How About a New Tradition?

What’s your Thanksgiving holiday tradition?  Do you watch the Macy’s parade on TV?  Do you bundle up to watch a local football game? Or, if you’re in charge of preparing the Thanksgiving feast, do you even have time to relax at all?

Well!  Here’s a new tradition for you to consider.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast; take your seat in the bleachers at a football game or sit in your easy chair at home and flip the TV channel to the Macy parade. Then, sometime between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., meander over to Mystic Seaport country and celebrate the season’s bounty at the Seamen’s Inne Thanksgiving Grand Buffet. Just think how nice it would be to simply enjoy the food without worrying if the turkey is tender, the mashed potatoes lumpy or the gravy too thick or too thin!

Then, right next door is Mystic Seaport, Yes, even on Thanksgiving Day the Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and….admission is half-price!  True, not all the exhibits will be open, but you can either work up your appetite or walk off the calories you just ate by climbing the staircase up to the Charles W. Morgan whaling ship deck. If that’s too strenuous, than board the L.A. Dunton.  Visit the Buckingham-Hall House and imagine cooking a Thanksgiving feast in that kitchen!  Then, visit the Voyages exhibit where it’s easy to spend a good chunk of time, either before or after your dinner.

Mystic Seaport this time of year has a tranquil charm. The village streets are quiet and the allure of the sea is ever present. It’s a special place for all seasons.

So how about it? Ready to start a new tradition? Then make your reservations for the Thanksgiving Day Grand Buffet at Seamen’s Inne (860.572.5303) and pop over to Mystic Seaport to  enjoy the view along the Mystic River and visit the open exhibits. Don’t forget to tell the exhibit interpreters  you’re thankful for them working on this day of thanks!

We wish you all a happy Thanksgiving!

Blog posted by Trudi Busey.

Who Doesn’t Love a Clambake?

Mystic Seaport food festival season is right around the corner. Our 2^nd Annual Wine & Food Festival kicks it all off August 14 -16, is quickly followed by our Fish & Ships Seafood Festival during Labor Day Weekend and capped off with our annual Chowderfest in mid-October. Until all that tasty goodness, here’s a classic Summer clambake recipe (currently featured in the latest issue of Mystic Seaport magazine) to whet your appetite…

 
Butter-Poached Stovetop Clambake

You don’t need to serve butter alongside. The butter (and no, the amount below isn’t a typo!) gives a velvety, buttery taste as the ingredients poach in the mixture. You can also strain and freeze the cooking liquid so you can use it again. It’s a messy meal, so have lots of napkins on hand!

• 1 ½ quarts water
• 3 cups clam juice or seafood stock
• 1 cup white wine
• 3 tablespoons sea salt
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 shallot sliced
• 3 sprigs of thyme
• 2 sticks of butter
• 8 small new potatoes, washed
• 1 cup chorizo, chopped
• 4 new shell lobsters
• 4 ears of corn, husked
• 1 ½ pounds littleneck clams, scrubbed

1. In a large enameled stockpot or Dutch oven, bring water, stock and wine to a simmer.

2. Add garlic, shallot, thyme and butter. When butter is melted, add potatoes and chorizo, and return to a simmer for 5 minutes until potatoes are partially cooked.

3. Add lobsters, bring back to a boil and cook for 5–7 minutes.

4. Add corn and layer the clams on top. Return to boil and cook another 8–10 minutes or until lobsters are bright red and clams are open. Discard any clams that do not open. Serve all ingredients on a large platter and garnish with fresh herbs, lemon slices and a nice loaf of crusty bread.

Serves 4.

Jean Kerr is the author of Mystic Seafood: Great Recipes, History, and Seafaring Lore from Mystic Seaport, as well as Union Oyster House Cookbook and the forthcoming Windjammer Cooking. She is the editor of Taste of the Seacoast magazine and co-owner of Smith Kerr Associates Publishing.

A Tasty Stimulus Package for Seniors

“Stimulus package” seems to be the new buzz phrase heard just about everywhere these days. Ah, but how many of these packages stimulate the palate as well? Well, we know of one here at Mystic Seaport, a very delicious one to be exact.

The Seamen’s Inne Restaurant & Pub at Mystic Seaport is bailing out senior citizens (ages 62 and older) who may have eliminated from their budget the very pleasant pastime of going out for lunch. Every Tuesday, from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., the restaurant is offering seniors 25% off food and non-alcoholic beverages. Now how’s that for an appetizing deal?

Remember when you had to show proof of age to gain entry to certain places? Well, feel young again. Get out those ID card, because you will have to show proof that you’re at least 62 years of age to take advantage of this great offer.

So how about it? Does a bowl of award-winning clam chowder, baked Stonington scallops, grilled chicken and ravioli, a corned beef Reuben, a juicy hamburger or maybe a Cobb salad stimulate your taste buds? Then lift your spirits and satisfy those cravings. Make a date to get over to Seamen’s Inn. You deserve a fantastic — and affordable — lunch out! 

For more information, call 860.572.5305, or visit www.mysticseaport.org.

Warm up by the fire

It’s March in New England, and as of about 7 a.m. this morning, Mother Nature dumped a little inside joke on us. Between 8-15 inches of fluffy, white inside joke, depending on where you are.

Given what’s going on outside, I can think of a lot of places INSIDE that I’d like to be, and near the top of my list would be the Buckingham-Hall House at Mystic Seaport. I’d like to head inside, and warm up in a room heated by a fireplace so big I could stand in it.  I’d like to linger in the warmth of the kitchen while watching the deft work of the Museum interpreter while drinking in the heavenly aroma of baking bread, codfish cakes and warm, cinnamon-scented apple pie.

Want to try this yourself? The Buckingham-Hall House will be open for an evening of cooking by the fire this winter. For one night, on March 7, you can join the calico-skirted Museum interpreter at Mystic Seaport and learn just how a woman in the 1870s fed her family without a gas range and a microwave oven—and no takeout menus, either.

Just be sure to save me a piece of pie.

Open-Hearth Cooking at Mystic Seaport

DATES	TIME	COST
March 7, 2009	6 – 9 p.m.	$50 / $45 (member)

To register, go to www.mysticseaport.org/registration.

A Wall of What?!?!

Nothing says fall like a fresh-picked apple. But if you’re craving something a little bit sweeter this autumn, you may be drawn to what could be considered the best part of the Museum’s Café and Bake Shop – the WALL OF FUDGE.

 

What? You didn’t know we had one? Well, sweet-lovers, welcome to paradise.

 

An entire wall of shelves feature fan favorites such as traditional Chocolate, Snickers, Rocky Road, Mint-Chocolate, Raspberry and the list goes on and on. A fudge flavor for everyone can be found on this wall. Fudge with nuts, with candy, with swirls and layers. Who could ask for more?

 

The newest addition to the wall is Caramel Apple fudge. Flavored with cider, each block of fudge is layered with caramel and actual speckles of fresh cider. This must-try treat definitely makes a fall favorite a little more special.

 

If you are looking for something a little more substantial, the Bake Shop offers sandwiches, pastries, muffins, coffee and other beverages. Craving another one of fall’s favorite flavors? Then you must try our popular pumpkin muffin. It’s a delicious way to start your autumn adventure at the Museum.

  

Not just for Museum visitors, the Museum’s Bake Shop is popular among locals, too. Parking is easy and accessible and a fresh cinnamon scone, hot coffee and friendly service make it worth the stop. Small tables inside and out create a relaxing environment to enjoy a tasty treat, friendly conversation and a glorious autumn day.

 

Make a point to stop in. We promise, your taste buds won’t regret it.

 

Check out our other tasty hotspots at www.mysticseaport.org.