March 6th, 2013

Destination, Delray Beach, Florida, Village by the Sea, Activities, Events, Entertainment, Palm Beach County, SoFlo

So sorry you are stuck in Delray Beach, I told my friend, Debbie…her daughter’s flight was canceled.   In The Village by the Sea, I am feeling her pain, as we, the ones that are in the Mid Atlantic States, deal with….March.  In like a lion, definitely.

So, check out what’s going on in Delray Beach…

The Cornell Museum Building is turning 100!  It is located at the corner of Swinton and Atlantic Avenues.  The Cornell Museum of Art & American Culture is honoring this milestone with a special museum admission of $1.00 through April 1st.

Until April 21st – At the Cornell Museum at Atlantic Avenue and Swinton.  The Seagate Hotel & Spa World of Golf:  The Gary Wiren Collection – One of the finest private collections of golf memorabilia in the world, as well as fine art from the Academy of Golf Art.  The avid golfer can expect to experience things they have never come in contact with before.  The non golfer will pleasantly surprised.  This collection is hailed as the “most unique golf exhibition in the history of the United States”.  Dr. Gary Wiren is a golf educator, a Master member of the Professional Golfers Association of America, a former national PGA staff director, and one of only three professionals named to both the PGA Hall of Fame and Golf Magazine’s World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame.

Putt with the putters from 1890, 1925, and 2012 to compare!!

Admission is $10; $6 for seniors and students with ID, $3 ages 4-12; free for ages 3 and under.

Wednesday, 3/6, Thursday, 3/7, Friday, 3/8…Go Paint, Drink and Haven Fun!!  Check the Calendar at Vino Van Gogh!  Whether you are an inspiring Van Gogh or just looking to explore your creative side.,..In a relaxed, social, group setting, an artist will guide you through replicating the night’s featured painting step by step.  It’s the new thing in Delray Beach, and it is located at 153 NE 4th Avenue.  Tel. 561-272-5272.  Website?  http://www.vinovangohflorida.com.  Go to the calendar and choose a date and painting you like.  Reserve your spot online or by phone.  For example, tonight, Wednesday, 3/6 is Splatter Tulips, Thursday, 3/7 is Well Behaved Dogs, and Friday, 3/8 is Margarita Time.  The classes are 2 – 2/12 hours and the price is $35-40/class, depending on the day and time.  Canvases, paint, brushes, easels, aprons, plus entertainment is provided!!  Each class ticket includes 1 complimentary glass of wine, soda, or water.  Arrive 15 to 20 minutes earlier.

Thursday, 3/7 – Delray’s First Major Wellness Event – WellFest Delray Beach 2013.  A free event!!  It will take place at 3 outstanding venues:  Old School Square Gym (11 a.m.-7 p.m.),  Hyatt Place (10 a.m.-7 p.m.),  and at the Old School Square Amphitheater with Fitness Demos at 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.  Demos and classes on vinyasa yoga, tai-chi and, boot camp fitness.  The event is targeting the importance of education, information, motivation, entertainment and inspiration.  More info?  Please visit http://www.wellfestdelray.com

Old School Square is located at the Delray Center for the Arts, 51 North Swinton (corner of Atlantic Avenue).

The Amphitheater is also on this location.

Hyatt Place is located at 104 NE 2nd Avenue (Pineapple Grove).

Friday, 3/8 – Arts Garage – Global Invasion at 7:30 p.m. with Errol Rackipov, a Master Vibraphonist who blends jazz and classical chamber music with Eastern European fold rhythms and motifs.  Arts Garage is a multi-disciplinary cultural hub for visual artists, musicians, performers, film presenters and arts educators.  It is located at 180 NE First St.  Tel. 561-450-6357  Website?  http://www.artsgarage.org

Friday, 3/8 – Sunday 3/10 – TAP, at the Crest Theatre.  Friday at 8 p.m.  Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $42.  This is a non-stop explosion of energy.  Celebrating the world of dance.  The cast?  Award-winning dancers and singers that travel seamlessly through decades of styles; from Broadway and Big Band to world music and poprock.  By tickets online.  Visit http://www.delraycenterforthearts.org The Crest Theatre is located at 51 North Swinton Avenue.

Saturday, 3/9 – Delray GreenMarket – It is an open air market, featuring the best local produce in Delray Beach.  It takes place every Saturday until May 11th.  9 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Location? The Old School Square Park at NE 2nd Avenue. 1/2 block north of Atlantic Ave.  Their cookbook is also on sale for $12.  You can also call Lori at 561-276-7511 to order your copy.  Please add an extra $3.00 for shipping and handling.

Saturday, 3/9 and Sunday, 3/10 – Artists in The Park at Veteran’s Park on Atlantic Avenue, right by the Intracoastal.  This is the longest running outdoor fine arts show and sale in South Florida.  It is sponsored by the Delray Art league.  You will see the tents up on Saturday and Sunday!!  Website?  http://www.delrayartleague.org

Historic Colony Hotel

Historic Sandoway House

Saturday, 3/9 – “Ride & Remember” Historic Tour of Delray Beach.  The tours are held every second Saturday of the month.  It includes some walking into the historic sites, but those who choose not to walk may wait on the bus.  Now in its seventh year, the Ride & Remember tour has added the Colony Hotel and the Sandoway House Nature Center.  Departure location?  The Spady Museum at 170 NW 5th Avenue in Delray.  Departure time is 10 a.m.  Return is 12 p.m.  Cost is 20/person.  Tel. 561-279-8883  Website?  http://www.spadymuseum.com

Thursday, 3/14 – The 12th Annual Delray Beach Home Tour from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  It draws hundreds of guests from all over SoFlo.  Some of Delray’s most distinctive residences will open their doors to the public.  Tickets are $100 and can be purchase online by visiting http://www.delrayhometour.com.  Guests will explore the residences.  It will be a leisurely day with catered luncheon and trolley service between homes.  This signature event for Delray Beach raises funds for the Achievement Centers for Children & Families.  You can also call 561-266-0003 to purchase tickets by credit card.  Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are accepted.

Achievement Centers for Children & Families is a non-profit organization that provides a safe, nurturing environment for children who need them the most….more info at http://www.delraychild.org.

Sunday, 3/17 – A Hands On Sushi Workshop at Morikami Gardens, located at 4000 Morikami Park Rd. – Learn the basic of sushi making, cultural info about sushi and enjoy your creations.  11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Oki Education Center.  Instructor? Mitsutoshi Sekita  Cost? $70.  Bring a sharp 7″ – 8″ knife, cutting board (approx. 10″ – 15″) and apron and dish towel.  More info?  Please visit http://www.morikami.org/education/basics-of-sushi Tel. 561-495-0233.

Have a great time!!  Enjoy the weather!!

February 14th, 2013

16th Annual Chili Cookoff, Saturday, 2/16, Delray GreenMarket, Delray Beach, Florida…Chicken Chile, Fifty Shades of Chicken, Recipe, Gluten Free

If you are visiting Delray Beach, Florida this week-end, you are in for a treat when the 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off will be taking place at Old School Square.  It is sponsored by the Delray GreenMarket. Visit http://www.delraycra.org.

It is a free event.  Saturday, 2/16 from 10 a.m.until 12:30 p.m.  Watch the bravest cooks in town battle over bragging rights for the best traditional, new age, and vegetarian chili recipes.  Sample each batch and help choose the People’s Choice winner!! Trophies will be awarded.

Listen to Heidi and The El Cat’s sing the blues!!

After reading 50 Shades of Grey…hmmmm, a friend gave me Fifty Shades of Chicken, a parody in a cookbook.  Actually, the recipes are great.  So, I decided to tackle the Chicken Chili.  Having a gluten allergy in my household I changed the recipe a bit to make it gluten free.

Remember to make it your own.  Want it more spicy?  You know what to do, right?

Chicken Chili

3 tablespoons extra virgin-olive oil

1 1/2 lbs. ground chicken, preferably a mixture of dark and white meat.  Mine was all white.

1/2 tablespoon of Kosher salt (I really don’t use salt, but it was in the recipe.)

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons of tomato paste

1 onion, chopped

1/2 green pepper chopped

1 jalapeno chile pepper (If you think it will be too hot, then just use some Tabasco instead.)

2 tablespoons chili powder (If you want to use more, you know what to do.)

1 28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes

1 bottle dark beer (I got gluten free beer.)

1 15 ounce can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed (If you want more beans….)

1 cup of chicken broth.

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, or to taste

Sour cream, for garnish (I bought lite sour cream.)

Grated cheese, for garnish (Your preference.)

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.  Add chicken and brown for about 7 minutes or so.  Add salt and pepper.  Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan and then stir in the tomato paste.  Cook, stirring, until the paste is fragrant; about 2 minutes.  Stir in the onions, bell, pepper, garlic, and jalapeno.  Cook until the veggies are golden; about 10 minutes.

Stir in the chili powder, adjust salt content.  Cook for a few minutes more.

Add the tomatoes. Stir for a minute.

Then, add the beer, beans. and the cup of chicken broth.  The gluten free beer I used is the one of the left….a Spanish beer.  Add cilantro and lime juice.

Ladle the chili into bowls.  Serve topped with sour cream and shredded cheese.  Enjoy!!

Note:  Please remember to make sure your ingredients are gluten free if you are following the allergy diet.  Grate the cheese yourself, as well.

This recipe will serve 4 hungry people!!  Easily doubled.