Fragrance of Fall

Fallen leaves. Brisk wind. Mums. Hint of Indian Summer in the mild afternoon sun. Cranberries. Hazelnut. Apple pie. Cinnamon and coffee. All of these are scents that are unmistakably fall for me. They pique my creative side, energize me and bring comfort to my home. What inspires you?

Originally, this was going to be a post about my grandmother's quiche recipe but instead I wanted to share with you some things that helped me savor the season a bit more and find excitement in the holidays to come. I relaxed and found interest in working on different aspects of my kitchen.

First, some tablescape tips. I had acquired the most beautiful and various sized hurricane glasses from friends at work. I decided to have fun with these new additions and purchased some autumn scented pillar candles to fit. An excellent tip to make any kitchen or dining table a bit more rustically romantic are none other than items from your grocer. I decided that Michael's was not the only place to find great crafts. I bought fresh cranberries and hazelnuts to fill my hurricane vases around the warmly lit candles. These items added a natural warmth that rocks or sand just couldn't do.

Earlier today, trying to find some motivation for the day, I figured out that the one thing I felt like doing (after boot shopping, of course) was baking. Since, this doesn't happen often, I took advantage and completed multiple projects. One, my grandmother's quiche. It's a bleu cheese and cream cheese quiche, fluffy with cream and seasoned with minced onions, paprika and pepper. I baked ahead for tomorrow's dinner, which I will pair with sauteed spinach and Baby Bella mushrooms. (Tonight's dinner was chicken sausage and pierogies.)

My other baked good was a spice cake frosted with cream cheese icing and topped with maple syrup and melocreme pumpkins as a pretty seasonal garnish. The spice cake absolutely hit the spot.

The next project to work on is my second annual Halloween Party at our home, recently named Country Hollow. This week I will plan our menu of finger foods and beverages as well as start our outdoor set up for the weekend. I'll be sure to tell you all about it!

For now, wishing you the colorful warmth in your homes that only this fall season could bring.

Glazed Over (with brown sugar and fig)

In honor of the pumpkin picking that occured earlier in the weekend, the cold wind that made my cheeks rosie and the inspiration of fall colors filling my house, my dinner last night resembled a Thanksgiving plate. Except I didn't cook a turkey. Instead, I roasted a chicken and had fun with the glaze.

After being completely bored with the usual flavors of roaster chickens (even though I had a whole wheat stuffing, cranberry sauce and greens), I decided to blend together some interesting flavors to make a sweet glaze.

Tried and tested, I recommend you taste the below glaze for yourself. The flavors soaked through to the breast perfectly and the skin crisped to the most delicious texture. Here is the recipe, very simply.

Brown Sugar Fig Infused Glaze

• First be sure to place pats of butter under the skin of your cleaned chicken and prepare to use a roaster pan with a rack on 375 for about an hour and a half. (Inner temp should be 165 degrees when done.)


• Then for your glaze, in a medium bowl, whisk together: 1/4 cup of soy, 1 tablespoon teriyaki, 1/2 cup of light brown sugar, onion powder (two shakes), 2 teaspoons of fig infused vinegar, sea salt and ground pepper to taste.


• Brush onto your bird. Continue to brush on the glaze throughout the cooking process.


• It will brown and crisp towards the last 20 minutes of cook time. (See finished picture above.)

Have fun and remember- Thanksgiving dinner can happen more than once a year.

Classically Coastal

Downeast lobster rolls, steamers, chowder - these delicious delicacies materialize in our minds when we think of classic Maine fare. This coastal cuisine is one of the reasons Roger and I started visiting Maine four years ago. As my adventure continues, and I set out to try new and exciting dishes, I could never pass up the opportunity to eat like a native "Mainer". The second half of my trip blog will focus on the seafaring side of Maine and what it has to offer.

It wasn't long before we were sitting on a dock, savoring broth and butter dipped steamed clams, piping hot. We were in Bar Harbor at Stewman's Downtown. I sipped on a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Roger enjoyed a beer called Smuttynose. Our starter was two pounds of steamers, which I had been craving for weeks before the vacation. They were perfect! I followed them up with a main course of Frenchman's Bay Haddock sandwich and Roger: a lobster roll prepared with huge chunks of lobster and no mayo except for a smearing on the toasted bun. It was an immensely satisfying "classic" dinner. Stewman's is legendary in Bar Harbor, and even more so recently since President Obama dined there with his family. The place is recently rennovated and may be getting a bit conceited and cold. However, the food was excellent so all in all it was a great night.

Another famous (or infamous) spot in Bar Harbor that we visited for a lunch was Geddy's Bar & Grill. The atmostphere is that of a local sports bar with all sorts of Maine memorabilia on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. They present themselves as a wildly fun spot that offers just about any kind of food that your appetite desires. Of course we ordered local brew, then Roger ordered a gourmet personal pizza and I chose a crab sandwich that was stacked high with fresh meat and served with cole slaw, french fries and a pickle. What can I say? It was exactly what you should order from a rockin' crazy place like Geddy's. Remember: When in Rome.

Let's travel back to the quiet side, where we are staying in Southwest Harbor. The true local feel is apparent there and, although they have welcomed the new age flare of Fiddler's Green and Red Sky, the classic downeast is everywhere. It would not be a Maine vacation without eating one meal at Beal's Lobster Pound. The crisp, cold sea air hits you as you step out of the car and approach the building on the dock. Plastic wind barrier walls line the picnic tables. Now, you absolutely have to order chowder! We ordered the New England clam, which was not as thick and rich in the texture but heavy in clams and dill. It was super hot and absolutely fit with the scene. Once again, we ate two pounds of steamers. They were as good as Stewman's (if not better), and the price down at the Lobster Pound was definitely best. We paired these with none other than the Atlantic Brewing Company's Real Ale. Needless to say, as this was lunch, a nap was soon to follow.

These highlights are the aspects of Maine that I treasure most. Aside from the fare, the coast itself is breathtaking. Pictured in this blog is Sand Beach from The Beehive summit, where the icy green waters refresh your soul as they hit the coarse ground sand set snuggly between the granite mountains. Just to sit on the beach there, you understand what Maine is all about.

The Wild Side of Maine

Back on the North Fork, I have just returned from a much needed vacation to a place that holds a special place in my heart - Mt. Desert Island, Maine. We spent over a week in a beautiful, cozy cabin nestled in between tall Hemlock and Pine trees overlooking a charming pond. The view, from everywhere in the cottage, through the large picture window, was breathtaking.

Upon arrival, after an eight hour travel day (even with a stop at L.L. Bean), we were exhausted and starving. We had decided that our adventures in Maine would be to enjoy the scenery of fall colors, the coastal mountainous outdoors and the fresh local fare- all in a new and exciting way.

Thus began our adventure with a dinner at Fiddler's Green, Southwest Harbor, ME. This restaurant receives my emphatic recommendation and took its place as our most favorite place on the island. Chef/Owner Derek Wilbur has an imaginative flare for taking the best of the local resources and transforming them magically into one-of-a-kind dishes. The restaurant decor is modern with a cozy ambiance from its warm-colored walls and dim lighting. The comfortable atmosphere is complemented with the welcoming personality of Manager/Owner Sarah Oneil.

Upon arrival, Sarah made us feel right at home. By the second of the three dinners we enjoyed there, we felt like family. During the week we were there, I dined on decadent three-cheese lobster pot pie; smoked mussels with a red wine reduction; succulent harvest-inspired Cornish hen; smoked fish small plate served with chevre; and a Kobe burger. The wine list was impressive and the local brew on tap both offered perfect pairings with our meals.

The next hot spot of Southwest Harbor that we made sure to visit was Red Sky. This restaurant was up to par with the standards of a Manhattan dining experience. The first-class service, the minimalist, upscale decor combined with the innovative menu, again incorporating local fare with a gourmet presentation. This particular place holds sentimental value for my husband and I as we celebrated our moments-old engagement there three years ago with champagne and fine food. On our return visit, we were not disappointed. The staff was professional and very attentive. I chose a bleu cheese first course that was set with pecans, mesculin greens and a balsamic vinaigrette. My main dish was the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb. The wine paired was a big Barolo that I was so impressed with. The finale was a bittersweet chocolate pudding that wasn't even on the menu - it was that special. Our wonderful cabin hosts shared this excellent tip!

If you haven't noticed the theme of this half of my Maine reporting, the "Wild Side" refers to the unique and unexpected experiences in dining incorporating the freshest ingredients. But I couldn't possibly tease about wild things without telling you all about our brewery-hopping one day in Bar Harbor.

When in Rome....or in Maine...or wherever you might be, you should always try the specialty of the place. In this case, it is local beer. You may have noticed that I am more of a wine enthusiast than a beer drinker. However, I truly appreciate the flavorful, darker brews that are best savored and not chugged- although those are refreshing too. Atlantic Brewing Company really knows how to brew terrific beer!

We started in the wallking village of Bar Harbor and visiting the Bar Harbor Brewery tasting room (sister company to Atlantic Brewing Co.). We tasted their boutique beers in the "Manly Men" collection that were the most unique styles I have ever encountered. They included Sea Smoke, which tasted like a campfire and is perfect for marinades; Blackstrap, which offers flavors of molasses; and El Hefe, made by the top brewmaster with less carbonation and hoppy notes. We were assisted by the friendliest local man that was extremely thorough and helpful.

Our next stop was Atlantic Brewing Co.'s brewery and tasting room. We arrived just in time to join a group tasting which featured their complete line listed at the following link: atlanticbrewingcompany.com . We bought the Coal Porter and the Real Ale, which were simply fabulous. During our stay, I also appreciated the Blueberry Ale served Maine style with real blueberries dropped in the glass. Different and nice with a lunch sandwich.

So what is so wild about beer? Well, we were after all of our tastings and a quick Irish lunch at a local, back door pub. (By Irish lunch, I mean more beer and popcorn.)

This blog post will be the first of two. My next report will talk about the classic downeast that we reveled in throughout our week. Until then...have a wicked good time!

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