered the delicate basil custard.

For our lunch entrees, I ordered the Tilapia Salad with heirloom tomato, corn and sunflower seeds and vinaigrette dressing. The fish was perfectly seasoned, flaky and moist. The light vinaigrette didn’t overpower the delicate greens and accented the tomatoes (my first heirlooms of the season).

My dining partner had the Crab Cake Salad, which came with two small crab cakes on a bed of mixed greens, cucumbers and tomatoes with a vinaigrette dressing. The salad was enjoyed with a cup of corn and crab soup which had large chunks of crab and wasn’t overly creamy; light but filling and very tasty.

We left full, but not stuffed, having had a perfect summer lunch. We agreed to add this to our list of great places in the area and look forward to going back (hopefully the Tiramisu will still be on the dessert menu).

Bistro 44

44 Washington Street
Toms River, New Jersey

Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Regional Editor Ocean County, is a true Jersey girl. Raised in Marlboro,Vikki  has lived in the area her whole life. She loves to experiment in the kitchen and is happiest when feeding a houseful of friends and family. A journalist for 10 years, she now serves on the staff of the Princeton Packet. Vikki is happiest on the road, so it should be no Surprise she is a travel agent specializing in Disney destinations.   Follow her on Twitter @vikkihs.

This is New Jersey: Goodbye Summer

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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I love this picture of our niece taken in Point Pleasant Beach.  She was getting ready to head back home to Maine and saying Goodbye to the Jersey Shore.  I think her posture says it all.

“This is New Jersey” is our Saturday “way of life” feature bringing you images of New Jersey that may be new to you or at least a reminder of all that is wonderful about New Jersey.  We welcome submissions from photographers and amateur photographers, so please send us your photos.

Bites from the Editor

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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September is here, so regrettably it’s “so long summer.”  Actually, as a year-round resident of a summer vacation town, I can say that I am not completely mourning the end of summer.  Don’t get me wrong, we welcome the tourists (well their money really) but when Labor Day hits and the boardwalk, restaurants and streets become our own once again, we weary locals come out of hiding to safely travel our quiet streets and leisurely stroll our boardwalks and beaches.   September is our best kept secret.

So, it is with a glad/sad heart that I say Good Bye to summer and say Hello to all the yummy fall weather and farm fresh foods that still await us.  I’m still waiting on my very lazy heirlooms to get their buds moving and there’s still plenty of great barbecue weather ahead for all of us too.  Football season has already hit my house with plenty of sweaty practice gear to wash and testosterone to temper.  Oh, and school starts in a week. I love September.

On Jersey Bites we’ll be settling in to some great dining adventures.  Melissa Yurasits will be dishing about her latest visit to the Brownstone Diner and Pancake Factory in Jersey City. Allison Heller will be checking in from Breakfast in the Sky- a high end breakfast on the Giant Ferris Wheel at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood and pigging out at a local pig roast in Natali vineyards in Cape May.  She’ll also be giving us the scoop on Smitty’s in Somer’s Point and a new crepe place called Crepe May- cute huh?  Tom Kovacevich our resident produce expert will be talking about juicy Jersey Apples and I’m looking forward to whipping up some new recipes which I will be sharing with all of you.  I have a fabulous onion ring recipe that I’ve been meaning to share which may find its place in your lineup of great football watching munchies.

And lastly, we will be running a Crazy giveaway this month.  10 jars of pickles and salsa, 1 of each variety from Crazy Steve’s Pickles. If you missed our review and interview with Crazy Steve himself, check out this post.

So summer is over. Here’s to a fabulous fall.  Get out and enjoy and keep us informed on your adventures on our Facebook page. We love your inside tips on everything edible in the Garden State, so don’t be shy.

Greek Taverna Thanks Montclair With Second Annual “Greek Night”

Rachel Bozek
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Free food. Good, free food. Good, free, Greek food. It sounds too good to be true, but on a damp August evening in downtown Montclair, it was reality. On August 24, Greek Taverna’s second annual “Greek Night” drew a crowd of more than 1,100 hungry guests, many of whom waited upwards of 90 minutes in line for a few minutes at the generous buffet.

Peter Hajiyerou, who owns and runs the restaurant with his wife, Wei Chen, said the event came together with the hard work of their staff and some helpful family members. He went on to explain, “We had about ten servers, eight cooks, my wife and me, and the hostesses.” In addition, he said, two of his uncles and his brother helped to keep everything running smoothly.

“Our kitchen was ready for this event,” Hajiyerou told me. “On Sunday and Monday, [the staff] stayed until two o’clock in the morning to get everything ready. We bake everything, and our salad is made to order. Everybody had something to do, including me.”

Live music played for much of the evening, and the main room was decked out with balloons, an open space for dancing, and a lively crowd. While visitors seemed OK with waiting it out in the on-again, off-again rain, I noticed servers delivering samples of spinach pie to the patient, grateful groups at the end of the line. Once they made it to the buffet table, guests were rewarded with options including skordalia, Greek salad, spanakopita, lamb stew with orzo, pastitsio, and moussaka.

So why did Peter and Wei open the Greek restaurant in the first place? “I was tired of going to Astoria,” Hajiyerou said. “Everything you see is what I like. Authentic, what my mother and grandmother used to make when we were little kids.”

I kept waiting for the catch. Were they going to hit people up for donations? Didn’t happen. Were they trying to promote some other, unrelated event? Nope. This now annual celebration is just a kind gesture to a supportive community. Of the crowd, Hajiyerou said, “We want to make sure they leave happy.” Mission accomplished.

Greek Taverna
292 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair
973.746.2280
greektavernausa.com

Monday through Thursday: 11:30 am to 10 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 am to 11:00 pm
Sunday: Noon to 10 pm

BYOB. Private party room available.

Greek Taverna also has a location in Edgewater (201.945.8998), and a Glen Rock spot will be opening later in 2010.

Special thanks to Anthony Bianciella for his photos of the buffet offerings and dancing. Check out www.anthonybphotos.com to see more of his work.

Rachel Bozek is a freelance writer and editor based in suburban Essex County. She grew up in Bergen County, and has lost track of how much time she’s spent on LBI and in the Wildwoods. Her search for the perfect pancake continues. www.rachelbozek.com

The Readington River Buffalo Company

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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This two hundred and forty acre farm in Readington Township is home to approximately 150 Bison and is the only one of its kind here in New Jersey.  Owner, Erick Doyle, and his family bought the state owned land at auction in 1995.

I asked Erick how he learned to be a Bison farmer.  His answer: “On the job training.”   His family had previously owned a small farm (approximately 100 acres) where they raised some cattle.  When they decided to buy the present property, it was time to do some fast learning on how to raise this new breed of bovine. His first Bison Farm “starter kit” as Erick called it, consisted of 12 cows and one bull.   When I asked about their temperament, he said “They’re wild animals.  We try not to get too close to them. When we need to handle them, we start days in advance.”  They manage the animals through a series of pens which are designed for the round up.

Obviously, I am not a vegetarian, but I am selective in the meat I eat and make it a point to buy from farmers who believe in humanly raising their animals.  Purchasing grass fed, free range meat and poultry is my goal. And, its not always easy to find.  The Readington River Buffalo Company sells their meat on premises in their little red store.  All product is frozen.  They also sell at the Montclair Farmer’s Market as well as the Flemington Farmer’s Market, but as we speak, the farm is launching a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture program which will  probably do away with the need for their retail store.  The way a CSA works is a farmer offers consumers “shares” of their product.  The Readington River Buffalo Company will charge $750 for six packages of Bison meat.  This is a 10% discount from the retail value of the meat.

We came home with Bison hotdogs, sausage, Rib Eye steaks and hamburgers, oh, and ravioli.  We grilled the Rib Eyes the other night.  I was expecting a gamey taste, but this is not the case at all.  One tip I did learn from a certain Food Network chef recently, is to not trust lean meats too long on the grill.  The time it would normally take to grill a regular fat marbled, steak on the grill, is not the same when it comes to Bison.

And, I must add this meat is not cheap.  The retail price of the Rib Eye steak was $20.99 per pound, but the way I look at it, a pricey cut of quality meat helps the Man and I remember portion control.  Splitting a steak, rather than scarfing down a whole one, is better for my wallet and my wasteline.

If you have the mind to try some Bison, don’t delay.   Take a ride to the Readington River Buffalo Company as soon as you can.  It’s a gorgeous drive with plenty of road side produce stands and hand written signs for Fresh Eggs.  For more information about their CSA, you can contact them by phone.

Readington River Buffalo Company, LLC
http://www.njbison.com/

937 County Route 523
Flemington, NJ 08822
908-806-0030

Farm Photos courtesy of Chantale Taurozzi of ChanTzi Photography.

So, what is the difference between a Bison and a Buffalo? Interested? check this great explanation.

Deborah Smith is the 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

Product Pick: Two Guys Jersey Tomato Sauce

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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I have a new love in my life; well, actually two new loves. My first introduction to the Two Guys Jersey Tomato Sauces was when their PR company sent me a bottle to sample several months ago. I loved the sauce, but life got in the way and I sort of forgot about writing a review. Not sort of, I did forget. But when I bumped into the owner at the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival (and happily saw them doing so well), I remembered my review. So yesterday, when I saw a bright red stack of the jars at my local Foodtown, I knew it was time to give these boys the credit they deserve. I bought two jars and taste tested to my hungry heart’s content.

The Two Guys Sauces proudly display the “Jersey Fresh” seal (for tomatoes). The ingredients couldn’t get any simpler: tomatoes, onions, garlic, imported Italian olive oil, fresh basil, sea salt, fresh oregano, and black pepper, and with no added sugars or preservatives.

The result is a fresh, clean, robust, homemade flavor. I tried their Spicy sauce first and, let me tell you, they’re not fooling around. I am a huge spicy food fan, and this stuff leaves a nice sting—not too overpowering if you can tolerate heat; if you can’t, stick to their Marinara or Tomato Basil. Last night I tossed the Tomato Basil sauce with some browned ground lamb, olives, and crumbled goat cheese over whole wheat pasta. It was out of this world. Give that one a try if you like lamb.

Owners and Jersey natives, Scott Stark and David Stoff  have done Jersey proud with their new line of sauces. Make room at your dinner table for Two Guys Tomato Sauces and you won’t be sorry. For a list of stores where you can find the Two Guys Jersey Tomato Sauce, click here.

Deborah Smith is the 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

This is New Jersey: Readington River Buffalo Company

Deborah Smith, Executive Editor
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Mooooove over Bessie, there’s a new girl in town and she’s ready for her close up.  This up close and personal shot of the Bison on the Readington River Buffalo Company was taken by my son on a recent trip to meet with the farmer and learn all about New Jersey’s only Bison Farm.  We’ll be giving you the whole scoop in Monday’s post.

“This is New Jersey” is our Saturday “way of life” feature bringing you images of New Jersey that may be new to you or at least a reminder of all that is wonderful about New Jersey.  We welcome submissions from photographers and amateur photographers, so please send us your photos.

Pic-A-Lilli Inn in Shamong or should we say, Shawing!

Beth
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The Pic-A-Lilli Inn (or “Pic’s,” as it is known locally) is a roadhouse bar/restaurant located in the New Jersey Pine Barrens on Route 206 in Shamong. Pic’s has a long history dating back to the 1920’s, when Route 206 was a dirt road. The restaurant has been owned by the same family for five generations. While all of their food is tasty and tempting, they are particularly well-known for their wings. Beer lovers will be happy to find ten different beers on tap too.

We dined at the Pic-A-Lilli Inn recently with our friends Sue and Steve. After starting our meal by splitting two delicious salads and an order of onion rings, it was time for us to make our wing decisions. Mild, hot, spicy, or scorchers? Ears, tails or wings? (Ears are breaded cutlets with wing sauce and tails are chicken breast tenders with wing sauce.) Blue cheese, celery or extra sauce? No matter what we decided, we knew from past experience that the wings would be tender, moist and delicious. We were not hungry enough for the largest order of wings. However, when our son Michael and daughter Meghan joined us, they miraculously managed to finish the large order, which is proudly served in a dog bowl!
In addition to having great wings and warm, friendly service, the Pic-A-Lilli Inn is also known as a live music venue, with local bands featured on a regular basis. If you are heading to the Cape May county beaches, camping at Atsion campground, or are just tooling along the back country roads of the Pine Barrens, you will find Pic’s to be an oasis of cool drinks and hot wings. Directions and more information about the Pic-A-lilli Inn can be found at the following link: http://www.picalilli.com/

Beth Christian subsisted primarily on cheeseburgers and liverwurst sandwiches during childhood and refused to try most new foods.  Her culinary horizons were expanded during her college days in Schenectady, New York, where she learned the joys of trying slow-simmered Italian dishes, Szechuan cuisine, and everything in between.  When not engaged in the practice of law in Monmouth County, Beth is busy scouting out interesting restaurants,  farmer’s markets and food purveyors near her home in Burlington County. Beth’s primary dining sidekick is her husband John, but she also enjoys having her daughter Meghan, son Michael and her wonderful friends come along for the ride.

Calling all cooks!

Lisa Gray
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Tomato

Bring your best tomato dishes to the Stockton Farmers Market on September 12, 2010 at 1:00p.m. and compete to win great prizes, including the complete set of Canal House Cookbooks, a gift certificate to the Cookery Ware Shop, and a Market Basket including locavore items from vendors at the market (including a gift certificate from my own Half Pint Kitchen ice cream and sorbet stand — I recommend cashing it in for some Salted Caramel.)

There will be four categories: Best Savory Tomato Dish, Best Sweet Tomato Dish, Best Tomato Drink, and Best Overall.  Judging will be done by some super-foodies in the area, including Melissa Hamilton of Canal House Studio. Space is limited, so reserve soon. It’s $10 to enter (all money goes to the Market Music Fund). Hope to see you there — I’ll be snapping photos of the winning dishes to show off here on Jersey Bites.

Tomato Recipe Contest at the Stockton Farmers’ Market
19 Bridge Street, Stockton, NJ, 08559 (in the old Errico’s Grocery Store)
Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
To Enter: Email Dawn McBeth at [email protected]

Robin Damstra is the Regional Editor for Hunterdon and Mercer Counties. She also writes for her food blog, Caviar and Codfish, where she shares her culinary discoveries and gorgeous food photography.  She currently lives in Stockton, New Jersey and runs The Half Pint Kitchen, a small-batch ice cream, gelato, and sorbet shop inside the Stockton Indoor Farmers Market, open Fridays-Sundays during market hours.

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