Cooking Camps For Kids in Fairfield County Kids Bites Cooking Classes kids activity kids cooking party CTbites Team April 14, 2011 I don’t remember any of my peers taking cooking classes when I was a kid, but the world is different now, what with the Food Network and all the other TV cooking shows, websites, special events and the general blossoming of our foodie culture. At the same time, it’s no longer a given that a child learns to cook at home with Mom or Grandma, so a little outside instruction is often welcome. Whatever the reason, cooking classes for kids are a phenomenon of our times, and Fairfield County has many options for kids who are so inclined. This will be an occasional series on opportunities for kids to learn to cook (mostly) in the Fairfield County area. Because right now is the time to think about summer camp, let's start there... Read More
Big News @ Wave Hill Breads: New Location...New Bread! Ingredients Bakery Local Artisan Specialty Market Breakfast Valerie Albarda April 14, 2011 When husband and wife team Margaret Sapir and Mitch Rapaport first began delivering their signature bread to farmers markets in 2005, it was with a signature bread crafted from one recipe. Not that this has been a bad thing. Their Pain de Campagne is what started it all and has brought them the recognition they receive to this day. Now, in addition to the fabulously addictive three-grain country loaf that we all know and love, Wave Hill Breads is proud to announce the launch of two new breads for your dining pleasure (+ spoiler alert...come May, you can dine in their new bakery/cafe in Norwalk). But first, let's talk about these magnificent loaves.. Read More
A History of Connecticut Wine: Vineyard in Your Backyard Ingredients This Week In Wine CTbites Team April 13, 2011 It wasn’t until 1978 that the state of Connecticut passed the Winery Act that allowed owners and winemakers to be able to have their own places to make the wine. Nowadays, there are over 30 wineries throughout the state alone, which made University of Bridgeport English professors Amy Nawrocki and Eric D. Lehman interested in pursuing the idea of writing a book on this subject matter. Their new book; “A History of Connecticut Wine: Vineyard in Your Backyard” was released on March 18 and published by The History Press out of Charleston, SC. The volume, which is the first in depth publication on this topic, talks about history of CT wine before and after the Winery Act was announced, while also answering the question why people should go to these local wineries and taste wine. Read More
Patel Bros. Indian Grocery Superstore Opens in Norwalk Ingredients Norwalk Specialty Market Indian Gayatri Batra April 13, 2011 I walked into the supermarket, mouth agape - I felt like Alice in Foodland! It was a 10,000 sq feet epicurean trove of gastronomy, nostalgia, delectable aromas and MORE all rolled into one. Finally an ethnic supermarket in Fairfield County. Patel Bros is a family owned grocery store chain that has established itself as a destination for Indian Groceries in North America. With over 35 stores across the country – it is called the Walmart of Indian Groceries, where you get a phenomenal range from the subcontinent at the best price possible. Their motto is “Celebrating Our Food… Our Culture.’ And it sure does. It is like having my own kirana store, times ten, right here in Norwalk! Read More
Easter & Passover Eats in Fairfield County, CT Ingredients Features Restaurant Holiday Breakfast Dessert Stephanie Webster April 12, 2011 Easter & Passover are just around the corner, and we've been vigilantly scoping out interesting holiday sweets & savories, restaurant reservations, and catering tips to share with you. Here are a few nibbles to get you started on your holiday planning, but this is just a sampling. If you have come across an holiday event or product find, please let us know by posting a comment below. What's Easter Without Chocolate? Belgique Chocolatier in New Canaan is Easter central with 3-feet high chocolate rabbits weighing in at approx. 23 pounds. They also make smaller sizes, as well as chocolate nests with chocolate/hazelnut speckled eggs, chocolate hens and chicks, chocolate eggs to fill with chocolates, bunnies pulling carts with chocolate eggs, etc. Read More
Homemade Matzo c/o Tabouli Grill's Judy Roll Features Holiday Recipe Judy Roll April 12, 2011 Chef Judy Roll of Tabouli Grill has been making matzo for her family for years because nobody should be made to suffer through the "cardboard-y" boxed brands. This recipe differs from the classic version as she brushes the matzo with olive oil and then sprinkles with sea salt and za'tar. Hey..why not? It's amazingly simple. Try it in your home this Passover. Read More
Dine w/ Design @ The Glass House: Chef Walk Through Events Stephanie Webster & Amy Kundrat April 11, 2011 CLICK ON ABOVE PHOTO TO LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY How about this for a quick-fire challenge: Create and serve dishes inspired by a 47-acre National Trust Historic site, served outdoors for over 200 guests that celebrates the seasonal bounty. Dine with Design is a outdoor celebration of farm-to-table cuisine on Saturday, June 11 that will challenge five chefs to do just that. The event features chefs and artisans connected to the recently published book Harvest to Heat. With the planning for this event well underway, the Glass House invited a small group that included Chefs Bill Taibe (leFarm), Brian Lewis (Bedford Post) and Derek Wagner (Nicks on Broadway, R.I) to visit the site to literally get the lay of the land, both in terms of the property's historical and architectural significance as well as the challenges and opportunities that a 47-acre campus of buildings and landscape can present. Check out the photo gallery from today's tour to wet your appetite. Read More
Join CTbites & Walk Against Hunger Deanna Foster April 11, 2011 Please join your fellow CTBites readers and contributors to fight hunger in Connecticut by walking with the CTbites team at the Connecticut Food Bank’s Walk Against Hunger. The walk will take place on Sunday, May 15th at Seaside Park in Bridgeport. For most of us, the biggest decision we face when we’re hungry or need groceries is where to shop. But for many of the 390,000 people in Connecticut who do not have enough food to eat, their decisions involve whether to buy groceries or pay the rent. For others, soup kitchens and shelters provide the only meals they will eat. Each spring, the Connecticut Food Bank sponsors a Walk Against Hunger to raise money and consciousness about hunger in our state. Sign up here and join the CTbites Team. Read More
Casa Villa in Stamford: Let Them Eat Tacos Restaurant Stamford Mexican Amy Kundrat April 10, 2011 Taco: noun [ta-ko] A flour tortilla wrapped around a variety of proteins and often garnished with cilantro, as prepared traditionally with endless regional Mexican iterations. Add condiments such as cheese and you’re veering into Tex Mex territory. Compare them to the ubiquitious chain with the cute canine spokesperson, and consider yourself kicked out of the will. Best when served from a Mexican grandmother’s kitchen, a truck in Los Angeles or Stamford, CT. There are many who take their tacos seriously. And for the unfortunate few of them who live in Connecticut, at times it can feel like a futile culinary pursuit. The new Casa Villa in Stamford erases many of those painful memories with a new and practically posh incarnation at 622 East Main Street, in the space formerly occupied by Myrna’s. Read More
Reheated: Weekly Food News for April 7 News Amy Kundrat April 08, 2011 Wave Hill Moves | Thomas Hooker Tap Takeover | Spring at the Farm Thomas Hooker Tap Takeover on Friday, April 5 at Monster B's in Stamford beginning at 5 p.m. Swizzles Frozen Yogurt will open in about a week in Darien and Wilton. Free yogurt on their grand opening day. Details to come. A benefit wine & cheese tasting at Sarah’s Wine Bar with Monica from 109 Cheese & Wine on Wednesday, April 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at $10 per person. "Fairfield County Eats! a fundraiser to benefit the lower Fairfield County Food Bank on April 27, with an impressive list of participating restaurants and purveyors. A special wine dinner at the Schoolhouse at Cannondale on Wednesday, April 13 at 7 p.m. $45 per person, call 203.438.5757 for reservations. Read More
Chef Talk: Lolita Cocina's Blanco Sangria Features Chef Talk Cocktails Amy Kundrat April 07, 2011 The Blanco Sangria is a take on the classic red sangria with citrus and brandy. From Lolita: "We start with white wine and build up all the flavors we imagined would be present in the ‘perfect white sangria’. A little vanilla from vanilla vodka, a nice floral- honeyed component from Lillet Blanc and a touch of citrus from Citronage – a bracing orange liqueur. To play up our summertime ideal, we add ripe peaches, lychees, pineapple and grapes. Over ice, it makes you forget you are in CT, but rather on the Mexican Riviera, feet in the sand." Read More
Michele's Pies (& Cafe) Opens in Westport Ingredients Restaurant Westport Breakfast Kid Friendly Dessert Sarah Green April 06, 2011 Michele's Pies of Norwalk has arrived at its latest home in Westport! Situated at the old Baskin and Robbins location at the corner of Bay Street and the Post Road, Michele's Pies is a welcome newcomer to the area - finally, a great place for a patisserie-style breakfast in Westport. Michele Albano and fiance' Kelly Stuart opened the new pie haven last month and it's time to "sing a song of sixpence!" With a variety of delectable treats, Michele's Pies has something for every craving. From scrumptious CHOCCOLATE/BOURBAN/PECAN to KEY LIME to COUNTRY APPLE to the many savory delights including CHICKEN POT PIE, AUSTRALIAN BEEF, and outrageous LOBSTER QUICHE, Michele's Pies are sure to satisfy. And the pies are just the beginning! The shop opens for breakfast at 7:00 a.m. and serves BEAN & LEAF coffee (single origin, fair trade and organic) out of New London. Read More
Food 411: Name the Restaurant that Served This... Restaurant Food 411 Stephanie Webster April 05, 2011
Chef Nicole: Thai Meatballs with Dipping Sauce Features Ask Chef Nicole Thai Recipe Kid Friendly Nicole Straight April 04, 2011 I made these Thai Meatballs with Dipping Sauce last week for my family and they were devoured in record time. Served in a lettuce leaf or over rice, they are big on flavor, but are not overly adventurous for little palates. These are perfect for busy families as the prep time is minimal. Try them in your house, and let us know what you think. Read More
