Category: Food

In the kitchen with Edwin Ward

Edwin Ward of Candia is a manager and cook at the Union Street Takeout (90 Union St., Manchester, 260-7663), a takeout-only eatery that quietly opened in January in the space long occupied by Willie B’s. Union Street Takeout is open Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering a menu of burgers, hot dogs and sub options like steak and cheese, ham and cheese and roast beef. Ward said the eatery has also quickly become a spot known for its $5 lunches — the chili dogs, which also have the option of adding cheese and bacon, are among the most popular.

What is your must-have kitchen item?
A loaded spice rack.

What would you have for your last meal?
Spaghetti and meatballs.

What is your favorite local restaurant?
Steve’s [House] Restaurant, or … Athens, both in Manchester.

What celebrity would you like to see ordering from your restaurant?
Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg! I would like to see what they would order.

What’s your favorite thing on your menu?
The Breakfast Package is a real favorite of mine. It’s two hash browns, two grilled dogs, a nice amount of bacon, chili, a fried egg, cheese and onions.

What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?
Chili dogs are becoming a huge trend. Sometimes we have a line out the door for them.

What’s your favorite thing to cook at home?
Slow-cooked lamb.

Shepherd’s pie
From the kitchen of Edwin Ward of Union Street Takeout in Manchester

1 pound ground beef (80 percent lean)
½ medium onion
2 cobs corn
4 large potatoes
½ stick butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook ground beef and onion in a pan until brown. Husk the two cobs of corn and boil for four minutes (or grill for eight minutes). Boil the potatoes. Mash with butter, salt and pepper. Combine in layers (meat on the bottom, corn in the middle and potatoes on the top). Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Sprinkle cheese of your choice on top and broil for four minutes. Sprinkle paprika on the top (optional) and serve.

The Weekly Dish 20/08/13

• Assumption’s Greekfest canceled: Greekfest, a popular two-day Greek food festival normally held in late August at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Manchester, has been canceled for this year, event chairman Costas Georgopoulos confirmed. “We plan on the event to take place next year at the end of August,” Georgopoulos told the Hippo in an email. Greekfest has been around for nearly three decades, usually featuring authentic homemade dishes a la carte or as dinners, in addition to music and dancing.

• Sushi and more: A new eatery offering various Chinese, Thai and Japanese items, including dozens of sushi options, is now open in Manchester. Golden Karma Asian Fusion & Bar opened late last month at 6 Willow St. in the Queen City, in the former space of the Brothers Restaurant and Lounge, and now has dine-in and takeout service available. The menu features more than two dozen maki plates to choose from, in addition to specialty sushi entrees, fried rice dishes and noodle options like stir-fried udon, pad Thai and lo mein with chicken, pork, beef, shrimp or vegetables. There are also hot appetizers like peking dumplings, duck bao buns, edamame with sea salt or chili sauce, and shrimp and vegetable tempura; cold appetizers like citrus-marinated salmon ceviche; several soups and salads; hibachi or teriyaki chicken, sirloin steak, shrimp or filet mignon; and authentic Szechuan-style hot platters, like chicken, beef, seafood or tofu with a spicy chili sauce and white rice. Golden Karma is open Monday through Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, from noon to 10 p.m. Call 206-5780.

• Umami to close: Umami Farm Fresh Cafe in Northwood will close its doors on Aug. 22. “Although the pandemic has presented its challenges, this is not a Covid-19-related closing,” read an Aug. 4 post on Umami’s Facebook page, which goes on to cite “other ongoing issues in the background” that weren’t able to be resolved. “We welcome your suggestions if you know of a potential location for Umami’s new home.” Two members of Umami’s culinary team, meanwhile, have recently launched a food truck known as The Food Abides. Patrick Harris and Max G. Dowling have taken the truck to several locations across the state, but you’ll next be able to find them at Henniker Brewing Co. (129 Centervale Road) on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 1 to 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook @thefoodabidestruck.

• Golden Corral to open in Manchester: New Hampshire’s first Golden Corral Buffet & Grill will hold its grand opening on Aug. 17, at 655 S. Willow St. in Manchester, according to a press release from M&M Construction Services of Bedford. The new cafeteria-style eatery is one of around 500 in the country, offering a variety of menu items like USDA sirloin steaks, pork, seafood and shrimp, along with traditional favorites like pot roast and fried chicken. The location will also have its own butchers, a salad bar and fresh baked goods and desserts prepared daily. Visit goldencorral.com or call 232-4896.

Mahrajan in Manchester

Annual Middle Eastern food festival returns

The Mahrajan Middle Eastern Food Festival might look and feel different this year, but organizers promise it will taste just as delicious. The annual three-day festival featuring authentic Lebanese foods will return to Our Lady of the Cedars Melkite Catholic Church in Manchester from Friday, Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 16.

According to Rev. Thomas Steinmetz, this year’s festival has been significantly scaled back to comply with guidelines from the city’s health department. Most of the attractions that have been added to the festival over the years — such as dance performances, a petting zoo and bounce houses — have been eliminated.

“We decided to just concentrate all of our efforts on the food this year,” he said.

For the first time in Mahrajan’s history, advance online ordering will be available. In addition to takeout there will be socially distant outdoor seating options at the church.

“The way it’s essentially going to work … is people will pull into the parking lot, and as they come in we’ll ask them if they plan to sit and eat or order their food to go,” Steinmetz said.

Face masks are required for all who enter the church grounds, and seats will be spaced out to allow for social distancing.

Festival co-chair Marylou Ashooh Lazos said this year’s menu is slightly limited compared to those from previous events, but it features many of the same favorites.

The beef skewers are most notably absent from the menu, but marinated chicken and lamb will still be available, served with rice pilaf, lubyeh (green beans cooked and served in a tomato sauce) and bread.

In addition to the lamb and chicken skewer dinners, there is a lubyeh dinner of green beans served over rice pilaf; and a kibbee dinner (Lebanese meatloaf) featuring lamb, beef, pine nuts and spices with a side of yogurt. You can also order items like warak arish (stuffed grape leaves) with lamb and rice, cooked in a lemon broth; lamb or chicken shawarma; fatayar (meat or spinach pie); bread with fresh hummus; and tabbouleh salad with cracked wheat, parsley, tomato, red onion, lemon and spices.

“We still have a pretty big spread of desserts,” Lazos said, adding that one of the most popular, the baklawa, will be returning. She described it as being a bit lighter in flavor and texture than the type of baklava that is more commonplace at local Greek festivals. Several versions of it will be available, including with walnuts, with pistachios, and a chocolate baklawa with hazelnuts.

Other returning dessert options are the coosa pita (a custard made with a light-skinned summer squash, similar to zucchini); the ghrybe (almond butter cookies with powdered sugar); and the maamoul (date or nut-filled cookies).

In past years, there has also been a small menu of hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hot dogs for kids and those not interested in sampling the Lebanese options — that too has been removed.

Starting on Friday, Aug. 14, you can go to the festival’s newly redesigned website, bestfestnh.com, and place orders to be picked up or enjoyed at the church on your day of choice.

Featured photo: Scenes from past Mahrajan festivals. Courtesy photos.

Mahrajan Middle Eastern Food Festival
When: Friday, Aug. 14, 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 16, 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Our Lady of the Cedars Church, 140 Mitchell St., Manchester
Cost: Free admission; food is priced per item
Visit: bestfestnh.com

Advanced online ordering is available. Masks are required when entering the church parking lot.

The Weekly Dish 20/08/06

• Barbecue and bluegrass: The Concord Coalition to End Homelessness will hold a socially distanced bluegrass barbecue on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. outside the Douglas N. Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road, Concord). Attendees must purchase their $70 “meal-for-two” tickets in advance online and pick a designated hour for pickup. Your meal includes brisket, pulled pork, sausages, baked beans, coleslaw, buns, pickled red onions, assorted sauces and your choice of water or iced tea to drink. You can also purchase a vegan meal for $20, which includes tuna-less vegan “tuna” salad, chili, a roll and a drink. Bring chairs or a blanket and set up your picnic along the river, where live local bluegrass acts will be performing. To purchase tickets, visit concordhomeless.org.

• Virtual diversity: Welcoming NH, in collaboration with the Concord Multicultural Festival committee, is creating a virtual cookbook as an opportunity for people to share recipes and cultures in lieu of a traditional festival, according to a press release. Now through Aug. 31, recipe submissions are being accepted by emailing [email protected], or, you can fill out a short form at welcomingnh.org. The free online cookbook will be published on welcomingnh.org during Welcoming Week (Sept. 12 to Sept. 20), according to the release.

• New pop-up market: Celebrations Catering (1017 Second St., Manchester) hosts a tented pop-up farm stand every Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m., when local farms, crafters and other small businesses will sell their products. There are also weekly farm-to-table specials available for purchase from the stand as single or family-sized meals, featuring in-season produce, cooking demonstrations and more (24-hour notice is requested). Visit celebrationsmenu.com.

• Restaurant roommates: Downtown farm-to-table eatery Republic Cafe is moving its operations down the street to its sister restaurant, Campo Enoteca (969 Elm St., Manchester), beginning on Aug. 12. According to Republic’s website, the two restaurants will be co-operating under one roof because Republic’s current location “has been deemed Covid incompatible.” The message says full menus from each restaurant and cocktails from each location’s bar will all be available. Visit republiccafe.com.

In the kitchen with Ashley Reisdorf

Ashley Reisdorf of Raymond is the owner of Ashley’s Eats & Sweets (find them on Facebook), a homestead business specializing in custom cakes and baked goods. A self-taught baker, she accepts custom cake orders for all types of events, including birthday parties, graduations, baby showers and weddings. She’ll also dabble in cookies, cupcakes, whoopie pies and other smaller goodies. Order inquiries can be placed via phone or online, with at least a one-week advance notice requested and free contactless delivery within a 30-minute drive of Raymond.

What is your must-have kitchen item?

An offset spatula or a silicone scraper.

What would you have for your last meal?

Vegetarian barbecue nachos.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Gordo’s Burritos & Tacos in Raymond. My husband and I love to eat out from there.

What celebrity would you like to bake a cake for?

Mark Wahlberg.

What is your favorite thing you’ve ever baked for someone?

I guess my personal favorite cake that I’ve made … was a pina colada-flavored dirt bike helmet cake that I did for my older brother’s birthday in January. We have a typical brother-sister relationship. He likes to tease me and tell me my stuff is no good, [but] he raved about that cake to everyone.

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

Unicorn cakes seem to be the running theme with little girls lately. I think I’ve done like eight of them in the last couple of months.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

Cooking-wise, I think my specialty is loaded mashed potatoes and fall-off-the-bone ribs.

Featured Photo: Ashley Reisdorf of Ashley’s Eats & Sweets in Raymond.

Honey lemon lavender shortbread cookies
From the kitchen of Ashley Reisdorf of Ashley’s Eats & Sweets in Raymond

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons honey
2 cups all-purpose flour (can be replaced with gluten-free one-to-one flour)
Pinch of salt
3 to 5 lemon lavender tea bags (to taste)

In a stand mixer, cream together softened butter, sugar and honey until light and fluffy. Add in flour, salt and loose tea leaves. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Lay dough out on a piece of plastic wrap. Form dough into a log and then shape into a rectangle. Wrap dough in plastic and freeze for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for two hours or until firm. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. While the oven is heating, cut the dough into 1/4-inch slices and place one to two inches apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. The cookies will still be soft but will firm up when cooled.

Summer flavors

Great New England BBQ and food truck festival returns

If you’ve been cooped at home for most of the summer, you’ll have the chance to get out and enjoy local food and beer at the Great New England BBQ & Food Truck Festival. Even though it will look and feel different this year, the second annual event is scheduled to happen on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Hampshire Hills Athletic Club in Milford, and will also include craft and artisan vendors, live music and a cornhole tournament.

Normally a two-day festival, the event has been shortened to just one day this year. A kids’ zone that had bounce houses, face-painting and other activities has been eliminated.

Festival organizer Jody Donohue said she has been in regular communication with the town’s health and fire departments, as well as the state Attorney General’s office, to develop a plan on how to hold the event as scheduled in a safe fashion.

“It’s going to be much more spacious,” Donohue said. “We’ll have a minimum of 10 feet of space to the left and right of every food truck and artisan.”

She added that one-way walking aisles, six-foot pavement markings and sanitizing stations will all be implemented throughout the venue. All vendors and event staff are required to wear masks and attendees are encouraged to as well when not eating or drinking.

Ten to 12 food trucks are expected to be parked along the perimeter of the aisles for the duration of the festival, including a few local to New Hampshire and others coming from nearby New England states. Prime Time Grilled Cheese, launched by Manchester couple Alex and Marcie Pichardo in 2018, was a favorite at last year’s festival and is expected to return this year, according to Donohue. The truck offers all kinds of specialty grilled cheese sandwich options, in addition to “dessert” sandwiches like the grilled Fluffernutter and the grilled S’mores.

Other local faces will include Jayrard’s Java Cafe, a mobile coffee trailer converted from an old camper that specializes in premium Costa Rican coffees and organic teas, and The Smoothie Bus, which offers dozens of flavors of made-to-order smoothies using real fruit. There will also be freshly baked cookies from the Sweet Crunch Bakeshop & Catering Co. of Vermont; specialty hot dogs on toasted rolls from Trolley Dogs of Boston; barbecue options from Bobby & Jack’s Memphis Barbecue — a.k.a. “The Pig Rig” — of Tewksbury, Mass.; and cannolis from Uncle Joey’s Cannoli of Waltham, Mass.

A beer tent will feature pourings from several local breweries, like Frogg Brewing of Marlborough, 603 Brewery of Londonderry and Martha’s Exchange of Nashua. Guitarists will be playing music throughout the afternoon and the crew from 106.3 Frank FM will be there between noon and 2 p.m.

Two of the athletic club’s indoor tennis courts will be open with craft and artisan vendors. Donohue said products sold there will run the gamut from jewelry, stained glass, handmade soaps and woodworking items to gourmet barbecue sauces, mustards and other foods.

A cornhole tournament during the festival is planned for 2 p.m. on the function field adjacent to the parking lot, with warmups at 1 p.m. The cost is $15 per player and includes event entry.

While there will be multiple chairs and tables set up inside and outside that will be regularly sanitized, Donohue said festival attendees are allowed to bring their own chairs or blankets.

“It really is going to be a fun event for people to just get out of the house, sit on the field and enjoy the open air in a safe way,” she said.

Featured Photo: Alex and Marcie Pichardo of the Prime Time Grilled Cheese food truck. Courtesy photo.

Second annual Great New England BBQ & Food Truck Festival
When: Saturday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (rain date is Aug. 9)
Where: Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, 50 Emerson Road, Milford
Cost: Tickets are $5 general admission and free for kids under 14; purchase tickets at the gate or in advance online at ticketleap.com
Visit: gnespringintosummer.ticketleap.com/gnefoodtruckfest
Free parking is available on site. Masks are strongly suggested. No pets are allowed.

Participating food vendors
• Bobby & Jack’s Memphis Barbecue (“The Pig Rig”) (memphispit.com)
• Chompers (find them on Facebook @tomschompers)
• Extreme Concessions (find them on Facebook)
• Jayrard’s Java Cafe (jayrardsjava.square.site)
• M&G Mobile Gourmet (mgmobilegourmet.com)
• Pig on the Road BBQ (pigontheroad.com)
• Prime Time Grilled Cheese (primetimegrilledcheese.com)
• R & J BBQ (rjtexasbbqonwheels.com)
• The Smoothie Bus (thesmoothiebus.com)
• Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream (subzeroicecream.com)
• Sweet Crunch Bakeshop & Catering Co. (sweetcrunchbakeshop.com)
• Totally Nutz (urbannutroasters.com)
• Trolley Dogs (bostontrolleydogs.com)
• Uncle Joey’s Cannoli (unclejoeyscannoli.com)

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