December 26th, 2009

Hickman’s Meat Markets…Review…Delaware Beaches…Rehoboth Beach…Lewes…USDA Prime Beef…

Let me tell you about my Christmas Eve’s dinner.  I figured that I could handle a small crowd of about 10 or so for that evening, so I invited a few friends.  All in all, there were 11 of us and a few more that showed up and we loved including them, as well.  When my children were younger I never had anyone over on Christmas Eve.  It was just too hectic.

The thought of having a relaxing evening where I could have everything pretty much made ahead of time was what I was trying to achieve.

This is how it started.  On December 22nd I marched myself into Hickman’s Meat Market.  They have 2 locations, but the one that I went to is on Highway #1 (Coastal Highway), Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.  Tel. is 302-226-8345.

I wanted a rib roast for about 10 people.  I thought I should get 8 ribs and Mr. Hickman thought I was nuts.  I would be feeding people for some time with that many ribs.  He thought that 4 ribs would be plenty.  But not me because I know best, right?  I told him I had big eaters and I would compromise with 5 ribs.  The roast was 15 lbs.  I could not help but take a picture.  And, oh my gosh, thank goodness I had a pan big enough to fit that piece of meat!!  It’s the 26 and we are still eating beef.

Cooking the beef was an adventure.  The method of cooking I used was the one where you place your beef at mid-day in the oven on a higher temperature for about one hour and then turn the oven off and leave it like that all day without opening the oven and before you get ready to eat you turn it back on and cook it for 50 minutes for medium/rare.

So, everyone was having a great time; drinks, crabmeat courtesy of Shelley, oysters and shrimp courtesy of John and in the back of my mind all I was thinking was “I hope that meat is ready”.  Well, it was not.  It was raw.  So, let’s go the convenction oven route for another 1/2 hour.  Well, it was still too rare.  Then Debbie, who came from Great Barrington for our beef extravaganza, took over.  Knife came out and she started carving and slicing and I could tell the natives were getting restless, but, we put the sliced meat in the oven for a bit more and believe it or not it worked.  It had a great taste and the salad and potatoes, sweet potatoes, curried fruit, veggies and ham also courtesy of Shelley were all very good.

I learned that next time I will listen to my butcher.  He knows best.  And that method of cooking?  It works but in a much smaller roast; 3 ribs.

Hickman’s gives you such personal service.  They have been voted Best in Delaware Today Magazine 5 years in a row.  Hickman’s offers prime beef, award winning and famous hot stix and applewood smoked bacon from their own smokehouse.

Their line of all natural fresh and smoked sausages, hand made by them is a combination of generations of family recipes, plus new ideas.  They also have gluten free sausages that are made to order.

In their store you will find desserts to finish your meals.  Some of the puddings are gluten free, as well.  Sauces and dips, etc. are available.

Mr. Hickman told me that his family started in the meat business in 1881 in the Eastern Shore.  In the Hickman’s family, there are 31 relatives; all in the meat business.  He gave me a list of all their meats and it really would take a lot of space to mention them all here.  Some of their specialties are cured corn beef, farm raised rabbit, farm raised ostrich, frog legs, bacon burger, venison patties and steaks, jerky, spicy jerky, pepper shooters, stuffed bell peppers, hunters sausage, venison steam ship round, and venison boneless back strap.

Please feel free to call them ahead and place your order for pick up.  They also have shipping available.

It really was so nice to talk to Mr. Hickman.  He was so busy and had about 1,000 orders for rib roasts but he was gracious enough to tell me he was  fixing my roast for easy carving.  Thank God he was not here to see how we actually butchered that beautiful piece of meat.

I have mentioned before that there is nothing better than the company of family and good friends to share a meal; on Christmas Eve that’s exactly what I found in my home.

Note:  The other address for Hickman’s Meat Markets is Highway #1, Lewes, Delaware. Tel. 302-645-0600

Hope your Christmas was nice and talk to you later….

October 4th, 2009

You will find Rainbow Earth Foods at the Delaware Beaches…In the town of Rehoboth Beach…

Rehoboth Beach

It has been a year since my husband started eating gluten/wheat free.  It has made such a difference.  When they tell you that the only thing you can do when diagnosed with celiac disease is diet, then you plunge into a new way of eating.

I thought it was going to be hard but, actually, once I cleaned my kitchen and my pantry; turned it into a “gluten free kitchen” it was not bad at all.  You get used to it; you have to.

There is so much more awareness in this country about gluten allergies and intolerances.  People have so many choices.  Grocery stores have isles with plenty of gluten free products.  Product labels have to disclose glutens.  Restaurants are offering gluten free menus, and the list goes on.  I have tried different products and some I like better than others.

The grocery stores in Rehoboth Beach have a lot of products available.  But, one of my favorite stores is Rainbow Earth Foods.  It is located right on the Avenue specifically at 220 Rehoboth Ave., Tel. 302-227-3177 , fax #302-227-7215, website is www.RainbowEFoods.com, and e-mail address is RainbowEFoods@aol.com.

I love this store.  It is not big but they have everything I need.  And, if you cannot find it, either Mike or Diana will order it.

For many years it was known as Peter Rabbit but Mike has had it for 7 years.

When you come into the store you will find on either side of the store refrigerators with natural juices, milk, and grab and go prepared foods like dips and cheeses.

There is one section with pure spices that are sold by weight.  They smell so good.

The store also carries soaps, beauty products, shampoos, toothpaste; all natural with no additives.

How about essential and botanical oils?  I did not know there was a difference.  Essential oils are single oils like lavender.  The botanical oils are a mixture of teas and spices.

They even have greeting cards that are “tree free” meaning they are made of earth friendly materials.

If you are using herbal and vitamin supplements, well stop by the store.  They have way too many for me to list on this post.

Since the holidays are soon approaching, they will have gluten free – Eberly’s organic turkeys.   They also carry 100% organic fed beef, free range young chicken breasts, and organic uncured bacon by Applegate Farms; no nitrites added.

My favorite products there are the following items and I really buy them all the time:

Organic Buckwheat flour – gluten free- for pancakes (delicious with molasses on top)

Organic Gluten Free pancake and baking mix

Namaste Foods Products like, Spice Cake, and cookie mix

European – gluten free crispbread and crackers

All products from the Grainless Baker, Inc. like muffins, cinnamon buns, pizza and bread.  These products are frozen and use as needed.  The pizza is amazing.  It is small but is the closest to the real thing.  I add chopped onion, sundried tomatoes, peppers, anchovies and Voila!! Include a salad and you have a meal.  Truly love those products.

Nustevia – sugar substitute.  I first saw it in Colorado. No bitter taste, safe for diabetics and naturally processed.

I buy their gluten free vanilla.  Yes, you have to be careful about vanilla too.

Soy sauce?  Yes, I buy the Tamari, wheat free.  I just saw one that also has low sodium.  I might have to have Mike order that one for me soon.

One thing I have to tell you is that one day I was at their counter paying and I noticed some bottles on the left hand side.  It was called The Natural Miracle Conditioner by Tate’s.  There are so many uses for this lotion.  It is for hair conditioning, skin, bath and shower, make-up remover, poison ivy, diaper rash and the list keeps going on and on. I bought it and it is true; it does all those things.  I really like it.  No animal testing, colors or dyes, fragrances or pesticides.  And, gluten free.  The company is from Ohio and their website is www.ourtatefamily.com.  Check it out.

Since starting this blog, I have learned so many interesting things….