Eat The Rainbow: Kasha & Root Vegetable Stuffed Purple Cabbage Recipe from Chef Lauren Braun Costello Features Recipe Recipe Vegan Vegetarian CTbites Team October 14, 2020 Lauren Braun Costello is a local chef and author. You can find her @itslaurenofcourse.This stuffed cabbage features kasha (coarse buckwheat groats) loaded with a rainbow panoply of sautéed root vegetables of your choosing. Unlike a traditional sweet and sour stuffed cabbage that is braised in a tomato sauce, this recipe calls for neither additional cooking after the wilted cabbage leaves have been stuffed, nor for a sauce. The result is a vibrant dish that highlights the crunch of the cruciferous cabbage. Make this dish entirely vegan by cooking the kasha without an egg. Read More
Taco Daddy's Cheesy Cracker Crusted Fried Chicken & Waffles Crunch Wrap Recipe Recipe Features Recipe Tacos Stephanie Webster September 30, 2020 CTbites recently partnered with Taco Daddy’s Chef Mo Major to help promote Milton’s new Cheesy Cheddar Crackers (which are really rather delicious). We asked Chef Major to create a Crunchwrap with the addition of these snackables, and in 30 minutes he came out of the kitchen with this ridiculously tasty recipe for a Cheesy Cracker Crusted Fried Chicken & Waffles Crunch Wrap. Guess what? Now you can make it at home. Enjoy! Read More
Cavatappi with Carrot Pesto and Lemon Arugula by Sue Smith, Prime Health Style Features Recipe Recipe Vegetarian Pasta CTbites Team August 13, 2020 What’s cooking people? The Westport Farmers’ Market and Sue Smith from Prime Health Style, have a great vegetarian recipe for the pasta lovers out there. Cavatappi is the Italian word for corkscrew, hence the name of this spiral-shaped, macaroni-like pasta. It’s ideal for use with a thick sauce, here paired with a zesty carrot pesto. This vegetarian recipe creates a tasty and satisfying summer one-dish meal, or can be served as a side dish. See notes below for easy vegan and gluten-free substitutions. Read More
Summer Quinoa Salad with Peaches and Minty Lime Dressing via Westport Farmers' Market Features Recipe Recipe Kosher Gluten-Free healthy Salads Liz Rueven July 15, 2020 When peaches hit the summer market in CT there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. I love everything about them: their seductive fruity fragrance, their juicy sunny flesh and most of all, their versatility.In this easy quinoa salad, peaches lean more savory than sweet, making this the perfect accompaniment to grilled fish or chicken. But remember that quinoa is a complete protein on its own so feel free to make this the whole meal and be done. I'm already dreaming about this salad for breakfast with some luscious creamy goat cheese or salty feta. Read More
Cook The Book: Tune In On CTBites Instagram Live July 1st with Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern On State Events Recipe Cooking Cookbooks Education Instagram Live Recipe Video Stephanie Webster June 28, 2020 Readers, Diners, New Quarantine Couch Potato-Turned-Chefs! Tune into our new IGTV Weekly Series COOK THE BOOK.On Wednesday July 1st @8PM, join trained chef and beloved Connecticut Cookbook author, Anna Francese Gass (Heirloom Kitchen 2019) & Guest Chef Emily Mingrone from award winning Tavern On State, as they cook Emily’s recipe for Chicken & Dumplings from our recently released CTBites e-cookbook: Connecticut Chef Recipes for Restaurant ReliefTune In on @CTBITES INSTAGRAM LIVE!! Read More
Chefs At Home: Chia Seed Pudding Recipe from Chef Anthony Rinaldi Recipe Features Recipe Recipe Video Chia Breakfast Kids Kid Friendly kids activity Stephanie Webster June 25, 2020 Episode #4 of our Chefs At Home series is here…and it’s a heathy, simple and delicious recipe you can make all summer long. Chef Anthony Rinaldi, formerly Exec Chef at Kawa Ni in Westport, currently the Chef for Greenwich Country Day School, has been having some fun in his kitchen with this recipe for the Chia Seed Pudding. This recipe has 15 grams of protein and is easy enough for any kid to make themselves! Get your kids cooking and enjoy! Read More
Spring Vegetable Chicken Fricassee, by Genee Habansky of Herbaceous Catering Features Recipe Recipe CTbites Team June 22, 2020 Wanna up your chicken game? Check out this tasty recipe for Spring Vegetable Chicken Fricassee from The Westport Farmers’ Market and Herbaceous Catering. When you purchase your ingredients locally….they just taste better. Read More
Lobster Cakes Recipe from Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill Recipe Lobster Recipe Seafood CTbites Team June 12, 2020 June 15th is NATIONAL LOBSTER DAY! Yup…It’s a thing. To celebrate, we asked Chef Arturo-Franco Camacho of Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill in New Haven to send over one his favorite lobster-y recipes. Whip up some of these Lobster Cakes and celebrate the revered Day of Lobster. Enjoy! Read More
Tim Cabral of Ordinary Makes A Martinez Cocktail on The History Happy Hour Features Recipe Recipe Recipe Video Cocktails Bar Mixology Stephanie Webster May 28, 2020 In this week’s History Happy Hour 21st century New Haven bartender Tim Cabral demonstrates The Martinez, the father of the Gin Martini.Here’s a little history…In the mid-19th century barkeeps evolved into mixologists, creating unique cocktails and codifying those long in existence. The most famous of these new-breed bartenders was Jerry Thomas who, as a young man, trained in New Haven and went on to own saloons all over the country. He also penned a world-famous bar tending guide with recipes that is still in use today.Among the drinks Thomas is said to have developed is The Martinez, a mix of vermouth, gin, bitters and maraschino which he included in his guide. Over time, a version featuring gin, vermouth, and an olive was developed into the modern-day Martini. Read More
Shitake Parmesan Sliders Recipe from Westport Farmers' Market Features Recipe Recipe Farmers Market Vegetarian CTbites Team May 21, 2020 Even the most devoted meat eaters cannot deny the deliciousness of this “Meatless Monday” recipe. Shiitake mushrooms are the best fungi choice to make a crumb-coated base for tomato sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan because they are firm and hold their shape. The following recipe outlines versions both to shallow fry and bake the shiitakes. You can choose even the breading: fresh breadcrumbs are exceptionally good, but panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) adds a super crunchy textural element, for the taste buds and the eyes. Read More
History Happy Hour: Craig Ventrice Makes A Sherry Flip Vintage Cocktail Features Recipe Video Recipe Cocktails How To Entertaining Spirits Mixology Stephanie Webster May 07, 2020 This week on the History Happy Hour, bartender Craig Ventrice shares his recipe for The Sherry Flip, popular in 18th century taverns and quaffed by the likes of George Washington. Read More
Chefs At Home: Ultimate Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Recipe from Chef Anthony Rinaldi Features Recipe Recipe Recipe Video Dessert Cooking cookie Kid Friendly kids activity Homepage CTbites Team April 22, 2020 Episode #2 of our new Chefs At Home series is here…and It’s a good one. Chef Anthony Rinaldi, formerly Exec Chef at Kawa Ni in Westport, currently the Chef for Greenwich Country Day School, has been having some fun in his kitchen with this recipe for the Ultimate Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie. This guy knows his way around a kitchen. Those kids at Greenwich Country Day are darn lucky….Enjoy! Read More
Chefs At Home Recipes: Pantry Pasta from Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho Recipe Features Video Recipe Recipe Video Pasta Chef Talk Homepage CTbites Team April 18, 2020 In our NEW “Chefs At Home” Cooking Series, we asked local CT chefs to help our readers find cooking inspiration in every day pantry items. Executive Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho of Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill (Fairfield and New Haven) and Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill (New Haven) has a wonderful recipe for Pantry Pasta to kick off this series. Enjoy! Read More
Chef Richard Blais Talks Top Chef, Fitness, and (Maybe!) Opening a Restaurant in Connecticut Features Interview Interview Celebrity Chef Chef Talk Mohegan Sun Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 17, 2020 It’s crazy to think that Top Chef is in its SEVENTEENTH season! In that time, it’s amassed 59 Emmy nominations and welcomed chefs from all across the country, including Connecticut’s own Tyler Anderson. This year, the show is bringing back something near and dear to fans’ hearts: the All Star Season! CTBites got to sit down with Top Chef All Star’s first champion, Richard Blais, at the Mohegan Sun WineFest. Since claiming the title, he’s gone onto host his own podcast, make an array of TV appearances, participate in Chef demos across the country, and judge the very show that he competed on. Here’s what he had to say about life beyond cooking, his fitness routine, how to stay active on the road, Top Chef, and so much more. Read More
Hibiscus Flower Tacos with Pineapple Salsa from Alma de Mexico Features Recipe Recipe Mexican CTbites Team April 09, 2020 In Mexico, it is very common to find water deliciously flavored with Hibiscus flowers. Commonly known as Jamaica, these flowers have a delicious, intensely herbal and fruity taste, and infuse the water with na deep, vivid red color. Originally from Africa or India, Hibiscus flower arrived in Mexico during the colonial years and have been a staple of Mexican cooking ever since. It is well know that these flowers contain helpful diuretic and digestive properties, as well as very high levels of Vitamin C.The hibiscus is used here to make some delicious and vegan Tacos de Jamaica. It is accompanied by a pineapple salsa that brings out the flavor of the hibiscus flowers. It is colorful, fresh, nutritious and very tasty. You can also top with avocados slices or guacamole, and cilantro leaves. You can use accompany these with Hibiscus Iced tea with lime juice and sugar. Read More
Clam Chowder Recipe from Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill Recipe Features Seafood Recipe CTbites Team February 22, 2020 It’s the day you’ve all been waiting for…February 25th is National Clam Chowder Day! Yup. It’s a thing. But seriously, any excuse to get Chef Arturo-Franco Camach to share his Clam Chowder Recipe from the Connecticut’s seafood favorite, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill, is a good one. Enjoy! Read More
Interview with Chef Ben Robinson of Below Deck Talks Cooking, Yachting, and Future Plans Interview Features Interview Celebrity Chef Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 03, 2020 It may be called Below Deck, but Bravo’s nautical reality series is riding high. The original show just wrapped on its seventh season, following the adventures of 49 yachties and hitting the 100 episode mark along the way. Its success has inspired two spin-off shows: Below Deck Mediterranean, which has been on for four seasons, and the brand new addition to the franchise, Below Deck Sailing Yacht.Despite the constantly changing crew, Chef Ben Robinson has become a familiar face. He’s served up delicious food from the galley on 4 seasons on Below Deck and most recently stepped in to save the day on Below Deck Mediterranean. While he achieved fame from reality television, he is a true chef who started cooking at the age of 5. CTBites had the opportunity to sit down with him at the Mohegan Sun Wine & Food Fest to chat about his culinary start, his time on the show, and his exciting plans for the future. Read More
Shepherd's Pie Recipe from Dirt Road Farm & The Westport Farmers' Market Features Recipe Recipe Comfort Food CTbites Team January 08, 2020 What’s better than a Shepherd’s Pie on a long dark winter night? Westport Farmers’ Market and Phoebe Cole-Smith of Dirt Road Farm have nicely shared this comfort food favorite with CTbites. We’ve made this many times already, and it never fails to please. Enjoy. Eat up! Read More
Butternut Squash and Apple Soup Recipe from Marcia Selden Catering Recipe Recipe Thanksgiving Soups Marcia Selden Catering November 23, 2019 We continue our merry Thanksgiving romp with a recipe from Marcia Selden Catering. The Seldens have cooked for, quite literally, thousands of hungry guests, and this is their go-to recipe for Butternut Squash & Apple Soup. It is incredibly simple to make and always a crowd pleaser. Make sure you garnish with the Pepitas. They add some nice texture to the creamy (dairy-free) soup. Read More
Brown Sugar Apple Pie Recipe from Judy’s Bar & Kitchen in Stamford Recipe Features Recipe Dessert Holiday Thanksgiving CTbites Team November 22, 2019 Chef Judy Roll of Judy’s Bar & Kitchen knows her way around a pie, and if you visit her spot in Stamford, you’ll know why she was asked for this recipe. Quite frankly, we selfishly wanted it for our own recipe rolodexes, but we thought we’d share. Aren’t we nice? Enjoy Judy Roll’s recipe for Brown Sugar Apple Pie. Read More
