Author: Gail

What is Motif Number One?

In the quaint harbor town of Rockport, Massachusetts, is a little fishing shack with a huge history. So much so, it has been deemed the “most often-painted building in America”. Initially home to a colony of artists and avid fishermen, the shack was built, at the end of a granite wharf, in the 1840s as a symbol of maritime life. Artists favored it for the simple composition and ideal lighting, making it appealing on canvas. Locals readily offer tidbits of Hollywood films shot at this location: “Finding Nemo” and especially Sandra Bullock’s 2009 blockbuster entitled, “The Proposal”. Now that you see the charming little shack with its weathered red paint, perhaps you’ll flock to Rockport for a closeup of Motif Number One.*
*”Motif” is a French term for a distinctive and recurring subject in a work of art. 

Dining Outside the Home: Blue Lobster Grille in Rockport, Massachusetts 

Dining Outside the Home: Blue Lobster Grille in Rockport, Massachusetts! Some days it pays off to forego classic menu items and roll with the specialty of the gourmet chef, especially when it comes to seafood. Today’s feature: Stuffed Haddock in a creamy butter sauce. Agnoldo Oliveira takes his reputation seriously. Never mind that the Blue Lobster Grille affords the perfect vantage point of Rockport’s iconic Motif No. 1 as well as daily activity around Dock Square. You’ll find yourself trying not to stare at the heaping plates of those customers around you. It’s that good!

Dining Outside the Home: Petey’s Summertime Seafood in Rye, New Hampshire 

Dining Outside the Home: Petey’s Summertime Seafood in Rye, New Hampshire. The menu said “Award-Winning Clam Chowder”, just the facts sprinkled with a second helping of bragging rights. As the waitress swept by our table, balancing a tray of four steaming bowls of clam chowder surrounded by cracker packets, it left behind an amazing aroma too tempting to resist. First course decided. Next up, an incredible dish known as “Baked Stuffed Lobster Pie ‘n Butter”. When the staff recommends something they eat (often) themselves, prepare to enter Lobster Heaven. It truly does exist. 

Portsmouth History Takes the Lead

People are drawn to the water, that’s for sure. It’s no different today than it was a century ago. If buildings could talk and wharfs could whisper, you’d come to know the bragging rights of sailors who boast over the fish that got away. The next time you’re in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, gather down around Martingale Wharf where together the Old Ferry Landing sets the stage for open-deck relaxation, warm-hearted conversation, waterfront dining, and an unbelievable view of bobbing tugboats on the Piscataqua River. Listen carefully. You never know the stories you’ll hear. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter Q

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Front-Runner Favs: Quinoa BLTE Sandwich! What exactly is quinoa; does anyone know for sure? I took a trip down Wikipedia Lane and discovered “it is an experimental crop in NASA’s Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration human occupied space flights.” It’s also gluten-free and easy to digest. That’s pretty important stuff in my book. Oh yeah, it’s been around for human consumption for at least 3,000 years. Maybe it’s time to give it a whirl. 
QUINOA BLTE SANDWICH 
Ingredients:

2 slices organic quinoa multigrain bread, toasted

1-2 tablespoons mayonnaise 

2 slices tomato

2 romaine lettuce leaves

2-4 slices thick bacon, cooked crisp 

1 large egg, cooked over-easy

Pinch seasoned salt

Black pepper to taste

Garnish with parsley 
Instructions:

Microwave bacon on paper-towel-lined plate for 5 minutes on High or until crisp. Set aside. In a small skillet sprayed with nonstick oil, crack an egg over medium-high heat. Sprinkle with seasoned salt and black pepper. Fry until set, then carefully flip over. Turn off heat. Continue cooking until white is set, but yolk is still runny. To assemble sandwich, slather both pieces of quinoa toast with mayonnaise. Layer ripe tomatoes, romaine lettuce leaves, and bacon strips on one slice. Slide the fried egg onto the bacon. Top the sandwich with the remaining slice of quinoa toast. Garnish with parsley. Serve immediately. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter P

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Front-Runner Favs: Peachy Blueberry Parfait! Leave the velvety skin on, but remove the pit first or you’ll regret it later if you chip a tooth. Peaches are tropical and aromatic. Baby-soft, too. They remind you of a warm summer day followed by a romantic evening rendezvous. Pair the peach’s irresistible aroma with the tangy taste of blueberries for a jumpstart breakfast that will leave your friends and coworkers wondering how you mastered the art of true happiness. 
PEACHY BLUEBERRY PARFAIT 
Ingredients:

2 cups Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon agave nectar

1 ripe peach, pit removed and sliced

1/3 cup fresh blueberries 

1/2 cup crunchy granola with oats, almonds, and coconut 
Instructions: 

Combine Greek yogurt and agave nectar. Mix well. Begin with a spoonful of granola in the bottom of 4 parfait glasses. Layer Greek yogurt on the granola. Top with fresh peach slices, blueberries, and the remaining granola. Chill until ready to serve. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter O

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Front-Runner Favs: Old Mexico Street Poppers! As the garden brings forth a bounty of jalapeños, variety becomes the spice of life. Stuffed with cheese and veggies makes sinking your teeth into this spicy popper feel like eating from a Mexican cobblestone street vendor in Puerto Vallarta. Anything goes! Give your taste buds an “old town” vacation and then go shopping afterwards!
OLD MEXICO STREET POPPERS 
Ingredients:

8 ounces Neufchâtel cheese, softened 

1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano, snipped

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 

1/8 teaspoon onion salt

1/4 teaspoon cumin powder 

1/2 cup organic black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup sweet corn, whole kernel 

1/3 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup Mexican cheese blend cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons butter, melted 

1/8 teaspoon taco seasoning 

12 jalapeño peppers, cut lengthwise and seeded

1 tablespoon cilantro leaves, chopped
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Spray with nonso like. Set aside. In a bowl, combine Neufchâtel cheese, Mexican oregano, garlic powder, onion salt, cumin powder, black beans, sweet corn, and Monterey Jack cheese. Mix well. Set aside. In another bowl, combine panko bread crumbs, Mexican cheese, melted butter, and taco seasoning. Mix well. Set aside. To prepare jalapeños, wear rubber gloves. Leaving the stem on, slice the upper third portion lengthwise. Discard top. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Divide filling evenly between jalapeños. Place on wire rack. Cover top of jalapeños with crumb topping. Press gently into cream cheese mixture. Bake 30-35 minutes or until tops are golden brown and jalapeños are tender. Garnish with cilantro. Serve warm.