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Baby Chick Cupcakes
Baby Chick Cupcakes

YIELD: Makes 24 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:

1 package (12 ounces) white confectionary coating wafers

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract

1 box (16 ounces) confectioners’ sugar

1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme

1 teaspoon Sunflower color from McCormick Color from Nature Food Colors

2 tablespoons milk, plus additional (optional)

48 unfrosted mini yellow cupcakes, baked in white paper liners

sprinkles (optional)

additional McCormick Color from Nature Food Colors (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

To make broken egg shell pieces: melt coating wafers as directed on package. Spread on large foil-lined baking sheet to 1/4-inch thickness. Refrigerate about 10 minutes, or until firm. Break into small, irregular pieces. Set aside.

In large bowl, beat butter with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, beating until well blended after each addition, frequently scraping sides and bottom of bowl. Beat in marshmallow creme until well blended. In small bowl, stir food color into milk until dissolved. Add colored milk to frosting; beat until light and fluffy. Stir in additional milk, as needed, to reach desired consistency.

To decorate cupcakes: spoon frosting into large pastry bag fitted with large round tip. Pipe two dollops of frosting on top of each other to form baby chick. If desired, insert sprinkles into face for eyes and beak. Or tint any remaining frosting with food colors to pipe out eyes and beak.

Place coating wafer pieces around bottom of baby chick to resemble broken egg shell.

For more recipes and tips, check out McCormick.com

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Carrot-Shaped Waffles

Carrot-Shaped Waffles

YIELD: Serves 6
INGREDIENTS:

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 2 cups all-purpose waffle and baking mix
  • 1 1/3 cups milk
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract, divided
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons Sunflower color from McCormick Color from Nature Food Colors, divided
  • 1 teaspoon Berry color from McCormick Color from Nature Food Colors
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sky Blue color from McCormick Color from Nature Food Colors
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Heat round waffle iron. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix together waffle mix, milk, egg, oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla and 1 teaspoon each sunflower and berry colors until blended. Let batter stand 5 minutes to allow color to fully develop.

Pour about 1/3 cup batter onto center of waffle iron. Close lid. Cook about 3 minutes, or until no longer steaming. Carefully remove waffle. Repeat with remaining batter. Cut each waffle into 8 triangles. Set aside.

In another medium bowl, stir sky blue color and remaining sunflower color into cream. Add confectioners’ sugar and remaining vanilla; beat with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spoon into re-sealable plastic bag. Cut piece off one bottom corner.

To decorate and serve waffles, place waffle triangles onto serving plates and pipe green colored cream on wide side of each triangle to resemble carrot tops.

For more recipes and tips, check out McCormick.com

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While decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back centuries, the high cost of eggs may make it more difficult for some families this year. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find creative ways to keep the season special and create memories with loved ones. These “egg-citing” alternatives to using traditional eggs can help keep those simple moments of connection and creativity alive:

Pretty in Plastic: Dyeing plastic eggs is an activity perfect for all ages with less stress and less mess since they don’t crack or break when dropped. Dyeable plastic eggs also typically come in packages of more than a traditional dozen, offering more opportunities for creativity. Another added bonus: You can decorate your home every year with the finished product since they don’t go bad. They are also perfect for DIY projects, such as making them into garland, hanging ornaments, place settings or gifts that can be used for years to come.

Baked Easter Decor: Instead of buying eggs, you can make your own baking soda dough eggs using 1/2 cup corn starch, 1 cup baking soda and 3/4 cup water. Combine the ingredients, roll into egg shapes and bake in the oven for 1 hour at 175 F then simply dye them as you would real eggs using an egg decorating kit. Fun for all ages, these eggs can be turned into a variety of decor and mementos with kids taking the lead on mixing the dough batter and shaping the eggs before an adult helps with the baking.

Repurposed Treasure from Nature: Kids often love to hunt for fun-shaped and colorful rocks when exploring outdoors or collect seashells while on vacation or taking a walk on the beach. Now, rather than storing them in a “treasure box” or throwing them back outside, they can be creatively decorated for Easter using paint, stickers, glitter, accessories and other add-ons. Using rocks of all shapes and sizes is a cost-effective, low-waste alternative that allows children to use their imaginations for creative play once they’re done decorating.

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Glazed Lemon Loaf

By Heidi Sutton

Whether you’re enjoying a spring holiday like Easter or simply embracing the opportunities that the new air brings, food remains the centerpiece. And with citrus, each moment can be a celebration. If you love the smell and taste of lemons, then this Lemon Loaf is the perfect sweet bread to bake for Easter. Serve it up for breakfast, brunch, dessert or an afternoon treat.

Glazed Lemon Loaf

YIELD: Makes one loaf
INGREDIENTS:
Loaf
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Zest from 2 lemons

Glaze
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Zest from 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 F and line your 8 x 4″ loaf pan with parchment paper. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add in your eggs one at a time and vanilla extract. Into a smaller bowl mix together your flour, salt and baking soda. Alternately add the dry ingredients and your sour cream to the batter, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat between each addition until just combined. Fold in fresh lemon juice and zest and mix until well combined.

Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in oven about 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Meanwhile, prepare glaze by mixing powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest together until smooth. Remove loaf from oven and let cool completely (about one hour) before topping with lemon glaze.

Find more citrus recipes at Sunkist.com/Recipes.

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A scene from 'Finding Nemo' Jr. at SPAC. Photo by Jackie St. Louis

Just in time for spring break, the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Finding Nemo Jr. through Saturday, April 8.

Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo Jr. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.

Final performances are on April 6 and 7 at 1 p.m. and April 8 at 10:30 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. All seats are $25. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

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Pictured above is “Peep,” one of the chicks sold to District Attorney Squad Detectives during their investigation.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on April 5 that multiple Suffolk County businesses have been charged with misdemeanors for selling day-old baby chicks in quantities less than allowable by New York State law.

“Each spring around Easter time, people purchase newly born baby animals, including chicks, ducklings, and rabbits, to use as live decorations or to give as gifts,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Sometimes, these animals are also dyed bright colors which can cause illness and death to the animal. I remind everyone that animals are not toys or merchandise, and my office will continue to protect animals by enforcing the laws regarding their care and sale.”

“The only animal that belongs in an Easter basket is a stuffed animal or one made of chocolate. Ducks, chicks, and bunnies require daily care, safe housing, specialized veterinary care, and a 10- year commitment. Yet, when they’re sold individually to impulsive customers, they first end up in Easter baskets, and next, abandoned in local parks where they’re unable to survive. Without a flock, they often die from lack of warmth or become imprinted on humans, permanently compromising their welfare,” said John Di Leonardo, anthrozoologist and Executive Director of Humane Long Island.

“Humane Long Island thanks the Suffolk County District Attorney and its Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team for their investigation, and urges families to remember that domestic animals are thinking, feeling individuals who need lifelong care.”

“As a former federal prosecutor, I know that a law is only as good as the effort put into its enforcement. The businesses that sell these baby chicks know that they are violating the law and harming animals and they didn’t care, thinking that they would never be caught,” said Bonnie S. Klapper, Esq., counsel for Humane Long Island. “Thanks to the excellent work of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and its investigators, they now know otherwise.”

Restrictions on the sale of baby chicks, ducklings, other fowl, and bunnies are set forth in New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (“AML”) section 354, which states in part that “no person shall sell, offer for sale, barter or give away living baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl or baby rabbits under two months of age in any quantity less than six.”

Additionally, the law prohibits the sale, “offer for sale, barter or display living baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl or baby rabbits which have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated so as to impart to them an artificial color.” Any violation of this law may result in a misdemeanor charge punishable with up to one year in jail and a $500 fine.

For the past several weeks, members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad investigated businesses that were illegally selling baby chicks, and subsequently made multiple arrests including:

 LONG ISLAND POULTRY – On March 3, 2023, Suffolk County Police Department Detectives entered Long Island Poultry located at 2089 Sound Avenue in Calverton, and purchased four baby chicks which were only a few days old. On April 4, 2023, Long Island Poultry was charged with one count of AML 354(3). They are due to appear in Suffolk County First District Court on April 24, 2023 to be arraigned on the charge.

 RALEIGH POULTRY FARM, INC. – On March 23, 2023, Suffolk County Police Department Detectives entered Raleigh Poultry Farm, Inc. located at 335 Old Indian Head Rd in Kings Park, and purchased three baby chicks which were only a few days old. On April 4, 2023, Raleigh Poultry Farm Inc. was charged with one count of AML 354(3). They are due to appear in Suffolk County First District Court on April 24, 2023 to be arraigned on the charge.

 AGWAY OF PORT JEFFERSON – On April 3, 2023, Suffolk County Police Department Detectives entered Agway of Port Jefferson, located at 295 Route 25A in Mount Sinai, and purchased two baby chicks which were only a few days old. At the same location, minutes later, another Suffolk County Police Department Detective purchased four additional baby chicks which were only a few days old. On April 4, 2023, Agway of Port Jefferson was charged with one count of AML 354(3). They are due to appear in Suffolk County First District Court on April 24, 2023 to be arraigned on the charge.

If you have any information regarding the illegal sale or dying of baby animals, please contact the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at [email protected].

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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Photo courtesy of Theatre Three

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off spring with The Adventures of Peter Rabbit from April 5 to 29 with a sensory sensitive performance on April 16 at 11 a.m. Join Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail, Mrs. Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny and the McGregors in this delightful adaption suggested by the characters created by Beatrix Potter, a Theatre Three tradition for spring break. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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Perfect Matzah Balls (Kneidlach)

By Heidi Sutton

The Jewish celebration of Passover (April 5 to 13) is one of the religion’s most sacred and widely observed holidays and commemorates the Biblical story of the Israelites’ escape from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. The holiday also includes all kinds of ceremonial foods but if there is one ingredient Passover celebrants may find challenging to work with during the holiday, it could be unleavened bread. 

Typically matzoh/matzah is substituted for other yeasted breads this time of year. One place matzoh really shines is in matzoh balls for use in soups or side dishes. A dumpling of sorts, matzoh balls are tasty and filling, and ideal for meals throughout Passover. Try this recipe for “Perfect Matzah Balls (Kneidlach)” courtesy of Chabad.org’s Kosher Cooking.

Potato latkes, on the other hand, are delicious at any time of the year, but for Passover they are made with with matzo meal, the flour of a crisp unleavened bread that’s allowed during the holiday. The matzo meal provides a nice substitute for the flour and serves as the binding, along with the eggs, for the latkes in this recipe from AllRecipes.com.

Perfect Matzah Balls (Kneidlach)

Perfect Matzah Balls (Kneidlach)

YIELD:  Makes 8 matzah balls (Meat, Pareve)

INGREDIENTS:

2 eggs, slightly beaten

2 tablespoons oil or chicken fat

2 tablespoons soup stock or water

1⁄2 cup matzah meal

1 teaspoon salt

1 quart of salted water for cooking

DIRECTIONS:

Beat eggs slightly with fork. Add other ingredients, except matzah meal, and mix. Add matzah meal gradually until thick. Stir. Refrigerate for 20 minutes in covered bowl.

Wet hands and form into balls. Drop into bubbling chicken soup or into a large wide pot into which 1 quart of water seasoned with 1 tablespoon salt has been added and has come to a boil. Cook for 30 minutes.

Passover Potato Latkes

Passover Potato Latkes

YIELD:Makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS:

6 medium Russet potatoes (peeled and shredded)

2 medium onions (shredded)

2 tablespoons matzo meal (or more as necessary)

2 large eggs

Salt and black pepper to taste

1/2 cup vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:

Place the potatoes and onion into a bowl, and stir in matzo, eggs, salt and pepper as needed to make the mixture hold together. Add more matzo meal if the mixture is too runny. With wet hands, scoop up about 1/3 cup of the mixture per patty, and form into flat round or oval shapes.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, and gently place the patties into the hot oil. Fry until the bottoms are golden brown and crisp, 5 to 8 minutes, then flip with a spatula and fry the other side until golden. 

Drain on paper towels and serve hot with apple sauce.

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Above, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, right, joins Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker, left, who chose Walter Colleran for Legislative District 6. Photo from Steve Bellone’s Flickr page

In a sea of orange and green, Suffolk County officials, community groups and Irish Americans converged upon the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on Friday, March 24, commemorating the first-ever Irish American Heritage Celebration in county history.

In 2019, the Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved a resolution designating March as Irish American Heritage Month. Friday’s event marked the first such celebration sponsored by the county government.

Above, Legislator Leslie Kennedy with District 12’s pick, Matthew Kelly. Photo from Steve Bellone’s Flickr page

“We’re celebrating the incredible contributions that the Irish have made to the United States of America and to the world,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D).

The county executive also used the occasion to acknowledge the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, an Irish American heritage group with nine divisions across the county, including Port Jefferson, Selden, Smithtown and Huntington. Bellone said the AOH enriches Suffolk communities by celebrating Irish culture while giving back through various charitable endeavors.

Legislators from each of the county’s 18 districts had an opportunity to recognize an Irish American making an impact within their communities. Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) read off the biographical descriptions of each honoree.

Choral and bagpipe arrangements from several Irish American folk groups were performed, along with Irish historian Mike McCormack detailing the historical contributions of the Irish in Suffolk County.

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Participants at Benner's Farm egg hunt in 2022. File photo by Rita J. Egan

By Heidi Sutton

Looking for Easter Egg Hunts on the North Shore? Here is a list of events for the next two weeks so grab your baskets and camera and hippity hop over to these fun springtime celebrations!

Cold Spring Harbor

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor will host egg hunts on April 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8 in 20 minute sessions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for children up to the age of 6 years old. Tickets are $12 per participating child, $5 “helper siblings” ages 7 to 12, $6 seniors, and $7 adults. To register, visit www.cshfishhatchery.org. 516-692-6768 

Commack

Burr Winkle Park, Harvest Lane, Commack hosts a free egg hunt with over 4,000 eggs on April 8 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with games, prizes, special golden eggs and a free photo of your child with the Easter Bunny. Register at www.commackegghunt.com. 631-486-3811

East Northport

Seasonal ‘Scapes LI, 638 Larkfield Road, East Northport is hosting an egg hunt, craft and petting zoo for children ages 2 to 12 on April 2 from noon to 3 p.m. with a visit from the Easter Bunny. Each child will receive a basket as well. $10 per child. 631-888-3655

East Setauket

Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket invites the community to their annual Easter Egg Hunt Weekend on April 8 and 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be craft vendors, baby bunnies and chicks to hold, baby goats and sheep to see and pet, many other barnyard animals to visit with and feed, an egg hunt in the fields every half hour from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (book your time slot online), pictures with the Spring Bunny and more! This is a ticketed event only. Tickets are $12 per person and are sold only online. No tickets will be sold at the door. Visit www.bennersfarm.com. 631-689-8172

Elwood

Elwood Park, 305 Cuba Hill Road, Elwood will host an Easter Egg Hunt, on April 1. Sponsored by the Town of Huntington and Suffolk County Second Precinct police, the hunt will start at 9 a.m. for children ages 3-4; 10 a.m. for those who are 5-6, and 11 a.m. for  children ages 7-8. The event is free but registration is required by visiting www.tohparks.net under special events.

Farmingdale

— Head to the Village Green, 361 Main St., Farmingdale for an Easter egg hunt on April 1 for ages 11 and under at 11 a.m. All are welcome to meet the Easter Bunny at the gazebo and have pictures taken. Free. Sponsored by the Farmingdale Village Cultural Arts Committee.

— Adventureland, 2245 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale hosts an Egg Scramble on April 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Rain date April 2) Kids receive a treat bag with Easter eggs and a coupon book for vendor tables scattered around the property. Tickets in advance online: $31.99 adults, $41.99 for ages 2-24; at the gate: $36.66 and $46.66 for ages 2-24; parking is free and admission ticket includes access to all the rides. 631-694-6868.

Farmingville

Join the Farmingville Historical Society for an Easter Egg Trail Hunt on April 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Embark on an Easter Egg  Hunt through the Farmingville Hills County Park Trails, 501 Horseblock Road, Farmingville. At the last stop in the 1850 historic schoolhouse, kids can recycle their plastic eggs in exchange for a special gift and take a picture with the Easter Bunny. $15 per child. Preregister at www.fhsli.org.

Flanders

Friends of the Big Duck present an Easter egg hunt for “duck” eggs and a visit with Mother Goose at The Big Duck Ranch, 1012 Flanders Road, Flanders on April 1 at noon. (Rain date is April 2) For ages 2 to 9. Free. 631-284-3737 or 631-852-3377.

Greenlawn

Decker’s Nursery, 841 Pulaski Road, Greenlawn invites the community to come meet Peter Rabbit as he hosts an egg hunt on April 1 where you can win prizes. The hunt is separated by age group. Group hunts start 9 to 9:45 a.m. (for ages 3-5); 9:10 to 9:45 a.m. (for ages 6-8) and 10:15 to 11 a.m. (for ages 9-11). Free, register in advance at eventbrite.com. 631-261-1148.

Melville

Take part in an Easter Egg Hunt at White Post Farms, 250 Old Country Road, Melville 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  from April 1 to 9. Visit with the Easter Bunny (take your own pictures) too. Admission is $28.95. whitepostfarms.com, 631-351-9373.

Miller Place

The Miller Place–Mount Sinai Historical Society will host two egg hunts with games and bunny photos on April 2 with the first hunt from 1  p.m. to 2 p.m. for ages 0 to 4 and the second from 2:30 to 3:30 for children ages 5 to 8. $5 per child. Advance registration is required through Eventbrite (2023EggHunt.eventbrite.com). www.mpmshistoricalsociety.org.

Northport

The Village of Northport will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 9 at Northport Village Park at 1 p.m. Sponsored by the Northport/Centerport Lions Club. 516-380-6444

Port Jefferson

Join the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce for an Easter Parade and Egg Hunt in the Village of Port Jefferson on April 9 at noon. Enjoy an old-fashioned “Easter Bonnet” walking parade from Theatre Three to the Port Jefferson Village Center (all are welcome to wear their Easter best and march) followed by an Easter Egg Hunt on Harborfront Park’s Great Lawn at 12:15 p.m. for children ages 2 to 8. 631-473-1414

Rocky Point

Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School, 525 Route 25A, Rocky Point will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 6 and under on April 1 at 11:30 a.m. with free Easter candy for all participants. Sponsored by the Rocky Point Lions Club. 631-744-1600

St. James – CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER

St. James Chamber of Commerce presents a free Spring Egg Hunt at Deepwells Farm Parking Field, Route 25A and Moriches Road, St. James on April 1 at 1 p.m. for children 1 to 10 years of age with prizes and fun galore plus pictures with the Easter Bunny. Event will be canceled  if rain or inclement weather. 631-584-8510

Setauket

Caroline Church of Brookhaven, 1 Dyke Road, Setauket will host a free community Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny on April 8 at 10 a.m. with face painting, crafts and more. 631-941-4245

Smithtown 

Join the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 East Main St., Smithtown for Egg Hunts on April 8 at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Enjoy refreshments, hanging out with the farm animals, and a special guest appearance from the Easter Bunny in between hunts. Event runs through 1 p.m. Admission to the farm is $5 per person via Eventbrite. 631-265-6768.

Wading River

No egg hunt here but The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River will host an Easter Celebration on April 1, 2 and 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with craft vendors, bounce house, a visit with the Easter Bunny and more. $10 per child in advance, $15 on day of; adults free. Additional fees apply for a carousel ride and face painting. www..eastwindlongisland.com, 631-929-3500

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