Tag: clam shack

Soup in Summer Beyond Gazpacho

If we suggest soup and it’s summertime, you may think of gazpacho.

We like our gazpacho garnished with avocado. Learn more about that here.

Or, if you’re willing to stretch the meaning of soup a bit, you might think of a cup of clam chowder, lobster bisque, or seafood stew at a clam shack. The one above is a RI Clam Chowder that we posted about here.

What happened to all those chilled soups that used to appear as a first course at the finest restaurants? Soups like vichyssoise (leek and potato soup), watercress bisque, chilled borscht, and light and lovely fruit soups with a sour cream or yogurt base?

Too Much Work?

Many cold soups are much easier to prepare today thanks to blenders and food processors. If the idea of a fruit soup sounds alien to you, think about that smoothie you had today. What is that but a cold soup by another name served in a cup with a straw rather than a bowl with a spoon?

Fast & Economical

One reason for starting a meal with soup is explained by Trine Hahnemann in her book, “Scandinavian Comfort Food.” “Soup was for years a first course served to make sure people weren't too hungry when the main course arrived and meat was served; meat was very costly and therefore not served in big portions.” That is one page from her "Soup for Every Season" chapter in the photo above.

Another plus for a soup course is that you can have it ready and serve it quickly to hungry diners. Summer soup tends to be simple and can be fast to make. Just blend ripe fruit cubes with yogurt or sour cream; season it with ginger, mint, fruit vinegars, liquors, spices, or herbs; and it’s ready!

You can even make soup from food you might otherwise waste. For example, the asparagus peelings and stems left over from one night became a quick soup for another. How? Start by sautéing a bit of onion and garlic in olive oil, add your left over peelings and stems followed by water or chicken stock. Simmer until everything is tender and puree it with a blender. You can do this same thing with other vegetables. If the vegetables are juicy, like tomatoes or summer squash, you could use less broth.

You can strain the soup or serve it in a more rustic style. You could add some cream or yogurt or keep it a broth-based soup to help you manage your weight.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2011-2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Adapted for BostonZest from one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

July 5, 2018
A Thoughtful and Informative Essay on Clam Chowder from Jane Lear

This season's unending cold makes it perfect weather for Chowder. In "Thoughts on Clam Chowder," food writer Jane Lear echoes what many of us feel, "…this dratted weather (we’re eagerly awaiting an alleged 'warming trend') calls for something more substantial and nourishing."

Wonderful Tidbits of Information Seasoned This Piece

I didn't know that Cape Hatteras chowder was "brothy Hatteras clam chowder, which tastes of the ocean, not of cream or tomatoes…" like my beloved Rhode Island clear clam chowder.

I didn't know that some clams were called middlenecks and in researching that I found more names for the various sizes of quahogs.

Have you heard of "pasta necks" or "top necks?" Around New England, we seem to have three divisions, cherrystones, littlenecks, and chowder clams

Lear also includes tips and background on milk, choosing and cutting potatoes, and thickening agents like crackers. She finishes up with her recipe for New England clam chowder.

I think she may have never experienced the good old red amusement park chowder served up at the shore dinner halls in places like Rocky Point Park and Crescent Park in Rhode Island. That's the one that was recreated for me by the wonderful crew on the Cod Squad Truck last summer. It too was thickened with crackers and was the perfect consistency for dipping clam cakes.

The other reason I loved this essay is that while rich chowders will warm us in our current deep freeze, chowder is a staple of summer. It's perfect for spooning up before the fried clams at your favorite clam shack. A giant pot of chowder is part of a great clam bake or clam boil.

Thinking about this gives me hope that the warmth will return and with it days by the shore with a cup of chowder in hand.

For more delicious writing, you can follow Jane Lear on Twitter, @janelear

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2008-2013 Penny Cherubino screenshot from www.janelear.com

Related articles

Clear, Rhode Island Clam Chowder: Updated from the Archives with Recipe Links

Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

Healthier Clam Chowder

March 7, 2014
A Thoughtful and Informative Essay on Clam Chowder from Jane Lear

This season's unending cold makes it perfect weather for Chowder. In "Thoughts on Clam Chowder," food writer Jane Lear echoes what many of us feel, "…this dratted weather (we’re eagerly awaiting an alleged 'warming trend') calls for something more substantial and nourishing."

Wonderful Tidbits of Information Seasoned This Piece

I didn't know that Cape Hatteras chowder was "brothy Hatteras clam chowder, which tastes of the ocean, not of cream or tomatoes…" like my beloved Rhode Island clear clam chowder.

I didn't know that some clams were called middlenecks and in researching that I found more names for the various sizes of quahogs.

Have you heard of "pasta necks" or "top necks?" Around New England, we seem to have three divisions, cherrystones, littlenecks, and chowder clams

Lear also includes tips and background on milk, choosing and cutting potatoes, and thickening agents like crackers. She finishes up with her recipe for New England clam chowder.

I think she may have never experienced the good old red amusement park chowder served up at the shore dinner halls in places like Rocky Point Park and Crescent Park in Rhode Island. That's the one that was recreated for me by the wonderful crew on the Cod Squad Truck last summer. It too was thickened with crackers and was the perfect consistency for dipping clam cakes.

The other reason I loved this essay is that while rich chowders will warm us in our current deep freeze, chowder is a staple of summer. It's perfect for spooning up before the fried clams at your favorite clam shack. A giant pot of chowder is part of a great clam bake or clam boil.

Thinking about this gives me hope that the warmth will return and with it days by the shore with a cup of chowder in hand.

For more delicious writing, you can follow Jane Lear on Twitter, @janelear

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2008-2013 Penny Cherubino screenshot from www.janelear.com

Related articles

Clear, Rhode Island Clam Chowder: Updated from the Archives with Recipe Links

Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

Healthier Clam Chowder

March 7, 2014
A Thoughtful and Informative Essay on Clam Chowder from Jane Lear

This season's unending cold makes it perfect weather for Chowder. In "Thoughts on Clam Chowder," food writer Jane Lear echoes what many of us feel, "…this dratted weather (we’re eagerly awaiting an alleged 'warming trend') calls for something more substantial and nourishing."

Wonderful Tidbits of Information Seasoned This Piece

I didn't know that Cape Hatteras chowder was "brothy Hatteras clam chowder, which tastes of the ocean, not of cream or tomatoes…" like my beloved Rhode Island clear clam chowder.

I didn't know that some clams were called middlenecks and in researching that I found more names for the various sizes of quahogs.

Have you heard of "pasta necks" or "top necks?" Around New England, we seem to have three divisions, cherrystones, littlenecks, and chowder clams

Lear also includes tips and background on milk, choosing and cutting potatoes, and thickening agents like crackers. She finishes up with her recipe for New England clam chowder.

I think she may have never experienced the good old red amusement park chowder served up at the shore dinner halls in places like Rocky Point Park and Crescent Park in Rhode Island. That's the one that was recreated for me by the wonderful crew on the Cod Squad Truck last summer. It too was thickened with crackers and was the perfect consistency for dipping clam cakes.

The other reason I loved this essay is that while rich chowders will warm us in our current deep freeze, chowder is a staple of summer. It's perfect for spooning up before the fried clams at your favorite clam shack. A giant pot of chowder is part of a great clam bake or clam boil.

Thinking about this gives me hope that the warmth will return and with it days by the shore with a cup of chowder in hand.

For more delicious writing, you can follow Jane Lear on Twitter, @janelear

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2008-2013 Penny Cherubino screenshot from www.janelear.com

Related articles

Clear, Rhode Island Clam Chowder: Updated from the Archives with Recipe Links

Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

Healthier Clam Chowder

March 7, 2014
Poppy at Wollaston Beach

Our own pup Poppy is here to tell all her dog friends that it's time to go to the beach.

She was only allowed to enjoy the view from the seawall on her first visit. But, we'll be returning after October 1st to get her paws in the sand.

Check your favortie Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) beach to see if the signs say your family, including your dog, is allowed to enjoy the beach after October 1st.

I would say to check online, but I wasn't able to find the information there. DCR seems to be unaware that many families in Massachusetts choose to plan their recreational activites around dogs.

This was as close as our little girl could get to the sand.

On the other end of the welome spectrum is the group, The Trustees of Reservations who have established a Green Dog program and who have "dog walking" as an activity you can choose when you go to their website.

They change to wording about dogs to a positive note. For example, "…dogs are welcome at Crane Beach from October 1 through March 30 through our Green Dogs program."

Members of the organization can recieve a Green Dog permit for free. For others there is a $3 per dog per day option. Here's how you can become a member and support this welcoming attitude and acceptance of families that include dogs.

After her visit to the salt air, Duchess Poppy was one tired pup. (And we all know that a tired pup is a good pup.) So, Poppy recommends that you take your pup someplace exciting to work off some of that canine energy in a healthy way.

Related Post:

Halibut Point State Park – Another Trustrees of the Reservation property

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Here are the products we use to make our life with Poppy more fun and less work.

Zak Designs Ice Cream Container for bringing Poppy's raw food with us on adventures!

Washable Bedpads for protecting surfaces. (Like Zipcar seats)

Four Paws Wee Wee Housebreaking Pads 150/Pkg

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Do coyotes eat fried clams?

Say Hello to Poppy, Our New VP of Security & Morale!

Poppy Says, "Thank You!"

Sunday Dog, "Sandy" Loves Boston!

Sunday Dog, Rocky Is Show-Dog-Cute!

September 23, 2012
Poppy at Wollaston Beach

Our own pup Poppy is here to tell all her dog friends that it's time to go to the beach.

She was only allowed to enjoy the view from the seawall on her first visit. But, we'll be returning after October 1st to get her paws in the sand.

Check your favortie Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) beach to see if the signs say your family, including your dog, is allowed to enjoy the beach after October 1st.

I would say to check online, but I wasn't able to find the information there. DCR seems to be unaware that many families in Massachusetts choose to plan their recreational activites around dogs.

This was as close as our little girl could get to the sand.

On the other end of the welome spectrum is the group, The Trustees of Reservations who have established a Green Dog program and who have "dog walking" as an activity you can choose when you go to their website.

They change to wording about dogs to a positive note. For example, "…dogs are welcome at Crane Beach from October 1 through March 30 through our Green Dogs program."

Members of the organization can recieve a Green Dog permit for free. For others there is a $3 per dog per day option. Here's how you can become a member and support this welcoming attitude and acceptance of families that include dogs.

After her visit to the salt air, Duchess Poppy was one tired pup. (And we all know that a tired pup is a good pup.) So, Poppy recommends that you take your pup someplace exciting to work off some of that canine energy in a healthy way.

Related Post:

Halibut Point State Park – Another Trustrees of the Reservation property

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Here are the products we use to make our life with Poppy more fun and less work.

Zak Designs Ice Cream Container for bringing Poppy's raw food with us on adventures!

Washable Bedpads for protecting surfaces. (Like Zipcar seats)

Four Paws Wee Wee Housebreaking Pads 150/Pkg

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Do coyotes eat fried clams?

Say Hello to Poppy, Our New VP of Security & Morale!

Poppy Says, "Thank You!"

Sunday Dog, "Sandy" Loves Boston!

Sunday Dog, Rocky Is Show-Dog-Cute!

September 23, 2012
Poppy at Wollaston Beach

Our own pup Poppy is here to tell all her dog friends that it's time to go to the beach.

She was only allowed to enjoy the view from the seawall on her first visit. But, we'll be returning after October 1st to get her paws in the sand.

Check your favortie Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) beach to see if the signs say your family, including your dog, is allowed to enjoy the beach after October 1st.

I would say to check online, but I wasn't able to find the information there. DCR seems to be unaware that many families in Massachusetts choose to plan their recreational activites around dogs.

This was as close as our little girl could get to the sand.

On the other end of the welome spectrum is the group, The Trustees of Reservations who have established a Green Dog program and who have "dog walking" as an activity you can choose when you go to their website.

They change to wording about dogs to a positive note. For example, "…dogs are welcome at Crane Beach from October 1 through March 30 through our Green Dogs program."

Members of the organization can recieve a Green Dog permit for free. For others there is a $3 per dog per day option. Here's how you can become a member and support this welcoming attitude and acceptance of families that include dogs.

After her visit to the salt air, Duchess Poppy was one tired pup. (And we all know that a tired pup is a good pup.) So, Poppy recommends that you take your pup someplace exciting to work off some of that canine energy in a healthy way.

Related Post:

Halibut Point State Park – Another Trustrees of the Reservation property

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Here are the products we use to make our life with Poppy more fun and less work.

Zak Designs Ice Cream Container for bringing Poppy's raw food with us on adventures!

Washable Bedpads for protecting surfaces. (Like Zipcar seats)

Four Paws Wee Wee Housebreaking Pads 150/Pkg

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Do coyotes eat fried clams?

Say Hello to Poppy, Our New VP of Security & Morale!

Poppy Says, "Thank You!"

Sunday Dog, "Sandy" Loves Boston!

Sunday Dog, Rocky Is Show-Dog-Cute!

September 23, 2012
Wood’s Seafood, Plymouth, MA for Lobster & More

Driving back to Boston from Provincetown, we have a tradition of stopping in Plymouth for lunch. Wood's Seafood on the town pier is the perfect place to enjoy one last lobster and seafood feast.

The good folks at Woods seem to have the old fashioned notion that being nice to customers while serving fresh, simple, well-prepared local food at a good price, is the way to go. This table full of lobster, steamers, chowder, and sides cost just over $30. A great value in this tourist town on a busy holiday weekend.

Hearing the banter with the staff, we've figured out that this is where locals seem to come when they have guests, for take out, and to buy fish for supper in the adjacent fish market. As our former favorites in the Town Pier cluster take on a plastic, Disneyesque atmosphere, and are not as good a value, Wood's is our go-to spot.

The dining area is tiny, just 50 seats, so you may want to have an alternative spot for feasting in mind or be prepared to wait for a table. The guys above took their food outside to the pier and used the concrete barrier for a table.

When we don't dine in, we prefer to picnic in the park just north the breakwater you see on the map for Wood's in our details. If you park in the big lot that leads to the breakwater, you can be halfway between Wood's and al fresco dining. After years of traveling with dogs, we are skilled at finding places were we can enjoy a meal without leaving a friend locked in a hot car.

This can also make a great daytrip destination. If you have vistors who want to see Plymouth, you'll know the great place for a lobster, clam plate, or other seafood shack meal.

Related Posts:

This summer we hope to add more Daytrips and Weekend destinations to our collection.

Here's more about Provincetown.

What's on your summer travel shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Wood's Seafood

15 Town Pier, Plymouth, MA 02360 (Map & Reviews)

Phone: 800-626-1011 or 508-746-0261

www.woodsseafoods.com

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

June 4, 2012