Westchester Eats

Each year around this time, St. Augustine’s church in Ossining holds its Italian Festival.  There are rides for the kiddies and a Casino for the bigger kids (adults of course).  Music is loud and the sound of children screaming on the rides is magical.  There are raffles and two evenings of firework displays done well.

The food selections are not lacking.  Standard festival fare of sausage and peppers, chicken parm on a wedge, etc.  Adult beverages consist of beer (Coors light usually) and boxed red and white wines (Almaden/white and Franzia/red).  Although it isn’t the best wine, I give them kudos.  The wine is at the CORRECT temperature.  They got it right.  Many places in Westchester don’t get it right and the Italian Festival did.  It can be done!

Dates: July 27 through August 1

Fireworks on Wednesday, July 28th and Sunday, August 1st

Step out of the kitchen one week each summer and mangia!

St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church

381 North Highland Avenue

Ossining, NY

I posted this idea about three years ago around this time and felt that it was worth a re-post. Simple, elegant and delicious.

This individualized “mini” salad looks beautiful on the plate and will most likely bring a smile to your guests’ faces.

• Tomatoes sliced into 1/4 inch rounds (use two different colors.  For example, red and yellow)
• Fresh ball of Mozzarella sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
• Red Onion sliced thinly
• Basil leaves, fresh only
• Rosemary sprigs
• Sea Salt
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Balsamic Vinegar, optional

On a plate, build your tower beginning with the red tomato slice.  On top of that, place a slice of mozzarella cheese.  Next, place a few thin strands of red onion. Begin with your next tomato color (for example, yellow) and place that on top of the onion.  Follow it again with another slice of mozzarella and finally, a red tomato slice.

Garnish the top by placing a single large basil leaf on the top center of your salad.  Hold it all together by driving a single sprig of rosemary through the top so that it is almost like a “tree” coming out of the top.  The stem will serve as a “toothpick” holding it together.

Rain a slight amount of sea salt over your salad, and drizzle lightly with fresh extra virgin olive oil.  If desired, a few drops of balsamic vinegar around the salad plate for decoration and dipping are nice.

Buon Appetito!

Mauro’s Restaurant located at 199 Main Street, in Ossining, has closed its doors after three years. This is a loss to the local community. The closure was effective on Monday, June 21, 2010.

We will keep you posted if we hear of any restaurant plans for the space.

The beautiful Winery at St. George in Mohegan Lake has announced a five-week wine course.  Classes will be scheduled to meet one night per week.

Email to get on the waiting list. More details to follow.

1715 E. Main Street
Mohegan Lake, NY 10547
(914) 455 – 4272

Save up to 30% on  your summer wine purchases at local event.

Deprez Wines in Croton on Hudson is featuring a two day wine tasting event for your 4th of July and summer selections!

Dates: Friday 06/25 anytime from 4 to 8pm and Saturday 06/26 , from 2 to 6pm

Where: T.K.Casquarelli’s Wining-Dining-Pizza in the Shop-rite center in Croton

What: A sampling of about twenty whites, roses and reds ranging from below $10 to $25,
selected for summer entertainment. various appetizers will be served.

Cost: $5 per person, refundable with your same-day purchase ($1 per bottle bought- up to $5) at Deprez Wines.

No reservation required, all wines discounted up to 30% on 06/25-26

For a list of wines, contact vincent@bestwinevalues.com

TK Casquarelli’s

440 S. Riverside Avenue

Croton on Hudson, NY 10520

Phone: 914.271.2800

Take Dad out for a local annual food and music festival.

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. has a mission is to preserve and protect the Hudson River.

In 1966, folk music legend and environmental activist Pete Seeger, in despair over the pollution of his beloved Hudson River, announced plans to “build a boat to save the river”.

Each year this festival attracts thousands of people who come together for great music, local crafts and food. Below is sampling of foods being offered. Come support this great cause and give Dad a treat!

• ASIAN GRILLE – Chicken Teriyaki, Pad Thai, Veggie Rice, Thai Special Roll, Chicken on a Stick.
• BREEZY HILL ORCHARDS
• CRESCENT FOODS – Burritos, Cajun Red Beans and Rice, Spinach Quesadilla, Portobello Wrap, Szechuan Noodles, Vegetarian Salad Platter.
• FANTASY FOODS – Twisted Fries, Specialty Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Fresh Lemonade, Brewed Organic Teas.
• FRESH FRUIT CUP – Fruit Cup, Fruit Smoothies.
• FRUITFUL ENDEAVORS – Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Skewer, Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake, Chocolate Dipped Frozen Banana, and 100% Fruit Sorbet.
• GRECIAN DELIGHTS – Pita Sandwiches, Gyros-Chicken, Pork, Kebobs, Platters with Meat and Greek salad, Arepas, Veggies, Rice.
• JANE’S ICE CREAM – Homemade Hard Ice Cream, Scooped Cups and Cones.
• NYOTA’S TING – Tofu Curry, Vegan w Brown Rice, Veggie Chopped BBQ, Vegetarian Curry goat, Black Bean & Corn Salad, Basket and Wraps.
• REAL FALAFEL – Falafel w Hummus, Feta Cheese; Beef, Chicken & Lamb Gyros, Tabouli, Greek Salad, Grape Leaves, Olives, Hummus, Baba Ganoush.
• REGGAE BOY CAFÉ – Jerked Chicken, Oxtail, Rice and Bean Salad, Stewed Chicken, Beef, Curry Chicken, Goat, Beef ribs, Mac and Cheese, Beef Patty.
• THAI JASMINE – Chicken Satay, Tofu Vegetables, Thai Spring Roll, Chicken and Veggie rolls.
• THE SHISH-KE-BOB LADY – Shish-ke-bob: Chicken, Pork, Beef, Lamb; Sausage and Peppers, Sweet Potato Fries.
• TRAVELER’S KITCHEN – Potato Pancakes, Spinach-Feta Quesadillas, Tempeh Reubens, Portobello-Lime Wraps.
• TASTE BUDD’S COFFEE AND CHOCOLATES – Chocolate Bars & Desserts, Chocolate Crème Brulee, Chocolate Pudding Cake.
• VEGETARIAN OASIS – Black Bean Toastie, Thai Coconut Curry, Indian Curry, Seitan Wrap, Macro Bowl, All Veggie, Mostly Vegan.

Clearwater Festival 2010 – The Great Hudson River Revival takes place at Croton Point Park, located on the east bank of the Hudson River off Route 9 in Croton-on Hudson, Westchester County, New York.

Tarry Lodge is holding wine tasting events on various Saturdays.

The Terrazzo is open and is the perfect environment for learning about Italian wines.

A knowledgeable person on the wine staff will discuss all that Italy has to offer in the world of wine.

When: The 3rd Saturday of every month, rain or shine (if it is raining, the event will move indoors) – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $35 per person per tasting (plus tax & gratuity)

Reservations Required

• June 19th – Italian Red Basics: Navigation through Italian Reds
• July 17th – Rosati: Pink wine, perfect for summer
• August 21st – Summer Reds: Lighter reds ideal for the heat of Summer
• September 18th – Value Whites: Too many BBQ’s, refreshing answers
• October 16th – Spicy Reds: Transition the heat of summer into fall

18 Mill Street
Port Chester, NY 10573
914.939.3111

A recent review stated “Griffin Anthony’s self-titled debut EP is a remarkable pop/acoustic collection that radiates amazing musical talent and ingenious songwriting. Griffin’s fast-paced, blues-inspired melodies and acoustic guitar work are simply hypnotic and contagious! Add Griffin’s stunningly persuasive and soulful voice to these melodic arrangements and what do you get?

I have heard him perform in person, you won’t be disappointed.

To showcase the event, Mauro’s has created the GriffTini to sip on while you enjoy the music.  The GriffTini is a Raspberry Truffle Martini with Raspberry Vodka, Vanilla Vodka, Baileys, and Kalhua.

Special of the night special will be pan seared mahi-mahi with a tomato coulis accompanied by a corn salsa.

Mauro’s

199 Main Street

Ossining, NY

Reservations: 914.941.2662

This year’s Fair takes place on Saturday June 12, 2010 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (rain date June 13) in Ossining’s historic downtown area along Main Street.

It is reported that last year over 18,000 attended the event and that this year they are adding significantly more food vendors supplying us with tasty treats.  In addition, there will be more live entertainment.

A great way to eat and sample your way down Main Street.

Some food vendors include:

Boy Scout Troop 49
BriCins Festival Food
DYA Wanna Pretzel
Empire Concessions/
Corn Dogs
Gyro & Souvlaki, LLC
Isabella’s Restaurant
Karma Lounge
Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice
Mrs. Old Fashion Kettle Corn
New England Soft Serve
Nutmeg Concessions
Ossining Portuguese Center
Pizza on the Go
The Briar’s Restaurant
The Melting Pot/Fondue Restaurant   (SPONSOR)
Udder Ideas Fudge
Wobble Cafe
Yama Fuji Sushi

The farmers markets kicked into high gear this weekend. Abundantly available was asparagus. Here is a delicious way to enjoy the local bounty.

Serves 4

• Flour, for work surface
• 1 frozen puff pastry sheet (Pepperidge Farms makes quality sheets)
• 2 tablespoons good quality Dijon mustard
• 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded (approximately 6 ounces)
• 1 1/2 pounds medium asparagus
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Directions
Place oven rack in middle-center of oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a 16-by-10-inch rectangle. Trim uneven edges. Place pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment or silicone mat. With a sharp knife, lightly score pastry 1 inch in from the edges to mark a rectangle. Using a fork, dock (pierce) pastry inside the markings at 1/2-inch intervals. Bake until golden, about 12 minutes.

Remove pastry shell from oven. Using a pastry brush, coat the inside rectangle with a brushing of Dijon mustard. Sprinkle with Gruyere inside the marked rectangle. Trim the bottoms of the asparagus spears to fit crosswise inside the tart shell; in a separate dish, toss the spears with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer over Gruyere. Bake until spears are tender, approximately 20 minutes.

Enjoy with a simple salad and a glass of your favorite summer beverage.