Category: Uncategorized

Top Neck Stuffed Clams

Posted on by Sista Felicia

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The Ultimate Appetizer of all times!

For years Stuffed Top Neck Clams have been the highlight of our holiday feast. It’s become tradition for the men in the family to gather around my kitchen island to prepare the clams for stuffing. A daunting task and skill taught to the younger generations year after year to keep the tradition alive. The only compliant you may hear from the men is that their not cooking fast enough!

clam10 This photo of my Father teaching my husband Barry how to open the clams safely several years ago, is a photo I will cherish forever. Although he may not be with us physically and mentally, he is forever with us in spirit as each clam is opened at my island each holiday.

Top Neck Clams

Ingredients

35 top neck clams split open and mussel loosened

4 stacks original Ritz Crackers crushed in food processor

1-2 handful of Sicilian Breadcrumbs (recipe pg 2o1 “Gifts of Gold”

1 envelope Good Season Italian Dry Dressing Mix

1 large sweet onion puréed

1 medium ripe tomato seeded and finely hand chopped

1-2 sticks melted salted butter

1 green pepper cut finely by hand

½ lb. sliced bacon cut into ½ inch pieces

1 tablespoon olive oil

Step-by-Step

1  Place all ingredients except butter, olive oil and bacon into a large mixing bowl

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2  Add butter a little at a time while working crumbs together with your hands, mixture should be a moist consistency not wet soggy

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3  Drizzle stuffing mixture with olive oil and mix well

4  Carefully place prepared clams on a cookie sheet, (keep natural clam juices in each shell)

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5  Using your hand top each clam with a heaping tablespoon of stuffing

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6  Top each stuffed clam with bacon

7  Place clams uncovered into a preheated 350 degree oven

8  Bake 5-10 minutes or until tops of crumbs are golden and bacon is slightly crisp

 For my Step-by-Step video Tutorial clink on link below at The Gloucester Daily Times Taste Of The Times

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http://food.gloucestertimes.com/recipe-video/Stuffed-Top-Neck-Clams.html

Trenel Cove, circa 1915

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
You've seen Trenel Cove on Wolf Hill many times, commuting onto or off of Cape Ann island. The A. Piatt Andrew Bridge (Route 128) connects us with the mainland. It spans the Annisquam River from Rust Island on the left to just beyond the house with the turret on the right (Wolf Hill). Trenel Cove is in the foreground, and was where a small ferry operated. It's now a Gloucester Public Landing (see #11): http://www.gloucester-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/426
You’ve seen Trenel Cove on Wolf Hill many times, commuting onto or off of Cape Ann island. The A. Piatt Andrew Bridge (Route 128) connects us with the mainland. It spans the Annisquam River from Rust Island on the left to just beyond the house with the turret on the right (Wolf Hill). Trenel Cove is in the foreground, and was where a small ferry operated. It’s now a Gloucester Public Landing (see #11): http://www.gloucester-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/426

Make A Difference This Holiday Season

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hey Joe- 

The GMG community has been so generous and supportive of Next Step through the annual bikini/speedo dodgeball tourney, that I thought they might be interested in this opportunity. 

Each December we host a holiday party for all of the Next Step youth. Some of these teens and young adults are battling cancer, some HIV, and some rare genetic diseases, but all are dealing with life-threatening illness, every day. The holiday party is a chance for them to have fun, see friends, and get away from their day-to-day pressures and struggles. 

We make sure that each youth walks away from the party with a holiday gift. This year we put together a wish list of gifts for the youth. It’s a great way for generous people like GMG readers to give DIRECTLY to one of our kids and help put a smile on their face this season. The wish list link is below- all gifts will be sent to Next Step, wrapped and given to our youth on Dec. 14. Thanks so much! 

http://www.myregistry.com/Visitors/GiftList.aspx?sid=E149EA00-D734-44E8-B96F-DF9E5879CB8E

Aria

Aria McElhenny
Development Director

Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/NextStepFund

The Next Step Fund
For Young People With Cancer and Blood Disease

Cape Ann Forum Hosts Omar Dahi at City Hall

Posted on by God's Morning
omar dahi_cape ann forum
On Sunday, December 8 the Forum hosts Middle East scholar and author Omar Dahi speaking on the Syrian civil war, an increasingly regional catastrophe and humanitarian crisis affecting neighboring nations as well as Syria.  This is nowhere more evident than in Lebanon, where some villages now have more Syrians than Lebanese.  Just back from Lebanon, Dahi reports a lack of hospital beds and growing fear of a cholera outbreak and ensuing public health disaster in the Bekaa Valley.  Dahi will discuss the war, the complex welter of competing groups and outside interests, and the urgent need for a political solution and massive aid in the region.
Omar Dahi is an associate professor of economics at Hampshire College and visiting fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace MIddle East Center.
Born and raised in Damascus, Syria, Dahi received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Notre Dame, serves on the editorial committee of the Middle East Report, is co-editor of the  Syria web page at Jadaliyya, and is widely published in various academic journals.
The  forum will be held at Gloucester City Hall and is free and open to the public.

Manchester Athletic Club Holiday Fair Expo December 6th 5PM-8PM and December 7th 9AM-1PM Open To The Entire Community!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

You don’t have to be a member at The Manchester Athletic Club To Enjoy This Fair.

 

Holiday Fair 2013

Wednesday’s with Fly Amero ~ Special guest: John Rockwell @ The Rhumb Line

Posted on by Joanne

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Wednesdays Only: Prime Rib, $12.95!

Hello everyone!
Wednesday, December 4th  8-11
Special Guest: JOHN ROCKWELL! 

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THE RHUMB LINE BAR & RESTAURANT

40 Railroad Ave.

Gloucester, MA 01930

phone: 978-283-9732

Breaking News…The Cave Cheese Shop Is Now Selling “Gifts Of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen With Sista Felicia,Harvest”

Posted on by Sista Felicia

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 Sunday afternoon Laura Cramer owner of The Cave Cheese Shop on Main Street here in Gloucester, reached out to  me after a patron shopping in her store informed her that he had just heard on the GMG Sunday Morning Pod Cast with GMG Chief Joey Ciaramitaro, Toby Pett and Amandacakes, that I  was interested in participating in this upcoming Thursday’s Ladies Night on Main Street. I’m thrilled to announce that I will be teaming up with the Cave for this weeks event. Laura cordially invited me to her shop Ladies Night this Thursday Evening  December 5th beginning at 5 pm for a Cookbook/ Magazine signing.

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 Laura’s shelves are  currently stocked with copies of my newly released cookbook, “Gifts Of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen With Sista Felicia, Harvest.” Copies will be on sale at The Cave throughout the holiday season, along with Cape Ann Magazine December 2013 December issue! 

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Laura has been very busy planning a special night. Last year her shop was a hot spot for shoppers and this year she is gearing up for an even bigger crowd. She will be serving several local products, including: wine spirit refreshments, Duck Foie Gras, Fudge Everything fudge sauce~ produced locally in Manchester By The Sea MA., Lark Cookies from Lark Fine Foods located in Essex Ma. , Gloucester Joe’s Coffee, and samples of Sista Felicia’s Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Dip, a recipe featured in “Gifts Of Gold”. The Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Dip will be specially made for this event using a delicious Laura Chenel’s Chevre ~ a mildly flavored soft creamy goat cheese sold regularly at “The Cave.”

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I look forward to meeting many GMG FOB, stop by “The Cave to celebrate “Shop local” and purchase you your copies of “Gifts of Gold”, Cape Ann Magazine, cheese, wine, coffee, cookies, and fudge sauce gifts for your family and friends, and  say hello!

Babson Reservoir, 1930

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Here is early construction of the Babson Reservoir 1930). It's still the main source of water for the City of Gloucester, along with Goose Cove (1963). The Babson family gave the reservoir to the City in return for keeping it a natural park.
Here is early construction of the Babson Reservoir (1930). It’s still the main source of water for the City of Gloucester, along with Goose Cove (1963). The Babson family gave the reservoir to the City in return for keeping it a natural park.

Cape Ann Magazine Is On Sale Now!!!

Posted on by Sista Felicia

Harbor Loop Gift Shop Just unloaded their shipment of Cape Ann Magazine December 2013 issue! Congratulations to Editor in Chief Andrea Holbrook,Gail McCarthy,Allegra Boverman and the entire magazine staff on producing another beautiful piece of artwork. The December issue has captured the true essence of Cape Ann. It is packed with truly amazing content from cover to cover, and I know every household will want to have at least one copy on their coffee table for the holiday season!

Gloucester Writer’s Center Presents Alan H. Weisman at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck

Posted on by God's Morning

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Give the gift of music and support local small business this holiday season!

Posted on by Joanne

Continue your support of Small Business Saturday into Cyber Monday with this Piano Lessons Special for the Holidays!

Several piano lesson specials—including gift certificates—for both adults and kids—are available through Dec. 24!! Please visit the website to learn more: http://www.capeannpiano.com or contact Julie directly by phone or email (please visit the Contact page on website).

And be sure and mention that you saw this ad on GoodMorningGloucester.com to get your discounts!

It’s also not too late to book Julie Cleveland to play for your Christmas party! Please visit http://www.juliecleveland.com for more info.

Piano Instruction by Julie Cleveland, Instructor/Pianist Cape Ann Piano Studio Teaching children and adults to play the piano since 1988

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Posted on by Sista Felicia

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Look who is the latest GMG Cook!

GMG cook Steve LeBlanc

Re-Elected Ward 3 City Of Gloucester Councilor Steven LeBlanc Jr.  is the latest GMG Cook

Steven writes~ ” I made your cranberry orange tort and it came out AWESOME!!!!! It was soooo tasty!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!”

cran tort photo for gmg

Great Job Steven! tTank you for sending in your photo and comment. I personally welcome you to the GMG Cooks Club!

You too can join all are welcome…simple sending in your photo of a Sista Felicia recipe. They will be featured once per week right here on GMG’s Sista’s Dish!

Santa’s Here!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Santa and dozens of other floats paraded down Main Street today, braving the gray and threatening weather. The heavy rain fortunately held off. The long parade ended up at the City of Gloucester's Christmas tree at Kent Circle, near the Fisherman at the Wheel statue. This year's tree is lit with LED lights, which I think is the way to go. Economical to run, and resistant to vibration and breakage.
Santa and dozens of other floats paraded down Main Street today, braving the gray and threatening weather. The heavy rain fortunately held off. The long parade ended up at the City of Gloucester’s Christmas tree at Kent Circle, near the Fisherman at the Wheel statue. This year’s tree is lit with LED lights, which I think is the way to go. Economical to run, and resistant to vibration and breakage.

“Gifts Of Gold”…The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Posted on by Sista Felicia

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 On the eve of Thanksgiving while prepping my families feast, I received another “Gift Of Gold!” A Photo taken back in late October with photographer Allegra k. Boverman and reporter/writer Gail McCarthy from Gloucester Daily Times & Cape Ann Magazine was publically announced to have been chosen for the cover of Cape Ann Magazines’ 2013 December issue. I was fully aware that Gail had been working on an article about my cookbook project for the magazine, but was completely surprise by the cover!  Just prior to  the launch of my cookbook “Gifts Of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen With Sista Felicia,Harvest” in late August, Gail and I met to discuses my cookbook project and it’s journey for her story. In Late October Gail contacted me again, asking if  she could stop by my house to take a few photos for her piece with a photographer named Allegra, and hesitantly  asked if I could possibly stage my kitchen to look as it would during the holiday season, by the end of the week to make the magazine’s deadline. Always up for a challenge I immediately said yes. Knowing I had only days to pull this off, and knowing my holiday decorations were all in storage, I realized I had to get creative and  use what I had on hand left over form past functions and craft projects!  After quickly making a list,  I got to work. Crunched for time I reached out to the Mariposa Company in Manchester Ma, to borrow a few of their lattest holiday collection pieces that would best display my confections planned for the photo shoot. I am a huge fan/collector of Mariposa, and I use their products to display the foods I serve everyday. The company graciously agreed and within hous of my initial phone call to them, my table was beautifully set Sista Style decked out with the latest Mariposa Holiday Collection and ready for my homemade Sicilian treats.  I’m thrilled for Allegra and Gail that their hard work made the cover and I personally would like to congratulate them on a job well done. I also would like to personally thank the Mariposa Company for their willingness to help on such short notice and for consistently producing elegant serving wear for all my entertaining needs. Cape Ann Magazine 2013 December issue is  scheduled to hit newsstands this Tuesday December 3, Again I have been blessed to work with amazingly talented people who help make my mission to keep my cultures rich Sicilian Traditions alive for future generations. I simply can not wait to pick up dozens of copies for my family and friends on Tuesday. Cape Ann Magazine is sold at the following Gloucester Businesses:

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To purchase copies of “Gifts Of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen With Sista Felicia, Harvest” Click link below

http://www.storenvy.com/products/2742897-gifts-of-gold-in-a-sicilian-kitchen-with-sista-felicia-harvest