Shad Festival - Lambertville, New Jersey - April 25th and 26th

Lambertville, New Jersey is one of my favorite local towns. I haven't spent much time there exploring the shops, but two of my favorite restaurants are located there, Lilly's on the Canal and No.9 Restaurant. Yes, it's disappointing that No.9 Restaurant doesn't have their own website - but the food is completely amazing and the tiny cozy dining room is great. Every year Lambertville hosts Shad Festival in honor of the fish. The Festival highlights the local art's community, there's also live music, activities, and of course FOOD!

There will be all kinds of food there from hot dogs and burgers to fried calamari and of course Shad. There will also be beer and wine tasting and cooking demonstrations.

From the Lambertville website...
"Welcome to the 28th annual Shad Festival, being held on Sat. & Sun. April 25 & 26, 12:30 - 5:30 both days, rain or shine!. Each year the festival highlights our region's arts community, the City of Lambertville, the Delaware River, and of course, our favorite fish, the Shad! The Shad Festival has evolved from a local art show into a nationally recognized award-winning event. Shad Fest features the area's finest artists and crafters, great food and family entertainment, but the two-day extravaganza also serves as a venue for local non-profit organizations to raise necessary operating funds."

I haven't been to this festival before, but I know a lot of people who have gone and they've loved it. I'm hoping to get there this year!

Entertainment Schedule
Art and Crafts
Chamber Member Businesses
General Information

If I get to the festival, I'll be posting a ton of pictures... If you happen to get there - please contact me. I'd love to hear what you thought about it. Oh, and I've never eaten shad, if you have - could you leave a comment letting everyone know what you think of it and how it tastes?

Here's to the Shad and full bellies.
- Cait

A Memory - Matt's Red Rooster Grill

My birthday is coming up - April, 17th. My dad takes me out to dinner every year, and lately it's been to rather nice restaurants. Last year he took me to a place called Matt's Red Rooster Grill. The food was amazing and the building is great... It made for a great birthday dinner.

From the restaurant's website...
"One of the most exciting culinary properties to hit Flemington, NJ Domiciled in a venerable Victorian building and lovingly restored.
Matt's Red Rooster Grill Restaurant is comprised of two floors that are tastefully adorned.
The first floor contains a bustling open kitchen with grill, and the second floor has a more serene setting."

I remember what I had for dinner that night, even though it's nearly a year later. The meal started with wine my dad brought along - I don't remember what it was, but I enjoyed it. My meal started with a trio of soups - creamy tomato, chicken tortilla, and a surprisingly delicious green lentil soup. Then I had a grilled duck breast cooked medium rare accompanied by peppery arugula and a honey balsamic dressing. My entree was lamb (I'm pretty sure it was a Colorado Rack of Lamb) and I chose a black truffle butter to go with it. Oh my was it great. I love lamb, and it's such a treat for me since I don't eat it very often - maybe only once or twice a year. The meal was topped with such a wonderful surprising treat... I shared fried banana cheesecake with my family. The waiter even put a birthday candle in it for me.

I hope I get to go back to Matt's Red Rooster Grill this year...

If you'd like to check it out (which you should if you're anywhere near Flemington, New Jersey) here's the information you need.

Matt's Red Rooster Grill
http://www.mattsredroostergrill.com/
22 Bloomfield Avenue,
Flemington, NJ 08822
908-788-7050
OPEN-
Tuesday-Friday: 5:30pm-close
Saturday: 5:00pm-close
Sunday: 5:00pm-8pm

Here's to spending birthdays in great places with great people.

- Cait

Spotting Lunch - Cannellini Bean and Ham Stew

After a filling "breakfast" I thought I'd like to find a lunch idea that would be filling, but not overly so. I thought of soup of some sort would be a great idea and after looking on TasteSpotting for a bit I came across a bean and ham stew. With Easter coming up it would be a perfect way to use up leftover Easter ham! Depending on the serving size, it would easily be a wonderful lunch OR dinner. The stew was posted on TasteSpotting by recessionipes.

Photo from recessionipes

Quick Cannellini Bean & Ham Stew

via recessionipes.com

Adapted from Gourmet, January 2007
Makes 6 servings
Total Price: NY $17.50
Price Per Serving: NY $2.91

Ingredients

• 4 large garlic cloves, chopped (NY $0.48 for 1 bulb)
  
• 1 large onion, chopped (NY $0.86)
  
• 2.5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (staple)
• 1 14.5oz. can stewed tomatoes, coarsely cut* (NY $1.59)
  
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (NY $1.29)
  
• 2 19 oz. cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (NY $2.98)
• 1 1/2-lb piece baked ham (sliced 3/4 inch thick), cut into 1/2-inch cubes (NY $5.51)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (staple)
• 10 oz spinach (roughly torn) (NY $2.50)
• 1 demi baguette, sliced (NY $2.29)
  
• Grated Parmesan cheese (staple)

Directions

In a large pot, sauté the chopped garlic and onion in 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil over moderately high heat until the onions turn golden (approx. 3-5 minutes).

Add the can of cut stewed tomatoes and juice to pot and stir.

When the juice starts to simmer, add the beans, ham and black pepper.

Add the chicken broth, stir and bring to a boil.

When the broth starts to boil, reduce the heat until it settles at a simmer.

When the soup is simmering, pile the spinach on top of the pot to steam the spinach. As the spinach starts to wilt, stir it into the soup and turn off the heat.

Serve immediately, garnished with toasts.

While stew is simmering, preheat broiler or set your toaster over to broil.

To Prepare Toasts:
Put bread on a baking sheet or toaster over tray covered with foil, and lightly brush each side with 1/2 tablespoon oil total. Broil until light gold, approx 1 minute.

Flip toast, sprinkle with parmesan cheese to taste, and broil again for approx 1 minute longer.


With all the April showers we've been having in Bucks County, this stew would be a little bit of sunshine...

Here's to strong umbrellas and full bellies.

- Cait