Hampton Bays Chili Chowder Contest

BISCo. Booth

On September 23rd, the 14th annual Hampton Bays Chili/Chowder Contest was held at the Boardy Barn on a sunny autumn afternoon.  It was a fantastic event that Block Island Seafood Co. was proud to participate in.   BISCo. came with our special clam chowder and, lucky for us, attendees thought it was special, too.  The event kicked-off at 12:00 p.m. and hoards of hungry attendees swarmed the booths sampling piping hot chowders and spicy chilies from local restaurants and men and women who, simply, just like to cook.   It was anyone's game and I truly loved the spirit of the competition.   Our booth was next to a fella named Tom.   Tom doesn't have any formal training in the culinary arts but he knows how to make a damn fine chili.   He didn't even bring a sign---someone went home and made him one.   A true underdog who went home trophy in hand--Tom won 1st prize peoples' choice.  I was thrilled for him! 

Serving up some 'chowda

BISCo.'s  littlest employee

I was serving up large samples of our chowder with a crimson dusting of paprika. Samplers were coming back three, four and five times to try our chowder!   Before I knew it our kettle had run dry.  With 3.5 hours left in the competition I figured it was a lost cause and resorted to handing out oyster crackers and postcards.   Disappointed attendees were turned away from our booth.  I felt like I had let people down and especially myself.   I was at a chowder contest without chowder.   As the event organizers began to announce the winners I felt proud to have competed in such esteemed company yet couldn't ignore the pit in my stomach.  I felt cheated, by myself, that I wasn't able to have a fair shot since less than 50% of the attendees had a chance to sample our chowder.   Peoples' Choice was the award that I was really after and it now felt out of reach.  The booming voice on the microphone came on to announce that the 2nd Place Peoples' Choice was awarded to a new comer by the name of the Block Island Seafood Co.!   With a mix of surprise and disbelief I raced towards the stage to receive the award that I so longing for.  It was a happy day with an unexpected ending.    I am looking forward to next year and plan on doubling my batch!   

2nd Place Peoples' Choice

 Considering BISCo. had been at the Boss's birthday party the night before until nearly 3 a.m., I can't complain.   

A proud mom

Here's hoping to next year.   What is your go-to winning recipe?  

Cheers! 

Craig

www.blockislandseafood.com

CSA Pick Up

A while back I mentioned that I joined a CSA and I have been enjoying the bounty of the farm for a couple of weeks now.  I wanted to share with you a little bit of what I received at pick up today. 

Summer Squash

Red Leaf Lettuce

Red Lake Currants

Red Ace Beets

Scallions

Spinach

Parsley

Blueberries

Apricots

Sugar Plums

Tonight I enjoyed the squash with a little bit of grilled chicken and had some blueberries for dessert.  The veggies and fruit are so fresh---they come with actual dirt on them!

It feels good to be supporting farmers and being a part of my community.   Do you go to any farmers markets or belong to a CSA?  If so, what do you like about it?

Cheers!

Craig

www.blockislandseafood.com

Tootin' the old horn

The Block Island Seafood Company is always amazed and flattered by the kindness of the people who come to the cooking demonstrations.  Here are the thoughtful words of one BISCo. fan as sent to the library: 

" "The happiness of life is made up of little things-a smile, a hug, a moment of shared laughter." Thank you for having the Block Island Seafood Company share with us. Educational, inspirational, delicious & entertaining"

We love to be a part of the happy moments of your life.  

Cheers! 

Craig 

www.blockislandseafood.com

Very Impressive

My niece AGG is a rather talented artist.  Here is her impression of a very special clamming shack on Martha's Vineyard.  This is a priceless piece of artwork that will be treasured always. 

Cheers!

Craig 

www.blockislandseafood.com

Rubbing You the Right Way

Did that title get you to read on?   If so, Fifty Shades of Grey has nothing on BISCo.  I think you will all enjoy this guest blog entry from Matthew Ward, Executive Sous Chef at the The Adolphus in Dallas, TX. 

Take it away, Matt! 

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As the temperatures start to rise, it’s time to draw our attention to a summer pastime: Grilling!  Whether it’s chicken, pork or beef that will be making an appearance on the grill this season, it’s important to have a killer rub to flavor those meats.  When I was experimenting with different rubs, I wanted to come up with something that has a strong pronounced flavor and was bold and somewhat spicy.  The unique addition to this rub is the chipotle powder.  It gives the rub a smoky edge and puts your taste buds on notice.  I love to use this rub on my pork ribs, rib eye steaks and chicken thighs.  I will usually put the rub on the night before I am going to grill so the flavor penetrates the meat and deepens the flavor of the rub.  And if you need to cut the smokiness and boldness of the rub, honey is usually a great way to sweeten things.  I usually will put the honey on my meats at the final stages of cooking to avoid it burning.  This recipe will make enough rub to have some on hand for a few grilling sessions.  I hope this rub becomes part of your repertoire and it gets you excited about the summer and firing up your grill.

Image Source

Kickin’ Spice Rub

½ cup Kosher Salt

1 cup Chili Powder

¼ cup Black Pepper

¼ cup Cumin

¼ cup Paprika

2 tbsp. Coleman’s Dry Mustard

1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

1 tbsp. Chipotle Powder

1 tbsp. Granulated Garlic

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well.  Keep in an airtight container.  


Thanks, Matt! 


Cheers! 
Craig 
www.blockislandseafood.com

A Father's Day Clambake

With the help of MB the Block Island Seafood Co. served up a Father's Day clambake in Manhasset, NY for a terrific family.   They enjoyed a raw bar of clams, oysters and shrimp cocktail.   Then we finished it off with a clambake of steamers, PEI mussels, shrimp, 1.5 lb lobsters, corn on the cob, mom's potato salad and cole slaw.  

What a great way to celebrate some really great dads!

Interested in hosting a clambake?  Drop me a line, craig@blockislandseafood.com. 

Cheers!

Craig

www.blockislandseafood.com

Happy Father's Day

I would like to wish a very Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there, especially mine, who has been so supportive of BISCo.   

Here we are on Block Island many years back, before BISCo. was even an idea.    On this same trip my father slipped and fell into the pond near the house.   I stumbled across this poem and it couldn't be more fitting.  

Daddy Fell Into the Pond
by Alfred Noyes


Everyone grumbled.  The sky was gray.
We had nothing to do and nothing to say.
We were nearing the end of a dismal day,
And there seemed to be nothing beyond,
                    THEN
Daddy fell into the pond!


And everyone's face grew merry and bright,
And Timothy danced for sheer delight,
"Give me the camera, quick, oh quick!
He's crawling out of the duckweed."  Click!


Then the gardner suddenly slapped his knee,
And doubled up, shaking silently,
And the ducks all quacked as if they were daft
And it sounded as if the old drake laughed.


O, there wasn't a thing that didn't respond
                   WHEN
Daddy fell into the pond!




Cheers! 
Craig
www.blockislandseafood.com

RI Baby

Block Island Seafood Co. loves to see babies in BISCo. gear.  The next best thing?  Rhode Island gear.  Check out these great onesies that promote the smallest state for the smallest of folks.  

Got to love RI.  One area code...how easy is that? 

Cheers! 

Craig 

www.blockislandseafood.com

Carbo Load!

Tomorrow the Block Island Seafood Co. will be participating in the Concern Run benefiting education programs in Haiti.   A morning run can only mean one thing...a carbo-loading dinner the night before!   Even though the race is only 4 miles, I still love any excuse for some pasta.   I am thinking about making mom's spaghetti carbonara.  


This recipe was recently published in Next Stop Magazine and the Block Island Seafood Co. is so honored to be a part of such a terrific publication and organization.    We will be featuring articles throughout the summer so be sure to check it out! 

For now, here is my mother's recipe for spaghetti carbonara.    Don't eat too much or you will be too full to run.  


Barbara's Spaghetti Carbonara (serves 4-6 hungry people)

• 6 quarts water
• 1 pound dry spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons sweet butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup diced bacon
• 1/2 cup diced deli ham (substitute prosciutto if desired)
• 3 well-beaten eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup Lucatelli cheese
• fresh ground pepper to taste

In a large pot, bring the water to a rapid boil and add dry spaghetti. Boil for approximately 8-10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the sweet butter and olive oil in a large skillet. Add ham and bacon and sauté. Once the bacon is crisp, remove the skillet from heat. As the meat is cooking, add the cheeses to the beaten eggs and stir gently until mixed. Just before draining the pasta, which should be placed in a large bowl, add the egg and cheese mixture to the skillet and stir quickly for no longer than 30 seconds. Pour the warm mixture over the just-drained spaghetti, add pepper, and toss until noodles are coated. The heat from the spaghetti will cook the egg mixture. Bon appétit!

Cheers! 

Craig

www.blockislandseafood.com

Block your party today! 

Are you ready to rumble???

Tasting Table's Lobster Roll Rumble is set for June 7, 2012, at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea.   

This year there will be 20 contenders competing for the best lobster roll award.  There are some local favorites including Red Hook Lobster Pound and Luke's Lobster, as well as some folks coming in from as far away as San Francisco.  Tickets sold out last year so if you are planning on attending you had better reserve a ticket asap.  


Block Island Seafood Co. will not be participating due to a prior commitment but will certainly be looking forward to enjoying a roll on that day.   


Planning on attending and want to be a guest blogger for Block Island Seafood Co.?  Drop me a line, craig@blockislandseafood.com. 


Cheers!
Craig 
www.blockislandseafood.com
Block your party today!