Category: Food

Flavors of the islands

Caribbean Breeze now open in Nashua

A new restaurant in Nashua is a one-stop culinary destination for authentic Caribbean eats, featuring Haitian, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Jamaican and Dominican items all under the same roof.

Jamaican jerk chicken. Photo courtesy of Caribbean Breeze.

Caribbean Breeze, now open in the former Norton’s Classic Cafe space on the corner of Main and West Hollis streets, is owned and operated by Gerald Oriol, a seasoned executive chef with more than three decades of experience. Originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oriol said he came up with the idea for Caribbean Breeze’s concept after noticing a lack of area establishments that offered a variety of menu items from more than one island nation or territory.

“This is a true Caribbean restaurant,” Oriol said. “You can order food from different countries in the Caribbean [and] you have more than one choice if you wanted to try different flavors.”

The eatery’s dinner menu breaks down each item by its origin and gives you the option to choose plated entrees or side dishes from there. For the most part, Oriol said, their differences have to do with traditional cooking styles, spices and seasoning bases, rather than the foods themselves. Griot, for instance, is a Haitian dish featuring pork shoulder marinated in a citrus spice, braised and then fried before it’s served with pikliz, a spicy pickled vegetable slaw. Pernil, on Caribbean Breeze’s Puerto Rican menu, is also pork shoulder, but is slow-cooked and served with arroz con gandules, or a combination of rice and pigeon peas.

Pineapple upside down cake. Photo courtesy of Caribbean Breeze.

Other options include Haitian-style red snapper; Jamaican oxtail, curry or jerk chicken; mofongo, a Puerto Rican dish featuring fried mashed plantains; pollo guisado, or Dominican stewed chicken; scratch-made pineapple upside-down cake as a dessert; and ropa vieja, the national dish of Cuba featuring shredded slow-cooked beef served with black beans and rice.

Because the space had an established loyal following for its breakfast when it was known as Norton’s, Oriol said, he decided to continue it. That menu includes many familiar items the former cafe was known for, from pancakes, French toast and Belgian waffles to egg sandwiches, omelets and more. A lunch menu, served six days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., similarly features many of the same burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads.

Oriol hopes to add more Caribbean entrees to the menu as time goes on, while the bar in the back of the restaurant will also soon be serving various beers imported from each island. Eventually, he said, he’d like to begin branding Caribbean Breeze as a franchise with additional locations.

Caribbean Breeze

Where: 233 Main St., Nashua
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. (2:30 to 9 p.m. for DoorDash or GrubHub)
Call 883-4340 or find them on DoorDash or GrubHub to place an order.

Featured photo: Haitian red snapper. Photo courtesy of Caribbean Breeze.

The Weekly Dish 22/01/20

News from the local food scene

• Wine Week called off: New Hampshire Wine Week and the Easterseals Winter Wine Spectacular, scheduled to happen next week, have been canceled due to the continuous rise in Covid-19 cases, the state Liquor Commission announced in a Jan. 12 statement. All ticket sales to the week’s events will be refunded and the NHLC said it is “working with all of our partners to minimize the impact of this decision.” The statement says that given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the pandemic, New Hampshire Wine Week will not be rescheduled in 2022. “We look forward to seeing everyone in January 2023,” the statement reads. Visit nhwineweek.com to read the Liquor Commission’s full announcement.

• Fody’s winter festival to return: Get your tickets now before they’re gone to the second annual winter festival at Fody’s Tavern in Derry (187½ Rockingham Road) — the two-day event is scheduled to take place on Friday, Jan. 28, and Saturday, Jan. 29, beginning at 5 p.m. each day. Co-owner Maria Foden told the Hippo a variety of outdoor festivities are planned, from live local music each evening and an LED light show to vendor booths and pourings from several area breweries, like Great North Aleworks, Long Blue Cat Brewing Co., Rockingham Brewing Co. and others. Multiple ice bars and hot food stations are also expected, including a fire pit with make-your-own s’mores. Tickets are $15 per person (event is 21+ only) — search “Fody’s Tavern Winter Festival” on Eventbrite for more details.

• Brews and bites: Concord Craft Brewing Co. (117 Storrs St., Concord) is now serving food out of its newly expanded tasting room. Concord Craft Kitchen, which opened on Jan. 12, features a light menu of shareable items like honey garlic chicken tapas on naan bread, house-made hummus with pita chips, and spent grain beer pretzels served with a sweet mustard and a house Kapitol Kölsch cheese sauce. Also included are seasoned burgers, salads and smaller items for kids like pizzas and grilled cheeses. According to co-owner Dennis Molnar, the goal is to add stone oven flatbread pizzas to the menu by the brewery’s fifth anniversary celebration on Saturday, Jan. 22. Concord Craft Kitchen’s current hours are Wednesday through Friday, from 4 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Molnar said — the brewery will remain open on Tuesday and Sunday for beer only. Follow them on Facebook @concordcraftbrewing.

• Uncle Joey’s opens in Merrimack: A new restaurant specializing in New York-style pizzas, pastas, fried chicken options, roast beef sandwiches and family-sized to-go dinners is now open in Merrimack. Uncle Joey’s held its grand opening Jan. 10, according to its website and social media pages — the eatery is at 733 Daniel Webster Hwy., the former spot of Spartan Pizza, which closed last fall. Uncle Joey’s is open Sunday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. According to its website, an online ordering platform is coming soon. Visit unclejoeysnh.com, find them on Facebook and Instagram or call 424-5693 to place an order.

Quarantining with beer

You’re going to need something

At about 3:30 a.m. on a recent Sunday morning, my youngest daughter woke up with a fever. As we are in a global pandemic and we happened to have a couple rapid tests on hand, we tested her for Covid, and sure enough she came back positive.

The following day, my son developed what I will delicately call an “annoying” cough — he also tested positive. Later that evening, my wife noticed that I, too, had developed an annoying cough. I could feel her cringing every time I coughed, or grunted, as she said. Spoiler alert: I had it too.

Hard to call it anything other than an outbreak. My wife remained like a beacon of strength refusing to succumb but for the rest of us, we had to work through what ultimately felt like a pretty standard, fairly fast-moving, if annoying cold.

We know we’re fortunate to have had a mild experience with the illness, but I also know that it’s tough to be stuck in close quarters with the same people day after day after day. It was like we regressed to the early days of the pandemic when we never left the house.

I love my family dearly, but all that closeness begs for a beer or two — especially since whatever variant I ended up with took it easy on my taste buds. I know my wife needed something as she dealt with — and tried to avoid — all of us.

As the omicron variant seems to be running roughshod through masks and vaccines and social distancing, I suspect I’m not alone in finding myself back in quarantine, if not dealing with the actual illness, then certainly isolating due to a “close contact.” Here are three beers that I think just might help you through it. Stock up now.

Peanut Butter Imperial Stout by Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. (Waltham, Mass.)

From the brewery’s “Indulge Series,” this is just that, an indulgence, a wonderful indulgence. This is rich and creamy and silky and so, so smooth, bringing together the delicious flavor of peanut butter and chocolate. You’re thinking this is like a peanut butter cup in a glass and that’s about right. Savor this one at the end of a long day spent in your house, alone.

Line of Sight Triple IPA by Stoneface Brewing Co. (Newington)

When you’re in quarantine, you’ve got to amp up the alcohol content sometimes. While I haven’t tried this one, at 10 percent ABV this should do the trick when it comes to alcohol. It’s at the upper threshold with regard to alcohol content for what I consider drinkable when it comes to IPAs. The brewery says it features notes of “ripe melon and sweet lychee fruits.” (Lychee is a tropical fruit that has a strawberry-melon flavor, according to the Spruce Eats.)

Velvety Antlers Brown Ale by Granite Roots Brewing (Troy)

Brown ales are perfect anytime, so why not when you’re trying to grab a moment of relaxation in the middle of your isolation? This brew is nutty and flavorful in a balanced, drinkable package — as it should be.

What’s in My Fridge

Celebrator by Ayinger Privatbrauerei (Aying, Germany)
My brother brought a six-pack of this fantastic brew to a family get-together on New Year’s Day and I’m personally quite thankful that he did. This “doppelbock” features a deep, dark, reddish pour — almost black, honestly — and a delicious maltiness. But don’t be fooled. This is not heavy at all. This couldn’t be more welcoming; I cannot imagine anyone not liking this. It has a touch of sweetness and maybe a touch of coffee flavor before you can embrace the incredible smoothness. I know “smooth” is an overused phrase when talking about beer and the like but it’s definitely the right fit here. Find this beer. Also, am I trying to butter up my brother with this description to make up for the fact that my daughter gave him Covid? No comment. Cheers!

Featured photo: Peanut Butter Imperial Stout by Mighty Squirrel Brewing Company. Courtesy photo.

Plum & prosciutto bites

We are now entering the doldrums of New England winter. There are an unknown number of cold and snowy days in our future. To remove some of the cold, I often like to warm my home with a pot of soup on the stove or a loaf of bread in the oven. Other times I like to make dishes that remind me of warmer days. These bites fall into the latter category.

Made with a plum slice base, these petite appetizers evoke memories of steamy summer days. As your mind travels to thoughts of warmer places, your palate will be enticed by the combination of flavors. Salty prosciutto tops silky cream cheese, both of which are placed upon a slightly tart and slightly sweet slice of plum. In fact all of the elements are so nicely balanced, you may consider eating more than your share!

In addition to being a few-ingredient, small-amount-of-time recipe, it is also low-maintenance. As opposed to many recipes, the thickness of the prosciutto is negotiable. If you have prosciutto that’s paper-thin, it will work. If your prosciutto is thicker than that, it will be fine also. For the cream cheese, whatever you have on hand is perfect. Light, whipped, tub, or bar — all are fine options. Finally, even the plums don’t have to be at the height of ripeness. That sprinkle of sugar and broiler time will help any plum that is underripe.

Let the “I’m pretending it isn’t winter” snacking begin!

Plum & prosciutto bites
Serves 4-6

2 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 slices prosciutto
4 plums
2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Heat a nonstick frying pan over medium heat.
Cut each prosciutto slice into four smaller rectangles.
Place prosciutto rectangles in the heated frying pan, cooking each side for 30 seconds or until crispy.
Transfer to a plate or cutting board.
Preheat broiler on high.
Cut the plums in half along the crease; remove and discard the pit.
Cut each half of the plum in half, so that you have four round disks.*
Sprinkle each slice with a pinch of sugar.
Transfer plum slices to a broiler pan.
Place broiler pan on a rack in the highest part of your oven, and cook until sugar melts. (This will take anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple minutes; keep a close eye.)
Remove plum slices from broiler.
Top each plum with a scant amount of cream cheese and a prosciutto rectangle, folded as needed.
Can be served immediately or refrigerated for an hour or two prior to serving.

*If needed, refer to the image attached to this recipe. You want disks, not wedges, of plum for this recipe.

Photo: Plum & prosciutto bites. Photo by Michele Pesula Kuegler

In the kitchen with Shepard Bassett

Shepard Bassett of New Boston is the owner of Shepard’s Pie Baking Co. ([email protected], and on Facebook and Instagram @shepardspiebakingco), a homestead bakery specializing in cinnamon rolls, cookies, cupcakes, waffles and other items available to special order for any occasion. Originally from Hampton Falls, Bassett attended culinary school at the former McIntosh College in Dover before going on to work in a few Seacoast-area restaurants over a period of several years. She moved to New Boston with her family in 2016, also leaving the restaurant industry around then to pursue a career in finance. When the pandemic hit, Bassett had been on maternity leave — she turned to baking at first as a stress-reliever before eventually starting what became Shepard’s Pie Baking Co. in late 2020. Orders can be placed via email or social media for local pickup with at least a week’s advance notice.

What is your must-have kitchen item?

My go-to appliance is definitely my KitchenAid mixer. My husband just bought me a new one for Christmas. … Other than that, I always have a good pair of tongs.

What would you have for your last meal?

I think it would have to be tacos. I’d have a whole buffet of options for them.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

I love The Riverhouse Cafe in Milford. They have great breakfast.

What celebrity would you like to bake something for?

Mary Berry [formerly of The Great British Bake Off]. I think about her constantly when I bake and I’d love someday to be able to present her with something. Even if she didn’t like it, I know she’d have something nice to say.

What is your favorite thing that you’ve made for a client?

I did a Twin Peaks cake and it was probably the most fun thing that I’ve ever done. I ended up doing a whole forest of pine trees out of rosemary stalks.

What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?

The farm-to-table movement. It’s something that has been around for a while but I feel like it’s only going to get more and more important. Using local suppliers is probably the most positive trend I’ve seen in cooking.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

I love making curry, because it is so versatile. I really like making some kind of delicious combination of a protein and veggies that you can put on rice or noodles.

Baba’s cherry pie
From the kitchen of Shepard Bassett of Shepard’s Pie Baking Co.

2 frozen pie crusts, thawed
4 cups pitted cherries (frozen is fine)
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 egg, lightly beaten for egg wash

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roughly chop half of the cherries, leaving the other half whole. In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries and sugar. Cook over medium heat and stir occasionally, allowing the cherries to release their liquids. Add vinegar and extracts and continue cooking until liquid thickens slightly. Dust cherries with cornstarch and stir thoroughly. Remove cherries from heat. Press one pie crust into a pie pan and add cherry mixture. Top pie with second pie crust and cut vents into the crust so that steam can be released. Crimp edges with your fingers or with a fork, then use a pastry brush to apply egg wash. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then drop the oven temperature to 350 degrees without opening the oven door. Bake for another 20 minutes. Remove pie when crust is golden brown and shiny. Allow to cool to room temperature before slicing.

Featured photo: Shepard Bassett. Courtesy photo.

The Weekly Dish 22/01/13

News from the local food scene

• Lighting the way: Join LaBelle Winery for a special Fire and Ice Weekend at its Derry location (14 Route 111) on Friday, Jan. 14, and Saturday, Jan. 15. Part of the inaugural LaBelle Lights outdoor light display on the winery’s golf course, the weekend will include live performances of fire dancing and ice stilt walking, in addition to bonfires, themed food at LaBelle Market, cocktail specials at Americus Restaurant, a fireworks display and more. Tickets are $15 to LaBelle Lights, which continues from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on select days now through Feb. 26 (no extra charge required to attend Fire and Ice Weekend festivities). Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras celebrations are also planned before LaBelle Lights closes for the season. Visit labellewinery.com/lights to view the full calendar schedule.

• Winter brews: Twin Barns Brewing Co. (194 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith) is planning a Winterfest on Saturday, Jan. 15, beginning at noon out on its beer garden. Half pours and full pours of winter-style beer selections from several local breweries are expected to be available, including Post & Beam Brewing of Peterborough, Henniker Brewing Co., Kelsen Brewing Co. of Derry, Liars Bench Beer Co. of Portsmouth, Northwoods Brewing Co. and Vulgar Brewing Co. of Franklin. The Seacoast Pretzel Co. will also be there with fresh Bavarian-style soft pretzels. No reservations or tickets are required to attend. Visit twinbarnsbrewing.com.

• Coffee on wheels: The Weare Real Food Market (65 N. Stark Hwy., Weare) is getting a food truck that will be stationed in its parking lot, offering coffee, tea, assorted pastries and more. Weare’s My Coffee is expected to launch on Saturday, Jan. 15, at 8 a.m., and will likely have a regular schedule soon after. Matt Rivero of the Weare Real Food Market said the truck will operate as a “drive-thru” business for convenience, as the closest coffee drive-up is more than five miles away. The plan, he said, is to eventually add breakfast sandwiches and other items in the future. Since its opening last March, the Weare Real Food Market has offered local products like fresh veggies, breads, baked goods, honeys, gifts and other non-perishables and handcrafted items. Visit realfoodmarkets.com or follow them on Facebook @wearerealfoodfarmersmarket.

• Restaurant farewell: After a 20-year run, the Contoocook Covered Bridge Restaurant has closed its doors as its lease has come to an end, according to announcements on its website and Facebook page. The eatery was open for its final day of full service on Jan. 2, followed by a few days of limited menu items between Jan. 4 and Jan. 7 to sell out its remaining liquor, wine and beer. A new eatery called Reed’s Tavern is expected to take over the 16 Cedar St. space in Contoocook Village by this summer — it’s named after the original iteration of the building, which was known as Reed’s Drug Store at the turn of the 20th century. Visit reedsnh.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @reedstavernnh for updates.

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