“If you think big, then it’s going to be big.” Emeril Lagasse
Meet Chef Joe Tuna. He is everything you would think a chef should be; bigger than life. A New Yorker, direct, funny, and he came to his sister and brother-in-law’s house to spend the weekend and cook for eight of us. Wait a minute, we did help.
As I was saying…Benedette surrendered her clean kitchen, Jeff was the Sous Chef, I brought a Spinach Gratin, and followed directions on how to take food photos and how to sprinkle parsley on a plate to make it presentable. I had never done anything like that ?
It was a gorgeous day in Delmarva so here is what we had.
We could have fed an army.
First things first…A good chef travels with his kitchen arsenal.
Appetizers:
Clams stuffed with clams and crabmeat. Spinach Pie.
I truly love Grilled Octopus. Joe Tuna did a fantastic job. Off the grill and into our mouths.
The Homemade Fetuccini with shrimp and grape tomatoes was a combined effort, making that day that contraption to dry the noodles.
Joe Tuna cooked and I tasted.
Doesn’t that parsley look amazing on the plate? I thought you would like it.
Now that we had the appetizers out of the way, we took like a half hour break where we talked, well, Joe did, cracked jokes but not for long. There was still some eating to do.
Main Course:
The Brisket with a peppery rub. Perfectly cooked.
My contribution of the Spinach Gratin.
Collard Greens which are a specialty of Jeff’s with ham and bacon.
A sweet ending to this feast was a Pumpkin Pie which everyone raved about courtesy of Jeanette and Jeff (not sure how much Jeff contributed?)??
What can I say? In our blessings before dinner we all thanked for the ability to share a meal together. That’s what’s important.
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Starting a diet on Monday…resolutions usually start on Monday, not in the middle of the week, right? Monday is a fresh start for most of us. Not eating meat on Monday, apparently, is not a new concept. There is also Wheatless Wednesday.
The awareness of Meatless Monday was reintroduced as a public health awareness campaign. It has taken off more so since 2003, with many restaurants offering Meatless Monday dishes. In our homes this is a concept easily adopted as 1, 2 3.
We need it today because after all the eating on Thanksgiving….some of us started before that, LOL. This recipe for Spinach Pie was given to me by my cousins in Puerto Rico. It is one of those recipes that is good, only 5 ingredients, and you can serve it for breakfast, lunch or dinner….adding or topping it with whatever comes to mind to make it your own. I hope you like it.
SPINACH PIE
1 package spinach – 10 ounces
1 block cream cheese (I use the less fat one)
1 onion
4 eggs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease lightly a pie dish. Let spinach defrost and squeeze it to get all the water out. While the spinach is defrosting take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator. You want it a bit soft.
In a blender put eggs, spinach and cream cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. I usually just add the pepper. Blend.
Pour into the pie dish.
Place in the oven for 10 minutes, then sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top to cover. The cheese will make a crust and will add taste to the pie.
It will take probably another 20 minutes to be ready. Test it. It should have a nice rich, and brown crust.
Take it out of the oven, slice, and enjoy!!
Have a great day!!
Note: If you want it to be gluten free, please grate the Parmesan cheese yourself.
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I have a friend that every time I put a recipe for “Meatless Monday” she always comments on my Facebook Page “I rather eat a hamburger.” She rarely comments, but on that day she does. This recipe is for her because Stuffed Pork is what’s for dinner.
On this recipe I measured everything with 1/4 cup. As usual, you can make your recipes your own…..add a little bit of this or a little bit of that.
YUMMY STUFFED PORK
1 1/2 lbs. pork loin (This one was already seasoned…that’s does not matter with this recipe. That’s all the grocery store had that day.)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried figs
1/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved
pepper to taste
1 tsp. rosemary
1/4 cup whole cranberry sauce
1/4 cup of fig preserves
1/4 cup 100% Pomegranate Juice
Kitchen twine
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
The pork loin had a meat thermometer so I took it out and proceeded to make a slit on top not all the way to the bottom and not all the way (almost) to the sides. This is done to create a pocket for the filling.
In a bowl, mix the cranberries, raisins, figs, pepper, rosemary, and crushed pineapple. This is your filling…packed that loin up. Your fingers are the best tool for this.
Cut the twine in order to wrap the pork loin so that the filling stays put while cooking. Place in a baking dish. I inserted the meat thermometer on the side.
Bake for about 20 minutes. While it is cooking, make the sauce.
In a bowl mix the Pomegranate juice, the cranberry sauce, fig preserves, and reserved pineapple juice. Take the pork loin out of the oven and spoon the sauce on. Put back in the oven for another 25 minutes or so or until the meat thermomether pops.
Take it out and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and taking the twine and thermometer out.
Slice and enjoy. This dish can go well with mashers, corn pudding or corn bread, green beans, a salad….Leftovers? Sandwich would be my suggestion…with some mustard, as well.
Note: When slicing just do it carefully. You might have to arrange it a bit if filling falls off somewhat. If you want more sauce just mix the ingredients on a small saucepan, heat and pour over.
Have a great day….gorgeous out there!!
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This Holiday Season has been a beautiful one in Rehoboth Beach. Last year it seemed that all we did was dig ourselves from one winter storm after another; this year? Walks on the beach, fairly warm for the time of the year. So many visitors.
Rehoboth has a great Boardwalk, perfect for early morning walks. Just this week we enjoyed such a walk, right after Christmas. Just make sure that you do just like the locals and natives do; touch either end of the Boardwalk. Don’t ask me why; an accomplishment perhaps?
South side of the Boardwalk
If you are visiting Rehoboth Beach and are looking for a breakfast hangout with some good home cooking, then, Crystal would be the perfect choice. It is located at 620 Rehoboth Ave. Tel. 302-227-1088. They serve breakfast all day long, among other things. Full bar, as well.
So, after eating, so much for Christmas Eve, Christmas morning…my kitchen was then closed.
Crystal was our choice. The restaurant is simple and the service is great. Everyone was hungry and this is what they ordered.
Eggs Benedict with Crab …. it was overflowing with crabmeat. There were sides of home cooked fries and bacon.
A Spanish Omelette …. a large portion with plenty of Spanish sauce.
Eggs Benedict Florentine …. another well received breakfast.
Traditional fried eggs …. my sister in law thought they were delicious.
Then, I did not know what to order. I am never that crazy about breakfast. I was still full from the night before. But, I ordered granola with Greek yogurt and fruit. It was a large bowl but I loved it. The granola had it sweetness; the Greek yogurt was perfect. The fruit was delicious; I felt healthier.
I then stopped our server and asked her to bring me a side order of scrapple, well done; crispy. It really was so good. Not a great combination of foods but it hit the spot.
On New Year’s Day as you wake up and think of some of the absurdities of the New Year’s Eve celebrations, this might be the place for you.
At this time of the year 3 of us, who have been friends for a long time, get together to celebrate our birthdays. Usually, it is either breakfast or lunch but this week we chose dinner. We are getting to the point where our birthdays fall into different brackets on the birthday scales. You know what I mean; many years ago it used to be the 20 to 35 bracket; then it was the 35 to 50 bracket and now, oh my gosh!, it is the 50 to 65 bracket. Unbelievable!!
So, we decided to enjoy our evening at Betty’s. This is the new sister restaurant to Fish On in Lewes, Bluecoast Seafood Grill in Bethany Beach, Northeast Seafood Kitchen in Ocean View, Catch 54 in Fenwick Island and Lupo di Mare in Rehoboth Beach. Betty’s will definitely be able to keep up with this bunch.
Betty’s is the latest idea in restaurant development of Sodel Concepts. This company also has Plate Catering, which is a catering company able to serve a thousand guests or just a few. For more information, you can visit their website www.sodelconcepts.com.
Of the restaurants owned by this company, I have been to several, but only have actually reviewed one. On 8/25/09 I reviewed Fish On in Lewes; if you would like to see what I wrote all you have to do is click on August under Archives and scroll down to the date. Now Betty’s is my next review.
Betty’s is at the Midway Shopping Center located on Rt. 1 or Coastal Highway. It really is between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. The address is 18585 Coastal Highway #23. Tel. is 302-645-6160. You can visit the above mentioned website to see the menu, but don’t worry, I will tell you what we had.
Previously, at this location, there had been 2 other restaurants. If I remember correctly they were very dark inside. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well they were able to manage and bring light into Betty’s. As you come in, you will find a very open restaurant with tables comfortably placed.
My friends were waiting for me at the bar and had already made a few friends. The bar is conducive to friendly chatter because it is not a high bar. It is at the height of a dining table with really nice chairs. You can eat there, as well.
We were lead to our booth. Six people could fit easily. The restaurant has booths, individual tables and also a few bar tables, as well. Even though the restaurant is completely open, the noise level was controlled. Popular tunes were playing in the background.
I think the decor is retro but not so much that it becomes a theme. I liked it.
In how many ways can you say something was really tasty? As I am about to tell you what we ordered, I will also want to let you know that after my first bite, the word that came to mind was “yummy”.
We ordered for starters the Home Style Deviled Eggs, Mustard Cream, Shaved Celery, and Radish. This is the second time I have been in a restaurant and found deviled eggs on the menu. The first time was at The Office in Delraly Beach (my post on 1/16/10) and those had a truffled oil. Betty’s deviled eggs were delicious and traditionally prepared.
We had the House Garden Salad. At first I questioned myself, why order a plain garden salad, but it was crisp and fresh and the house mustard vinaigrette dressing was light and refreshing.
The entrees were all, again, “yummy”. We tasted each other dishes. We all ordered something different; perfect for my reviews.
I ordered the Braised Beef Short Rib Stroganoff, with a wild mushroom rosemary cream, veal demi glace, and egg noodles. The beef melted in your mouth and the combination of the cream and egg noodles and peas was comfort food at its best.
Another dish ordered was the Grilled Salmon, with a mustard BBQ, pickled root veggies and a creamy corn pudding. It was beautifully presented. The sauce was even had a hint of citrus. It was great. A discussion about polenta followed the tasting of the dish.
The next dish ordered was an Opened Faced Hot Roast Beef Sandwich, on white bread, mashed potatoes, and mushroom veal gravy. It had a large pile of roast beef that smelled and tasted very good. What a combination!
Our sweet ending was a cherry crumbled pie. We all shared and thank God, otherwise and extra walk around the block would definitely be a must.
Other desserts were Nora’s Pretzel Salad, Banana Cream Pie and of course, how could you be at Betty’s and not have Apple Brown Betty?
Our waitress was Abby and she was so friendly and easy to talk to. I asked her if people were wondering who Betty actually is. Some have asked, but not many. I guess Betty could be anyone; a grandmother, an aunt, Betty Poop, Betty & Veronica and Betty Crocker.
Betty’s is simple with uncomplicated dishes and great prices.
Note: I was not sure if my husband could eat at Betty’s because of his gluten allergy but they said that entrees could be adjusted to his needs. Also, Betty’s will start having daily specials next week.
It is beautiful today in the Delmarva Peninsula. Talk to you later….I have to go and get my brisket….
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