December 3rd, 2010

A Touch of Italy, Lewes, Delaware, Review, Salumeria, Pasticceria, Trattoria, Delaware Beaches

Yesterday, I said to Michael that I wanted to invite him to the new Touch of Italy in Lewes.  It just opened up on the 26th.  How could he not agree to this invitation?  Irresistible, I know.  He was going to be my guinea pig.  I did not want to eat anything.  I have been eating too much and with the Holidays upon us, I needed to restrain myself a bit.

The new Touch of Italy is located at 101 Second Street, Lewes, Delaware.  Tel. 302-827-2730.  The website for Touch of Italy is www.touchofitalyde.com.

The residents in Lewes must be thrilled.  Second Street has so many varied restaurants; for all tastes.  We have been watching that corner of Second St. and Savannah Rd. for months.  Now I was about to enter this Salumeria, Pasticceria and Trattoria.

Salumi is Italian for meats that are cured.  So, it is a “cured meat shop” carrying classic cured meats and sausages.

A Pasticceria is a pastry shop.  And, a Trattoria is an eatery; less formal than a restaurant; no printed menus, therefore, casual.

Touch of Italy was busy.  They are still moving things here or there but you can feel that it is going to be great.  The first thing that happened was that we were welcomed with an almond macaroon, half covered in chocolate.  I really did not want to eat it; then I did and I wanted more.  Don’t worry I did not.

Then I started to look around and take in the atmosphere of the place.  The hanging hams, cheeses and sausages reminded me when I was in Spain years ago and saw all the Serranos hams hanging from the ceilings. 

Olives, white anchovies, roasted peppers, squid, and so much more on one section.

Sausages, cheeses, among other delicacies in the following section.

The cookies and pastries, some packaged and ready to go and others waiting for us, the customers.

Pastas, sauces and other Italian staples were ready for purchase, as well.  These are perfect for unexpected guests.

I talked to Lou who is one of the owners and since they had just moved in they did not have a take-out menu yet. On the corner of the shop, in glass, for everyone to see, Michael will be making fresh mozzarella, practically every day.  That room will hold instruction but that will be announced later, after they get more settled. 

Tables will also be available soon so that you can eat comfortably.

Then Michael finally decided on what hero to order.  A hero sandwich is called  a Po’Boy in New Orleans, a sub in many other areas or a hoagie.  The hero sandwiches are large sandwiches on baguettes that have a distinct Italian flavor.

The basic ingredients?  2 Italian meats, and provolone cheese; condiments are varied but only oil and vinegar will coat both sides of the bread.

There is a menu board at Touch of Italy and Michael chose the Rocky Marciano.   This hero had hot sopressata, sharp provolone cheese imported from Italy, roasted peppers and extra virgin olive oil, in a homemade semolina Italian bread with sesame seeds.

The sopressata is an Italian cured dry salami.  It is traditionally made out of pork; fresh hams or beef are also used and often include hot peppers.  It also has a rustic look when sliced.  It is a specialty of southern Italy.

After thanking them and offering our best wishes we ran to the car.  When Michael first opened the hero sandwich he said that it just looked like a sub, which it was, basically.  But, it was only when he bit into it that the words were; “Oh, this is so good, the best I have ever had.  No, wait, maybe second best after the one I had in New York”.  He kept on going on about the combination of the meat, the cheese and the roasted peppers all complementing each other.  The bread was outstanding.  I knew he was going to be my perfect guinea pig; he has had his share of heros/subs.  Finally, he gave me a bite; ditto.

Please note that Touch of Italy has another location on 33A Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach.  Tel. 302-226-1500.  I wrote a post when they first opened.  If you would like to see it, just go on the left hand side of this blog and click on October, 2009, under Archives and scroll down to the 16th.

Best wishes to Touch of Italy…..and talk to you later….

July 20th, 2010

Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Delaware Beaches, Tuesdays, Noon until 4:00 p.m.

“Real Food, Real Farmers, Real Community”.  This is the first time, this summer, that I have gone to the Farmers’ Market, here in Rehoboth.  Buy fresh, buy local is their motto; yes, freshly picked or produced within 24 hours of the market.

It was crowded and hot, hot.  The weather is unreal but we were all there.  The Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market is located right behind the Chamber of Commerce, by the roundabout, and behind Grove Park.

Besides seeing some familiar faces I was able to see the representation of some of Rehoboth’s favorite restaurants.

For more information, please check their website, www.rbfarmersmarket.com to see the vendors, calendar, newsletter, recipes, liks, map and contact information.

Remember that this market is on Rain or Shine every Tuesday from 12:00 until 4:00 p.m.

Now check out the market; flowers, vegetables, breads, salsas, etc. etc.

Have a great day.  Stay away from the heat…and talk to you later….

June 22nd, 2010

Good for You Market, Natural Food Market, Lewes, Delaware, Sangria Recipe

I was coming back from the Division of Motor Vehicles, after spending about 2 1/2 hours there.  I was just saying to my friend, Trish, not too long ago, how efficient the DMV has been since they opened their new building in Georgetown, Delaware.  She had told me her husband was there for hours; I just did not believe her until it happened to me.

Anyway, I was coming back to Rehoboth on Rt. 9, when I saw Good for You Market.  I decided to stop because I had never been there and I had heard good things about it. 

Good for You Market is located at 28841 Lewes-Georgetown Highway, Lewes, DE 19958.  Tel. 302-684-8330.  E-mail Address goodforu@comcast.net.  Website www.weknowyum.com. 

From Rt. 1, going west, it will only take you about 10 minutes or less.  You cannot miss the building since it is very colorful.

Good for You Market began in 2006 as a market garden farm selling directly to restaurants and at area farmers markets.  The rest is history and what you will find now is a beautiful food market.  It combines everyday items with great gourmet ones as well.

The market has artisan cheeses, organic produce, grass-fed meats, specialty meats and poultry, dried fruits and nuts in bulk, international gourmet foods, organic coffee beans, ethnic specialties, traditional grocery items, and household cleaning and laundry items, as well.  There is a Sandwich and Juice Bar.

The store holds cheese classes and the next and last one available until September will be on July 10 at 1:00 p.m.  The subject?  What Goes Around Becomes a Rind:  Exploring the Outside of The Cheese!

“We’re so focused on the inside:  we often forget the fascinating outside.  This is the time to appreciate what goes into the outer edge of the wheel.  Join the Good for You Market Cheesemonger as he explains the makeup of the beautiful outer edges of the cheese.  You’ll learn all about washing, rubbing, rolling, bruising, and wrapping.  In other words, how the cheese wheel ends up with that nice coating of wine, chocolate, wood ash, herbs, grape leaves, or straw patterns.  They will prove that sometimes, “A rind is a terrible thing to waste!”  Some rinds are edible and make a flavorful addition to broth, stock, soup, and sauces.”

For more information, please give them a call to the above  telephone number.

Following is a Sangria Recipe, courtesy of Good for You Market:

1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Zinfandel, Shiraz)

1 Lemon cut into wedges

1 Orange cut into wedges

1 Lime cut into wedges

2 Tbsps sugar

Splash of orange juice or lemonade

2 Shots of gin or triple sec

1 Cup of raspberries or strawberries

1 Small can of diced pineapples (with juice)

4 Cups Ginger Ale

Pour wine into a large pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine.

Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds, if possible), pineapple, then add sugar, orange juice and triple sec.

Chill overnight.

Add ginger ale, berries and ice just before serving.

Note:  If you would like to serve it right away, then use a chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice.  However, remember that the best Sangrias are chilled around 24 hours in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to really marinate each other.

Enjoy!!

Talk to you later….you know I will….