Tag: 241010

In the kitchen with Leah Borla

Owner, Sweet Love Bakery (20B Main St., Goffstown, 497-2997, sweetlovebakerynh.com)

Leah Borla is a New Hampshire native who moved home after nearly 30 years in the Seattle area. “I started baking as a stress reliever from my career in real estate asset management, which is still my ‘day job,’” she said. “After a few years of baking out of our house, my husband and I renovated the space we are in and opened the Sweet Love Bakery storefront in April 2022. It is a true family affair with all of our four kiddos involved. Our oldest is a novice baker and our second oldest utilizes her degree in PR/Marketing and Communications to stay on top of my website and social media.”

What is your must-have kitchen item?

Definitely my KitchenAid mixer. Well, mixers. I have four of them. My original mixer, which I have had for close to 30 years, and the one that belonged to my Sitto (grandmother) are my most cherished.

What would you have for your last meal?

This is a tough one. I am a huge lover of all foods. It would probably be a buffet of Italian, Middle Eastern, Thai and Mexican foods as those are my favorites. I love food with complex and exciting flavor profiles.

What is your favorite local eatery?

Another tough one because it would depend on what I am eating! Our local go-to favorites are Stark House Tavern for wings and The Village Trestle for their amazing salads and club sandwiches.

Who is a celebrity you would like to see eating your food?

Not sure. I’m not a big follower of anything celebrity-related.

What is your favorite thing on your menu?

The cranberry orange scone is my No. 1 favorite. I love the sweetness of the orange mixed with the tartness of the cranberries.

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

Doughnuts. They are everywhere. We do have them but we only serve baked doughnuts. We do not fry anything. Brother Donuts are by far the best in New Hampshire. It’s all about the doughnut, not the toppings. Their doughnut base is on point so they don’t need all the fancy toppings.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

Anything that contains pasta! I am a carb girl! I make my own sauce so we always have plenty.Bakeshop garlic herb bread. Willing to throw out a cliche here: It’s to die for!

Basic Scone Recipe

3 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
dash of salt
6 Tablespoons cold butter
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more as needed

Mix dry ingredients with the cold butter until the butter is mixed, resembling a sand texture. Add vanilla and cream until the mixture comes together. Do not add too much cream as you do not want a wet dough. Pat dough into a circle and cut into six equal triangles. Brush with cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
This recipe can be changed to add in berries, chocolate chips or cranberries — anything you like! You can also replace the vanilla with any extract that enhances your add-ins.

Brews for a cause

The 2024 Mount Uncanoonuc Brewfest raises funds for veterans

For Brian Hansen, the organizer of the Mount Uncanoonuc Brewfest, part of what makes his annual event a party is the music.

“I’m a music snob,” he said, “a music connoisseur. The first year [of the Brewfest] we had a straight up garage rock ’n’ roll band that kicked butt…”

For this year’s Brewfest, the third annual event, the band Erin Og is slated to perform “legitimate Irish drinking tunes,” according to the website. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Mountain Brew Base Brewery in Goffstown.

“Every year … we have about probably 20 local breweries,” Hansen said, “all within probably an hour of Manchester. What they do is they come in and they give you sample sizes of all different kinds of brews. So anybody can try like 50 different kinds of beers. Each brewery brings a couple different kinds so it’s many, many different flavors.”

Hansen’s goal is to raise money to support a nonprofit organization he founded, The Worker Bee Fund (workerbeefund.org). “All of the money, 100 percent of the profits that we make go to fixing up houses for disabled veterans,” he said. “We get referrals from the VA and [other veterans’ groups]. And they let us know about people who need new, you know, wheelchair-accessible ramps or wheelchair-accessible kitchens or, you know, bathtubs with handles on them or new roofs or new windows. Basically, we work … for people who really can’t afford these things themselves. And we do them 100 percent for free. We provide all the labor, we provide all the materials, I raise all the money, and part of the money is this fundraiser.”

Hansen said the Brewfest started with an entirely hypothetical conversation.

“When [Mountain Base Brewery] first opened up a few years ago, I walked in and was hanging out with Jim [Mountain Base owner James Henderson], and Jim was like, ‘Hey, I’m thinking of maybe having a brew fest,’ and we got to talking about it. And I was like, ‘Jim, be careful, man. If you put an idea in my head, I’ll actually do it’. And he was like, ‘Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.’ So here we are.”

Four hundred people came to last year’s Brewfest. This year, Hansen and co-organizer Candice Pendagast expect an even bigger crowd, with more members of the brewing community pitching in.

“I have a good list here,” Pendagast said. “We’re still confirming breweries right now, and we confirmed someone else today, a winery, Hermit Woods Winery. We’re really excited because this is the first time we’ve ever had a craft cocktail and the first time we’ve ever had a winery.”

The Festival will have several food trucks on site.

“We are bringing in Smokin’ Trolly Catering,” Pendagast said. “She has been here in the past with her food trolley. She does all kinds of great barbecue food. We’ve added Colombian food this year with Cali Arepa NH, and we also have homemade lemonade, which will be nice for our designated drivers.”

Pendagast said she expects things to run smoothly, now that she and Hansen have a couple of years’ experience under their belts. “The first year we kind of went in blind,” she remembered. “We really didn’t know how many volunteers we would need. So that first year was kind of fun because I would be pouring for one table over here and then another table on the other side and people would be like, ‘Wait a minute, weren’t you just over there?’”

Mount Uncanoonuc Brewfest
When: Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: in the parking lot of Mountain Base Brewery, 553 Mast Road, No. 111, Goffstown, (935-7132, mountainbasebrewery.com).
Tickets: $35 in advance at workerbeefund.org/events, or $45 at the gate. All profits go to support the Worker Bee Fund, workerbeefund.org.
The Brewfest is still confirming participating brewers, but right now, they include Henniker Brewing Co., Pipe Dream Brewing, Stark Brewing Co., Feathered Friend Brewing, Hoptimistic Brewing, Liquid Therapy, Able Ebenezer Brewing Co., Spyglass Brewing Co., Concord Craft Brewing, Hobbs Brewing Co., Last Chair Brewery, Buena Gave Tequila Cocktails, and Hermit Hills Winery.

Featured Photo: Courtesy photo.

The Weekly Dish 24/10/10

News from the local food scene

• Chocolate: The New Hampshire Chocolate Expo will take place Sunday, Oct. 13, at the Doubletree Expo Center (700 Elm St., Manchester), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission “timed-entry” tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. Late Day Special tickets for admission after 4 p.m. are $10. Online VIP tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children, which allows admittance one hour early. These are available through eventbrite.com. General admission tickets at the door are $30 for adults, and $15 for children.

• Spanish and Portuguese wines go head to head: WineNot Boutique (25 Main St., Nashua, 204-5569, winenotboutique.com) will host a Blind Tasting Duel: Spain vs. Portugal Red Wines, Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. Seven red wines will be served with a variety of fine international cheeses and savory salami. . After each flight, attendees will be asked to vote on their favorite wine in that category. Tickets are $40 and available through eventbrite.com.

• Finding wild food: There will be a Fall Foraging Walk on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 4 to 5 p.m. at New Hampshire Audubon (84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, 224-9909, nhaudubon.org). Walk with Julieann Hartley, also known as Miss Julieann, a local children’s musician and nature educator. Explore and identify a variety of edible plants and talk about everyone’s fall favorite, the acorn. This is a family-friendly event; be prepared to walk 1 to 2 miles and dress for the weather. Reserve a spot at eventbrite.com.

• More chocolate: Van Otis Chocolates (341 Elm St. in Manchester; vanotis.com) will hold a “Chocolate Haunted Cabin” class on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $75 and the class runs two hours. Attendees will tour the chocolate factory, try some handmade chocolates and decorate a chocolate haunted cabin with provided toppings and goodies, according to the class description. Find the tickets via the website.

Treasure Hunt 24/10/10

Hi, Donna,

My parents got this from my dad’s aunt about 20 years ago, not sure how long she had it. We are just wondering how much it would be worth to sell. It also comes with a dining table and four or six chairs. Not in perfect condition — there are some dings.

Thanks.

Carol

Dear Carol,

Your black lacquered dining room set is in an Asian decor style. Looks to me like it was a high-quality set when purchased.

The issue for me is it’s really not considered an antique. It looks like it could be from the 1960s-ish. To put a value on it I think first it has to be in good clean condition. Any damage or areas needing work will take away from the value.

I would try retail consignment or marketing it yourself. If you bring it to a consignment store they should be able to help in pricing it. I also think photos of all of the set will help too.

Carol, I’m sorry to not give you more than advice. Tough for me to give you a proper value for it. Good luck and I hope you find a new home for it.

Kiddie Pool 24/10/10

Family fun for whenever

Fun in the dark

• The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party comes to SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) on Saturday, Oct. 12, with shows at 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13, at 2:30 p.m. “Fans of all ages will experience the thrill of watching their favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks in the dark!” according to the arena website. Tickets cost $35.50 to $57.

• The Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road, Route 155, in Lee; nhcornmaze.com) will hold one of its two remaining Flashlight Night Mazes this weekend on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. (The final Flashlight Night Maze is slated for Saturday, Oct. 26.) Tickets cost $15 each for ages 5+ (free for ages 4 and under), according to the website, where you can buy tickets in advance. Kids age 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult, the website said. BYO flashlight.

Movie time

• Chunky’s (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) will offer a sensory-friendly screening of The Wild Robot (PG, 2024) on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 11:30 a.m. For these screenings, “Chunky’s will keep the theater lights up, the sound of the film turned down,” according to the website. Tickets cost $6.99 plus service charge.

Kids in the Carol

• The Palace Theatre will hold auditions for grades 2 to 12 for the Youth Ensemble of its Professional Production of A Christmas Carol on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 5, 6 or 7 p.m. The show will run Nov. 29 through Dec. 29 at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Auditions will take place at the Forever Emma Studios (516 Pine St. in Manchester). To schedule an audition time and find out more of the audition requirements, contact [email protected] with performer’s name, age and preferred time, the email said.

Autumn colors and a parade

Warner celebrates with its annual Fall Foliage Festival

By Zachary Lewis
[email protected]

Celebrate fall in Warner Friday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Oct. 13, for the 77th Warner Fall Foliage Festival.

“The historical part of the festival, this is the 77th year that it’s been going on. It’s a festival to celebrate the fall, number one. It’s always on Columbus Day weekend on just Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday,” said Ray Martin, a former Festival president and trove of knowledge on the Festival and how it operates. “It’s historically always been volunteer-run, volunteer-staffed with townspeople, and it raises money every year for various organizations within the town …”

Besides the beautiful scenery, what is there for visitors to do?

“It is a festival with amusement rides, a lot, I think we have almost 100 craftspeople, various sorts. It has food, a lobster and chicken barbecue and other sorts of food. It has a grand parade, a road race, a children’s race…,” Martin said.

The Warner Fall Foliage Festival is also free. “There’s no admission charge, but we do charge for parking if you go out to one of the outlying parking areas. So it’s really just a celebration of fall with the typical festival type things of food, crafts, people, amusement rides, and an oxen pull and a woodsman’s contest. The oxen pull is all day Saturday. The woodsman’s contest is all Sunday, all day. And there’s a grand parade on Sunday…,” Martin said.

The parade will celebrate Warner’s founding with leafy floats. “Every year it has a different theme. And this year people put in floats involving foliage. And the main thing is how much foliage you can use or how you use it creatively. This year is Warner’s 250th anniversary of the founding or the chartering of the town in 1774.”

Martin expects 10 to 15 floats as well as “some old cars and tractors and marching band and the Highland Scotsman bagpiping group.”

Music is a major component in celebrating the harvest season in Warner.

“There’s music at a tent right beside the Reed’s North bar and restaurant that has music … and then they’ve got a stage behind, more of a main street stage, that has an outdoor amphitheater that has the same scheduled music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Martin said.

And then there’s the food.

“And then the other thing is the lobster or chicken barbecue that’s been going on for a long time and that drives a lot of people in. So those two things are great and consistent. It’s just one family that’s been doing [the barbecue] for 50 years, They’re on about the third generation,” Martin said.

The kids get involved too. “There’s a children’s parade, a children’s short run walk, and the activities for the kids are all the rides.”

How did Martin come to be involved with the festival in the first place? “If you live in town, you eventually will be asked to help. Most people always step up. It’s a very community-oriented event that does raise anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 a year to distribute.”

Since “foliage” is in the name, what types of tree leaves will visitors be able to view? “Oh, we have all the hardwood trees. It’s maple trees, then oak trees, maybe a few ash trees if they’re left, but all the hardwood trees will be most of it. There could be peak right, probably right about the time.”

“We usually get three or four thousand [visitors] a day. And the event is held, it’s right in downtown Warner, so it encompasses the village, the very downtown part of Warner,” he said “If you want to come enjoy a real community festival down to earth, small-ish, no admission charge, and very well-rounded in many different kinds of events that are happening,” Martin said.

Spellbound
When: Begins Monday, Oct. 7, with opening reception Saturday, Oct. 12, at 4 p.m.
Where: Mosaic Art Collective, 66 Hanover St., Suite 201 (second floor), Manchester
More: mosaicartcollective.com

Featured image: Music performance at a previous festival. Courtesy photo.

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