Food & Drink

Setauket Clam Chowder. METRO photo

By Barbara Beltrami

Dear Reader, I’m sorry to say that this is my last Cooking Cove column. Sharing my recipes and anecdotes with you and getting your enthusiastic positive feedback has made these past six years a labor of love. I will be continuing to write a cooking column independently and hope that you will join me by sending your name and email address to me at [email protected] so we can keep cooking together.  Meanwhile it’s only fitting and proper that I share my recipes for a few of my favorite things for a farewell dinner.

Champagne Cocktail

YIELD: Makes 2 cocktails

INGREDIENTS: 

12 ounces Champagne or Prosecco

2 sugar cubes

10 dashes Angostura bitters

2 long thin curly lemon peels

DIRECTIONS:

Chill the champagne or Prosecco thoroughly. Place sugar cubes in glasses, add the bitters to the sugar cubes, drop in the lemon peel, then pour champagne. Serve immediately with fresh oysters, smoked salmon or caviar.

Setauket Clam Chowder

YIELD: Makes 8 to 10 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

2 dozen cherrystone clams, scrubbed, purged

4 ounces unsalted butter

1 leek, light green and white part only, washed and thinly sliced

3 potatoes, peeled and sliced thin

1/2 cup dry white wine

Large sprig fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

2 cups half and half

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/3 cup chopped Italian flat leaf parsley

DIRECTIONS:

Place clams in a large pot and add one quart water. Cover and cook over medium-high heat about 10 to 15 minutes, until clams open. Discard any that don’t open after 15 minutes. Remove clams from liquid and set aside to cool. Strain broth through a sieve or strainer lined with paper towels or cheesecloth; set that aside too. Rinse out pot, dry, then over medium heat melt butter, add leeks and, stirring frequently, cook until they are softened but not browned, 5 to 10 minutes. 

Stir in potatoes and wine and continue cooking until potatoes start to soften and wine is evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes. Add enough clam broth to cover potatoes, plus thyme and bay leaf; partially cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, remove clams from shells and dice; add them along with the half and half and ground pepper to the pot, bring back to a simmer but do not boil. Stir in parsley, ladle into bowls and serve hot with oyster crackers and corn on the cob.

Sage-Stuffed Roast Chicken

YIELD: Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

One 5-pound organic roasting chicken

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 large bunch sage

1 lemon, halved and seeded

1 head garlic, halved horizontally

1/4 cup unsalted butter

2 large onions, coarsely chopped

4-6 carrots, sliced diagonally into chunks

15-18 small sprigs sage

1/4 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 425 F. Remove giblets, neck and excess fat from chicken; rinse inside and outside under cold water and pat dry. Generously salt and pepper chicken cavity, then stuff cavity with large sprig of sage, lemon and garlic. Tie legs together with kitchen twine and tuck wing tips under the chicken. 

In a large bowl toss the onions and carrots with the small sage sprigs and olive oil and salt and pepper. Spread mixture on bottom of shallow roasting pan, then place chicken over them. Roast for an hour and a half, until a cut between thigh and leg yields clear juices; remove from oven and let rest about 15 minutes, then slice and serve with onions and carrots any liquid from pan spooned on top. Serve warm with roasted potatoes and a green vegetable such as Brussels sprouts or broccoli.

Purple cauliflower. Pixabay photo

By Barbara Beltrami

Once upon a time, many years ago, the East End of Long Island was densely populated with farms that grew potatoes and cabbages and cauliflower. Even though most of them have become vineyards, there are still a few that continue to produce the original crops, and Long Island cauliflower, whether the familiar white common variety or the purple, green or orange ones that are the harbingers of autumn, tastes virtually the same, although some people say the purple has a slightly nuttier taste. All are members of the cruciferous family which makes them great sources of vitamin C, and purple cauliflower is especially good for the anti-oxidants it contains. Whatever color you choose, you’re in for a veggie treat and a good dose of healthy nutrients.

Roasted Purple Cauliflower

YIELD: Makes 6 to 8 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 large head purple cauliflower

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2/3 cup grated Parmigiano cheese

1/3 cup toasted pignoli nuts

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Slice cauliflower lengthwise through the core into 4 to 6 one-inch steaks. Brush both sides with olive oil, sprinkle with half the salt and pepper, then half the cheese. Bake about 15 minutes, until top is golden, then flip, sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper and cheese and bake another 15 minutes or so until that surface is golden and bubbly. Remove from oven, transfer to serving dish and sprinkle with toasted pignoli nuts. Serve with any meat, fish, poultry or vegetable protein.

Giardiniera

YIELD: Makes 6 to 8 cups

INGREDIENTS: 

1/2 head cauliflower cut into small florets

2 carrots, peeled and cut diagonally into 1/4” slices

2 celery ribs, trimmed and cut into 1/4” slices

1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

2 garlic cloves, sliced thin

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

2 cups white vinegar

1 cup water

2 tablespoons sugar

Kosher salt to taste

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons celery seeds

2 teaspoons fennel seeds

1 tablespoon dried marjoram

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, toss together cauliflower, carrots, celery, bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeño pepper; pack into glass jars. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, bay leaves, celery seeds, fennel seeds and marjoram; stir well and bring to a boil. Once it boils, remove from heat, remove bay leaves and pour liquid over vegetables in jars. Let cool completely, place lids on jars, and refrigerate for up to one week. Serve with assorted salamis, prosciutto, and hard cheeses.

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1/4 cup unsalted butter

White part only of one leek, rinsed and sliced

1/4 cup flour

1 quart chicken broth

1 head cauliflower broken into bite-size florets

1 potato, peeled and diced

Freshly ground white pepper

2 cups cream

1 tablespoon minced fresh sage leaves

1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives

DIRECTIONS:

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, add leeks and saute until tender, about 6 minutes. Stirring constantly, add flour until mixture forms a paste, then, still stirring constantly, gradually add chicken broth, cauliflower, potato and  ground pepper. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer about 15-20 minutes, until cauliflower and potato are very tender. Remove from heat and let sit to cool slightly. In small batches ladle into bowl of food processor and puree; return pureed mixture to saucepan. Stirring constantly, add cream and bring just to a simmer; reduce heat to low and simmer about 15 minutes, until it starts to thicken. Stir in herbs and serve hot, cold or at room temperature with focaccia.

Toast Coffeehouse held a ribbon cutting on Sept. 9. Photo from Town of Brookhaven

Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich and NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright attended the grand re-opening of Toast Coffeehouse at its new location at 650 Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station on Sept. 9. 

Owners Terence and Jennifer Scarlatos opened their first restaurant in downtown Port Jefferson in 2002 and have been growing their business ever since, with additional locations in Patchogue and Bay Shore. 

“As Port Jefferson Station continues to flourish, I’m seeing more and more interest from business owners in starting up there or relocating to the area. Terry and Jennifer Scarlatos are experienced restaurateurs with a strong aesthetic vision and deep operational experience. I have every confidence they will be successful and that their new location will enhance life here in Port Jefferson Station. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Toast is a great place to enjoy it with friends and family. The food is amazing,” said Councilmember Kornreich.

“We are humbled and full of gratitude for the warm welcome into our new home in Port Jefferson Station by our local community and die-hard fans. We look forward to many years and memories here,” said Terry Scarlatos.

Pictured front row from left, Melissa Reinheimer, Evan Castillo, Councilmember Kornreich, Chanelle McGourty, Jennifer Scarlatos, Terry Scarlatos, Assemblyman Englebright, Eleuterio Hernandez, Katelyn Gray, Madison Graupman, Nicole Short, Erick Hernandez, Alexis Zuniga-Gomez. Pictured back row, left to right are Dave March, Branden Tabbitas, David Martinez, Mario Fuentes, Lorenzo Cabrera, Aidan Johnson, Jessica Giannotti, Lewis Flores Antigua. 

Restaurant hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekends. For more information, call 631-331-6860 or visit www.ToastCoffeeHouse.com.

A chef's hat and a candle are two of the items being auctioned off.
One of two Good Steer wall signs being auctioned off.

Here’s your chance to own a unique part of Long Island history. Trading Post Estate Sales is currently holding an online auction, The Good Steer: Saying Goodbye to a Legend, through Oct. 1 at 8:15 p.m. Many contents of the Lake Grove restaurant, which closed its doors in July after 65 years in business, are for sale to the highest bidder (over 170 items) and include pictures, knick-knacks, chairs, kitchen equipment, toy cars and holiday items.

Click here to view the items.

For more information, visit www.auctionninja.com.

Margarita
Bob Lipinski

By Bob Lipinski

“One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.”  — George Carlin

There are many stories as to the origin of the Margarita cocktail. One story states that Danny Negrete, the manager at the Garci Crespo Hotel in Puebla, Mexico, created it for his girlfriend in 1936. Others believe it was created in 1938 in Rosarito Beach, Tijuana and named after showgirl Marjorie King, who was allergic to many distilled spirits except tequila. Danny (Carlos) Herrera, the bartender, kept inventing new and exciting ways to serve tequila so Marjorie would not be bored.

Another story has it created by a Virginia City bartender in memory of his girlfriend who was accidentally shot during a barroom brawl. A further legend places the birth of this cocktail in Hollywood in the 1940s by Enrique Bastante Gutierrez, a former cocktail champion who mixed drinks for some of the world’s most famous film stars. Actress Rita Hayworth (whose real name was Margarita Carmen Cansino) was one of his loyal customers and he invented the drink especially for her.

Another version of its origin has the cocktail made by bartender Don Carlos Orozco at Hussong’s Cantina, in Ensenada, Mexico, who named it after his girlfriend. Yet another story takes place on July 4, 1942, in Juárez, Mexico, where Francisco “Pancho” Morales, a bartender in Tommy’s Place, a favorite hangout for GIs from Fort Bliss, concocted the cocktail. According to Pancho, a woman entered the premises and ordered a cocktail called a Magnolia. He didn’t know the ingredients, so he whipped together his own version of a Magnolia and called it a Margarita, Spanish for daisy. 

The most plausible version has the Margarita created in 1948 in Acapulco, Mexico, by a San Antonio, Texas socialite Margarita Sames. To impress Nicky Hilton, of the Hilton Hotel family, she mixed three parts tequila, two parts Cointreau, and one-part lime juice.

Margarita
Margarita

Yield: Makes one cocktail

Ingredients:

1-1/2 ounces tequila

1-ounce triple sec liqueur (minimum 60 proof)

3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime (or lemon juice)

coarse salt for the rim of the glass

crushed ice

slice of lemon as a garnish

Directions:

Either shake the ingredients or put into a blender.  Then, take a wide-brim glass and place it upside down in a small bowl containing lemon or lime juice and then into another bowl that contains salt to a depth of ¼-inch, which leaves a thin layer on the rim of the glass. Fill the glass and garnish with lime or lemon slice and serve.

Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR [email protected].

The Halal Hut. Photo from TOB

The community came out to celebrate the grand opening of The Halal Hut in Stony Brook on Sept. 2 with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by members of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce and Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich. 

Located at 1075 North Country Road, the business is the second location in Brookhaven Town along with The Halal Hut at 1327 Middle Country Road in Centereach. 

The Halal Hut menu includes homemade recipes influenced by multiple cultures using only fresh ingredients. During the event, Councilmember Kornreich presented a Town of Brookhaven Certificate of Congratulation to The Halal Hut co-owner Daiyan Chowdhury.

Councilmember Kornreich said, “Congratulations on an exciting new addition to the Three Village food scene. The food is delicious, and I can report that these guys know how to throw a party. That was one of the best and most delicious ribbon cuttings I’ve been to.”

Pictured from left to right are Emily Murphy, representing NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright; Jane Taylor, Executive Director of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce; The Halal Hut co-owner Daiyan Chowdhury; and Councilmember Kornreich (holding the scissors).

Pixabay photo

By Barbara Beltrami

For me, the real inauguration of autumn is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish holiday when apples and honey signify a sweet New Year. This is when I tie on my apron and bake apple upside down cake, apple  Bundt cake or apple dumplings. Occasionally I’ll do an apple crisp or tart apple pie with honey instead of brown sugar.  Whatever I make, the combination of apples and honey is a delicious treat.

Apple-Honey Upside Down Cake

Apple Honey Upside Down Cake

YIELD: Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and sliced

1 cup +1 tablespoon flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup honey

1 cup + 1 tablespoon flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 tablespoons orange juice

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 F. In a greased 9” x 9” baking pan. Arrange apple slices; sprinkle with the one tablespoon flour and cinnamon; drizzle with half a cup of the honey. In a large bowl thoroughly combine the cup of flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together  remaining half cup of honey, egg, butter and orange juice; add to dry ingredients and stir just until thoroughly blended. Pour batter over apples and bake 30-35 minutes, until top is browned and cake tester inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes; invert onto platter and serve warm with crème fraîche.

Apple-Honey-Spice Cake 

YIELD: Makes 10 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 cup + one tablespoon vegetable oil

3 cups flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

3/4 cup honey

2/3 cup sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 tart apples, peeled cored and shredded

1/4 cup warm water

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease inside of Bundt pan with the one tablespoon oil. In medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg and ginger. In another large bowl combine  honey, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. With mixer on medium-high speed, beat until light and fluffy, about 3 – 31/2  minutes. With mixer speed on low, beat in dry mixture just until completely blended; with rubber spatula fold in apples, then transfer batter to prepared Bundt pan. Bake until cake tester comes out clean and top of cake is golden, about 45-55 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 20 minutes, then invert onto cake platter. Glaze, if desired, and serve warm or at room temperature with a sweet dessert wine.

Old-fashioned Apple Dumplings

YIELD: Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

2 pie crusts

6 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored

1 stick unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 cups sugar

3 cups water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Butter a 9 x 13”  shallow baking dish. On a lightly floured surface roll the pie crusts to form a 16 x 24” rectangle, then divide into six 8-inch square pieces. Place one apple, stem end up, in center of each square, stuff the same end of each apple with 6 pieces of the butter and half the brown sugar. (This is best done by poking the brown sugar into the apple with your finger). Sprinkle remaining brown sugar around base of each apple; sprinkle top of each apple with cinnamon and nutmeg. 

With wet fingers pull one corner of pastry to top, then do likewise with diagonally opposite corner and pinch two corners together; repeat procedure with two remaining corners, then pinch all 4 corners together to completely enclosed in pastry. Place in prepared baking dish. 

In medium saucepan combine sugar, water, vanilla extract and remaining two tablespoons butter; bring to boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes, until sugar is dissolved. Pour over dumplings and bake 55 minutes, until crust is light golden and apples are tender. Spoon sauce over apples and serve with vanilla ice cream.

TexMex Beef Lasagne

Turn to Tradition for Tex-Mex Taste

(Family Features) The next time your loved ones crave a comforting dish that’s warming from the inside-out, turn to an all-time classic with a touch of southern flair.

Take inspiration for this Tex-Mex Beef Lasagna from season 3 of “BBQuest: Beyond the Pit,” a video series that dives into the long-held traditions, new flavors and everyday inspiration that make Texas barbecue legendary. Developed from the show by BBQuest co-host and “Hardcore Carnivore” cookbook author Jess Pryles, this tasty take on comfort food can be the perfect solution for a family meal with plenty of leftovers.

After dinner, settle in together and learn pitmaster techniques from the experts as the series follows four themes that capture the essence of Texas barbecue: legacy and tradition; creativity and innovation; Texas trailblazers; and family and community.

“Since launching BBQuest four years ago, it’s truly remarkable to see how much has changed and yet stayed the same when it comes to Texas barbecue, and that’s exactly what you see in season 3,” said Rachel Chou, Texas Beef Council’s director of consumer marketing. “There has been so much exciting innovation around cooking methods and international flavors while there’s still a huge dedication to long-held recipes and smoking techniques.”

To find more pitmaster-worthy recipes, visit BeefLovingTexans.com.

Tex-Mex Beef Lasagna

Recipe courtesy of Jess Pryles

Total time: 60 minutes

Servings: 10

Ingredients:

1          tablespoon olive oil

1          onion, diced

2          pounds ground beef

2          teaspoons kosher salt

1          teaspoon garlic powder

1/2       teaspoon cumin

2          teaspoons chipotle powder

1/2       teaspoon onion powder

15        ounces canned corn, drained

15        ounces canned seasoned black beans, drained

10        ounces canned diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained

15        ounces canned red enchilada sauce

1          cup Mexican crema or sour cream

nonstick cooking spray

12        corn tortillas

8          ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese

cilantro (optional)

green onions, thinly sliced (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In large pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat then add onion. Cook until softened, 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly.

Add ground beef and cook, stirring regularly, until beef has browned.

Add kosher salt, garlic powder, cumin, chipotle powder and onion powder; stir well. Add corn, black beans and diced tomatoes. Turn heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

In bowl, combine enchilada sauce and crema; mix well.

Spray casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 cup enchilada sauce mixture on bottom to prevent tortillas from sticking.

Layer 2-4 tortillas across bottom then top with layer of ground beef mixture. Use ladle to spoon some enchilada sauce mixture on top, distributing evenly. Top with another layer of tortillas then repeat layers until casserole is full, 3-4 layers. Top with shredded cheese.

Loosely cover dish with foil in tent shape to help prevent cheese from sticking then bake 30 minutes.

Remove foil and bake 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Cool 5 minutes before serving. Top with cilantro and green onions, if desired.

See video here.

By Barbara Beltrami

High in protein, relatively low in fat, versatile and inexpensive, a pork tenderloin gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It had been a while since I’d cooked a pork tenderloin, and I’d forgotten how easy and delicious it was. This time I was having company so I marinated it early in the morning, then slathered it with mustard and grilled it, refrigerated it, then sliced and served it cold with a salad. With what’s left over, I’m going to make pork tenderloin heroes. In the cooler weather I like to roast it and serve it with some kind of fruit. Here are three of my favorite recipes which I think will become yours too.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Salsa Verde

YIELD: Makes 6 to 8 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

For the pork

2 pounds pork tenderloin

1 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup olive oil

6 cloves garlic, bruised

1/2 cup chopped herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, mint, etc.

1 medium onion, chopped

Freshly ground pepper to taste

3 tablespoons prepared mustard

Coarse salt to taste

For the salsa

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 cups fresh flat leaf parsley leaves

1/2 cup pignoli nuts

2 garlic cloves

4 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 teaspoons prepared Dijon mustard

2 oil-packed anchovy fillets, mashed

DIRECTIONS:

For the pork, rinse tenderloins under cold water, pat dry. In a medium bowl, combine the wine, olive oil, garlic, herbs, onion, and pepper. Transfer to a shallow dish, add pork, turn to coat; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, turning once, for one hour. Remove pork from marinade and spread all over with the 3 tablespoons prepared mustard; sprinkle with salt, discard marinade. 

Heat grill to medium-high; place pork on rack and grill, covered, for 10 minutes; turn and grill for 5 to 10 minutes more until charred outside, pale pink inside and meat thermometer registers 145 F. Remove to platter and let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled; remove from refrigerator, cut into 1/4” slices and arrange on platter. 

For the salsa verde, place the extra virgin olive oil, parsley, pignolis, 2 garlic cloves, capers, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons mustard and anchovies in a blender or food processor; process a few times until they form a paste; refrigerate until 30 minutes before serving pork; let sit at room temperature. Serve pork at room temperature or cold with the salsa verde and a crisp Romaine and Bibb lettuce salad.

Pork Tenderloin Heroes

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 large baguette, split and cut into 4 pieces

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 pound grilled or roasted pork tenderloin, sliced thin 

1 red onion, sliced thin

12  slices provolone cheese

1 large heirloom tomato, sliced thin

1 green bell pepper, sliced thin

1 red bell pepper, sliced thin

1/2 English cucumber, sliced

2 cups baby arugula

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Drizzle cut sides of baguette with the oil and vinegar; arrange the pork, onion, provolone, tomato, peppers, cucumber and arugula on bottom halves of each section; sprinkle with salt and pepper, then cover with top section and press down hard to flatten. Slice hero in half and serve at room temperature with ice cold beer.

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Bacon and Peaches

YIELD: Makes 3 to 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

One 1-pound pork tenderloin

Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 slices bacon

4 tablespoons olive oil

8 shallots, halved

4 peaches, halved and pitted

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Season pork all over with salt and pepper and wrap in bacon with slices overlapping. In a large iron skillet heat two tablespoons of the oil over medium heat; add pork and shallots and brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Turn pork browned side up; add peaches to skillet and drizzle them with remaining two tablespoons olive oil; place skillet in oven. Basting both pork and peaches once or twice with bacon drippings, roast 15 to 18 minutes, until meat thermometer reads 145 F. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes, slice pork and place on platter, surrounded by peaches. Serve hot with a green vegetable and a rice pilaf.

TIME TO SHOP! The 56th annual Gallery North Outdoor Art & Musical Festival returns this weekend. Photo by Heidi Sutton/2021

Gallery North in Setauket will present its 56th Annual Outdoor Art Show and Music Festival on Saturday, Sept. 17 and Sunday, Sept, 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The two-day event will feature over 100 exhibitors offering a diverse selection of affordable, exciting, original paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, pottery, woodwork, glassware, artisan created jewelry, handmade crafts, decorations, clothing, and so much more! The event will be free and open to the public.

The Outdoor Art Show and Music Festival hosted by Gallery North has featured some of the finest art and craft from regional artists and artisans over its long 57-year history, making it a vital part of the regional art community and a significant tradition for the public. Keeping with the event format of past years, the Outdoor Art Show and Music Festival will include art in a vast range of media, as well as delicious and exciting food vendors, St. James Brewery, raffle prizes, and an area devoted solely to kids’ activities. In addition, Gallery North is teaming up with WUSB 90.1 fm/107.3 fm Stony Brook this year to present live musical performances.

The WUSB Music Stage will feature four music groups each day of the festival, some of which will be featured on WUSB Radio in advance of the Outdoor Art Show and Music Festival. Art show awards and recognition will also be granted for Best in Show within several categories, including crafts, fiber art, glass art, jewelry, painting, photography, pottery, printmaking, and more. This year’s judges will include Marianne Della Croce, Executive Director of the Art League of Long Island; Lorena Salcedo-Watson, Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Art at Stony Brook University; and contemporary artist, Tom Brydelsky. All award winners will be featured in Gallery North’s Winner’s Circle exhibition in 2023.

The Outdoor Art Show and Music Festival will be situated outside along North Country Road in Setauket, between 25A and Ridgeway Avenue, and on the grounds of Gallery North (90 N. Country Rd, Setauket). For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.