Category: Eats

KEN DUCKWORTH’S FABULOUS SAVOURY AND DELICIOUS SPREAD FOR EASTERN POINT LIT HOUSE BOOK CLUB EVENTS

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

FullSizeRender (36)Ken’s golden polenta, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside

There are still a few seats available for the next Duckworth’s Eastern Point Lit House Book Club event (Sunday evening, March 20th). Ken, Chris, Jenn, Michelle, and Colleen do a beautiful job welcoming guests, and if you haven’t been, they provide wonderful evenings of, quite possibly, the best book club fare ever, freely flowing wine, and great discussions.

IMG_6480Last month’s discussion was led by Eastern Point Lit House co-founders Jenn Monroe and Chris Anderson.

Don’t be intimidated if you haven’t read the book in time for the event (which is oftentimes the case with me). I’m usually so inspired after the discussion, I find the time.

FullSizeRender (37)So deliciooooooous, that’s all I can say about Ken’s meatloaf and potatoes

Lit House book Club Duckworth's ©Kim Smith 2015An array of salads, vegetable dishes, and soup accompanies every dinner.

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Come, I promise you won’t be disappointed!!

 

 

VIDEO: SISTER FELICIA SHARES HER LIMONCELLO RECIPE STEP-BY-STEP!

Posted on by Craig Kimberley

Join Sister Felicia in her kitchen with friends and family as they have a blast while showing you how to make limoncello at home. She has 2 recipes for you in this video, the classic and the creamy styles of limoncello!

(click the little gear at the bottom right for full HD video)

Limonciello & Aranciello Bottling Night @Sista Felicia’s

Posted on by Sista Felicia

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Friday night friends and family gathered to bottle & sample this years batch of Sista Felicia’s Limonciello and Aranicello for the upcoming Feast of St Joseph! 

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From left; Cousin Marisa Marcantonio Annaika Eves, Bridget Mathews,Andrea Carlson,Sista Felicia,Pat Ciaramitaro,Cousin Eleanor Tucker, BFF Dee Noble, Mo Klop

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From left; Steve Noble,James Eves, Neil Mathews

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While “Comere” Bridget Mathews and I mixed this year batches, the ladies help strain the rids from the alachol, and  prepared the bottles.

 

 

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The men snacked on freshly fried Arancini and Hot Italian Bread with fresh Ricotta Cheese, Pesto and Red Roasted Peppers, while they anxiously waited to sample all 4 varieties.  Each year 2 straight up versions of Limonciello & Aranciello, and 2 creamy versions of both lemon and orange are prepared and bottled.

 

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Neil Mathews, our official taste tester, sampled each, while bridget and I mixed and tweaked the ratios until Neil deemed it to be “Perfecto!”Several rounds of samples were enjoyed by all! 

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Chris Carlson and “Ma”

A Special Thank You to my incredibly talented friend & Creative Director James Eves Owner of Cape Ann Giclee, for the beautiful Limonciello & Aranciello Lables he created and “Feliciatized”…XO

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Continue reading “Limonciello & Aranciello Bottling Night @Sista Felicia’s” →

Hula Moon Serves Up Breakfast

Posted on by Nichole S.

While my boys could simply live on their shaved ice, I’m pretty excited that Rockport’s Hula Moon is now open for breakfast.  The breakfast and the view are great…the owners couldn’t be nicer!  Go pay them a visit.

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SUGAR MAGNOLIAS HAS REOPENED FOR THE SEASON! !

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

FullSizeRender (34)Thank you to Jenn Cullen for posting to Instagram her photo of one of Sugar Magnolia’s new super salads. It looked so yummy, I just had to try it for myself. The roasted veggie, kale, almond, craisin, bulgur wheat, and goat cheese salad was fantastic. Crab cakes added to the order made an exquisite and filling lunch, so huge in fact, I brought half home for lunch tomorrow. My husband had one of Sugar Mag’s classic favorites, the corn chowder with jerk and honey grilled salmon. You’ll find an enticing array of new menu items and, not to worry, everyone’s old favorites, too. I can’t wait to try more ❤

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Sugar Magnolias is located at 112 Main Street and is open Tuesday through Friday from 7am to 11am, closed for half an hour and then again from 11:30am to 2:30pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, they are open for brunch from 7am to 1pm. Closed Mondays.

For more information visit their website here: Sugar Magnolias

Friends David Cox and Carol Roberts–you run into the nicest people when dining on Main Street!!

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Carol Roberts kimsmithdesigns.com

Some Genius Marketing Dude Just Took The Energy Snack Game To Another Level…

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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So the bitchy broad from Desperate Housewives of New York branded some mass produced Vodka with the brilliant name “SkinnyGirl” and #boom she is making millions seemingly overnight.

I was watching TV the other night and saw this ad for  “Energems” which is  basically chocolate with caffeine and they are acting like they revolutionized the chocolate energy snack game.  Uhm has no-one eaten chocolate covered espresso beans, readily available at just about any chocolatier in the nation?  Doesn’t matter if you have or haven’t because just like SkinnyGirl Vodka, it really doesn’t matter what’s inside the packaging, it’s more about the marketing apparently.   You just throw stuff together that’s already been around for hundreds of years, give it a catchy name and some slick packaging and it’s a guaranteed winner.

The Energems folks are just smart marketers.  Chocolate and caffeine and make it sound healthy- #Boom!

Uhmmmm hellooooooo, It’s frickin Chocolate and Caffeine.  It’s been right there under our noses all along.

Disclaimer: I have no idea if this stuff if good or bad, works or doesn’t. I just think the marketing is brilliant.

I need an angel investor to back my ideas for some products I’m developing. 

First and Foremost “Big Cock” Chicken brand where we inject frozen breaded chicken with Viagra.  Bake ‘em in a preheated oven for like ten minutes and you’re good to go all night long.   Hello??????   I’ll be retired in no time at all.

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P.S. Look for my GoFundMe page any day now.

OSCAR WEEKEND AT CAKE ANN

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Inga and Jeannie from Cake Ann write in ~

In celebration of the Oscars this weekend, we’ve created some tasty treats:

Malted milk bar chocolate cupcakes with a chocolate ganache filling and a Malted milk bar buttercream frosting (because people often buy malted milk bars when they go to the movies!)

Sweet potato scones with a maple glaze frosting in honor of the Martian (the main character survived on potatoes)

“Big” Cardamom short bread cookies in honor of the movie the Big Short.

Thanks so much Kim.
Jeannie

Cake Ann cupcakeCake Ann Photo of Malted Milk Bar Cupcakes

Saturday 2/27/16 Sista Felicia Will Be Live Streaming From Her Kitchen- St Joseph’s Pasta Making Mayhem

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

We Will Be Live Streaming Sista Felicia’s St Joseph’s Past Making Day

Saturday 2/27/16 At 10:00AM

Click Here At That Time For The Live Stream-

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sista-felicia-s-kitchen

Breakfast is Served…again

Posted on by Nichole S.

Last week, Steve and Kelly Salah closed the front door of Rockport’s Red Skiff for the last time.  The last time until its reopening under new ownership this morning, that is.  As I drove by at 7:30 last night I found new owner, Talia Khan-Bettencourt, and some others busy at work preparing for today.  With a new sign hung by the door, that only remained closed for a mere ten days, comes the promise of more meals, mug ups, and memories.

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Are fishcakes obsolete? No. 6 from Al Bezanson

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

After a podcast on fishcakes Monday morning with Joey I zoomed over to the Fort Square Café for a late breakfast.  Heidi served up this beauty from fresh hake.  She makes them only from time to time for her famed Cape Ann Reuben.

Cape Ann Reuben at Fort Square

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Authentic fishcake recipe for consumers abandoned by Gorton’s

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Authentic fishcake recipe for consumers abandoned by Gorton’s

There was a time when Gorton’s offered wonderful time-saving fishcake products.  Canned ‘ready-to-fry’, Gorton’s brand frozen fishcakes and fishballs, and best of all, Red L brand frozen fish cakes made with exactly the right proportion of salt cod.  But no more. 

So here’s a question for readers …. Are fishcakes obsolete?

For posterity, here is a recipe from our artist friend, the late Mary (Desmond) Lizotte.  It came from her mother.  Mary’s father was from Nova Scotia and captain of a square rigger.

Al and Phyllis Bezanson

New England Codfish Cakes ___ from Desmond

Editor’s note from Joey: Best fish cakes ever were made by old timer and good friend of ours at the dock who has passed a long time ago now- Leo “The Flounder” Ciaramitaro but Leo’s fish cakes would have a whole lot of garlic in them.  God, Frank and I used to pound down a tray of them at the dock.

So Many Choices…

Posted on by Nichole S.

Back at the Yard House up at MarketStreet in Lynnfield and with hundreds of beer choices, I decided on a Moscow Mule with Tito’s Vodka.  Sometimes too many choices is a difficult thing.   I did, however, order the same Surf and Turf Burger that I usually get.  It didn’t disappoint.

The Yard House, Lynnfield

In the kitchen with Anthony Caturano and Rob Picardi At Prezza

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Anthony will be bringing his culinary skills to soon to be opened “Tonno” in #GloucesterMA.  Currently completely renovating the space in the Blackburn Tavern  building on the corner of Washington and Main St.
Check them out them on Facebook here and get all the updates

In this video,  Rob Picardi demonstrates preparing the type cuisine we can expect at Tonno and we talk to owner/chef Anthony Caturano in the kitchen.

Here’s the wood grilled squid and octopus with braised white beans and toasted parsley –

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Risotto and almond raviolini with braised veal, tomato, onion, red wine and pecorino cheese –
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Bone in ribeye, sautéed escarole, Roasted potatoes, red wine sauce-
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What a treat we are in for when Tonno opens up in Gloucester!

CAKE ANN’S RECIPE 4 LOVE!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

A sampling of some of Cake Ann’s cupcakes that are available for your Valentine sweethearts.

Cherry cupcakes Cake Ann www.kimsmithdesigns.comCherry vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting

Cake Ann cupcakes www.kimsmithdesigns.comChocolate with salted caramel cupcakes

Cake Ann Carrot cupcakes www.kimsmithdesigns.comCarrot cake with cream cheese frosting

Cake Ann has extended their hours. They are open Valentine’s Day, and every Sunday, from 8am to 2pm. Cake Ann is located at 214 Eastern Avenue in Gloucester

Cake Ann www.kimsmithdesigns.comInga, Jeannine Daroga, and Karen Burbine

SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETHEARTS FROM NICHOLS CANDY HOUSE!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns
Heart Boxes Nichols Candy House www.kimsmithdesignsDelectable chocolate dipped candies of every variety of nut, fruit, and creamy center, fudge (four kinds), freshly roasted in-house delicious nuts, and much, much more–Nichols has a sweet treat for all your Valentines!

Chocolate Basket filled with hearts Nichols Candy House www.kimsmithdesigns

Chocolate basket filled with chocolate hearts

Today when stopping by to pick up gifts for the family, Don Gibbons was making penuche fudge. As the penuche was heating and setting up in a great copper pot he was giving the batter a frequent stir and keeping a watchful eye. In case you are wondering, penuche (panucci in Italian) is chocolate-less fudge, made typically with brown sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla. The brown sugar lends penuche its warm maple-butterscotch hues.

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Don Gibbons Nichols Candy House www.kimsmithdesignsDon Gibbons
Barbara Nichols Nichols Candy House www.kimsmithdesignsBarbara Nichols, Nichols Candy House Proprietor and truly lovely lady

NEW VIDEO FROM CAPE ANN TV: SEAFOOD THROWDOWN AT THE FARMER’S MARKET

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Featuring chefs Niaz Dorry from the Northwest Marine Alliance, Mark Delaney from Common Crow, and David Gauvin from Addison Gilbert hospital.

VALENTINE HEARTS GALORE AT TURTLE ALLEY!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Looking for a super easy gluten-free dessert for a relative this afternoon, a quick stop at Turtle Alley was made. I was knocked out by Hallie Baker’s fabulous heart boxes, each filled with a different assortment of chocolates, and each clearly labeled–all ready to go for your Valentine sweetheart! FYI, Hallie informs that her chocolate truffles are definitely gluten-free.
Turlte Alley www.kimsmithdesigns

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UPDATE FROM BEAUTIFUL CAKE ANN

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBftj73jyrr/

The full menu is up and running! If you can’t get there early in the morning and are worried about missing out on a favorite pastry, call the day before and ask to reserve it. For Sunday brunch we served fruit galettes and kougin-amann and they were a HUGE HIT with the Fam! Along with Inga’s welcoming smile, I love the open, clean design of Cake Ann’s interior space and find both very inviting.

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Cake Ann is located at 214 Eastern Avenue in Gloucester. They are open from 8am to 4pm Wednesday through Saturday and Sunday from 8am to noon.