November 28th, 2011
Appetizers give us an excuse to enjoy special seafood treats; if you like seafood, and don’t have an allergy, that is. These pickled shrimp are so easy. And, shrimp are most often associated with appetizers. They are easily available, which is a good thing; different sizes, as well.
For appetizers is best to use the medium size shrimp. Buy the easy to peel, as well. The large or jumbo shrimp are difficult to pick up with your fingers or wooden picks. Probably, not practical as appetizers.
The following recipe can be doubled easily. You can play with it and make it your own. On top of a chopped salad? You bet. Try it out and play with it.
Pickled Shrimp
1 lb. medium shrimp, raw
1 tablespoon pickling spices
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (I used Emeril’s/gluten free)
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
3 green onions, sliced
Pull shrimp from shells and discard shells.
In a 2-quart saucepan, cover shrimp and pickling spices with water. Bring to a boil; simmer over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Strain water, leaving spices on shrimp; set aside.
In a small bowl, combine mustard, horseradish, oil, salt, celery salt, vinegar and onions. Pour over drained shrimp. Cover and refrigerate. The ideal would be 6 hours or overnight. But as long as they are nice and cold, they will be delicious. It is just that the longer you leave the shrimp in the marinade the better they will absorb that taste.
Enjoy!! This recipe is gluten free!! Just give your guests some wooden or plastic picks or small forks to pick up shrimp.
Talk to you later….
August 15th, 2011
Even before summer started someone mentioned this restaurant to me. It has taken this long to make it there. And it might…..
I tell you what. Lately I have just been getting less than memorable food. It just has been mediocre. I want food that will energize my taste buds and I want restaurants to make me feel as if I could not wait to go back.
So, I really should get back to my cooking. Maybe that will get me to appreciate going out to eat more.
Port is located at 1205 Highway One, Dewey Beach. The Tel. is 302-227-0669. Website? www.portdewey.com. Lunch is served Fridays through Sundays from 12 until 4 p.m. This location used to be the home of The Dewey Beach Club.
They have done some remodeling. A fish tank separates the dining area from the bar.
It was a little loud and not very relaxing since the wait staff kept rushing back and forth.
I ordered The King’s Salad. I think it was supposed to have had apples, but they were missing. Cranberries and mixed greens. I told our waitress to hold the sugar coated walnuts. Blue cheese crumbles and a house raspberry vinaigrette. Once it was cut and mixed, it was actually, pretty good.
For my entree I ordered Rockfish, blackened. I chose the mashed potatoes and different squashes were also included. It was good; but not exciting. I ate it. Don’t kid yourselves. That did not deter me.
My husband ordered the Pad-Thai. Stir fried rice noodles, shrimp, chicken and vegetables with authentic Thai seasonings; garnished with cilantro, bean sprouts and chopped peanuts.
His review was that it was too sweet. It had chicken and shrimp and maybe it should have been one or the other; not both. Not spicy enough, either. I thought he would start his tantrum, but he contained himself.
So, we quickly got our bill, which was somewhat reasonable, and departed.
Note: Port is supposed to have a Thai influence but there are only a few Thai dishes.
Not very exciting, don’t you think? Talk to you later…..
July 22nd, 2011
I had to go and check Hook ’em & Cook ’em out. Mel is one of my fellow walkers; he is religious about his walking, more so than I. Some time ago, I told him I had a website. That I wrote about the area. He told me I needed to visit Hook em & Cook ’em. That they were so nice and the seafood so fresh. Okay, okay I am going. On a sizzling day, I took off for the Indian River Marina which is south of Dewey Beach and just before Bethany Beach.
To get to Hook ’em & Cook ’em is a little tricky now. Due to all the construction of the new bridge, detours are driving us all crazy. But, they are there, just like they have been for 8 years. Yes, Hook ’em & Cook ’em is inside the north side of the Delaware State Park at the Indian River Marina.
Their telephone is 302-226-8220. The website? www.hookemcookem.com. The owners? Bert & Deanna. Please note that they have an on-line store, as well. At the York Beach Mall in South Bethany there is another location; no seafood is sold there, but everything else is.
I have to tell you that I had not been back there in so long. It really looked beautiful; a gorgeous setting. The boats, the water and the Marina itself.
Camera out and the first thing I saw was a gentleman getting some flounder off the hooks. One of the kids’ catch.
I finally went in. The shop was very well stocked and busy.
Fishing gear and everything that has to do with fishing, surf or otherwise. I really don’t fish but do appreciate others that do.
I introduced myself to Deanna. She knew exactly who I was talking about; Mel. The same Mel that has not been there in some time.
Deanna was making a crabcake so I was happy to get the picture. She is limited to what she can cook at the shop. She makes Cream of Crab Soup, Crabcakes, using only jumbo lump meat, shrimp salad, tuna salad and Rock Fish Chowder. They can also steam seafood.
You can order take-out, or just sit outside on one of their picnic tables.
Hook ’em & Cook ’em has, pretty much every day, tautog, flounder, rockfish, and black seabass. They have fillets or whole fish for sale, as well.
Lobsters are a bit scarce this year. If you are interested in lobster call them ahead of time to make sure they have them.
On one of the freezers, bait is what you will find; the other had frozen seafood. Tuna is bought from commercial fishing boats. This is due to licensing laws.
It was time to go outside because the flounder I first encoutered was going to be cleaned by Christopher. He is quite young but an expert; also Deanna and Bert’s son. He cleans fish for everyone.
If you like to fish and would like to have that opportunity at the beach with either your family and friends, Deanna and Bert own Judy V. This is a 65′ fishing boat. Don’t worry if you are not an expert because their staff will guide you every step of the way. There are 1/2 days or full days of fishing. You can visit the website, www.fishjudyv.com. You can also call 302-226-2214 or 877-613-6022. The website will have the rates and departure schedules.
Then, there is Capt. Bob II. This is a 55′ fishing boat which is also available for private charters. You can get all the info. for this boat also on the website above mentioned.
I got some tuna for dinner and it was delicious. I had not had a nice piece of tuna steak in a long time.
Deanna was so friendly and I thank Mel for pushing me to go and meet them.
You need to save the date of Saturday, July 30th. Right at the Indian River Marina the Third Annual Seafood & Arts will be taking place from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. It is free!! You will find Lollipop the Clown, live music, fresh seafood and platters and fun for the whole family. For more details, please call 302-227-3071 or visit www.destateparks.com/marinas.
Even though it was so hot, walking around the Indian River Marina was a pleasure. I got close to the Indian River; people were fishing and having a grand old time.
If you are in the area stop by because you will be impressed.
As I am finishing this post, I almost forgot a most important member of the staff at Hook ’em & Cook ’em; Spencer. It was nice meeting you too.
Have a good one…talk to you later…
May 11th, 2011
I strolled yesterday, just like everyone else through the tent lined street in Grove Park. This is the home for the Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market who is celebrating its 5th season. And, every Tuesday, rain or shine, from Noon until 4:00 p.m. you will find the locals, residents and visitors purchasing, organic produce, food, flowers, baked goods and at times live entertainment, as well. On a beautiful day like yesterday, it was priceless.
Grove Park is a wooded corner in Rehoboth that is located adjacent to the Lighthouse Circle, right by the roundabout. It has a Tot Lot and benches to sit and rest or get a little shade when the summer weather heats up.
The Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market has a website; http://www.rbfarmersmarket.com.
There is free parking available on Henlopen Avenue, Columbia Avenue and Sussex St. and Felton Street. Otherwise, you will have to feed the meter in a few weeks.
This is the second week for the Farmers’ Market. Other farmers’ markets at the beaches are starting pretty soon.
Just like the traditional “mercados” found in cities throughout the world, growers sell their produce directly to the public. You can even have lunch at the Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market. Some vendors have pick up delicacies. For example, Yolanda from Mariachi which is located at Wilmington Ave. had Arroz con Pollo, Papusas, Tamales among other things. Mariachi’s website is www.mariachirehobothde.com.
Shopping at farmers’ markets has become a weekly ritual for a lot of us that want to have fresh and local produce. It is great to engage in conversation with some of the farmers.
The Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market has about 25 vendors. To see the complete list, please visit www.rbfarmersmarket.com/vendors.html. There are a few new ones but all the old standbys are there, as well.
So, as I strolled these vendors got me interested. Their produce looked beautiful.
From Deep Grass Nurseries, a certified organic farm in Sussex County, Delaware.
From Kennet Square the mushroom from Davidson Exotic Mushrooms. Kennet Square, PA is known as mushroom capital of the U.S.
Jimmy Lynn’s Seafood, Home of the Crab with Attitude and one of my favorites in the area had beautiful seafood.
Breads from Koglers Old World Breads made in Ellendale, Delaware
Backyard Jams and Jellies
Cleckner Family Farm Eggs are from Bivalve, Maryland. Hormone free, chemical free and healthy range chickens. They are a “Community Supported Agriculture”. CSA is usually an organic vegetable farm where one pays a fee to join and then gets a share of the crops throughout the season. For more info. please visit www.clecknerfarm.com.
I had not seen Skipper’s All Natural Crunchy Dog Treats before. They are made in Lewes, Delaware and are all natural pet treats and all natural pet products. They also have custom orders, personalized birthday, holiday and forever home gifts. They are on Facebook and their website is www.skipperscompany.com.
Fifer Orchards are favorites at the Delaware Beaches. www.fiferorchards.com
I met Victoria who is the owner and baker from Olivia’s Breads & Alden’s Desserts. These are her kids’ names. Her love of baking natural and delicious treats started a long time ago with the dietary requirements of her grandmother. The rest is history. If you need gluten free, sugar free, etc. etc. just give her a couple of days notice. Her website is www.oliviasbreads.com. Toll free is 1-855-424-4395.
Nuts to You had beautiful nuts. They also had “butters”; Almond, Peanut, Pecan and Walnut.
Pasqualinis Bakery is in downtown Rehoboth beach on 375 Atlantic Ave. Website? www.pasqualinis.com.
Kettle Korn is lightly salty and somewhat sweet. Perfect combination. You will find it towards the end of the tents.
Susie Sunshine Organic Sprouts had plenty of samples for tastings.
Yes, it was certainly nice. I know I missed some of the vendors. There is always next time. I hope you get to visit some of these farmers’ markets in our Delaware Beaches. It is worth it!!
Have a great day!! Talk to you later…
March 19th, 2011
The other day someone asked me on Facebook if I cooked. I guess they see that I am reviewing restaurants; so the cook is off again. Well, I do love to cook; experiment with new recipes. I find it rewarding. Too many times, too rewarding, and then back on the diet I go.
I bought the cookbook that is fairly new called Tastes of the Season. The recipes are favorites from the Delray GreenMarket. You can get the book by on-line at www.delraycra.org. I am always buying cookbooks and I read them like novels.
The Curry Mango Shrimp recipe I made it my own by changing it a bit. It was delicious, though. Hope you try it and like it.
I love a good mango and I was lucky to get a ripe one at the store.
Curry Mango Shrimp With Coconut Basmati Rice
1 cup diced mango
juice of enough limes to make about 6 tablespoons
3/4 cup of orange juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 tablespoons grated ginger (More? Go ahead.)
1 teaspoon curry powder (if you think you want more, then you know what to do)
1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (you may use any size)
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup uncooked basmati rice
1/4 tsp. salt (optional)
1 cup coconut milk
6 tablespoons green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
In a small bowl, make the marinade by mixing together the mango, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, ginger and curry powder.
In a medium bowl, add the cleaned shrimp and half the mango marinade, cover and let it stand for about 20 minutes or so.
In the meantime, make the Coconut Basmati Rice by combining chicken broth, coconut milk, salt and rice in a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, simmer 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Stir in green onion and cilantro. Keep warm.
Heat large frying pan to a medium to high heat. Then add the tablespoon of butter, melt. Add the shrimp and mango mixture and cook for about 5 minutes or longer until the shrimp are nice and pink.
Then add the rest of the mango marinade. Heat and serve over the rice.
I wanted to add more colore and decided on brussel sprouts. The little ones that you can heat in the bag. A little butter; very sweet.
This recipe serves 4. Easily doubled.
This recipe is gluten free.
Talk to you later…enjoy…
P.S. Remember that AboutMyBeaches is on Facebook.
March 18th, 2011
Just like every Saturday in Delray Beach, you will find a lot of people congregated at SE 4th Avenue in Delray. That is where the Delray GreenMarket holds court from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Last Saturday I was lucky enough to experience the GreenMarket on a gorgeous day. It was also the day to celebrate in Delray St. Patty’s Day.
The music emanating from that street was great. Blues; The Cats were playing. Later on Heidi also played with The Cats. A CD was for sale and I bought it. It is really good.
Lots of people in attendance; some already with full bags in hand.
 
The guacamole looked delicious. It was Anita’s Guacamole. I had not seen them before; I am not sure how long they have been part of the GreenMarket.
I met Lori Nolan and she is the GreenMarket Manager. She showed me around a bit. She is one busy lady. Then she pointed to JC’s Daily Bread. His moto? “A Taste of Heaven Without The Wait”. Jon-Claude Stevens is the Chief Baker. The website is www.jcsdailybread.com.
I bought some of JC’s Jalapeno bread and it definitely had a bite. It was very good and I served it with chicken salad and beer. That’s right!!
I got one of the cookbooks of the favorite recipes of the Delray GreenMarket. It is called Tastes of the Season and it is for sale at the GreenMarket or you can also purchased it on line. Visit www.delraycra.org. In it you will find recipes like Southern Fried Chickpeas, Shrimp Cakes, Sweet Onion Casserole, Caribbean Shrimp with Pineapple Salsa and so much more.
Anyway, here are a few pictures from last Saturday’s GreenMarket. Hope you are there and have the opportunity to check it out this Saturday.
Have a great week-end!! And, talk to you later….
January 18th, 2011
I don’t know what comes to my mind first, the craving for a particular food that takes me to that restaurant to review it, or that I pick a restaurant because it is time to review a restaurant.
I think it is the former. I don’t give it too much thought. It is like wanting pizza, or a good juicy hamburger, Indian food, Thai, or, Oh, I feel like having a crepe. For example, yesterday I was driving and stopped at Eming’s Chicken, which is closer to Bethany Beach, Delaware, but away from the beaches. Well, I will probably be there Friday because they are having a pig roast starting at 11:00 a.m. I got that craving. If I do go, believe me, that will be a post in the making.
I thought about this particular post a few times. Already you know that I like sushi, and sashimi. I feel good after I eat it; satisfied but not overly full.
I was having dinner in Delray Beach back in December with Anita and my husband. We were at Lemongrass, which I have written about a few times, and one of my favorite restaurants in Delray. Talking and chatting away, interjecting in Spanish with Anita; back to English. The tables were close to each other so you could really see what other patrons were eating and some times even hear what they were talking about.
Our entrees arrived and out came my camera. A couple next to us, started a friendly chat. Of course, I told them what I was doing. They, actually, ordered my fish, since they saw how gorgeous it looked. Then, the gentleman proceeded to tell me that I needed to try a sushi restaurant in Boyton Beach called Sushi Simon. That it had very innovative combinations in their sushi. That’s all I needed to hear so, yes, we went there the next day and one other time after that. Here is my personal opinion and review.
Sushi Simon is located at 1614 S. Federal Highway, Boyton Beach, Florida 33435. The actual location is at the SE corner of Woolbright Rd. and Federal Hwy., right on that shopping center. Tel. 561-731-1819. No website but you can find them on Facebook. Their business hours are Mondays – Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 – 10:00 p.m. They also have lunch specials Mondays through Fridays. Carry out is available, as well.
Boyton Beach is located just north of Delray Beach and South of Palm Beach. Not far; easy to get to.
When I first entered the restaurant I thought I smelled fish, which usually turns me off, but that dissipated and did not happen again. The restaurant was small, and not very wide; plenty of tables and a sushi bar, though. A couple of tables outdoors too. It was cozy and people were friendly.
Looking through the menu I thought it looked good, even though I do not like imitation crab. It seemed that it was used a lot in their rolls. Also, cream cheese was used a lot.
The rolls I decided to try were:
Little Havana which had eel, avocado, cream cheese, plantains, and mango. I will tell you that it was delicious and perfect for a South Florida roll. The plantain and mango combination was great. Loved it. That was what the gentleman told me at Lemongrass. Innovative combinations.
 Little Havana and Ichigo Roll Ichigo Roll was delicious, as well. It had also eel, masago, avocado, cream cheese, strawberries, and macadamia nuts on top. I had not had a roll with macadamia nuts. It was a first and really liked that crunchiness and fruit together with the eel.
My husband had the Kawaii Maui Roll with coconut shrimp, avocado, cream cheese, pineapple, papaya, with mixed macadamia nuts on top. He thought it was the best roll he had had in a very long time. Could not stop talking about it. We had taken our own gluten free soy sauce. The restaurant had not had anyone ask for something like that in the past.
 Kawaii Maui Roll Next visit came about because my husband could not stop talking about the Kawaii Maui Roll. Tommy and Michael came with us and it got a little tricky because Sushi Simon, practically, does not have too much for the person that does not like sushi, or seafood, for that matter. The only thing he could have was Gyoza which were steamed or deep fried pork and vegetable dumplings.
 Gyoza But, wait, he decided to try the roll my husband was raving about. I could see it in his face, it was a no go, as he was trying to eat it. The other ones finished that roll for him. Happy, yes, they were.
We ordered pretty much the same thing. I added the Crazy Lucy soup, which was a special soup of the day. I really liked it. It was a Miso soup but with different fish added to it. Tasty.
 Crazy Lucy I again, ordered that Little Havana roll and then tried another roll that was on their special that evening. I cannot remember its name but it did have the avocado on top. It was good, but not memorable like Little Havana and Ichigo Roll.
The concensus was that it was good, but for the size of the rolls, it was expensive. I would go again for that Little Havana Roll and the Ichigo Roll. My husband will go again for the Kawaii Maui Roll. I thought his roll was small; a few more pieces were needed.
It is great to have choices…..talk to you later…and have a great day!!
 Simon
December 19th, 2010
Thank God it did not start raining until mid morning. I wanted to go by the Green Market. This is an open air market located at SE 4th Ave., 1/2 block south of Atlantic Avenue. You cannot miss it. I had been to the Green Market in the past but had not taken any pictures.
This Green Market is very similar to the Farmers’ Markets that take place during the summer months in the Delaware and Maryland beaches. It is going back to the basics; buy local and eat fresh.
The Green Market was started in 1996 by the Community Redevelopment Agency. This is now their 15th season; their second edition of the Greenmarket Cookbook is now on sale. It is $14.95 plus $3.00 shipping and handling. Call Lori at 561-276-7511 to reserve your copy. You may also want to stop by the CRA office on 20 N Swinton Ave. and pick one up.
The Green Market is every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Do you need more info. or are interested in being a vendor? Then call Lori at 561-276-7511 or e-mail greenmarket@delraycra.org.
It was so nice to stroll up and down the street just checking everything out.
The first vendor I saw was selling seafood. Immediately the jumbo lump crabmeat got my eye. Of course, I ended up buying a pound. Actually, it was cheaper than at home. This vendor also had gorgeous stonecrab claws.
People were buying; I watched them interact with the vendors.
Between the music playing, the food cooking, the warm weather and a soft breeze, I think I caught myself smiling throughout my strolling.
      
Hey, you will get the chance to visit the Green Market if you are in Delray Beach every Saturday until the end of May.
Note: On Friday, 12/24, Christmas Eve, the Green Market will be open from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., just so their loyal customers can pick up last minute items. There will be no street closing so all you have to do is pull up and buy your goodies.
Talk to you later…have a good one….
 
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