Monday, July 8, 2013

Alternative Barbecue



From Memorial Day until Labor Day friends and families gather together for barbecues all over the Garden State.  However, depending on your cultural background, a summer barbecue in Jersey might not be what you expect.  BBQ, BARBECUE, BARBIE, SHAWARMA, BRAAI, BARBACOA, ASADO…delicious grilled meats cooked with outdoor pits, ovens, and grills do not need translations for a carnivore.   To barbecue is an international concept.  The United States is famous for the South’s BBQ pulled pork, or the backyard grill with its burgers and hotdogs. 
Korean BBQ
Korean barbecue is elegantly cooked at a special grill built into the dining table where numerous side dishes await to accompany the thinly sliced pieces of meat.  South Africa has braai, developed by Dutch immigrants; it is an outdoor social event where kebabs, sausages, and steaks are served.
  
Lechón

In the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico you have the delicious variety of lechón, whole roasted hog slowly cooked, a tradition that is said to have been developed during the time of Spain’s colonization.  Australians love to “barbie”; beef and seafood is mostly preferred and there are plenty of beaches and parks with coin-operated grills to satisfy the need for a cookout. 
Australian Public Coin Operated Grill
There is also Khorkhog, or the traditional Mongolian ‘barbecue’ in which stones are heated in a fire before being put in a pot with lamb or goat meat along with Boodog which is where marmots are cooked whole over an open fire (this type of BBQ is not for the faint at heart!). Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey are famous for their kebabs and shawarma.  
Shawarma
 A local favorite is Portuguese American BBQ where you can get grilled ribs or chicken, rice with vegetables and fries.  Then you have my husband’s beloved Argentinian asado, where freshly butchered animal parts that are un-marinated but properly salted are cooked on a grill. 
Traditional Argentinian BBQ
Popular in Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and other parts of South and Central America, the asado does not waist any part of the animal, yet the key ingredient is fresh meat.  Interesting enough, in Jersey the love of meat expands cultural boundaries.   You never know, you might discover your new most favorite food! Give your barbecue an international twist, or check out local eateries that offer an alternative barbecue.

  
Where to go to try international barbecue in Jersey and NYC:
  • American Eclectic BBQ with a Filipino Vibe -
  • Argentina BBQ -
  • Colombian BBQ
    •  
      Rancho Mateo (The meat is literally being cooked on display at the window!) 
      651 Elizabeth Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07206
      908-662-0828

       
  • Cuban Roasted Pork
  • Filipino Roasted Pork
    • Barangay Union Grill and Food Mart (a Filipino fast food / You tell me what you want, I scoop type place that also serves Filipino BBQ style pork – lechón)

      1045A Stuyvesant Ave, Union, NJ 07083

      908-964-3500

  • Korean BBQ
  • Middle Eastern Grilled Meats
  • Portuguese American BBQ
  • Puerto Rican Roasted Pork
    • Surrender Café  (Try the Pernil (lechón ) Asado!)

      695 Rt. 35 Amboy Ave

      Woodbridge, NJ 07095

      732-636-2300
  • South African Braai


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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Exit Zero = Cape May



Exit Zero by no means is the end; it’s the beginning.  You could say is where New Jersey begins on the southernmost point of the state in beautiful Cape May.  If you start on exit zero and drive 173 miles north on the Garden State Parkway and continue to the last exit, exit 172, you will have driven the entire state and reached Montvale on the border with New York state.  However, if you’re from Jersey you know that summer equals to GDTS (going down the shore).  This summer we started at the tip of the state at exit zero - Cape May. 

                Cape May is known as one of the oldest resort towns in the country, but compared to other shore towns in Jersey, Cape May is unquestionably a foodie town.  It is a great place to visit and a great place to dine.   There are all kinds of restaurants to satisfy numerous appetites.  Word to the wise, most of the “happening” or “popular” restaurants require a dinner reservation, especially during the summer season, some a day or two in advance.  Also, I suggest that you ask if the restaurant is cash only and if it’s BYOB.  There are restaurants that go back over four generations such as The Lobster House and also modern stylish yet assessable eateries such as Y.B. Eat Place. 
Although we had to wait an hour to get a dinner table at Y.B. Eat Place on a Saturday night (we made the mistake of not making dinner reservations), my hubby and I did have a great meal and the food displayed meticulous attention to detail.  We didn’t mind the wait because there is plenty to do nearby; we were able to check out local art galleries and shops while we waited. Once inside the quaint and modern Y.B. Eat Place, we dined by candle
light starting with an appetizer of specialty meatballs.  I then had the crab cakes with pesto cuscus and my husband had the flank steak with duck fat fries; both flavorful great dishes. 
               
       Have you ever eaten a meal that when you take a bite, you close your eyes and concentrate to ensure you experience each ounce of flavor?  Did you ever say that you don’t eat a certain type of food only to have your taste buds change their minds by one single bite?  My husband who is not into breakfast foods, especially sweet breakfast foods, became a changed man once we tasted the apple stuffed French toast with a silky vanilla sauce during our breakfast at the Queen Victoria. 
The fluffy, baked French toast had a perfect balance of sweet and a slight bit of tart from the apple pie style stuffing.  The aroma of cinnamon with the vanilla sauce added to the enchantment of each bite.  This meal was so good, that I didn’t even think of taking a picture, I just wanted to keep eating it, which I did…two or three times (sorry!).  I personally loved pairing the French toast with savory breakfast sausages and peppermint tea.  We also enjoyed the artichoke quiche (I had no idea I would love artichoke so much!) and roasted parmesan and herb cherry tomatoes.  Add to the experience the romantic Victorian setting of sitting at the Prince Albert balcony overlooking a colorful garden on what felt was the most perfect summer morning.  What a great way to start a day in Cape May!  Staying at a B&B gives you that personal food experience that is missing from chain hotels.  Doug and Anna Marie McMain were amazing hosts; attentive, friendly with a genuine love for their work.  Tea time brought other great
treats worth mentioning such as the chunky tomatoes and bacon spread, the amazing gluten free bars, and the chocolate dream bars.   The Queen Victoria B&B is the kind a place you don’t want to leave and look forward to visiting again.


                You don’t have to stay at a B&B in Cape May to feel that you have traveled back in time.  There are plenty of places to visit and foods to taste that will make you feel like you are Marty Macfly going way back, back, back into the future.

Take a stroll on Washington Street Mall and taste the cool and refreshing Kohr Brothers orange and vanilla frozen custard that got its start in 1919 Coney Island.   Or, just walk the Washington Street Mall and check out the antique shops and do some people watching.  Cape May has so much to offer in such a small area.  Anna Marie McMain said, “People come to Cape May and ask me if this is still New Jersey, and I say yes.  New Jersey is much more than just the Newark Airport.”  I couldn’t agree more.  For being a small island part of a cape, Cape May has tons of things to do such as music, nature, the beach, the beauty of its gardens and Victorian architecture.  A Victorian oasis, exit zero is the perfect gateway for city slickers who want to simply relax, enjoy good company and eat great food.


 
 
Do you have a Cape May story...email Ms. A at:
 
jicuisine@gmail.com
 
 
Cape May Inspired Recipes:
 
On-line help with pictures on how to make an Apple Stuffed French Toast!
 
Apple French Toast Casserole By Terri F. on June 13, 2002
Ingredients
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 large apples, peeled and sliced thinly ( I use Cortland or Empire)  
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons water  
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 8 slices Italian bread, 1 inch thick  
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/4 cups milk  
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions

1.       Melt the butter in a large skillet and add apples.

2.       Cook and stir for 5 minutes.

3.       Add brown sugar, water, and cinnamon and continue to cook and stir for 10 minutes until apples are tender.

4.       Spoon mixture into 13x9 baking dish.

5.       Cover apples with bread slices, making sure to cover the entire surface.

6.       Trim the bread to fit if you must.

7.       Beat eggs until foamy, then beat in milk and vanilla.

8.       Pour egg mixture over the bread slices.

9.       Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

10.    In the morning, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it stand while oven is preheated to 375 F.

11.    Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, or until bread is golden and firm.

12.    Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

13.    To serve on a platter, run a knife around the edges of the casserole, place platter on top of casserole, and carefully flip.
To serve individually, use a spatula to remove serving, place serving plate on top of serving and carefully flip so apple side is up.

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Images Resources: Cape May Boat On Beach, Y.B. Eat Place, flank steak with duck fat fries, apple stuffed French toast, The Queen Victoria, Kohr Brothers orange and vanilla frozen custard, Antique Cape May Postcard
 
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