Sweet Reminiscence of Puglia, Yet Home in the Hudson Valley

puglia-dinner-li-veli-fiano

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:beautiful-sommelier-500luncheon

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.

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

Marbled Market Stock Up Beacon NY Sign

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.

Marbled Market Stock Up Beacon NY Lida anad DIanaLocated 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.

Marbled Market Stock Up Beacon NY customers Line up 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.

Marbled Market Stock Up Beacon NY Deli CounterWe 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.

Marbled Market Stock Up Beacon NY Ruben Sandwich and Pickles

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.

Marbled Market Stock Up Beacon NY Philly Sandwich and Sides

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.

Marbled Market Stock Up Beacon NY Real Silverware Marbled Market Stock Up Beacon NY Deli Counter chicken

 

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Cure for the Way Too Cold!

Dinner Oveja Blanca

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.

A Heard of Sheep

“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

 

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Make Ours a Dark Roast

Beans

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.

Adams Coffee

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!

Bag and Press cropped

 

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Beacon’s Got Bakers

Ella's Bella Busy Counter

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.

Beacon Bakery You Are Most Welcome

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.

All You Knead Bakery

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.

Get Frosted Cupcakes

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.

Ella's Bella The goodies

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.Ella's Bella The Menu

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.

Beacon Bagel ShopA 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.

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

highlan Falls Farmers Market Sign

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

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Hudson Valley Mixed Grill

Marbled Meat Shop 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

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Great Asian Cuisine – To Go – Tuesday and Wednesday

Marnies Asian Kitchen to GoWe 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

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