February 22nd, 2010
Bored and don’t know what to make this week for dinner? Sometimes it is such a chore. Believe me, I like to cook but plenty of times I really don’t make up my mind until the last minute. Some people don’t give it another thought; they figure it is just another meal. But to me it is the experience of making something from scratch; not opening another package loaded with salt, fat and “seasonings”. I like to see what I am chopping. I like to smell my food cooking and the combinations of foods on my plate.
Keeping it simple is the best way to go about it. So, the following recipes are easy and I think you might like them.
Baked Chicken Breasts With Parmesan Garlic Crust
1 cup breadcrums, fresh are the best
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese (grate it yourself, it is better)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 6-7 oz. each
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
1/4 mayonnaise
lemon wedges for serving
Adjust oven rack to upper middle position. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Combine first 6 ingredients in a bowl.
Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place in a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.
Combine mayonnaise and basil in a small bowl and spread evenly over chicken.
Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over mayonnaise, pressing lightly.
Bake for about 1/2 hour until the crust gets a nice brown color. Since you are cooking on a higher heat, please make sure you check them so they don’t burn.
Serve it with a nice salad. This recipe is good at any time of the year.
Shrimp and Tomato Chowder
2 stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 13.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained
8 ouces medium and peeled, cooked shrimp
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup water
ground pepper
slivered fresh basil
In a large saucepan, cook celery and onion in hot oil until just tender.
Stir in tomatoes; heat through.
Add shrimp, cream and water. Cook over medium heat until hot.
Season to taste with pepper.
Ladle chowder into bowls; garnish with basil.
Makes 2 to 4 four servings depending how hungry you are or if you are serving as a main meal. You can easily double this recipe.
Note: If you can get foccacia wedges from the grocery store or an Italian market, it would really complement the chowder.
Smithfield Ham and Potato Casserole
8 large potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8″ thick
1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup mayonnaise
2 cups diced Smithfield ham
1 small onion, minced
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Cook the potatoes in slightly salted (optional) water until barely tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and put in a large bowl.
Add remaining ingredients and mix together.
Place in a well greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Watch closely so the cheese does not burn. You may choose to cover the dish for the last 15 minutes of baking.
Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Makies 8 to 10 servings.
Again, this is one of those dishes you might want to adjust to your tasting. You may even substitute the Smithfield ham but that its up to you.
You can use this dish as a side dish or for breakfast with fresh fruit. It could be served at dinner time with fresh asparagus and a salad.
Make it your own and enjoy….See you soon…
February 9th, 2010
My last post; it seems I wrote it weeks ago, but it has only been 4 days. That’s a long time when you have been posting every day. I don’t know what happened, but I am still not connected to the internet. My neighbors are, though, and I do have cable.
Oh well, Comcast should be coming tomorrow, but we are getting another snowstorm tonight so I will have to see. I am presently using the computer at the Internet Cafe inside JavaByte Cafe and Mailbiz Express located at 4590 Highway One (Coastal Highway), Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Before I even started my blog, I was the type of person that would check my e-mail every so often. Progressively, I checked it all the time; almost like I thought I would be missing something if I didn’t. Not having been able to get on line these past few days have been like going through withdrawal. I have had feelings of frustration, and to top it all I have been housebound. Finally, we got plowed but then with a state of emergency in place, there was no reason to go anywhere.
What is Cabin Fever? It is a term used for claustrophobia caused by being confined due to the elements or by something else. It was first recorded in 1918 but I found out in Wikipedia that it might have been used as early as 1906. Some of the symptons which I actually had, are restlessness, irritability (my husband can attest to that one), laughter, and excessive sleeping. Back in 1820 there was a reference to a fever, common in Ireland, from eating watery potatoes during wet years. I can tell you that my problems are not going to be eating watery potatoes, but will be from eating the whole refrigerator.
My dog, Addy; do you know how hard is to take a small dog outside to do his or her thing when the snow is taller than the dog? Poor Addy, yesterday she disappeared in the snow and I went to get her and I completely lost my shoe. It is somewhere in my yard. No wonder she runs the other way when I start putting my jacket and boots on.
I think is time for a little, visualization? I remember that years ago in a Weight Watchers class they talked about this technique, where you close your eyes and visualize you are in a place that you have loved. Then you control your breathing; inhale and slowly exhale. It does work and I can remember, to this day, that in that class I visualized I was in the island of Vieques; off of the island of Puerto Rico. A gorgeous beach with the sun hitting that blue water and just my husband and I there.
So, as the next storm approaches, and all our beaches are at a standstill, I long for Spring and those Dog Days of Summer.
And then, as I complain about the weather, the roads, cabin fever and no internet, I have to stop and think of those less fortunate people that have been having a very tough time this winter. Having vented; I feel so much better.
Why do I eat so much when I am confined? Boredom? I should not be because I have plenty to do. Let’s see, back to visualizing…bathing suits…Oh no!! A nightmare!!!
I will try to talk to you soon; but if it takes a couple of days is because Comcast could not make it. I do have some pretty good pictures of the storm but cannot get them from this computer.
Got to go because I have to go to that White Sale at Giant….Milk…Eggs…and Bread….
Note: If you are in South Florida, and in the town of Delray Beach, enjoy it even it is a little cooler….Think about us…I am visualizing, sitting outside watching those beautiful palm trees do their thing….
What’s Happening in Delray Beach in the next few days? Here it is:
Thursday, 2/11 – Music & Art in the Grove – Pineapple Grove Arts District from 6 – 9 p.m. Location: 200 N.E. 2nd St. Claire Long with hits from the 50s and 70s plus artists and their work outside City Walk.
Thursday through Sunday, 2/11-2/14 – Is the 11th Annual Garlic Festival at Old School Square Entertainment Pavilion on 51 N. Swinton. Garlic chef competitions, entertainment and more. $12 daily admission.
Saturday, 2/13 – Green Market – Every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at SE 4th Ave., just South of Atlantic. Local produce and baked goods.
Saturday and Sunday, 2/13-2/14 – Artists in the Park from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Veterans Park, located at Atlantic and Intracoastal. Fine art exhibit and sale sponsored by the Delray Beach Art League.
Saturday and Sunday, 2/13-2/14 – Exhibit – Seashells – Sandoway House located on 142 South Ocean Blvd. a couple of blocks south of Atlantic and A1A.
February 3rd, 2010
Have you ever been to a town called Celebration, in Celebration, Florida (Orlando)? Well, this town was modeled after small American towns and neighborhoods from the early 1900’s. It is not that I want to live like in the early 1900’s. But the idea of living in a town or neighborhood where you can safely walk the sidewalks, talk to your neighbors from their balconies and walk into shops and post offices and become friends, brings nostalgic feelings to my heart.
I believe that towns like Lewes, Princess Anne, Oxford, Berlin, St. Augustine, Milton all of which are located in Maryland, Delaware and Florida have served as models for the above mentioned Celebration concept. One other town, Easton, Maryland, is a perfect example of small town living. With its charming streets, homes and businesses at close proximity to pedestrians, it lets people connect with one another.
Tuesday was a day for a road trip. It took Cindi and I to the town of Easton. We went to meet Susan, a friend that we had not seen for about 6 years. What kind of friends are we? I guess we just have been dealing with our own families, schools, businesses and even though we are only about 1 1/2 hours away, we just let those years slip by.
Cindi and I met in Georgetown, Delaware, and I told her I definitely would take her through the short cut. Well that did not happen since every field looked the same; covered with snow. We made it, though.
Easton, Maryland, just in case you don’t know about this town, is in Talbot County; its County Seat. Its location is at the headwaters of the Tred Avon River. Because of its rivers and creeks it is very popular with boaters.
I have been talking about this small town, but don’t kid yourself, this is a very well connected town. It does not roll its sidewalks at dusk either. Throughout the year it is the host of art festivals, including the very popular Waterfowl Festival. Easton is the home of chic shops, antique shops and restaurants. A wide variety of lodgings are available, as well, including the Historic Tidewater Inn.
The Avalon Theater is another place that should not be missed. It is a happening place. It is located on 40 East Dover St., Easton, MD 21601. Tel. 410822-7299. Website is www.avalontheatre.com. This theater brings you from Symphony to Bluegrass, Comedians to Art Festivals; really, entertainment for the whole family. It was built in 1921. Three world premieres opened at this theater, including “The First Kiss” with Gary Cooper and Fay Ray; filmed in Easton and St. Michaels. Please visit the website above mentioned for more information on the Avalon Theater and upcoming performances. They have their whole schedule up.
 Legal Spirits & Avalon Theater It was time to meet for lunch. Susan met us at Mason’s. This restaurant is located on 22 South Harrison St. in Easton. Tel. 410-822-3204. E-mail is masons@masonsgourmet.com and the website is www.masonsgourmet.com.
You can see from the pictures that this restaurant embodies the small town living. The charming house which was converted into the restaurant greets you with such warmth. One side of the house is the restaurant and on the other side; a more casual and lighter atmosphere. Coffee, gourmet chocolates, candies and wines are all available for purchase.
Mason’s was established in 1966. By visiting the website you will find their history and what they are all about, including menus.
Today I had their Davon Crest Baby Green Salad with candied pecans, peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese and honey mustard vinaigrette. I then added fried oysters on top. Great presentation and taste. The honey mustard added the perfect kick to the salad.
Cindi had their Daily Deep Dish Quiche with baby mixed greens and balsamic vinaigrette. This quiche looked beautiful. Cindi had been having a quiche craving so she was perfectly happy.
In French cuisine, a quiche is a baked dish that is based on a custard made from eggs, and milk or cream in a pastry crust. But I don’t think that a lot of people would know that even though it is considered a dish of French cuisine, it really originated in Germany. The word “Quiche” is from the German “Kuchen”, meaning cake.
Susan decided on the Chicken Salad Plate. It had also fruit salad and pasta salad on the side. Great presentation, as well.
Did I forget to tell you that today was Susan’s birthday? Yes, on Groundhog Day. We ordered a chocolate torte. Velvety smooth, rich and delicious. It went well with my espresso.
 Susan's Chocolate Torte Mason’s service was prompt, attentive and discreet. Kari, our server, let us catch up, knowing that we had not seen each other for a long time.
So, even though Easton is a little bit of a drive from the Delaware Beaches and Ocean City, Maryland, it is really worth visiting.
A Tip: The only suggestion I would have for Mason’s is that its staff should be informed about ingredients in their chocolates and baked goods in case a customer has a food allergy.
Note: Information of Quiche was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiche.
Enjoying a meal with friends is something that is priceless. Really, it is!!
Talk to you later…
January 30th, 2010
What can I say, it’s Winter Time!! But what a difference a day makes!! Yesterday, I was driving around and taking pictures of Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach and today I cannot even drive. The snow is deep, it is windy and cold. But most of all, it is very quiet.
Here are a few sights:
 "Announced by all the trumpets of the sky, arrives the snow." by Ralph Waldo Emerson  "Beautiful feathery flakes of snow, Over the woodland and field they go, Making a blanket so warm and deep, Over the flowers that lie asleep." by Mary Louise Allen  The Golf Course  A Solitary Feeder  A Feast  "Snow makes whiteness where it falls, The bushes look like popcorn balls, And places where I always play, Look like somewhere else today" by Mary Louise Allen
As the evening embraced the Delmarva Peninsula, the snow got deeper and heavier.
 Still Snowing  "In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer." by Albert Camus
Tomorrow is another day for…..cleaning the driveway? Have a good one!! Talk to you later…
January 7th, 2010
For the most part a lot of us have used Property Managers. It does not matter if you own or rent, they are there to make life easier for the owners and renters, as well.
A happy customer is one of the most powerful signs that a Property Manager does a good job with their services.
My criteria for a good property manager is that he or she should have strong communication and organizational skills.
Everything that goes wrong is the problem of the Property Manager and, again, he or she will have the most client contact when disasters occur. You have to agree with that. The Property Manager needs to perform well in crisis situations. Maybe even foresee the future. See when that hurricane is hitting the coast, or, closer to the mid-Atlantic states when will the next nor’ easter strike.
Having that in mind, I really would like to thank my latest advertiser, Beach House Management, LLC. This company is located at 777 E. Atlantic Ave., Suite Z-307, Delray Beach, FL 33483. Tel. 561-414-4329 or toll free 866-414-4329. Website is http://mybeachouses.com. E-mail is beachhousemgmt@aol.com. You can just visit their website by clicking on the banner located on the right hand side of this blog.
I have used this company for about 6 years. Believe me when I tell you that I have used every service they offer and even some that might not be advertised. I cannot say enough about Michael Keegan because not being able to be there to take care of the properties myself, he is the person that I totally trust. From hurricane shutters, mailing of boxes, car inspections, yard, plumbing, internet, cable, air condition, leaks, replacing doors, concierge services like the bistro service they offer, pick up at the airport, help after being locked out, and the list can keep on going. He knows who to call and get them there fast.
They can manage properties from Ocean Ridge to Highland Beach. So if you are thinking about a Property Manager and have a property that needs taken care of in those areas, please give Michael a call. I can assure you that you will not be dissapointed.
In the Delaware Beaches, you will find another great Property Manager. Her name is Debbie Dyer and she owns Coastal Home Services. The address is P.O. Box 3, Bethany Beach, DE 19930. Tel. 302-236-5065. The website is www.coastal-home-services.com and the e-mail address is info@coastal-home-services.com.
I also know personally this Property Manager. Debbie has that personal touch that makes you feel like you know her from the moment you meet her. She is very professional and will be able to handle your year-round property management requirements. The Delaware Beaches are very busy during the summer months. Renters come every week, so if you are renting your property, you need someone like her to be on top of things. You don’t rent your property but use it for your own enjoyment? She can arrange for private chefs, spa appointments, summer classes for your children, etc. But, if you visit her website, you will be able to find this info. and much more. And, if you have questions, give her a call. I am sure she would love to hear from you.
Property Managers give you peace of mind.
Talk to you later….
December 21st, 2009
Once in a while I get a craving for Chinese food. I think we all do. And to tell you the truth I had forgotten that we do have a pretty good Chinese restaurant here in Rehoboth Beach, and within driving distance from all the beach towns. I cannot think of a reason why I have not gone lately, but I think it will be worth your while to check it out the next time you are in town.
Confucius opened about 5 1/2 years ago and a lot of us, locals and natives alike were very happy to get a Chinese restaurant that would offer superior quality Chinese cooking. It did not take long for people to discover Confucius; its location is in a quaint little building on Wilmington Avenue, just a couple blocks from the Boardwalk and the beach and one street south of Rehoboth Avenue.
Confucius’ dishes are different from traditional Chinese menus but still authentic and creative.
What a great name for a Chinese restaurant. You know, Confucius was a Chinese Thinker and social philosopher, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese thought and life. His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. Hmm…
The address is 57 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. The tel. is 302-227-3848 and the e-mail is xiongzt@comcast.net. The website is www.confuciusrehobothbeach.com.
Thursday night was when my husband and I got that craving for Chinese cooking that I was talking about. As you know, in my household we have the gluten allergy issue so I proceeded to call Confucius and see if that was a restaurant that could handle such a food allergy.
I was pleasantly surprised to get a positive reaction. They told me that, definitely, they could accommodate us and even though the menu would be a little bit more limited for someone with a gluten allergy, they still had plenty of dishes available; they could work and adjust the recipe.
Driving to the restaurant, we noticed that downtown Rehoboth was pretty quiet for a Thursday evening. It had gotten cold in anticipation of a winter storm. But, the restaurants on Wilmington Ave. had a comfortable crowd.
We brought our own wheat free soy sauce in case they did not have any. They did not carry it, but have assured us they will in the future.
The breading they use in a lot of their seafood is cornmeal. So, the first thing we ordered was an appetizer called Salt & Pepper Calamari. Not the strips but wide pieces of calamari, rolled and wok fried. They were crispy and well seasoned with shredded hot pepeprs. Definitely to be ordered again.
I had the pan seared salmon, which was an Atlantic salmon, lightly marinated with ginger, garlic, lemon, lime, cilantro and seasonings, served with broccoli on a bed of shredded onions, in a very hot platter. It was delicious, as well.
My husband had the steamed halibut and it was steamed in a wok with ginger and scallions. Good seasonings and light.
I remembered that their string beans, which are served as a side dish were so good and they were still just as good. I think they have tiny, crunchy pieces of shrimp that added to the flavor. The beans were perfectly cooked; crispy.
Confucius has an extensive wine list, so for the wine aficionado, this will be a happy place to be.
Then, on Friday, we went again to Confucius in anticipation of my trip to BWI, when I thought I could make it before the storm. Confucius was just as good as the night before.
We had the Ginger Chicken Soup which has been on their menu since they opened and is very good. Wild mushrooms, chicken in a light broth with some lemon grass; perfect for a cold night. My husband had the Salt & Pepper Shrimp as an entree because this dish is usually an appetizer. They added more shrimp and rice and it was great. Mine was the Walnut Shrimp and Scallops with snow peapods and asparagus; very good also.
Well, I think now that I have rediscovered Confucius, it will be one of those frequently visited restaurants by my family.
Note:
Hours of operation are: Thursdays to Tuesdays from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday brunch is $10/person. Wednesdays, closed. Take out is available and a 10% discount is given to each take-out order.
Information on Confucius was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius
Take it easy during this Holiday Season…talk to you later…
December 17th, 2009
 Rehoboth Beach Christmas Tree
Even though it is getting quieter than usual at my beaches, there are still plenty of things to do besides all the shopping that the area has available.
Restaurants are open with all kinds of specials during the week. People are walking around all bundled up since it has gotten pretty chilly. But, it does feel great to be outside.
The other night when I was coming from Ocean City to Rehoboth I could not believe that there was not a car on the road. I saw a few deer here and there, though.
Tonight we went to get something to eat in Rehoboth Beach. I will tell you about it later. Afterwards we took a ride around town. Rehoboth is all lit up and the lights give the town a peaceful glow.
Even though, in the Spring, I look forward to the waking up of these beach towns and love to see the people enjoy what we sometimes take for granted, it is so nice to be downtown when the streets are bare and I don’t know how to explain it but I love it.
For now I have a few events to mention:
Lewes
Saturday, 12/19/09 – Race – The Seashore Strider Running Club’s 4th Seashore Snowball 5k Run. (Cape Henlopen State Park – Fishing Pier in Lewes) It starts at 10:00 a.m. For more information please contact Tim Bamforth at tim@seashorestrider.com For this particular race please visit www.seashorestriders.com.
Note: Make sure you check their website since the weather is not supposed to be so great on Saturday.
Rehoboth Beach
Saturday, 12/19/09 – A Video Art Holidays Concert & Sing Along – Meet Splash, The Solstice Dolphin and bring a non-perishable for the Food Basket. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. The location for this event is at Camp Rehoboth Auditorium, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Please call 302-227-5620, or visit the website www.rehobothart.com.
Sunday, 12/20/09 – Christmas Concert Recital at Epworth United Methodist Church, at 4:00 p.m. Christopher Berg, countertenor, will present a Christmas recital with Dough Yetter, accompanist and the Chancel Choir joining in for some Christmas favorites. For more info. please visit www.epworth-rehoboth.org.
Ocean City, Maryland
Saturday, 12/19/09 – PETCO Adoption Day – 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Location: Ocean City Outlets, 12641-310 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842. Tel. 410-213-1929.
Paws of Tomorrow is located in Ocean View, Delaware. It is an animal rescue organization. They are a 501c3 federally recognized animal rescue, which means that all donations are fully tax deductible. Their website is www.pawsoftomorrow.com. Their fax is 866-250-5194 and the best way to communicate with them is through their e-mail which is info@pawsoftomorrow.com. Visit their website for more information and for their mission.
Paws of Tomorrow will be at this adoption event with their adoptable dogs. Please visit their website and send them a request if there is someone special you would like to meet.
I know this organization. I adopted Addy last May and she has been a great dog. She feels so secured now and she is such a funny dog. She is definitely part of our family. To see the post I wrote on her on October 7th, just click on the month of October and scroll down.
I know that at this time of the year, people tend to give pets as presents. Please do remember that this is a serious undertaking, so make sure you are ready to take care of the pet.
Good night…Talk to you tomorrow…and Chinese Food will be on the menu…
December 17th, 2009
We managed to get together again Tuesday evening. It was so nice of Donna to open her home to us. We all brought appetizers to eat and some wine as well. It really turned out so well because some of us had not seen each other in a long time and we were able to catch up in a comfortable setting instead of a restaurant.
The topics of conversation were varied and interesting. It was an all women’s soiree, what can I say?
Donna’s house was fully decorated for the Holidays. I love the traditional colors and her house had all those beautiful reds and greens; so pretty and festive this time of the year.
I decided to make an Asian Noodle Salad that has been pretty popular for some time. The recipe was given to me a long time ago by Mary Jo. I used to make it a lot but then I took a break from it. I thought that for our get together it would be the perfect dish since it is easy to assemble and it is served at room temperature. So, here it goes:
Asian Noodle Salad
1 lb. fresh or dried Asian wheat noodles. I used regular thin spaghetti.
8 ounces snow peas cut on the diagonal into rectangles
1 cup finely chopped green onions, including some green tops
1 cup coarsely chopped unsalted dry roasted peanuts
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
1 cup chopped poached chicken breast, roasted duck, or cooked shrimp (optional)
Asian-Style Vinaigrette:
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce (I use reduced sodium soy sauce)
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon minced or pressed garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2/3 cup cooking oil, using equal parts sesame oil, vegetable oil and hot chili oil
In a bowl or covered jar, combine rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper. Whisk or shake well to blend. Add the oils and, again, whisk or shake until emulsified. Use immediately or let stand at room temperature for as long as overnight.
In a large pot, bring water to a rapid boil; drop in noodles and stir. Cook, stirring frequently until barely tender and still quite firm to the bite. About 1 minute for fresh noodles or 5 to 8 minutes for dried. Do not overcook. Drain; rinse quickly under cold running water and drain again.
Transfer the noodles to a large bowl; add about half of the vinaigrette and toss well. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally to keep noodles from sticking together.
Bring water in a large saucepan to a boil. Add the snow peas and cook until tender-crisp, about 1 minute. Drain, then plunge into ice water to hald cooking and preserve color. Drain well.
Add the snow peas, green onions, peanuts, and cilantro. Then add chicken, duck or shrimp, if desired, and remaining vinaigrette to the noodles and toss gently but thoroughly.
Serve at room temperature.
This recipe will serve approximately 10 people as a salad course and about 6 for a light main course. It is the perfect entree to take to someone’s house, just like I did.
Note: To make this recipe a day ahead, omit snow peas, onions and peanuts when tossing. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature; add snow peas, onions and peanuts. Toss and serve.
I would like to mention that you may be able to make this recipe gluten free by using rice noodles or any other gluten free noodle and wheat free soy sauce. You will also have to make sure that the peanuts do not contain any wheat.
So, enjoy it and make it your own….See you later….
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