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Dish off the Block

Okonomiyaki - Japanese comfort food

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Jul 30

Category:

Dish off the Block

In honor of the Olympic Games in Japan, I thought I would share a recipe for some very traditional Japanese comfort food that is easy to make, absolutely delicious, and so different from any of the classic comfort foods we see here in the U.S. Trust me you will fall in love with these savory...
Ragin’ Cajun Fish Tacos

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Jul 8

Category:

Dish off the Block

The Block Island waters are home to some of the tastiest fishes including black sea bass (my personal favorite), striped bass, cod, and flounder. Rig up your fishing pole or head to the local fish market and make some of the best fish tacos you will ever taste! You can get the Ragin’ Cajun spice...
Heat up your Fourth of July cookout

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Jul 2

Category:

Dish off the Block

Make a craft burger this Fourth of July and pump up the heat at your cookout. My Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Sliders are flavor bombs with a spicy jalapeño cheese surprise inside the burger and creamy caramelized onions, salty bacon, and more jalapeño slices on top! Jalapeno Popper Slider with...
‘Curry’ up and try these mussels!

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Jun 10

Category:

Dish off the Block

Curry is a flavor profile indigenous to India that, quite frankly, scares a lot of people. Actually, a ‘curry’ is a blend of spices and herbs, usually including turmeric, cumin, and coriander. There are hundreds of different combinations, some spicy from chilies and some mild. Curries come in a...
Salad Season!

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, May 21

Category:

Dish off the Block

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and the beach is calling. Time to dust off your bikinis and Speedos. For me, that means it’s time to get in shape and shed that Covid 15 (OK, fine…more like 25)! Ease into salad season with this flavor-packed and easy-to-make grilled...
Let’s Get Saucy!

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Apr 30

Category:

Dish off the Block

Chicken thighs are my favorite part of the chicken, but this dish could be made with any cut… as a matter of fact, this sauce is so delicious, you could put it on pork, beef, pasta, a baked potato… or an old boot…. and you would still have a winner dinner!! You can get the Superbly Herby Spice Mix...
Chinese Take-In

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Apr 9

Category:

Dish off the Block

The struggle is real. Still not a lot of restaurants open on the island and you are craving Chinese food… Sure, you can get take-out flown over from your favorite joint on the mainland, but it arrives soggy and tired from the journey. Why not make your own at home? My Easy Chicken Lo Mein to the...
Easter Brunch

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Mar 25

Category:

Dish off the Block

Eggs are one of the most iconic Easter symbols, representing new life and rebirth. The tradition of decorating eggs dates back to the 13th century and some historians say that because eggs were then a forbidden Lenten food, people would decorate them during Lent and then eat them on Easter morning...
Eat like an Irishman, even IF you’re not, on St. Paddy’s Day!

Thu, Mar 11

Category:

Dish off the Block

Erin go bragh! Irish Stew is a lamb (or mutton if you can find one) and root vegetable stew native to Ireland. True confession – my grandmother was English, not Irish, but her Sunday leg of lamb dinner was legendary, and the lamb stew that would inevitably follow the next night was what...
Fishy Friday

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Feb 25

Category:

Dish off the Block

Do you observe Lent? Many Christians around the world will abstain from eating meat on Fridays during the Lenten season, but even if you don’t celebrate, you will want to try this swordfish dish. It’s unconventional in that you pound out the swordfish steaks into thin cutlets, and then crust them...
Say I love you with lobster

Pam Gelsomini

Thu, Feb 11

Category:

Dish off the Block

It’s going to be a chilly Valentine’s Day, so whip up the most decadent of comfort foods for your sweetheart – lobster mac & cheese!! This rich and cheesy casserole is loaded with chunks of fresh lobster meat and has the slightest note of anise in the background that bumps the flavors to new...
Super Savory Snacks

Finger Lickin’ Ribs are Kickin’!

Pam Gelsomini

Thu, Feb 4

Category:

Dish off the Block

These ribs couldn’t be easier to make and are fall-off-the-bone delicious!! Apricot Ginger Sticky Ribs The Ribs: 5-5 ½ pounds baby back pork ribs 2-3 tablespoons Dish off the Block Ragin’ Cajun Spice Blend The Glaze: 1 ¼ cups apricot preserves 1 heaping tablespoon minced ginger 6 cloves garlic,...
Super Savory Snacks

Wing it for the Big Game

Pam Gelsomini

Thu, Feb 4

Category:

Dish off the Block

Chicken wings are the quintessential game day appetizer and this recipe is so easy and packed with flavor!! Parmesan, Rosemary, and Cracked Black Pepper Wings 3-pounds whole chicken wings (about 10 full wings) ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese (plus 1 Tbsp. for garnish) 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs 1/4...
Super Savory Snacks

Pizza for game day!

Pam Gelsomini

Thu, Feb 4

Category:

Dish off the Block

What are you making for Super Bowl snacks this year? My Bacon Ranch Chicken and Avocado Pizza is a total touchdown!! You can use store-bought dough as a timesaver, but my homemade recipe is really easy and so good. It makes dough for two pizzas so after this one is devoured you can whip up another...
Kinda Korean Beef and Rice Bowls

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Jan 14

Category:

Dish off the Block

This dish is my spin on the traditional Korean dish called Bibimbap. Bibimbap translates to “mixed rice.” It consists of sautéed seasonal vegetables, meat, egg, and other toppings including pickled or fermented veggies over rice. You might say that Bibimbap was the first “grain bowl” long before...
The decadent chowder you deserve!

Pam Gelsomini

Thu, Dec 31

Category:

Dish off the Block

Ring in 2021 with this decadent chowder – you deserve it. The New Year’s Eve, like everything else in 2020, will not be the normal type of celebration, but safe to say, we are all happy to ring in 2021 and say good riddance to 2020!! So, buy a nice bottle of bubbly and treat yourself to this...
Comfort food re-invented

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Dec 10

Category:

Dish off the Block

The cold, blustery weather is back with a vengeance and, as winter approaches, purple flag days are once again a regular thing. That means we are all craving comfort food in front of a cozy fire …and a nice glass of red doesn’t hurt. French onion soup is one of my go-to comfort cravings. I love to...
The apple of my pie

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Nov 26

Category:

Dish off the Block

It’s apple picking season and time for some good ole fashion apple pie. Did you know that even though we say things like “as American as apple pie” or “baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie,” the classic dessert actually harkens from Europe, originating in England, and can be traced back to the time of...
Y’all craving some comfort food?

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Nov 12

Category:

Dish off the Block

Here in the Northeast, we think of comfort food as chicken and dumplings, a steaming bowl of chowder, or anything in a crockpot! Down South, the comfort food icons are things like jambalaya, biscuits and gravy, or shrimp and grits. My take on Shrimp and Grits is a little non-traditional, but...
Fall is soup and chowdahhh season

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Oct 23

Category:

Dish off the Block

Bring on fall. Sweater weather, cool nights, crisp air, vibrant foliage, and comfort food. That means soup season is upon us and I couldn’t be happier. There is nothing quite like a big bowl of steaming hot chowder with some crusty bread on a blustery fall day. Easy to make, feeds a crowd, and...
The stripers are running

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Oct 2

Category:

Dish off the Block

I grew up spending my summers on Block Island, surrounded by avid fishermen, who treated striper fishing like a science. My dad, a principal marine biologist, most definitely found his love of fishing here as a boy, hiking the beaches before dawn or after dusk in search of the elusive ‘cow.’ He and...
Are you ready for some football?

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Sep 18

Category:

Dish off the Block

Football season is upon us and, since we can’t go to the stadium to root our team on, there will no doubt be more ‘tailgate’ parties at home (socially distant, of course). Whether you’re the host or just bringing an appetizer, these ‘totchos’ are always a fan favorite. A spin on nachos, using Tater...
It’s September — Turn up the heat

Mussels in sriracha cream sauce

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Sep 4

Category:

Dish off the Block

Want to put a little spice in your life? These mussels have the perfect amount of heat from jalapeno and sriracha in the creamy sauce that will make your lips tingle, but keep you going back for more!! Make sure to have crusty bread on the side for dipping into the decadent sauce and a cold beer in...
Monsters in your garden!

Pam Gelsomini

Thu, Aug 6

Category:

Dish off the Block

If you have a garden, and you grow summer squash or zucchini, you have probably gone out in the morning and found that, seemingly overnight, monster squash have grown amongst the leaves! Did you miss it when you went out yesterday? Was it lying in wait the whole time? Every summer growing up we had...
Summertime blackberry cobbler

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Jul 31

Category:

Dish off the Block

One of my favorite childhood memories growing up summers on Block Island was going blackberry picking. I would start eyeing the bushes with their silvery leaves in early July when they flowered to determine where the berries would be best that year. I watched the flowers turn to green berries, then...
Beer battered fish and chips

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Jul 17

Category:

Dish off the Block

Fresh flaky cod fried in crunchy beer batter with salty fries and tangy tartar sauce screams summertime. I spent a dozen summers slinging this New England classic at Finn’s in my teens and early twenties and it still brings me back to those summers every time I have it. Pour a beer, heat up some...
Turn your kitchen into party central this July 4th

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Jul 2

Category:

Dish off the Block

The 4th of July is a favorite holiday in our house, mostly because it’s the kickoff to the Block Island summer season. Break out the red, white, and blue and let the festivities begin! However, like everything else, our celebration will look a little (or a lot) different this year. With no parade...
Decadent mock seafood paella

Pamela Gelsomini

Tue, Jun 30

Category:

Dish off the Block

Paella is a traditional Spanish dish that originated in the Valencia region on the east coast of Spain. It’s a great dish for parties and makes a gorgeous presentation when set in the middle of your table. My ‘mock’ preparation uses pre-cooked rice rather than cooking the raw rice in the pan and is...
Sweet confetti pepper pasta salad

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, May 28

Category:

Dish off the Block

The weather is getting nicer and the season of backyard barbecues is upon us. Whether you are having a cookout with your quarantine pals (most likely your family) or you are attending a social distance cookout with friends, we can keep one tradition in place — great food. This pasta salad is based...
Let’s hash it out

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, May 14

Category:

Dish off the Block

In these days where we limit our grocery shopping to once every week or two, we buy loads of fresh vegetables to have options, right? Well, much like all of us in quarantine, after the first week or so, the unused produce begins looking quite tired and a little beat up. Making a hash is the perfect...
Cinco de Mayo

Pam Gelsomini

Mon, May 4

Category:

Dish off the Block

How are you celebrating Cinco de Mayo… let me guess… at home? Well, at the very least you should be celebrating with a Mexican feast! Mix it up with a twist on the traditional fare and try my Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls and a margarita, rocks and salt (no Corona please)!! SPAGHETTI SQUASH...
Getting creative in the kitchen

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Apr 24

Category:

Dish off the Block

So, I think we can all agree that self-quarantining with our families has forced a lot of people to cook more and to get creative in the kitchen. This pasta is delicious and is also very versatile, using many items from your pantry. Don’t have all of the ingredients required? Try… • Subbing out the...
Healthy eating

Pam Gelsomini

Thu, Mar 26

Category:

Dish off the Block

This recipe is proof that healthy eating can be mouth-wateringly delicious with layers of flavor and texture. Quinoa is the base of these yummy bowls and this trendy ‘super-food’ has more protein than any other grain and is packed with fiber, potassium, and iron. Not a bad foundation, but then you...
St. Paddy’s Two Tater Fritatta

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Mar 13

Category:

Dish off the Block

I recommend you start off your St. Patrick’s Day with a hearty breakfast — a good base — with two kinds of potatoes, eight eggs, loads of cheese, and some green pepper shamrocks. Even the pickiest leprechaun will be impressed with this Irish frittata. St. Paddy’s Two Tater Fritatta 1 medium Yukon...
Shrimp and bacon fried rice

Pam Gelsomini

Fri, Feb 28

Category:

Dish off the Block

Need a quick and easy weeknight meal that also makes great leftovers? Put that take-out menu down and mix up your weekly meal rotation with this deeeeelishhh Shrimp and Bacon Fried Rice dish. It comes together in one pan, very quickly, and feeds a crowd. (This recipe feeds four to six.) You...
Baked stuffed lobsters for your Valentine

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Feb 13

Category:

Dish off the Block

What says “I love you” more than decadent baked stuffed lobsters with buttery stuffing loaded with shrimp and scallops? Not much. I cook my lobsters before stuffing which allows me to keep the lobster meat, shrimp, and scallops all perfectly moist and succulent. Your Valentine will fall in love all...
Blueberry turnovers with a lemon glaze

Pamela Gelsomini

Thu, Jan 30

Category:

Dish off the Block

One of my favorite go-to short-cut ingredients is frozen puff pastry dough. It’s almost impossible to tell that it is not homemade and makes you look like a superstar in the kitchen! Try my blueberry turnovers with lemon glaze. They are so easy to make and make a perfect sweet treat for dessert or...
Dish off the block

Roasted vegetable salad

Pamela Gelsomini

Fri, Jan 17

Category:

Dish off the Block

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Diet? Healthy eating? How do you stick to it? Answer: Meal planning and delicious food! By having crave-worthy food in your fridge, you will not be tempted to nosh on unhealthy choices. My roasted vegetable salad is so easy to prepare and can be served warm or...
Decadent Dessert

Pam Gelsomini

Sat, Dec 14

Category:

Columnists, Dish off the Block

I created this decadent delight for a contest where you had to highlight eggs and you had to infuse a local ingredient or theme. Living in Massachusetts (when I am not on Block Island), cranberries came to mind… and loving dark chocolate, I thought, what a great combo --- tart cranberries, sweet...