January 8th, 2014
I looked at Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and even the ducks and geese looked cold. This is a scene that I never get tired of looking. Silver Lake is a bird sanctuary, as well. The waterfowl can relax, recharge, and be unafraid.
I had an eggplant sitting on my counter waiting. I was not sure what to make and then eggplant parm came to mind. It is so easy, you really don’t need a recipe to follow. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees, cut the eggplant in round pieces, dredge each of them in egg, drop them on seasoned breadcrumbs and then lightly fry in a large frying pan, until cooked. In a 9 x 13 baking dish put about 1 cup of pasta sauce (homemade or commercial) and spread over the bottom of the baking dish. Place 6 pieces, then slice fresh mozzarella and place a piece on each one; finally topping them with another 6 pieces of eggplant. Spread more pasta sauce over all the pieces until well covered. Finally, sprinkle with Parmesan or Asiago cheese. Bake until cheese has melted and it is bubbling.
My craving was for a Caesar Salad with homemade Caesar Salad Dressing and homemade croutons, as well. It is very easy. Takes no time. It has anchovies…you decide if you want to use them or not. I love them.
Croutons:
Bread, olive oil, garlic powder
Cubed the bread and put in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with oil and garlic powder. You can either put them in the oven on a jelly roll-pan or cookie sheet and toast for about 10 minutes. I was in a rush so I put them on a frying pan and they were ready within 5 minutes.
Caesar Salad Dressing
2/3 cup olive oil
10 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
1 egg
1 tablespoon wine vinegar
3 dashes of Tabasco
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove of garlic
3 anchovies
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Blend all the ingredients, except the cheese, together in a blender. Pour in a large bowl and add cheese. At times I add more cheese.
Serve over Romain lettuce and sprinkle with your homemade croutons. If you want more anchovies…you know what to do.
Serve and enjoy!!
January 5th, 2014
It has been a long time since my children went outdoors to get grass for the camels and put cookies out for The Three Wise Men; it has been, definitely, much longer since I did that myself growing up in the island of Puerto Rico. The presents we got were more like stocking stuffers, and were left under the bed. The camels used to make such a mess!! Too bad we have to grow up!!
Puerto Rico celebrates all holidays in a big way. Their Christmas season starts early and ends on February 2nd with the Octavitas, which are the 8 days after Three Kings Day. You might as well wait until all that is done with because the term “manana” takes a different meaning.
Three Kings Day is also a Christian Feast Day; the Epiphany, with origins in the Eastern Christian Church. Epiphany means manifestation or appearance. This is a celebration of Jesus’ birth and the visit of the Three Wise Men, who were Persian priests.
If you are visiting Puerto Rico you are lucky because this is the best time of the year to really enjoy the “comida criolla”. Puerto Rican food has its own flavors…the spices are amazing.
The foods to look out for and I am going to be missing here, in Delaware, are:
Pasteles – these look like tamales, but no comparison whatsoever. My grandmother made the best. They take a long time. Made with plantains or yuca or casava. The filling is made out of meat or chicken. I prefer the pasteles that have olives, capers, chickpeas, and well seasoned as well. You can find pasteles year-round but they really show off during the holidays.
If you are in South Florida you can find Puerto Rican food at Benny’s. Two locations. I have been to the one on 2500 S.W. 107 # 1, Miami, FL 33165. Tel. 305-227-1232. The other location is at 295 NW 82 Ave., Miami, FL 33126. Tel. 786-458-8240. You can visit the website at http://www.bennyseafood.com. They also ship.
Lechon means pig as in roasting pig…and the Ruta del Lechon will take you to Guavate near Cayey. Plenty of “lechoneras” roasting pigs, accompanied with “arroz con gandules”, blood sausages or morcillas, tostones, and mofongo. You can do a google search and put “Guavate la Ruta del Lechon Cayey Puerto Rico” to watch You Tube.
The local hot sauce is definitely, “hot”.
I know they make so many desserts in Puerto Rico, but my favorite is the simple flan, made with milk, sugar, and eggs, that’s it!!
From the Delaware Beaches visitors to Puerto Rico are pretty much in search of waves. Rincon and the western side of the island is a favorite of many. Hopefully, they can also travel to the island. Puerto Rico has a lot to offer and the scenery is gorgeous.
If you are passing through the town of Humacao…..granitos is what you need to be looking for. They sell them in street corners but I got to visit where they make them. Indigenous to Humacao; you cannot find them anywhere else. With a bold and hot cup of coffee…priceless. Made with rice and cheese and, of course, fried!!
La Coca Falls, El Yunque
In Pinones, near San Juan, another surfing spot and eating destination….fresh coconut water!!
Love Old San Juan. It is my favorite place. I like everything about it. Such an old and historic city. If you are visiting Puerto Rico, please take time to visit.
A city surrounded by forts; El Morro and San Cristobal. Over 500 years old.
Walking and shopping in the Old City.
Stay at El Convento Hotel.
Take a cultural and food tour with Flavors of San Juan…http://www.sanjuanfoodtours.com.
And a must when the temperature rises in PR….a local Piragua or snow cone. They are truly the best! Love the cream and here was my “Piraguero” preparing mine in his new stainless steel cart.
It is about 9:00 p.m. on Sunday evening and the temperatures are supposed to be the coldest in the next couple of days…..
From Palmas del Mar, looking towards Vieques and Culebra
Need I say more? Happy Three Kings Day!!
January 1st, 2014
My sister in law, Susie, and I decided to do something different on this first day of 2014….To meet in Easton, Maryland at the corner of Harrison St. and East Dover. This is where the beautiful and historic Tidewater Inn is located. The actual address is 101 East Dover St. Tel. 410-822-1300. Website? http://www.tidewaterinn.com. I drove from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, going through the backroads; leaving Sussex County behind and entering Caroline County and finally Talbot County. It took about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The Tidewater Inn is a landmark in Easton. It was designated a Historic Hotel of America by The National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2006. It has been owned by the Carl M. Freeman Companies. The hotel is elegant.
At this time of the year we decided that eating indoors would be a must, but if the weather turns a little milder then outdoor seating is also available.
At the Hunters’ Tavern we got comfortable and we both had their amazing Snapper Soup. It is awesome and it is served with Sherry. Put as much or as little as you want. It is so delicious I decided that there was no way I would be starting my diet on January 1st.
It was followed by a Caesar Salad with their signature crabcake. And, rock fish fingers!! Rock fish is local.
A sweet ending with Smith Island Cake…ready to walk the town, but not before I thank our server. She was very friendly and attentive.
Easton has beautiful tree line streets, porches and old houses…Colonial and Victorian architecture.
It also has plenty of art galleries, gourmet restaurants, and gift shops. The attraction to this town is also fishing, hunting, golfing and sailboat racing.
The Avalon Theatre offers entertainment…opera, blue grass, comedy. It is located at 40 East Dover St. For more information, please visit http://www.avalontheatre.com.
Easton is “the 8th Best Small Town in America”. Maryland’s Eastern Shore is so scenic, so get in your car and spend the day or a few hours like we did. For more information, please visit http://www.eastonmd.org.
Leaving Easton…going home, I passed the town of Bethlehem…
January 1st, 2014
And….Good Morning to you too!! Looking for coffee, baked goods, breakfast? Rehoboth Beach is slowly waking up…these are a few places you might want to try. They have been in Rehoboth for a long time and are consistently good. Guess what? They all serve pretty good coffee!!
ROBIN HOOD RESTAURANT, located at 54 Rehoboth Avenue. Tel. 302-227-0770.
THE COFFEE MILL, located at 127 Rehoboth Avenue, Suite B in the Rehoboth Mews Alley.
THE BAKE SHOPPE, located at 222 Rehoboth Avenue. Tel. 302-226-0176.
CRYSTAL RESTAURANT, located at 37300 Rehoboth Avenue. Tel. 302-227-1088
A side of Creamed Chipped Beef!!
THE POINT COFFEE HOUSE, located at 722 Rehoboth Avenue Extended. Tel. 302-260-9734.
THE FRACTURED PRUNE, located at 20214 Coastal Highway…Homemade, hot donuts!! Tel. 302-227-0747.
Have a Great Day!!
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