Getting On with the Holidays & Roasted Baby Beet & Spinach Salad / 12-11-19

      Another year another Christmas here in the old homestead here on Cape Cod. As part of the electrical system in my house being updated we discovered that I nearly burnt the house down with an outdoor sparkle lazar light that shorted out and literally fried the plug and extension cord. Come to find out, the outdoor plug nor the breaker was GMIF rated or the right amp-age. So when the light and extension fried I was lucky the house did not go up in flams as well. But all is now good with new outlets, new breakers, new extensions, and new lights. So back to business with Christmas lights. I have all my trees up, and two out of three decorated, but all have lights and have their stars on top. The work is still not done and the other night I went to put in my wall bookshelves and instead of finishing the job, stripped the head of the anchor screw and in trying to get it out put a hole in my wall. So now as my contractor gets back to my pantry I have to have him patch the hole in my wall, as all my cookbooks are scattered around the living room. Oh and did I tell you, we figured the problem with the pantry panels I purchased, they were not doors but cover panels for like a refrigerator front, not pantry doors. So this week, I took the panels back and exchanged them for cabinet doors, at twice the cost of course. But tis the time of season to be giving I guess. The gift are all wrapped and by the end of the week will be on their way to the rightful addresses in time for Christmas Day. Maybe one more gift that I have been looking for to be gotten but other than that I am done. I have had off this week from work and most of the time has been getting this place back to living as I once knew it, and it is coming. I am just looking for the rest of this week to get that extra bit of sleep and gather my whits and senses about me. I hope that during this holiday season you can find a bit of time to get a way from the hustle and bustle and find ways to reflect on all that is good in and around you. Turn off the TV, most of the social media or have the good graces to change the station. Be wise to be part of good cheer and not bad news. Then share something good with those you come in contact with. May you have a fantastic holiday season and an extra special if you can do it right here on ole Cape Cod.  

      Time for small and local business report. This week I am going to hit on a few small town book stores. It's that wonderful season of giving and what better thing to give then a new or used book. If it's a young reader, make sure it is new, not used. To a book lover they don't care, new used, and to us who collect cook books, an old first edition, or just one we don't have is an awesome gift. So check these out this holiday season. 

   The Brewster Book Store located at 2648 Main St, Brewster, MA on 6A two doors down from the Snowy Owl Coffee Shop. They new books, and love to highlight local writers and do book signings. Check them out at https://brewsterbookstore.com/. 

   Parnassus Book Services is located in Yarmouth Port at MA-6A, Yarmouth Port, MA across the street from the Old Yarmouth Inn. This is a very unique bookstore that has been an icon along the Old Kings Highway for some time. Don't come looking for a new print book, as this is an used book store, but does carry an occasional local writers new print. But other than that, this is a used book haven that if you want something with some real history to it, this is the place you want to check out. Oh ya, website, facebook, or instagram. They are still old school about it all. 

   Also, Titcomb's Bookshop located at 432 Rt 6A East Sandwich, MA https://www.titcombsbookshop.com/ also on facebook and twitter. They specialize in new books, Cape Cod Books, they have book clubs and the list goes on. They are a really neat place to go and hide for a time, while checking out what's new in print. 

   In Chatham you will want to check out Where the Sidewalk Ends, located at 432 Main St
Chatham, MA or online at http://www.booksonthecape.com/. What a plethora of local Cape Cod writers and books on Cape Cod, about Cape Cod or based on Cape Cod and let's not forget cooking Cape Cod. This is a wonderful bookstore located towards the east end of Chatham. If you have not wondered down to that far end, other than to drive by it on your way to the lighthouse, stop it, and take the time to check this place out, it will be worth your while. 

   Now these are not the only bookstores, bookshops on Cape Cod, but the point here is to get your juices flowing and get your mind going to move your feet to check out these wonderful places. And most if not all are open year round, not just during the "high" season. So check them out. 

      The other night we went out to dinner at The Oyster Company located in Dennis Port at 202 Depot St. We went a tad early, like around 5 pm and other then the folks at the bar we had the place to ourselves. By the time we finished there were several other folks and more coming in. I had the Roasted Wasabi Crusted Duck, when can I stop saying YUM. Not overly spicy, great depth in flavor, not greasy at all and, well done as well as could have expected. The wife had the Lobster Quesadilla which most of that came home and we had for lunch the next day. Just as good the second day as the first. The fresh homemade rolls we could have made a meal out of those. We passed on the dessert, only because we were too filled and did not want to ruin a great meal and time out with overstuffing ourselves. I know from the past they have grand desserts and are something to enjoy. This is a great time of the year to go and have a special time out, cause come "high"season you can not get in there without a reservation and good luck getting one of those. This place is that good.   
      Welcome to the land where seasons are about as confused as box turtle is in a round swimming pool. (ok stop and think on that for a bit), or a New Jersey driver in a round-about. (Sorry, but Iwas born in Philly and know about them Jersey drivers, Being funny dah). Anyway, 60 degrees one day and the next we are getting cumulative snow. What is up with this, I am just hoping for all the kiddies that we do end up with a white Christmas. Well getting on with the reporting of the stations business, the sea's have been calm from the standpoint of any major incidence happening, so nothing big happening there. As far as our winter gathering and display, last week was the first weekend and we had a great time roasting marshmallows, drinking hot chocolate and talking about what it was like in the lighthouse stations during the Christmas season. We have several more to go before Christmas and two after. So come and join us, the tower will not be open, unless we get the special permission to open it up on Christmas Day and that has not come through yet. The grounds are open all the time as you know, and the view is still spectacular from the lookout point, and the dunes and grasslands are still explorable. So even though it is the fall (winter does not come till December 21) we still have things to do here. If you have a group that would like to do a fall tour please give us a call and we will be happy to set you up. These appointment tours and the school kids tours are the only tours we do during the off season, so if you drive by and see folks there, that's what is going on. Thank you for understanding. Now I know this is not long but, hey not much happening, which is good sometimes. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and especially if you can do it right here on old Cape Cod. 

      So the last of the side dishes for this year has come upon us. Without knowing it or really trying I have come up with a dish that actually looks holiday like. I love beets to begin with fresh is always best but hey in a moment of desperation caned will do. And Spinach for some reason, Ok I know why, overcooked or canned is just gross, but spinach if in a salad fresh or cooked properly is just downright yummy. So combined the two and you have a fantastic salad for the holiday season or to go with leftovers. I hope you have enjoyed this years choices in side dishes and remember, eating healthy does not mean boring or costing an arm and a leg. Now on with the show.

      This week's recipe: Roasted Baby Beet & Spinach Salad

      1       Lb       Baby Beets, stemmed

      1      Tbsp    minced shallot

      3      Tbsp    fresh lemon juice

   1/2      tsp       Dijon mustard

   1/4      cup      EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil)

                          Sea Salt to taste

                          Group Pepper to taste

   3-4      cups    washed and dried spinach

   1/4      Lb       crumbled Roquefort cheese

      Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash beets, then wrap in parchment-lined aluminum foil and roast until tender or about 45-60 minutes. All to cool, Peel beets and cut in half. Whisk together Shallot, lemon juice, and mustard. Whisk in oil until emulsified and season with salt & pepper. Toss beets in a little of the dressing. Place spinach on a large platter, top with beets then cheese. Drizzle lightly with dressing. Serve remaining dressing on side.