Sampling the Garden State

 

Photos by Mark Vanderhelm
A roasted pig on display at the Marketplace Lunch offered snot to tail offerings.

BY ALEXIS TARRAZI – Straus News

HAMBURG — Local and national chefs and wineries had a chance to tantalize the taste buds of guests at the New Jersey Wine & Food Festival held this past weekend at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg.

The three-day event was designed to allow food and wine lovers to meet and mingle with chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and fellow wine aficionados. Each day offered a variety of activities from wine tastings, book signing by James Beard Foundation Outstanding Chef Award Winner Jose Andres, a Lunch Marketplace, a Mac & Cheese Cook-Off and more.

Curb the winter blues with soup

Photo by Alexis Tarrazi
Andre’s Restaurant recently opened a Soup Bar offering a variety of soups. In this photo are from left: Curried Sweet Potato, Celery Knob and Black Truffle, and Onion Broth.

BY ALEXIS TARRAZI – Straus News

NEWTON – Craving a cure to the winter blues? A sip of some soothing, homemade soup may just warm you right up.

Stirring up a hearty bowl of soup takes patience, technique and a good pot says Chef and Owner of Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique in Newton, Andre deWaal — who recently launched a Soup Bar for a casual eat-in or take-out lunch option.

“The spirit of a good soup comes from incorporating things in your kitchen,” says deWaal.

Take Steaming to a Whole New Level

Part of my duties at The Record include searching for and testing out unique products. This week we featured a Multi-level steam cooker to make a cook’s life easier.

This steamer cooker allows you to rinse, steam, serve, store and reheat — all in one set. Good for fresh or frozen food and can be used either in the microwave or on the stove top. The non-stick, stain-resistant cooker is easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

Find out more about the product and where to get it in my ShopCorner article in today’s Record Newspaper.