Eating In

Sweet Reminiscence of Puglia, Yet Home in the Hudson Valley

A favorite wine we found at the engaging Palate Wine and Spirits shop in Newburg, NY inspired this dinner. A Fiano from Puglia (Apulia) one of our very favorite parts of Italy. Puglia is the “heel of the boot” of Italy, the lower south east peninsula wrapped by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.

Wine made with the Fiano grape is very popular, In this part of Italy, a bright and flavorful wine. Yet the grape can be hard to grow and has low yields. It is rarely farmed outside of Italy. We fell in love with it on a wine pilgrimage to Italy in the fall of 2012. It can be hard to come by in the US so we were delighted to find this wine in here at wine store in the Hudson Valley.

This one is by Masseria Li Veli a winery founded in 199 by the Falvo family who also owned the fine Avignonesi estate in Tuscany.

The fresh ingredients for the dinner we made came mostly from Dan Madura Farms a regular vendor at Cold Spring Farmers Market who had gorgeous yellow cauliflower, onions and abundant fresh parsley this week. With this produce we made a dish from Tal Ronnen’s fabulous vegan Crossroads Restaurant recipe book, “Cauliflower With Olives and Sun-dried Tomatoes.” Other ingredients came from our own Cold Spring Foodtown and Adams Market in Wappinger.

For the pasta dish I created my own recipe for Orchietta, the classic Purglian pasta. We bought some exceptional Italian sausage, that Chris of Marbled Meat Shop has just made. Sauteed it with escarole and onions, EVO, Kosher salt, and hot red pepper flakes, some white wine, veal stock and as a last step a tablespoon of arrowroot to thicken the sauce.

These dishes with a nice baguette from Marbled and fresh herbs from our own garden as well as freshly ground cheese, and of course accompanied by a perfect wine, were an inestimable culinary luxury.

Here’s More:

Masseria Li Veli

Palate Wine and Sprits

Crossroads: Extraordinary Recipes from the Restaurant That Is Reinventing Vegan Cuisine

Our Trip to Puglia

Marbled Meat Shop

The Cauliflower Recipe by Kris Carr.

Let’s Stock Up and Eat! Marbled Market, Beacon NY

New in Beacon, an exciting eatery, just opened by the fabulous people of Marbled Meat Shop in Cold Spring, Lisa Hall and Chris Pascarella, and for this venture they persuaded long time friend Adam Sternberg to join them as chef.

Located on Teller where the Copper Roof Deli used to be, the place is spruced up in Marbled style. Open just a short while, the word is apparently out.

The place was hoping last Saturday when we stopped in for some lunch.

What makes Stock Up great is the Marbled team’s uncompromising dedication to using the freshest and best quality ingredients. The deli counter has a fabulous selection of cold cuts.

We opted for two of their creative sandwiches, inspired versions of classics.

The Ruben + Sprouts with house pastrami, brussel sprout sauerkraut, swiss cheese, Stock Up secret sauce, on griddled rye. Big, delicious, yet not overly filling.

The Philly Style (Wiz Wit), Adam is from Philly, scrumptious shaved beef, the best meat to be found, with hopped up beer cheese wiz with smoked sauteed onion on a crusty fresh seeded roll.

Sandwiches come with a side of your choice from an awesome selection of healthy tasty creations.

Check this place out, you will be delighted.

Stock Up

29 Teller Ave
Beacon, New York
(845) 202-7400

Read More about Stock up on A Little Beacon Blog.

Cure for the Way Too Cold!

If there was ever a day for a hot homemade chicken soup today is one. With this magic potion all sorts of ills are cured and Subzero temperatures are soundly turned to happiness. A bright salad and a crisp wine makes warmer days seem well, not so far off.

A perfect pairing is this dry muscat, created at Bodegas Fontana in Castile-La Mancha, Spain, by the wine making team of oenologist Tomás Buendia and Master of Wine Sam Harrop. Two men who I think would find themselves very much at home here in the Hudson Valley.

Discovered at Dylan’s Cellar in Peekskill, the wine is of Fontana’s “Oveja” (sheep) series. These wines are created out of a reverence to the region, “single bottlings of exciting experiments” meant to show the “potential of the area and grape varieties.” Much the way many of our Hudson Valley winemakers craft their vino. And we do love our Hudson Valley sheep.

We liked this wine so much that we bought a heard on our next trip to Dylan’s.

“Intensely aromatic and expressive, with aromas reminiscent of lychees, grapefruit and rose petals. Light bodied, very fresh on the palate, the fruit is perfectly balanced by the crisp acidity and a dry, mineral finish.” Winery

It really knocked our socks off! Well no, those socks are staying on. But astonished “Wows!” were on our lips as we savored this precious wine.

If you love bright sauvignon blanc, crisp pinot grigio, or unoaked chardonnay you will love this wine.

Muscat is an ancient grape with 200 varieties. Some studies suggest it is the oldest domesticated grape, taking us back millennia. Here in New York State a variety called Valvin Muscat is grown and made into very nice wine.

It can be found in dry, sweet and sparkling wines. All so very delightful.

Dylan’s Wine Cellar

Bodegas Fontana

Hudson Valley Sheep Festival

Make Ours a Dark Roast

We like our coffee strong, dark is our roast of choice. It yields those shiny beans that look so fresh and appealing.

There are a many great coffee roasters in the Hudson Valley, we do like Tas Cafe in Beacon and others. But, these beautiful beans come from Adams Fairacre market in Wappinger Falls. They are organic Peruvian beans roasted to perfection. To get this glorious coffee you have to ask. It is not out in the main dispensing tubes at the coffee counter.

If you like a dark roast too, ask for Adam’s Organic Peruvian Dark Roast. It is a wonderful coffee as is there Sumatra.

The glistening dark color comes from the roasting process, after the “second crack” that comes as the coffee expands after 15 in the roasting process cracks the shell and releases the coffee oils. At this point it is called “Full City” a medium roast. After 16 minutes it turns to gold a Dark Roast. Or “High Roast Italian, French, New Orleans, European, Continental and Viennese, it’s common enough to have been claimed by half of Europe.” Everything You Need to Know About the Roasting Process

Of course we buy the beans whole, and grind before brewing in a French Press. That is the way to start the day!

Beacon’s Got Bakers

Their are few small cities that can boast of having as many fabulous bakers as Beacon, NY. Whether it is gluten free, authenticate Non GMO whole grain, or utterly decadent you will find your heart’s desire here.

Starting from the North and heading down Main Street our first stop is Beacon Bread Company at 193 Main Street we love this place for their great, breakfasts, brunch and all. Known for their friendly service, great homemade soups and artisan breads we sung their praises here Beacon Bakery Beckons.

One of our favorites for their breads, desserts and savory pies is All You Knead, they are always at our local farmers market.

Pure, handmade and true to traditions their breads and pastries are made from the best available non-GMO whole wheat. Here they praise the high gluten protein level in their products as it produces a hearty, chewy crumb interior.

All You Knead is at 308 Main Street in Beacon and at many Hudson Valley Farmers Market as well as Adams Fairacre Markets.

If sugar shock is on your mind, and who does not love that, then the hand crafted delights at Get Frosted are for you. We have not tried but it sure looks good a few doors north at 323 Main Street Beacon. Here the say “We are a “from scratch” bakery that uses local produce and products whenever they are available.” There is a weekly rotation of vanilla and chocolate and 10 other flavors, out of 100, each week.

If gluten free is your need or simply your desire then Ella’s Bellas will be heaven to you. We buy bread and desserts here because they are just so delicious. Ella’s serves food and wine all day long as well as great coffee, teas and soup.

You can also buy Beacon’s own Tas Kafe here which is fresh roasted right on location. Ella’s goodness can be found at shops around the valley. They are also working on opening a shop in Cold Spring.

Ella’s Bellas 418 Main Street, Beacon, NY

A bit further on is the last stop on our bakery crawl, The Beacon Bagel, is a fine place for breakfast or lunch.

A creative selection of bagels are found here along with sandwiches and coffee from 7:00 AM to 3:00. The Beacon Bagel 466 Main Street Beacon.

Marvelous Prepared Food from Marbled Meat Shop

Ramen from Marbled Meat Shop Serving

Marbled Meat Shop in Cold Spring has begun offering prepared dinners to take home, finish, and enjoy! They call them “Marbled Meals.”

This week we tried their take on Tonkotsu (Pork) Ramen. It was delicious. Paired nicely with a Mclaren Vale Shiraz, from 90+ Cellars.

Continue reading Marvelous Prepared Food from Marbled Meat Shop

A Visit to Highland Falls Farmer’s Market and Sculpture Walk

Across the river near West Point is the historic town of Highland Falls. It has seen its better days despite being so close to the Military Academy, but there are some high points worth exploring.

We liked the farmer’s market which is held every Sunday from 9:00-2:00 through October. We also explored the “The Highland Falls ArtWalk: Leadership and Wisdom” which is on display through Nov. 20. A link to the NY Times Article and a video on this show is below . Continue reading A Visit to Highland Falls Farmer’s Market and Sculpture Walk

Hudson Valley Mixed Grill

Inspired by an article in the NY Times a week or so ago, Mixed Grill American Way, we put together a fabulous meal for a big Sunday dinner with our kids.

All from local farmers we had beef back ribs, house made Italian sausage and chorizo, and smoked duck breast all from favorite local butcher Marbled Meat shop.

It took two grills to get it all done, one gas, one charcoal. Fresh vegetables and pretzel rolls came from the Cold Spring Farmers Market which is abundant this time of year. Continue reading Hudson Valley Mixed Grill

Farm to Table, Sea to Table, Vine to Table

We enjoyed global meets local with three wines from the venerable Kim Crawford Wines of New Zealand with local fare from Cold Spring Farmers Market. More Here Hello Again Kim Crawford Wines You Are Better Than Ever

Great Asian Cuisine – To Go – Tuesday and Wednesday

We have been so looking forward to tasting what Marnie Henricksson is serving at her latest venture Marnie’s Asian Kitchen to Go that just opened in May.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday she is offering a very tempting menu of Asian cuisine out of St. Mary’s Church in Cold Spring.

This past week we tried two dishes and loved them. Continue reading Great Asian Cuisine – To Go – Tuesday and Wednesday