Hurricane Sandy ....really....

(Taken Monday night about 9:30 p.m.)

As I type this it is Wednesday evening of what has been a long week....yeah, we are only half way there.  Hurricane Sandy blew into town on Monday with a vengeance, but admit it, when you think of a hurricane you don't think of SNOW!  

That is exactly what we got and it just keeps coming.

As you can see, some like it better then others.

I was out and about in Somerset County today and took some snow pictures for those of you who don't live in Somerset any longer, here is a taste of what you are missing.

After a very cold and wet trek through the hills of Somerset County we came home to a Cascio's dinner of Mahi Mahi, fresh squash and Delicious Rice.  I will share the simple rice recipe here. Enjoy!

DELICIOUS RICE DISH

1 cup  White Rice (you can substitue brown if you prefer, but this is better with white)
1/2 tsp of minced garlic
Fresh parsley minced very fine

salt & pepper to taste
Olive Oil
2 cups of Chicken Broth

Cover bottom of a pan with olive oil. Add 1 cup of rice and fry until just beginning to brown in olive oil. Add Chicken Broth and seasoning. Bring rice to boil and turn down to simmer and cover. I cooked this for 20 minutes and it was perfect. This is a wonderful side dish to almost any dinner.

Enjoy!!

Perfect Crab Cakes....enjoy!

Perfect Crab Cakes

I have been using this crab cake recipe since it ran in the USA Weekend Magazine in 2005. It is always perfect and the crab cakes couldn't be easier.  We stock lump crab meat in the store that I NEVER have to pick through.  It is literally perfect.  When I see the cost of crab cakes in a restaurant I always shudder, because I know I can make perfect crab cakes at  home.  

ENJOY!

Perfect Crab Cakes

1 egg beaten

2 TBS. Mayonnaise

2 TBS. Minced green onion tops

1/4 tsp. (I like a bit more) Old Bay Seasoning

1 lb. Lump Crabmeat drained (get this at Cascio's Fruit Market)

4 tsp. milk

10 Saltine Crackers finely crushed

6 TBS. Olive Oil for frying

Fresh Lemon Wedges for serving

Mix egg, mayo, green onion tops, and Old Bay in a small bowl until mayo is completely mixed in, then set aside.

Lightly break up crabmeat in a medium bowl.  Add milk, toss gently to coat.  Add crushed saltines, toss gently to combine.  Add egg mixture gently toss, once again to combine.

Using a 1/3 - cup measuring cup, scoop up a portion of crab, forming the mixture into a very compact cake.  Repeat to make 8 cakes (can be covered with plastic and refrigerated up to 8 hours ahead).

About 10 minutes before serving heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Carefully add crab cakes, saute, turning once until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.  Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.  Serve immediately with lemon wedges. 

This recipe is a never fail and delicious!  

Ahhh....Autumn in Somerset County

This past Saturday morning I as up out of bed before even a sliver of light was peeking through.  I had a date with some of my friends from the photography club to be standing in Kooser when the sun came up.  

It was one of those perfect photography blessed mornings.  A good bit of fog and the trees here in Somerset County are just about to hit their peek.

By the time the time the fog had all burned away in Kooser we decided that even though we were wet, muddy and cold  (with extremely wet feet!) we would hit the Bakersville/Edie road and see what the fall colors looked like as we followed that age old Somerset County wisdom of "All roads lead to Edie." 

But first we back tracked just a bit and grab this shot of the gazebo at the Glades Pike Winery.

We stopped along the road and captured this pretty pond with the fog still hanging right over the water.  

These next few shots were taken at beautiful Laurel Vista Farms.

And then as we left we happened to see these guys just hanging out watching us.

All in all, it was a perfect Saturday morning.  Which ended with all of us hunkered together in a local restaurant eating a hot breakfast and warming up with a cup of coffee.  If you have not taken a trip to Somerset County lately, don't delay.  The trees are beautiful and the weather has been very nice.  Oh and plan on a quick trip to Cascio's!  We would love to see you!