Food

Talking about local restaurants, carry-out dining, and favorite recipes.

• The Cook's Concern: Turkey Shephard's Pie November 26, 2011

  This year, I am testing a new recipe to replace turkey soup; I never seem to hit that one out of the park and who wants to settle for “meh” leftovers. Coming from an Irish background, Shepherd’s Pie was a staple in our home growing up. This November remix blends an old tradition with holiday pizzazz!

• Recipe: Liz Barbour's Turkey Chili November 26, 2011

  Liz Barbour teaches cooking classes and workshops at The Creative Feast and at RiverBend & Company in the Shaw's Plaza in Groton. Among her recipes is this great one that breathes new life into Thanksgiving leftovers by giving a node to a mole sauce.

• Recipe: Pumpkin Risotto November 26, 2011

  I love rice! When I traveled to Italy back in 2003, I had real risotto in Milan. It was creamy, silky and yet it had just the right bite… you know -- al dente! Over the years, I have learned from various “masters” how to prepare risotto. There are a couple of tricks. First, only patient people should make proper risotto. I know this by learning the hard way when I was younger and far less patient Second, have great music playing as you stand over the hot stove stirring and stirring… and stirring. Third, use the best quality ingredients you can. I use Carnaroli rice, a small pearly rice, that produces a creamy, starchiness to the sauce…one cannot make risotto with minute rice and cream of whatever soup!

• The Great Pumpkin Carving Contest -- The Winners! November 6, 2011

  Congratulations to the Winners of The First Groton Great Pumpkin Carving Contest! We were delighted with the number and qualities of all the entries in The Groton Line's first Great Pumpkin Carving Contest! Despite the unusual weather this Halloween, area carvers delivered some great jack 'o lanterns, and one carver took home a top prize by taking advantage of that deep layer of white stuff. So with no further delay, the winners are:

• The Cook's Concern: Salted Caramel Marshmallow Crispie Cookies October 14, 2011

  Recently, my husband and I visited Martha's Exchange up in Nashua to enjoy a few craft beers and burgers -- good old pub grub. On our way out, we passed their famous candy counter where upon I spied chocolate-covered, caramel Rice Krispie Treat "pops". I turned to Bill and said: "I can do that!". And he replied: "Then by all means do!" So as Halloween approaches and the neighborhood goblins look for something to gobble... I'll have these treats on hand.

• 10-Minute Meals Demo and Wine Tasting; With Bonus Recipes October 6, 2011

  [caption id="attachment_4004" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="Liz Barbour At Work"][/caption] Another cooking demonstration and wine tasting by Liz Barbour in her "10-Minute Meals: Healthy & Fast" series will be ready to serve Friday, Oct...

• Groton Women's Club Members Prep Pies for Grotonfest (Recipe: Blueberry Pie) September 29, 2011

  The Groton's Woman's Club will be selling a wide variety of homemade pies at Grotonfest this Saturday. All the proceeds go to the Club's quilting project that makes quilts for wounded service men recuperating in a hospital in Germany. Pies are $2.50 a slice, or a la mode for $3.00. Strawberry Sundays will also be available at $3.00. We hope to see you at our table!

• The Cook's Concern: One Chicken; Three Meals September 26, 2011

  One of the most stressful days of my life was when, shortly after returning from my honeymoon, we were to have my in-laws over for dinner. My Italian in-laws, my husband’s mother, wo made everything from scratch from recipes handed down for generations. And me coming from a home where spaghetti sauce came from a McCormick’s sauce packet, to which Mom added water and love.

  I knew I couldn’t make Italian for them. So I did the next best thing -- I made American. I was teaching US history after having spent much of my youth in Colonial Williamsburg, soo I returned to my “roots” and I decided to recreate the King’s Arms Tavern Chicken Pot Pie from the first cookbook I ever purchased. Using some of the techniques I learned from preparing my chicken soup recipe, I was able to make a very impressive first dinner for the in-laws. I even made the pie crust from scratch. Now-a-days, I may or may not use a ready-made pie crust or make a cornbread topping instead. By the way, my mother-in-law must have seen some culinary potential in me as she taught me how to make the family tomato sauce and other traditional recipes! And according to my father-in-law, my sauce is better!

• A Knife Day to Visit Farmer's Market and Make Potato Leek Soup September 21, 2011

  This week at the Groton Farmer's Market at Williams Barn, Patti from On The Edge Knife Sharpening will sharpen knives, scissors, paper-cutter blades and even garden tools. The weather forecast is for 60% chance of rain, but the Market goes on unless there's a thunderstorm, and most of the vendors have tents, so plan to come with your umbrella. We're featuring music by Ukulele Union. Fall fruits on sale will include peaches, apples, pears, plums and fall crops of raspberies and strawberries. The farmers report that this may be the last week for cherry tomatoes and some of the summer vegetables, so it's time to stock up for your freezer. Plus you can decorate with Groton fall abundance: gourds, pumpkins large and small, asters, mums, zinnias, and gladiola. Don't forget the ready-made treats like honey sticks, bagels, cookies, marshmallows, baklava, plants, pasture-raised meats, pasta and sauce. Groton Local will be collecting food pantry and produce items. The Groton Farmers Market is at the Williams Barn every Friday from 3-6 p.m. at 160 Chicopee Row. The Market will end on October 7; check www.williamsbarn.org for more information.

• What's Ripe At Farmers' Market This Week September 1, 2011

  This week the Groton Farmers Market will have plenty of ripe summer vegetables, plus the sure signs of fall in Groton: beautiful mums and autumn asters from Joe Twomey; heritage apples from the Lindermers' Whitney Farm; and potatoes and squash from Deb and George Kirk. Plus there'll be delicious prepared foods from several bakers including Annie's Gluten Free products, Spinach Pie Lady's flaky baklava, and other treats such as fresh honey, eggs, flowers, and local meat for your Labor Day barbecues. The panel exhibit on Groton Agriculture continues on view in the Barn itself, and you can bring a blanket to sit on the bank and enjoy music by No Conflict. Groton Local will be collecting food pantry and excess garden produce, so donate what you can't use. The Groton Farmers Market is at the Williams Barn, 160 Chicopee Row, every Friday from 3 - 6 p.m.

Tags: Cooking, Dawn Demeo, Food, recipes, restaurants