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NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “Food” Category

Mom’s Recipe Box: Nathan’s Cranberry Bacon Reduction; Plus, “Great for a New Year’s Eve Gathering” Sweet & Sour Meatballs from Wayne

Posted on December 26, 2014

                      Nathan’s Cranberry Bacon Reduction   My fond memories of visiting my Nana and family in New England were usually around the holidays. Here is a simple recipe for my favorite cranberry sauce that teleports me to that time and place with a tasty twist. This recipe always goes over well. It tastes sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and savory. Serve it warm or cool. My favorite application is for the day after a great holiday meal. I slather the cool cranberry reduction on either a ciabatta or a telera roll along with cream cheese, turkey, stuffing, green leaf lettuce, and more crispy bacon (see picture). It will be one of the best lunches you’ve…

Mom’s Recipe Box: Hamburg Dressing – the Crowning Glory of My Mother’s Holiday Recipes, Plus New England Pumpkin Pie & Cinnamon Sugar Treats

Posted on December 19, 2014

            Hamburg Dressing – the Crowning Glory of My Mother’s Holiday Recipes   For me, and I would dare say all of us who grew up enjoying it, the aroma and taste of my mother’s hamburg dressing is quite simply the aroma and taste of Christmas and the holiday season. Assuming it was safely in Mom’s recipe box, the first Christmas after her passing in 2010 I went in search of her hamburg dressing recipe. It was nowhere to be found – leaving those of us who loved it so, to try and recreate the formula. Each of us could vividly recall Mom/Nana standing vigilant by the stove with her black, iron skillet – which had belonged to her mother…

“A Turkey and Thirty” – Today & Thursday Help Foodshare Provide Thanksgiving Meals

Posted on November 19, 2014

Write-up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Today and tomorrow, November 19 and 20, area food drives are being held to assist Bloomfield-based Foodshare in providing a Thanksgiving turkey dinner and the trimmings to those in need in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut area. “Foodshare received 19,896 requests for turkeys from hungry families this holiday season,” Gloria McAdam, Foodshare President and CEO announced in a press release. Foodshare’s “A Turkey and Thirty” campaign asks for a donation of $30 plus a turkey, and aims to also raise $900,000 to “continue feeding people year-round.” “What we want people to understand is that many of our neighbors continue to struggle the other 364 days of the year,” McAdam added. “While we feel strongly that every American…

Mom’s Recipe Box: Grilled Filet Mignon & Olde English Tomato Relish in Memory of Glen, Sr. & Muriel

Posted on October 31, 2014

                  Grilled Filet Mignon & Olde English Tomato Relish in Memory of Glen, Sr. & Muriel We were a family of seven – three brothers and four sisters. Today marks the 12th anniversary of the passing of our brother Glen, Sr. In January 2012, we also lost our sister Muriel. Were they still with us, I would have enjoyed seeing what dish each chose for the Mom’s Recipe Box family project. This post is in their memory. – Jackie   ****         Glen and Mom had a running banter she loved to share with others during conversations. Whenever he would stop by the family home to visit her she would say. “Son, would you like…

Destination: Cozy “Vanilla Bean Cafe” in Pomfret, Connecticut

Posted on October 28, 2014

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Perched on one of the coziest of New England four corners is the Vanilla Bean Cafe in Pomfret, Connecticut. The beauty of the drive here alone is worth the trip, along scenic country roads – some are officially designated “scenic”. Upon arrival it is clear this cafe is something special. With a clientele ranging from preppies to couples, families, and cordial bikers sporting a bevy of Harley-Davidsons, everyone can feel comfortable at the Vanilla Bean.    On a recent busy, autumn Sunday, customers waiting in line to reach the ordering counter were greeted by friendly staff inquiring whether or not it was a first time visit. They then offered a brief rundown of the day’s homemade soups.…

Destination: Mixed Reviews for the new IHOP in Manchester, CT

Posted on September 1, 2014

Write-up & Photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Recently, a friend invited me to breakfast at the newly opened IHOP restaurant in Manchester, Connecticut. It replaced Applebee’s, which closed. I came away from the experience with mixed reviews. First the lighting here is very bright, I tend to prefer soft or low lighting. Secondly, even though there was plenty of space in the main dining room and none of the servers appeared to be overburdened in any section, the waitress went to seat us in the somewhat isolated section to the far left. When we said we would prefer the main dining area, the waitress was visibly perturbed. She seated us as close to that left section as possible which meant one of us –…

Mom’s Recipe Box: “By Request” White Chocolate Cheesecake from Donna

Posted on August 29, 2014

                        “By Request” White Chocolate Cheesecake from Donna   The White Chocolate Cheescake is one that is very time consuming but the outcome is worth it. I make it for special occasions only, as a Christmas gift or when I host Bunko.   In fact, one year I decided to get sophisticated and got a coffee flavored ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins and the ladies pitched a fit! They told me how much they looked forward to my cheesecake, and said it was the best they’d ever had. Needless to say that is what I make every time I host Bunko. It is kind of nice knowing that portion of the menu…

Mom’s Recipe Box: “A Keene Idea” Texas Hash from Betty Jane

Posted on August 22, 2014

                      “A Keene Idea” Texas Hash from Betty Jane   When I graduated from Keene Teacher’s College in 1961 as a Home Economics teacher I received my first recipe book. It was a collection of favorite recipes from Home Ec teachers in every state! The very first recipe I selected to make in the book was TEXAS HASH. I was single then but had guests for dinner that night. All of my guests enjoyed it and I put a stamp of approval on that page. My guests liked it that night and my family still asks for it 53 years later. This recipe has survived the years and is easily adapted to current trends:…

Firefighters’ Host 65th Annual Peach Festival

Posted on August 20, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com  Let the peach peeling begin! Each August the 8th Utilities District firefighters and the ladies auxiliary in Manchester, Connecticut put a call out to the community for volunteers to assist with peeling peaches for the annual peach festival. Now in its 65th year, the peach peeling heralds the upcoming  festival that is both a fundraiser for the volunteer fire department and has become a traditional last hurrah gathering as summer comes to a close.  Firefighters serve up those yummy peach shortcakes topped with hand sliced fresh peaches and Shady Glen whipped cream. Don’t be surprised to see politicians circulating at this event. The 2014  festival is scheduled for Friday, August 22 at the Fire Headquarters on 138…

Mom’s Recipe Box: “Everybody Loves” Sweet Baked Beans from Melane

Posted on August 15, 2014

                      “Everybody Loves” Melane’s Sweet Baked Beans   When my parents returned from their trip to Australia, I received a treasure to complement a favorite recipe. An Australian deep dish pot for my baked beans recipe that everyone loves. Every 4th of July I bring my baked beans to our family picnic and return home with the pot empty! – Melane Larned     INGREDIENTS 3 cups dry Navy Beans soaked for 8 hours; 1 cup Maple Syrup; one half cup ketchup; 1 cup molasses; 1 large onion chopped; one green pepper chopped; one half cup mustard; 1 small package salt pork chopped into small cubes; 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; one fourth teaspoon garlic powder;…