Small Kitchen Stories: Scallop Pot

  Yet again I am beyond hungry, beyond tired, but needing a soul-warming dinner requiring me not to think or work.
  At the last Farmers Market Saturday I purchased scallops which I divided into small freezer destined portions.  The small pouches thaw out in a flash.
  Rice Pot to the rescue!


Lewes Farmer's Market Scallop Pot

Scallops
Golden Potatoes: small cubes
Carrots: small coins
Tomatoes: chopped
Onions: sliced
Dillweed, Chives
Olive Oil
Vermuth

Into the Rice Pot add a  big tablespoon of olive oil and heat to sizzling.  Throw in the potatoes, carrots and onions.  Stir, put on the top and let it rip until golden brown.
Throw in the tomatoes, and herbs, and let it cook down a bit.
Add in the scallops and a dousing of the Vermuth.  Put on the cover and cook about 5-8 minutes more or until the scallops are perfectly done.

Dessert was sliced pears with a big serving of rice pudding.

Ta DA!

Beach Blessings,

A New Beach Life, A New Washing Machine

  I admit that I am fixated on washing machines, dryers, irons, and ironing boards.  As a child I loved spending time in the laundry room.  The woosh of the steam iron and the whiffs of heated cotton and linen as accompaniment to the background of the "white noise" of the swishing-washing machine and the tumble of the dryer; calmed me.
  As an adult I've always had a laundry or mud room; and it has always been my first task of the day.  If nothing else is accomplished, at least I have clean laundry!
  When I looked at my Lewes home; my real estate agent warned me: it has no laundry room.  Ah, ha.  The screened in porch was transformed into my mud-room, set up with a laundry board and drying racks.  As well as comfy furniture to disguise the room's true function.
 When thankfully the old washing machine died; I seized the moment.  I found a sophisticated Mom and Pop appliance store, and picked out my new washer and dryer; "with only knobs and dials, please".
  Once installed and used my heart was filled with happiness and hope!
  Hope?
  I then realized that my life which seems to play out in distinct cycles is marked by "The New Washing Machine and Dryer".  Marriage.  My baby boy, and moving into a new built home!  Moving into my beach cottage!
  This new washing machine with it's "sensing cycle" and it's locked child-proof lid reverses the sequence of those comforting sounds.  It spins before adding the water!  My senses are trying to adjust.  My heart beats faster just waiting for the filled tub whooshing away.
  A new way to wash?  Anew life ahead.

Beach Blessings,

Small Kitchen Stories: Lloyds and Dinner

How to arrive in Lewes for a weekend and have a weekend of meals?

Llyod's Wonder Chicken with Lima Beans

Llyods is famous for thier Wonder Roast Chicken and local products from produce to Beach Plum jams!  Thus I grabbed the following: roast chicken, shelled limas, rice pudding, and pimento spread cheese, mixed greens, and seedless purple grapes.

First Meal: on a bed of greens top with slices of the warm chicken and the hot boiled limas, with sliced tomatoes.  Slices of sharp cheese...... all drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Dessert: sliced grapes on the rice pudding.

Second Meal: mixed green topped with the cold limas, slices of sharp cheese and chopped tomatoes topped with a favorite dressing.

Third Meal:  In a small covered casserole add in the following:  slices of  the chicken, limas, chopped tomatoes, and sliced mushrooms.  Douse with Vermuth.  Microwave until very hot.  Add in a big dollop of the pimento spread.  Stir around and serve in heated bowls.  Repeat the dessert above!

Ta DA!

Lewes Historical Society 50th Champagne Toasts and Beerfest Dancing.

   Find me another town that in one evening offers these public free events of Champagne Toasts and Beerfest Dancing and I'll buy the next Happy Hour round!
  The Lewes Historical Society (LHS) waited 50 years to do a Lewes Historical Society Complex  tented catered and champagne toasted celebration.  Lifetime service awards were the excuse...... and even those had not been awarded in five years!  Awards that mean something.......... not an annual feel-good award to almost all present.
  Even better were the shared LHS stories of beach life 50 years ago.   We knowingly laughed until we almost cried.
  Even better was marking the celebration with not just Champagne of OK quality....... this was lovely, beautiful Champagne accompanied by a gorgeous meal of Crab Dip with homemade Old Bay Seasoned crackers and more.
  Oh, yes, the Mayor did start off the celebration just after the LHS Director was prompted to yield the floor for a just a minute or two.  We love our Mayor..... he is Our Mayor.......... but it is the Lewes Citizens that do the creation and work of such an important organization.  Ok, we will let the Mayor be our figure-head.
  Champagne drained it was time to find the Beer Fest just two blocks away!
 I loved walking towards the Ompah-pah band sounds....... then entering  the cul-de-sac to find the Bavarian Dancers.
 Hmmn, Beer Fest without the beer? Yes, town regs at play.  Yet, the party worked.  The dancers..... a professional team re-created authentic dances from the 1700's and the early 1900's.  Towards the end of the evening the Dancers opened the floor to the public and choose attendees to join in.
  The City of Lewes can party. 
  Yet, it is in the most precise-classiest-mode I've ever witnessed.

Beach Blessing,

Lewes and Time Traveling

Did you ever want to Time Travel? The City of Lewes is a time travel venue.  I do not want to say "time machine"; as that does not describe the process.
  Just walk the streets and explore the graveyards: One minute you are having a Victorian Tea on a porch; and the next you are attending a 1700's St. Pete's Church funeral.
  Attend the Lewes Historic Farmers Market, winding thru the Complex and now you are in an 1800's market-day.  Don't forget a carrot-treat to feed your patiently waiting horse!
  Attend the Lewes Historic Society's Strawberry Festival, under the shade trees sipping Champagne and devouring a classic Strawberry Shortcake.... you are now in the 1920's.  I wore my big hat but forgot to wear the white kidskin gloves!
  Attend Cape Henlopen's Fort Miles Day...... and you are whistling WW11 tunes!
 When fog curls up against the Cannonball House; hear the War of 1812?
I do.

Beach Blessings,

  

Chautauqua Tent and Blue Hydrangeas

  Lewes-living is the grown-up version of Summer Arts Camp. Chautauqua Tent 1812 re-enactments?
       Sunday I entered the tent for the musical offering: hammer dulcimer, guitar, and the musicians unexpectedly hilarious take on their musical career.  Sitting down I wondered why I felt so happy, so comfortable, and crazy nostalgic.
     Ah, it was Interlochen Arts Camp "deja-vu all over again".  A beautiful outdoor venue, tented, talented musicians, and a wildly enthusiastic audience.  An audience just willing to be: happy!
    Not only did we clap, we danced, we played whatever found instrument we could.  I clacked the freebie fan-handles! One dog was clever enough to bark on the beat!
  At the break I wandered the venue's park garden now in it's Summer phase:  "irrational exuberance".  Impossible electric blue hydrangeas that fade to purple?  A fountain to celebrate it all.
 As I poked my way into the park's neighbor's yard; an invite was called out: come and join me!
Ok, I was convinced to return for the evening's performance.
Cramming in as many performances in the day as possible;  that was Interlochen's key enjoyment now to be found again in Lewes.

Beach Blessings,

Small Kitchen Stories: Rice Pot Pad Thai

Another Sunday found me happy, very hungry and way too tired to cook.  I had a package of stir-fry beef. My kitchen stove elements wobble making stir-fries a not-fun project.  Would the rice pot handle this?  A very delicious "gardener's dinner" ensued!  That is what we do in Lewes: garden!


Rice Pot Pad Thai

Stir Fry Beef Strips
Onion, Green Pepper, Mushrooms, or whatever: all sliced.
Annie Chung's Pad Thai Sauce
Annie Chung's Korean Barbeque Sauce
Peanut Butter, chunky
Toasted Sesame Oil
Mixed Spring Greens

    In the Rice Pot turn the heat to "cook" and add in a big dollop of the sesame oil.  Heat until smoking.  Add in the veggys, stir, put on the top.  You are looking for a soft saute.  There will be too much moisture for a crisp saute; which is OK.
    Stir in the beef strips, add in a bit more oil, and stir.  Put on the top.
    Add in a good dollop of both sauces and the peanut butter.
    Heat until boiling.
    Serve over a plate of mixed Spring Greens.

I followed this with a dessert of rice pudding dolloped on top of sliced peaches with blueberries!

Beach Blessings,