What's Cooking at Clarke? Bay Corn! (sponsored post) Recipe Features Recipe CTbites Team August 12, 2017 Chef John Craig is cooking up something great again at Clarke, New England's Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen in South Norwalk. Nothing says summer like fresh corn and this is a great way to prepare it! For this recipe, you'll use the Convection Broil setting on your Wolf Convection Oven to perfectly melt that mozzarella cheese. This recipe for Clarke's Bay Corn is a simple, delicious side dish for any summer meal. Read More
Tamarind BBQ Swordfish + Pineapple Skewers Recipe via Marcia Selden Recipe Recipe Marcia Selden Catering August 08, 2017 Summer grilling is in full swing in CT, and with that in mind, Marcia Selden has shared a great recipe that leverages both Connecticut's proximity to some excellent seafood and our favorite culinary friend, the grill. A little flame goes a long way in this dish, Tamarind BBQ Swordfish & Pineapple Skewers. There is nothing better than grilled pineapple, and you can use the excess for a great cocktail. Enjoy! Read More
Roadtrip: Fox Farm Brewery Opens In Salem Ingredients Features Brewery Salem Beer CT Beer Opening CTbites Team August 08, 2017 I’ve been rabidly following the food news from my hometown of Salem, CT ever since I heard rumor of a brewery opening up by former classmates—Zack and Laura Adams. This awesome husband and wife team have created a beer oasis perfect for hanging out in the sleepy town of Salem. Opened in May, 2017, Fox Farm has been enjoying rave reviews.I’m really pleased that Zack agreed to an interview with CTbites to share his passion for beer and tell us all about his newly opened brewery. Read More
Cotton Candy Find At Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe in Ridgefield Features Ingredients Dessert Specialty Market Ridgefield Kids Kid Friendly Natalie Levitt August 03, 2017 A trip to Ridgefield, Connecticut would not be complete without a visit to the quintessential ice cream parlor and candy mecca that is Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe. Offerings span from homemade chocolates, fudge, and ice cream. There is even an entire room devoted to nostalgic candies and gummy treats. I am always looking for fun and interesting food experiences and packaging. During one of my recent visits to the shop/food safari, I noticed a wall of cotton candy made by Chocolate Storybook. The brand’s assortment offers upwards of 50 flavors including sweet and savory delights like Bacon, BBQ sauce, Atomic Fire, Pancake and Syrup, Frosted Donut, PBJ, seasonal desserts and fruits, merlot, and even a gender reveal option. The most unusual flavor however was Trump hair! The jury is still out on that one. You can add these to the list of memorable hybrid sweet treats trending these days. Read More
Summer Microgreen, Kale and Blueberry Salad Recipe via Embody Features Recipe Recipe Farmers Market healthy Stephanie Webster August 01, 2017 Embody believes in eating local, keeping things simply and honoring ourselves by eating real food! This summer salad with edible Nasturium flowers makes for a beautiful dish to bring to parties or just to enjoy on your own. Takes only 15 minutes to make! Also, the majority of the ingredients are LOCAL (from the Westport CT Farmers Market) and all are organic. Read More
Newbrook Kitchen & Paleo Cafe Opens in Westport Ingredients Restaurant Specialty Market Special Dietary Needs Lunch To-Go Take Out Westport Peter Dunay July 28, 2017 I first walked up to Newbrook Kitchen, on Riverside Avenue in Westport, with no idea what cuisine the two cartoon girls that are stuck on the front window of their restaurant would be serving. I did no prior research into their business because I wanted the element of surprise to truly hit once I uncovered who they are. What I found at Newbrook was a very pleasant surprise. Stationed in Saugatuck, Westport in a little strip mall, this mother daughter operation is here to make you a believer. As their name would definitely lead you to believe, they are a Paleo restaurant, catering service, and landmark pumping out some of the best health food you can find in the Fairfield County. Read More
Chef Geoff Lazlo's Farm Egg Thin Crust Flat Bread Recipe Recipe Features Recipe Chef CTbites Team July 12, 2017 Chef Geoff Lazlo, of Mill Street Bar and Table in Greenwich has created this Farm Egg Thin Crust Flat Bread recipe as part of The Westport Farmers' Market recipe program. The farm egg flat bread was inspired by the beautiful eggs we raise at the Back 40 Farm in Washington, CT. It is essentially the pizza version of a bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, which is why it is perfect for brunch. View additional farmers' market inspired recipes here. Read More
Celebrate Bastille Day w/ Ávert Brasserie's Steamed Mussels Recipe & A Party Features Recipe Recipe French Stephanie Webster July 11, 2017 Ávert Brasserie in West Hartford is celebrating Bastille Day with a festival Abounding with French cuisine, musique, dance, and myriad attractions for the whole family. This farm fête populaire invites locals to revel in the flavors, sounds, and joie de vivre of France!If you would like to host your own Bastille Day party, here is their great recipe for Steamed Mussels with Mustard, Curry and Cream. Yum. Check it out below. Read More
Savannah Bee Company Opens in Downtown Westport's Bedford Square Features Ingredients Ingredients Specialty Market Westport Stephanie Webster July 07, 2017 Savannah Bee Company is bringing its Southern charm and hospitality to the Northeast, summer 2017. One of the leaders in all things Honeybee has just opened a boutique in Westport's Bedford Square.Savannah Bee Company is known for its premium artisanal honeys, honey-based health and beauty products, and mission to educate people about the wonders of the Honeybee and preserving the art of beekeeping. Read More
Matt Storch's Bun Thit Nuong Cold Noodle Salad Recipe Recipe Features Recipe Noodles Stephanie Webster June 19, 2017 Chef Matt Storch will be at The Westport Farmers' Market June 22nd serving up this delicious Vietnamese dish, Bun Thit Nuong Cold Noodle Salad. This is an amazing delicious cold refreshing dish for a hot summer day. If you can't make it to the market, you can enjoy this great recipe at home be following the directions below. Read More
Bartaco's Signature Libelula Tequila Now Available in CT + Margarita Recipe Ingredients Features Cocktails Ingredients Mexican Emma Jane-Doody Stetson June 14, 2017 If you love Bartaco’s signature margarita we have great news… the tequila used to make their cocktail is now available for purchase in liquor stores across Connecticut! Libelula tequila made its official debut in the Connecticut market in January 2017, but as the summer months approach it’s becoming more and more visible on shelves throughout the state.“This is the exact tequila used to make Bartaco’s world famous margaritas!” says Curt Goldman, the Executive Importer of CNI Brands, longtime partner of Bartaco group. “No change whatsoever!” Read More
What Can You Do with a Convection Steam Oven? Mini Carrot Cakes Recipe via Clarke (sponsored post) Recipe Features Recipe CTbites Team June 09, 2017 Every week at Clarke, New England's Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen in South Norwalk, the staff exemplifies how these extraordinary appliances can enhance your life. The Wolf Convection Steam Oven offers features that can only be appreciated by actually cooking on it. Here's a recipe for Mini Carrot Cakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, which was recently prepared by Chef John Craig at Clarke SoNo to illustrate some of the hidden features (convection humid mode) of this extraordinary appliance. If you own a convection steam oven...do try this at home! Read More
Mini Sesame Crab Cakes Recipe via Marcia Selden Recipe Recipe Entertaining Catering Marcia Selden Catering May 24, 2017 This recipe for Mini Crab Cakes comes just in time for Memorial Day entertaining. Thank you Marcia Selden Catering! We don't know about you, but we like a crab cakes loaded with fresh crab meat and not a lot of extra filler. This one fits the bill. Enjoy these are your next party...or just dinner for two. Read More
Stuffed Roasted Beets with Kale and Carrot Slaw Recipe via Terrain Cafe Recipe Recipe CTbites Team May 22, 2017 Chef Jes Bengsten of Terrain Cafe in Westport is the guest chef at the Westport Farmers' Market this week. She will be showing lucky shoppers how to make a beautiful and healthy dish, Stuffed Roasted Beets with Kale & Carrot Slaw. Don't worry...you'll also get a taste. This is the perfect farewell to the cooler months as we move forward towards summer. Read More
Guest Chef Lineup for Westport Farmers' Market's 2017 Summer Season Features Ingredients Farmers Market Westport Chef Peter Dunay May 22, 2017 Personally, I have always wanted to be a judge or even a guest at one of Top Chef’s cookout challenges; where the chefs are tasked with using locally sourced ingredients and doing them justice by creating an epic meal. Whether, your dreams are as ornate as mine or you would just like to have a chef cook you a delicious snack, the Westport Farmers Market is the place to be.Every Thursday between 10- 2, a special guest chef will be at the market and tasked with finding some key local ingredients and making a meal for everyone to taste. (View the complete guest chef schedule below.) Read More
Anthony Kostelis' Kohlrabi & Radish Salad with Goat Feta and Zesty Breadcrumbs Recipe Recipe Recipe healthy Farmers Market Stephanie Webster May 10, 2017 Chef Anthony Kostelis will be one of the many guest chefs at The Westport Farmers' Market for the 2017 summer season. The complete lineup will be released shortly. In the meantime, Chef Kostelis has shared one of the recipes he will be demoing at the market, Kohlrabi & Radish Salad with Goat Feta and Zesty Breadcrumbs, made with local ingredients from CT farms. When you create this salad at home we encourage you to seek local purveyors at a farmers' market near you. Kohlrabi and Radish Salad with Goat Feta and Zesty BreadcrumbsServes 2Prep time: 20 minutes Read More
Westport Farmers’ Market Enters Its 12th Year: Vendor List for 2017 Features Ingredients Farmers Market Westport Local Farm Local Artisan Stephanie Webster May 03, 2017 Mark your calendars for opening day of the Westport Farmers’ Market, Thursday, May 18th, from 10 to 2 at 50 Imperial Avenue. (View the complete market vendor list below.)Chefs from area restaurants will return this year to provide a source of inspiration to area shoppers. Each week they will create easy, healthful, delicious meals using fresh, local products found at the market. These seasonal recipes and others from top chefs throughout the area will be distributed each week at the market and available on the WFM website. Read More
M.EAT Organic Beef & Provisions Butchery Opening In Westport w/ A Custom Burger Bar Features Ingredients Butcher Westport Jessica Ryan April 28, 2017 This spring downtown Westport will see the opening of M.EAT Organic Beef and Provisions, an old school meat market with new school fundamentals. Founded by Beto Esteves and Rodrigo Echeverrigaray, the business partners saw the need for a boutique organic meat shop. I sat down with the two in their Southport offices, eager to learn more about this concept. “There is no one in the US market involved with both the importing and the retailing organic meat, explained Beto. Generally, it’s a process that involves many, the importers, distributors and suppliers. So by the time the organic product hits the shelf the prices are astronomical. We have the unique ability to source meat from Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand, directly from the producers. We decided that we wanted to be able to offer these products in the States. The partners decided to take this concept one step further and have a dedicated retail space specifically designed around these organic meats, a unique concept here in the states. The first of these locations is scheduled to open in Westport at the beginning of June. Read More
2017 Spring/Summer Fairfield County Farmers Markets via FGFG Ingredients Features Farmers Market CT Farms Local Artisan Farm Fresh Local Farm CTbites Team April 25, 2017 Farmers’ markets in Fairfield County, CT will begin opening in May and early June and we will update the listings below (from 2016) with 2017 information as it becomes available. Here are the markets updated so far via our friends at Fairfield Green Food Guide.New Canaan opened April 22Shelton opens May 6Norwalk Rainbow Plaza opens May 17Westport opens May 18Greenwich @ Arch & Horseneck Streets opens on May 20Fairfield’s downtown market that launched last year opens June 11 Read More
Products We Love: SmashMallows Found At Balducci's Ingredients Features Dessert Kid Friendly Kids Ingredients Homepage Stephanie Webster April 21, 2017 I'll admit, I'm late to the party on these 100% organic, all natural, crazy town delicious marshmallows. I stumbled upon SmashMallows at Balducci's today, but as it turns out, they have been written up by In Style, Cooking Light and even People Magazine, They are quite simply, the "Dom Perignon of marshmallows." Balducci's is currently carrying them in Mint Chocolate Chi, Toasted Coconut Pineapple, Strawberry & Cream, and Cinnamon Churo. However, if you look online, there are three additional flavors worth an order: Root Beer Float, Meyer Lemon Chia, and Espresso Bean. Read More
