February 6th, 2011
My mother in law, Louise, is an excellent cook. I can say that I have learned from her style of cooking; then as I usually do, I make it my own. The original celery and cabbage casserole is her recipe. If you like celery and cabbage then I think you will like this recipe. It is so easy, goes well with grilled foods or with turkey or pork. In my household I fix it, sometimes, when I want a meatless meal. Add a salad and some crusty bread. A few ways to make it your own is to add a little bit more of this or a little less of that.
I had to stop and think about these 2: celery and cabbage. I found interesting information that I would like to pass on to you. You might start liking these vegetables.
Celery comes from the same family with parsley and fennel. The leaves are high in vitamin A. The stems are full of B1, B2, B6; lots of potassium and plenty of amino acids.
A lot of vegetables lose nutrients during cooking, but not celery. Its compounds hold up well during the cooking process.
It is also said that celery lowers blood pressure but its juice helps in other conditions including cancer. Why? Apparently, it contains ant-cancer compounds. One of those compounds is acetylemic, which has been known to stop the growth of tumor cells.
I also did not know that celery is among the group of foods, headed by peanuts, that appear to cause the most allergic reactions. This allergy is found mostly in Central Europe. Here, in the U.S. the peanut allergy is more prevalent.
Cabbage is popular in Central and Eastern Europe. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, has anti-inflammatory properties and it is low in calories. It has a chemical which boosts DNA repair in cells and also appears to block the growth of cancer cells, among other health benefits.
The recipe is very adjustable. You can make it for a crowd or just for a few. If you like more cabbage than celery, then you know what to do, or if celery is your favorite then add more.
Celery and Cabbage Casserole
4 cups of cabbage (thin strips)
2 cups of chopped celery
1 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine (a bit more if you like)
salt and pepper to taste
At this point, pre heat oven to 350 degrees. On a large frying pan, medium high heat, melt butter and saute celery and cabbage for a few minutes. Season it with salt and pepper, if you would like to. Do not over cook.
Place in a baking dish.
Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 tablespoon flour (I use gluten free flour)
1 1/2 cups of milk (either fat free, low fat and whole; your preference)
1 small jar of chopped roasted peppers (pimentos), with juice
salt and pepper to taste, if you want to
Tabasco, a few drops
Crackers, crushed for topping (saltines, or gluten free, bread crumbs)
Paprika
In the frying pan, melt butter in a medium low heat, then add flour and whisk it into the butter. Slowly add the milk to start making the sauce. If you need more milk because it is getting too thick then, by all means, add it. It is going to be delicious, don’t worry. Then once you have the sauce going add the jar of roasted peppers (pimentos) and keep whisking it. Add the Tabasco. More kick? Then, more Tabasco. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, if desired. Pour over the celery and cabbage and mix it in. The cracker topping should be very light. Then, sprinkle the paprika to give it more color.
Place it in the oven for about 25 minutes. If you are doubling this recipe then you will have to leave it in the oven longer. Just until the topping gets nice and brown but not burned.
If you decide you like this recipe then you can add a little sprinkle of parmessan cheese; not much. The original recipe does not have cheese.
Last week I was in the mood for roasted turkey. Yes, my oven was fixed and this recipe was my side dish.
Note: Information for this post was taken from www.juicing-for-health.com .
Have a great day!!…..talk to you later…
February 3rd, 2011
To plunge or not to plunge? I have never done it. This is an event that brings so many people to our beaches. It is for a worthy cause; The Special Olympics Delaware. The whole week-end will be filled with activities starting tomorrow, Friday, and then end with the much awaited culmination of the Polar Bear Plunge in the frigid waters of the Atlantic.
Besides the Polar Bear Plunge Festival, there are other activities in town, as well. If you are visiting the Delaware beaches this week end, you will be surprised as to how crowded our beaches are getting during the week-ends. It is almost like everyone is so sick of the snow that they have to get out of town. We are happy to have you. Come on down!!
Friday, February 4th – Sunday, February 6th – Dirty Blonde at the Clear Space Theatre Company located at 20 Baltimore Ave. Friday and Saturday shows will start at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday’s show will start at 3:00 p.m. Tickets? On line at www.clearspacetheatre.org , or by phone 302-227-2270, or, just visit the Box Office Friday from 9 until 5 p.m.
Dirty Blonde intertwines 2 stories – Mae West’s life and a contemporary love story between two die-hard Mae West fans.
Saturday, February 5th – 2nd Run to the Plunge 5K Run/Walk – at 1:00 p.m. Whether you are a serious runner, casual jogger or would just enjoy a brisk walk for a good cause the Run to the Plunge is the perfect way to warm up. If you want an application just go to www.seashorestriders.com. In the website you will find everything you need to know about the Run to the Plunge.
Registration will be available on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s registration will be open from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Atlantic Sands Hotel. On Saturday, registration will open at Noon until race time in the 40 x 40 tent on Rehoboth Avenue next to the Bandstand.
The course will be the same for runners and for walkers. Really, go on the website mentioned for more info. You can also contact Tim@seashorestrider.com. Tim Bamforth can also tell you how to join the club.
This organization, Seashore Strider Running Club started in 1988. It pretty much serves Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, Delaware. Because we are in a resort community, for visitors from Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and beyond Seashore Strider Running Club offers its activities to all of our visitors that share a common interest in running and fitness.
Please check their website and most of all their calendar. They offer so many running events throughout the year. You might want to come to the beach just to participate in one of them.
Getting back to the “coolest” event of the year in more ways than one I can tell you that I don’t know if I could jump in. You see, my ideal water temperature in more like 75 degrees. Last year there were 2,683 Bears that plunged in water temperatures of 42 degrees. The air temperature was 48 degrees. And over $500,000 were raised for Special Olympics Delaware.
 No Polar Bear Plunging in the warm waters of Delray Beach, Florida For all the festivities concerning the Polar Bear Plunge please go to http://www.plungede.org. This event is actually called the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge. It is just that they plunge in Rehoboth Beach. This year they are celebrating 20 years and they will keep plunging away as long as all of us participate.
The official Lewes Polar Bear Plunge will be Sunday, February 6th at 1 p.m. but on Saturday, February 5th from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. is the Polar Bear Cake Off. This particular event will take place at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center right in town. Again, I urge you to visit the website to get all the particulars. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun plus it is free and the spectators will be able to vote for their choice of Best Polar Bear Cake. Cake Boss: Next Great Baker contestants are coming to Rehoboth to plunge. I am telling you, check the website.
All of it is for a great cause, Special Olympics Delaware. They have been changing the lives of people with intelectual disabilities. “Through sports training and competition in 20 sports, over 3,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities have proven that, given the chance, no disability is too great to overcome.” For more information on Special Olympics Delaware, their history, how you can help, please visit www.sode.org. Questions? Please e-mail info@sode.org or 302-831-4653.
Note: Money raise from the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge has made such a dramatic difference. They have tripled the number of athletes in the past 7 years from 1,100 to 3,500. From 9 events to 35 events.
There are 17 states the hold Polar Bear Plunges to benefit their own programs. Delaware’s Plunge remains one of the most successful.
Have a wonderful week-end….I will talk to you later…
January 31st, 2011
If you are on Facebook, you know that there is a “wall” where you state your status. Well, I can tell you loud and clear that my status is “I love Scrapple”. No, they did not have it in Puerto Rico when I was growing up. They still don’t have it but that would be the perfect place to introduce it. It might go well with their “morcillas” which are blood sausages.
I ate scrapple for the first time here, in the States, and fell in love with it immediately. Today someone told me that she needed to acquire a taste; not me. Another one, Colleen, told me that she did not like to eat something with that much fat. Well, it has less fat than bacon.
I like it in different ways. One being as a side dish; crispy and thin. The other one is a scrapple sandwich. I like thin, white bread and I again, will have the scrapple very thin, crispy and a dollop of ketchup. Hey, that’s my taste.
 Scrapple just starting to cook
 Scrapple, thin and crispy I few of my good friends get together from time to time for breakfast at Crystal in Rehoboth Beach. They don’t mind me mentioning their names, Roberta, Debbie, Missy and at times Alice will join the group. I always say I am not having scrapple. I need to be on a diet; but the moment Missy asks for a side order of scrapple I can’t help it. I immediately order it myself, as well. No willpower, really.
When I heard that Dirty Jobs was doing the show on scrapple I could not believe that my favorite Rapa Scrapple was not the one. Then I read than the nephew submitted Hughes Delaware Maid Scrapple, located in Felton. That is where the show will take place tomorrow on the Discovery Channel at 9 p.m.
A good friend, Tyler, sent me the promo link http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110128/entertainment/101280304.
Giant is the market where I buy pretty much my groceries and they sell Rapa Scrapple, Milton, and Kirby & Holloway.
Rapa is my favorite but that is my personal opinion. Rapa Scrapple has been in business since 1926; Ralph & Paul were the two brothers that started this pork product. The location is Bridgeville, Delaware and it is the largest producer of scrapple in the world. Please visit www.rapascrapple.com. The website is full of information including a recipe for Scrapple Breakfast Burrito.
Every year the town of Bridgeville hosts the Apple Scrapple Festival. Every year I say I am going but never go. It celebrates the town’s heritage of apple orchards and scrapple manufacturing. It is usually held in October. Maybe this year Missy and I will make it.
The Delaware News Journal mentioned some of the restaurants in Delaware that take scrapple seriously. But, one of those mentioned, Helen’s Famous Sausage House in Smyrna, takes it to a different level; a Scrapple Sub for $7.20 that has 4 slabs of scrapple, accompanied with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, hot peppers, sweet pepper, mayo or oil.
I am writing Rapa Scrapple. Because of one ingredient, wheat flour; anyone with a gluten allergy cannot eat this delicacy. I hope they can make one substituting the wheat flour for rice flour or any flour that is gluten free for that matter.
Cannot wait for the show tomorrow. Should be interesting.
Talk to you later….you know I will…..
January 30th, 2011
I did not know what heading to give this post but I think the one I finally gave it was perfect.
I was driving north on Rt. 1 today and the combination of a cold winter’s day, the snow geese and all the vast farmland reminded me how lucky I am that I can call Delaware home.
I grew up in the island of Puerto Rico but I have now lived in Delaware longer than I lived in the “Isla del Encanto”.
Delaware is a Small Wonder. It is also one of those states that have everything. It is small, that, it is, but I like it that way. Delaware has so much to offer, the arts, museums, hotels, Dover Downs (NASCAR), entertainment, medical facilities, air force, beaches, bays, the Lewes Ferry, historic towns, fishing, surfing, crabbing, quaint coastal towns, farmland, poultry, low property taxes, no sales tax and even gambling.
I love the idea that I have so much space. Delaware is pretty much flat; more so where I live, in Sussex County. You can see for miles. Todays was such a day. While I was driving I came upon a gigantic flock of snow geese. For a moment you would have thought it was snow.
The snow geese breed in Greenland, Canada, Alaska and the northeastern tip of Siberia; winter in warm parts of North America.
They mate for life, feed in flocks, nest in colonies, migrate in large flocks, and females will return to the place they hatched to breed. The young feed themselves but will stay with their family until they are 2 to 3 years old.
I pulled to the side of the road and got out and then they were all over. Here are the pictures of these geese.
A few hours later, at dusk, I saw one of the big airplanes of Dover Air Force base coming back to the base. The scenery at that time of the evening was just so pretty; a day’s end.
Peaceful…have a good one…talk to you later….
January 27th, 2011
Back on October 26, I wrote a post on a furniture consignment shop called Seaquels in Ocean View, Delaware. The store is owned by Cindy and Kathy. By the way, if you want to see that post just click on the month of October, 2010 and scroll down to the 26th.
These two ladies sent me an e-mail. They thought I should go and visit White Orchid Interiors as possible material for my blog. They thought the store looked beautiful and readers might like to find out that there is another choice for their decorating needs, among the ones that already exist in our Delaware beaches. Word of mouth; again, is the best advertisement.
Well let me tell you more about White Orchid. First of all, it is located at 83 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, DE 19970. Tel. is 302-541-4044. Website? www.whiteorchidde.com. It is so easy to get to because all you have to do if you are driving on Rt. 1 is get to Bethany Beach and right there at the intersection of Rt. 1 and Rt. 26 just go west for about 2 miles and you will see it on the right hand side of the road.
It is a house and at the beginning I did not know where it was but once I saw it I, definitely, knew where I was.
Because this showroom was a home, it has that look and ambiance; you move through the different rooms of a house. Even though it is an interior design shop, furniture, home accents, and art are available for purchase on the spot.
Nothing makes a store shine more than the people that work in it. In this case the owner, Leslie Bixler. It was the first time I had met her and immediately I felt at ease with her. She is friendly and exudes confidence. You can tell she loves what she does. She is not new at this type of business. Leslie ’s background is in retailing, marketing and advertising. And she is a very busy lady.
The store features metals, natural seagrass, lamps, luxury bedding, designer pillows, and mirrors, among many other accessories.
White Orchid Interiors is eclectic and stylish; the way the store is decorated radiates proportion and symmetry.
Leslie offers services like residential space planning, custom window treatments, paint consultation, wallcoverings and in home design services.
Most important is that her designs skills cater to a variety of interior styles while working within your budget. I remember one time a friend of mine who is a decorator told me that if your budget has no limits then for a designer it becomes a very easy job. It is when a limited budget is in place that a designer really becomes a creator of sorts; innovative, showing taste, style and class.
Her local art is original; one being the watercolors on her wall. They are by Dorothy Harrison Braun, who is her mother. Mrs. Harrison offers private and group instruction and you can call her at 302-539-2045.
I took so many pictures thinking I would only put a few on my post. But, I really liked them all and what better way to show White Orchid than by showing some of the pictures of this very unique interior design shop.
As I was leaving I kept thinking about my own style. It is a mix of several styles which make my own look, I guess. Casual and easy; that’s it.
I also remember reading a quote “Style comes from within and is a reflection of your character and preference”. Could not have said it better myself.
Have a good one!!…Talk to you later….
January 26th, 2011
Looking out my window…. all I see is dark skies, rain, wind; probably cold, but have not been outside yet even though, Addy, my dog, is looking at me with skeptical eyes.
I had not posted a recipe that I made the other day because I was looking for the perfect day; I think today this post is perfect.
The recipe has Ancho Chili Powder. If you are wondering if it is going to have too much heat, don’t worry because ancho chili powder is a ground powder made from the poblano pepper. It is called ancho when it is dried. It is also dark, smokey, with rich flavor. It is considered mild, so perfect if you don’t like too much heat; just enough. There are times when a poblano pepper could have more heat than usual, though. You won’t find that in this dish.
The recipe also uses Cumin Powder. This spice has origins from the East Mediterranean to East India; used in many types of cuisines.
During the Middle Ages it was thought that the use of cumin would keep the chickens and lovers from wandering…..
It is also the second most used spice, after black pepper, in the world.
Years ago I went to a cooking class given by Gretchen at a home in Bethany Beach. I have modified this recipe here or there a bit. Yes, made it my own. Here it goes:
Ancho Chili and Black Bean Chicken
4 boneless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lbs)
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup green pepper
1 tablespoon fnely chopped jalapeno (to taste, or not at all)
1 tablespoon Ancho Chili Powder
1 tablespoon Cumin Powder
1 1/2 cups chicken broth (I used low sodium, organic)
1 can petite diced tomatoes, drained
1 can cooked black beans, undrained
cilantro, optional
Cubed avocado for garnish
You can either prepare the dish with the whole boneless chicken breast or cube them, like I did. If you like thighs better then get the ones that are already deboned; you will get more meat.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. If you are on a low sodium diet, then you know what you need to do.
In a heavy skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium high heat. Add chicken and sear until well browned on both sides. Transfer the chicken to another plate.
Then, reduce heat to medium.
Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet. Add 2 cloves of garlic, 1 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup green pepper, 1 tablespoon of chopped jalapeno, if desired.
Then saute for a couple of minutes. Add 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder and 1 tablespoon of cumin. Continue to saute on that medium heat until fragrant.
Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, bring to a boil and add 1 can petite tomatoes, drained. Bring to a simmer. Cook until slightly thickened; about 6 minutes or so. Then add 1 can black beans.
Return chicken and juices to the skillet; reduce heat to low.
Simmer until heated through; nice and hot. At this point, if you would like to add the cilantro, then do so. Serve it over rice and garnish with cubed avocado.
Rice: You can use any rice you like. I used on this particular night a blend of black and mahogany rice, Lundberg Black Japonica. It is grown in the Sacramento Valley.
Please note that this recipe is gluten free.
Just remember, make the recipe your own. You have the basic recipe, but if you like more juice, or less beans, or more tomatoes, then experiment and enjoy it.
Have a great day….talk to you later….
January 22nd, 2011
I knew Em-ings was having a pig roast on Friday. I was waiting for that day; had that craving. Em-ing’s has been around for a long time. And, once a month they have a pig roast. The way it works is that you go inside and pick your sides; you get 2 and then go outside and they have the roasted pig right there for you.
The problem on Friday was that it was very cold, therefore, they carved the pig in the back kitchen. It did not matter because people wait for that day; cars were pulling in and leaving with carry out.
Em-ing’s is located at the corner of Rt. 113 and 610 in Bishopville, Maryland. Tel. 410-352-5711. Website? www.em-ings.com. You can also find them on Facebook. By checking the website you will find that you can also order baked hams and turkeys, among other things.
From Rehoboth Beach there are a few ways to get there. I like more the scenic route so I took Rt. 1, by the beach and went south to Bethany Beach, then turn right on Rt. 26, went for a few miles and turn left on Rt. 17 towards Selbyville. Turn left on Rt. 113 and Em-ing’s is at the next intersection. Sounds complicated; it isn’t. When you live here, at the beaches, you drive up and down and driving half hour is nothing.
The way they usually set up the pig roast, weather permitting, is like this:
During warmer months, there is an outdoor area where you can sit out and eat. Pretty much people just take carry out, I think.
Sandwiches, platters, wings, meal deals, specials are all shown in their website and facebook.
You can buy 1/2 pints, pints, 1/2 gallons and gallons.
They have beef ribs, country style ribs, St. Louis style ribs, baby backs, pork and chicken barbecue, chicken salad, beef barbecue, beef brisket and chitterlings.
In case you do not know what chitterlings are, well, they are the intestines of a pig that have been prepared as food. In many places it is eaten as part of the daily diet or at special events, holidays or religious festivities.
The sides include Dutch cole slaw, creamy cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, tropical fruit salad, pasta salad, baked beans, mashed potatoes, greens, green beans and macaroni and cheese. Their corn bread and bread pudding; delicious. You just have to exercise a bit more after eating all this.
They bake their own breads, pies and cookies.
  
During the week there are specials Mondays through Fridays and for $6.99 you can have:
Mondays – 1/2 chicken with potato salad, roll, butter and slice of pie.
Tuesdays – country style ribs, macaroni salad, roll, butter and a slice of pie.
Wednesdays – 1/2 chicken, pasta salad, roll, butter and a slice of pie.
Thursdays – pork barbecue, cole slaw and a slice of pie.
Fridays – 1/2 chicken or country style ribs, barbecue beans and a slice of pie.
Daily soup and sandwich special for $6.75 will give you a choice of chicken salad, hamburger or chicken breast with a cup of Brunswick stew.
Brunswick stew is also known as “hash” in the south. It is a tomato base stew, containing lima beans/butter beans, corn, okra and other veggies. Meats like squirrel and rabbit make it authentic but chicken, pork, or beef is also used.
So, there I was in line to get 3 platters with roasted pig, mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans.
Then I asked if I could have some of the “crispy” which I don’t think people ask often. I left so happy.
Stopped by my husband’s office and dropped one and took the rest home. It was so moist and perfectly seasoned. We also used some of Em-ing’s Hot & Sassy Sauce, which had a good kick.
Please note that Em-ing’s can cater any event. Just give them a call. They are open Mondays to Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays they are open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
I had a full “food” day on Friday; pig roast during the day and vegan at night. I really don’t think you can do that but having choices is the best and it was certainly interesting.
Have a good one….talk to you later….
January 20th, 2011
I started my website on July of 2009. I cannot believe that it has been a year and a half since I started AboutMyBeaches, written in a blog style. I think I achieved the look I wanted for the site. Clean, bright, easy to read and most of all, available to all.
I write pretty much every day. I take a lot of pictures, as well. I am not a professional, but I think you can see that in some of my posts, pictures and even recipes, since there are plenty of those too.
This is my business. I started it always with the idea that it would become a business. But, you needed to get to know me through my writings first.
You know that I have lived at the Delaware Beaches since 1981. My children were born here and I truly love the area. I have seen it grow in so many different directions; pretty much all good.
I am promoting the Delaware Beaches, Ocean City, Maryland and also Delray Beach, Florida. That’s another town that has become a second home to me. I love to walk around Delray, enjoy the restaurants and the beach and I respect the devotion that its residents have towards keeping the town the jewel it has become. All you have to do is visit this Village by the Sea and you will want to get to know it much better.
 Delray Beach, Florida  Delray Beach, Florida So, in my travels, camera in hand, I review restaurants; no credentials, but I know what I like and how I want to be treated. I also promote the arts and entertainment; I will be sure to tell you what’s going on. I hope you will log on to www.aboutmybeaches.com to find out about, events, restaurants, reviews, where to shop and what to cook for dinner.
 At Venus in Dewey Beach I consider myself “the word of mouth”. It is the best advertisement. I have written so far 530 posts. I have experienced all those posts, as well. I had to in order to pass the information on to you. On average the website is getting 5,500 hits per month. That’s between 150 to 200+ per day, depending on the subject. Most of the writings are from the Delaware Beaches, but a lot are from Delray Beach, Ocean City and from wherever I find myself at a particular time.
 Milton Theatre  The whale that washed up in Fenwick
Advertising on AboutMyBeaches is as follows:
$500 for 1 year
$300 for 6 months
$200 for 1 year if you are only using a business card
At the bottom of the website you will find my contact information.
I have a webmaster that will put your website on my site. The day the website goes on, anyone reading my posts will be able to access your website with just a click. That ad is your spot for the time contracted. Go on www.aboutmybeaches.com right now and see for yourself by testing the other ads already there. If this is the first time you are reading my post, then check the whole site. I can guarantee you that you will find it interesting and some times even entertaining.
 Greyhound in Dewey Beach  New in Lewes
You bet you will get my personal attention. Once you advertise on AboutMyBeaches, that’s what you will get. If you need to announce something immediately, then all you have to do is send me an e-mail. I will post your information on the website and then is good to go. Once I post, then I send it to Facebook, my personal one and the one for AboutMyBeaches. After that I send it to Twitter and then to Linkedin.
It really is inexpensive. Think about it, $500 for one year is about $1.36 per day.
I don’t take these coastal towns for granted. It really is great living here and visiting the other beach towns that I do. I don’t even take my AboutMyBeaches for granted either. I have learned so much.
For 2011, so many places to be revisited and so many other ones to be discovered; trying to keep it interesting, yes, I am a local but not a native and word of mouth is Priceless!!
Talk to you later….you know I will….
 
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