Archives: Know-How

Making Mother’s Day Memories While Keeping Your Distance

It’s a difficult year for celebrating special occasions and holidays. At the same time, while we can’t gather in person for parties, dinners, or nights out on the town, those reasons tmother's day celebrationo celebrate are more important than ever. We’re appreciating our friends and loved ones, showing gratitude, and giving back where we are able to. Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and the current circumstances mean you may have to be a bit more creative than usual to convey your love – but it’s welcome now more than ever.

For the mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, and grandmothers who don’t live with you, a drive-by visit has become a popular way to acknowledge a special day. Decorate your car with signs, paper flowers, streamers, or glass markers, and caravan to the house with other relatives to make it a Mother’s Day parade. Florists are still available to take online orders – if mom is comfortable accepting a delivery, pick out a beautiful bouquet that will bring some color to the weekend.

Bring a homemade lunch or dinner that you can drop off at the door or share outdoors if you’re able to arrange seating at an appropriate physical distance. Consider supporting a local restaurant or catering company and buying takeout for Mom so she doesn’t have to cook that day. Meals often include dessert and even wine is available for pick-up or delivery in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

If your mother is farther away than a quick drive and you can’t visit for the weekend as you usually do, a video chat is a nice step up from a phone call. Gather the extended family to schedule a group video call through Zoom or FaceTime.

Staying home doesn’t mean Mom has to go without gifts. Have the kids create homemade cards. Local spas and salons eventually will be back open. Check the website for the one she frequents and buy a gift card she can use when the time comes. The same goes for her favorite restaurant. Want to give Mom something she can enjoy now? Put together a gift basket full of personal care products for home manicures, facials, and luxurious baths.  Throw in a book she’s never had time to read before now or a game that would be fun to play with the family – there are great virtual games online for groups here.

If the mother you live with is an essential worker who has been putting in long hours, show some extra love every day – making dinner, lighting candles, even just leaving her to watch her favorite Netflix show by herself when she gets home.

We’re proud to be open to serve you at Butcher Boy, with some specific guidelines. In one trip, you can pick up the ingredients for your next homemade meal, cold prepared foods, something special from our butchers, beer, wine, spirits, and even dessert.

Kids In The Kitchen

kids in kitchenWhile we all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19, families are cooking more meals at home than ever before. Do you have children who would enjoy helping to prepare dinner? Under ordinary circumstances, we admit it’s often easier for parents to take on all the kitchen tasks – no need to slow down the process or have to supervise and clean up extra messes. But with more time on our hands for the foreseeable future, and a need to practice those math skills at home, why not add a different activity to the day’s agenda? Choosing the right recipes that kids can follow on their own can even give parents a bit of a break.

How about sloppy joes? The name suggests that almost anything goes with this easy-to-assemble dinner favorite. Delegate a job to kids of all ages. Veggies optional, but they make it more nutritious. 

Chicken tenders are a kid diet staple in a lot of homes, but these are a homemade variety they’ll love helping to create. Let them shake on the coating and mix up the dipping sauces.

One of the easiest meals kids can help with is pizza, but using French bread for the crust makes it even simpler. Slice the loaf vertically and place the halves on a baking sheet for the toppings of sauce, cheese, and whatever else you want to customize your personal pizza.

For more ideas, join the Taste Buds Kitchen Cooking Club, which provides access to free family-friendly recipe videos. New recipe videos are posted online twice a week. Highlights Magazine is another great resource for meals and snacks perfect for any time of day.

Don’t forget Butcher Boy is open every day for your grocery needs. Please consider shopping during the week instead of on the weekend to help limit the number of people in the store. Shopping by yourself without family members is another way to ensure that social distancing guidelines are followed by everyone around you.

We’re in This Together

COVID in this togetherWe’re weeks into this national health crisis with more to go before any of us can expect daily life to get back to whatever normal was before we found ourselves practicing social distancing.

But there’s some comfort in knowing we are in this together, and we don’t have to feel helpless or unable to make valuable contributions to our community. Do you have neighbors who are elderly or homebound for any reason? Now is a great time to give them a call to see how they’re doing or offer to drop off groceries if they are unable to leave the house on their own.

Local non-profit organizations and food pantries are facing challenges. The Merrimack Valley Food Bank, the Lawrence YMCA Food Pantry, Neighbors in Need, and others are accepting financial donations, along with non-perishables and personal care items, but check their websites for wish lists, recommendations and safety procedures. Organizations such as Bread & Roses, Emmaus, and Lazarus House Ministries have adapted their strategies to fight hunger and poverty in the Merrimack Valley.

Our community health care facilities, including Lawrence General Hospital, are responding as best they can to meet the medical needs of their patients as they always have. But these are extraordinary times, and they can use some help in the form of donations.

Small businesses also are adapting to new ways to serve their clients and customers. Specifically, food establishments are closed to dining in but open to take out. Consider taking a night off from cooking at home to order breakfast, lunch or dinner to go. Some now have limited menus available so be sure to call ahead or look online to see the daily special options. You can also purchase gift cards to your favorite restaurants that you can use at a later time.

Our Butcher Boy Marketplace neighbors are part of these efforts to continue providing fresh, quality meals – including Lobster Tail Seafoods, Orzo Trattoria, and Perfecto’s Caffe. Even Ciao Bow Wow and Nature’s Cleaners remain open because clean clothing, pet food, and supplies are essential to our citizens. Nature’s Cleaners offers free pickup and delivery on Tuesdays and Fridays. Pentucket Bank remains open as an essential service with branch drive-up services. Follow these businesses on social media for the most up-to-date information regarding hours and shopping guidelines.

We wish you good health, strength, and patience as we all navigate the unknown. Enjoy the opportunity to slow down life’s usually frantic pace and spend time with loved ones at home. We will be here.

St. Patrick’s Day: A Culinary Celebration

grey corned beefSt. Patrick’s Day is the time when everyone is Irish, even if some of us have no ancestral connection to the Emerald Isle at all. Butcher Boy has all the ingredients you need for a customary Irish-American corned beef and cabbage meal. Whether it’s your first time preparing it or you just need an annual refresher, check out our step-by-step cooking guide.

When you’re planning your menu, you might choose to stay true to your regional roots. Grey corned beef is considered the traditional New England style and uncommon in supermarkets and butcher shops outside a 50-mile radius of Boston. Butcher Boy sells both the grey and red corned beef cuts that you can prepare yourself or a fully cooked corned beef dinner you only have to heat up.

The flavor of the holiday doesn’t have to be limited to March 17. There are leftovers to be enjoyed! Try corned beef hash and eggs for breakfast the next day. For lunch or dinner, when you want a taste that’s reminiscent of the full meal, put together some easy corned beef and cabbage sliders. Or maybe a classic reuben sandwich is your preference.

If corned beef doesn’t tempt your family’s taste buds, there are other options for a proper St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Irish stew is a delicious choice, with either traditional lamb or beef.  How about shepherd’s pie? The classic comfort food of layered beef, vegetables, and mashed potatoes is simple to make for a crowd, and even easier if you cook a mini version in individual servings.

Whatever is on your menu, authentic Irish soda bread is the ideal accompaniment. Make a list of all the ingredients you need for your perfect St. Patrick’s Day celebration meal, and Butcher Boy will help you shop for them all. And please share your other holiday traditions with us. We love hearing about how our customers celebrate the luck of the Irish.

Supporting Local Businesses

We love being in the Merrimack Valley and supporting other businesses in the communities we serve. We understand the value small businesses bring to our towns and cities — in the form of jobs, revenue, and personal connections. That’s why we also love highlighting some of our neighbors and companies whose products we are proud to offer at Butcher Boy.

 

Pita bread from Korbani’s Bakery is like no other. For more than 30 years, the Korbani family has been making traditional Middle Eastern bread in Methuen. Mary, her daughter Kristen Korbani, and family are continuing the tradition. Look for fresh, local Korbani pita bread at Butcher Boy.

 

The story of pierogi from Jaju goes back even further. The family business began seven decades ago in western Massachusetts, where Vanessa White and her sister Casey grew up learning to cut, stuff, and seal the Polish food staple. The women brought their grandfather’s recipes for pierogi to our area in 2015 and have since perfected both traditional and creative pierogi flavors for their New England customers who crave a pierogi fix that doesn’t taste mass-produced. Jaju’s pierogi are made from scratch in Lynn and can be found in a variety of flavors at Butcher Boy ready to cook in your own kitchen.

 

Arcade Snacks has built a solid reputation for sweet and savory varieties, including nuts, dried fruit, candy, and chocolate. It’s another family business nearly 40 years in the making. Founders George and Ann Ethier focused on quality and expanded from roasting cashews to an assortment of confections available in the finest hotels, restaurants, and retailers – including Butcher Boy. Today, their sons Rick Haufe and T.J. Ethier and their team remain committed to satisfying your snack cravings.

 

Visit Butcher Boy to try out any of these products or the others we have featured before. We know shopping local matters.

 

Impress Your Valentine With a 5-Star Dinner at Home

Valentines Dinner SteakValentine’s Day is coming up, and dinner out is a common way for couples to celebrate. But we think the sweetest way to your valentine’s heart is with a homemade dinner neither of you will forget. Especially if it can be compared to a 5-star restaurant meal.

Let your sweetheart indulge in one of the most romantic dinners we can think of: decadent, rich, flavorful steak.

A filet cut of beef guarantees the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat. That’s what you’ll get with this recipe for filet mignon with mushroom red wine sauce (adjust accordingly for the thickness of your steaks).

Another steak worthy of a special occasion is rib eye. The marinade in this Southeast Asian recipe adds a sweet and savory flavor.

Porterhouse is generous enough for two. It’s a t-bone that includes a larger portion of the tenderloin, so the porterhouse is perfect for sharing with the one you love.

If something other than beef sounds intriguing, consider putting lamb lollipops on your Valentine’s Day dinner menu.

Serve any of these meats with simple sides, including mashed or roasted potatoes and other vegetables. While you’re at Butcher Boy, pick up a bottle of wine and a decadently delicious dessert.

But it’s not all about the cooking or the flavors.  Don’t forget about presentation.

Here are some ideas for plating your romantic meal.

  • If you have them, use white plates. Food looks great on a white backdrop because the colors stand out.
  • Picture a clock as you plate. From the diner’s point of view, the meat should be between 3 and 9, your starch or carbohydrate from 9 and 12, and your vegetable from 12 and 3.
  • Less is more. Put the star of your meal – your protein – on the plate by itself and put the sides in small bowls. If you choose to serve everything together, just don’t overcrowd the plate.
  • Serve food in odd numbers. Five potatoes instead of six is visually more appealing.
  • Design with sauces. Don’t just pour them on the food, drizzle the sauce carefully or use a spoon to create accent dots on the plate.

Not sure you can pull it all off? Even if you’re not the next home cook featured on Master Chef, we can help you gain confidence in the kitchen. Reference our roasting and grilling guides for whatever you choose to prepare for your valentine.

 

Game-Day Feasts to Feed a Crowd

football game foodOur home team is no longer in contention for this year’s Big Game, but the postseason is in full swing, and game day remains a good excuse to get friends and family together for an afternoon or evening of food and drink.

Great football-watching food doesn’t take away from the game. The hosts should have as much fun as the guests, and you don’t want anyone feeling like they need to pull themselves away from the TV in order to satisfy their appetites. That’s why low-prep, easy-to-eat meals are best. Finger foods, dips, and small bites can be set out buffet-style for guests to serve themselves at their leisure during commercials and half-time. We found some great recipes to offer variety for a crowd.

Ribs are a hearty, simple finger food that requires little to no prep – simply set them out on a platter to be picked up and enjoyed. Butcher Boy carries a scrumptious selection of marinated or plain ribs, so you can flavor them anyway you choose.

For Texas hold-ums chipotle beef burgers, dinner rolls will work just fine for the buns. The garlic ketchup adds just the right flavor to balance the spice.

For a simple snack with a kick, try our buffalo chicken dip. It’s rich, a bit spicy, hearty, and the only setup needed is a bowl of tortilla chips.

What’s a football game without chili? Don’t forget to offer toppings on the side for guests to suit their tastes: sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced peppers, and diced tomatoes.

Cheeseburger bites are appetizer size and perfect for bringing together all the flavors of the conventional burger you know and love – with a twist.

Nachos loaded with pulled pork and all the fixings are sure to please. Or use whatever proteins you want instead of pork. Just don’t skimp on the layers and quantity so that everyone gets a heaping helping on their plates.

Of course, we have all the ingredients for these ideas and anything else on your game-day menu at Butcher Boy.

Winter Comfort Foods to Keep You Warm and Cozy

comfort foods

What better to beat the cold-weather blues than with a delicious hot meal? We have a few hearty favorites that will warm up your home during the winter months.

With tender chunks of beef coated in a creamy sauce and served over a bed of buttery noodles, it’s no wonder beef stroganoff is a big hit. Start with a beef tenderloin – our butchers can help you select just the right size and cut – and this made-from-scratch dinner is sure to impress your family who will think you spent all day in the kitchen.

Pot roast is a classic winter meal to satisfy and fill every appetite. When it’s slow-roasted in the oven all day, the aroma will bring the family running. Serve it with mashed potatoes.

For a meal that’s even better when you eat the leftovers, red wine-braised brisket or our signature braised brisket, are a must for your winter menu. We promise meat will be fork-tender and full of flavor that will only get enhance the next day.

We love bone-in pork chops, and any recipe that describes them as “smothered” is sure to be delicious. It’s also easy, which makes for a great weeknight supper when time is tight.

Roast chicken is another wonderful meal that provides warm comfort and can stretch into several meals. At Butcher Boy, you can pick up a cooked rotisserie chicken on your way home and leave the work to us. Serve it with your favorite veggies the first night, then use the leftover meat for a hearty soup during the week, or add it to salads, quesadillas, or sandwiches.

To warm up a crowd, chili is the way to go. We can provide you the freshest ground beef for whichever recipe you use.

Don’t forget dessert! There’s not much more comforting on a cold winter evening than a warm pie. But you don’t have to do the baking. Butcher Boy has them for you!

What’s your go-to comfort food? Share them with us on Facebook or tag us on Instagram!

Holiday Gifts: Butcher Boy Marketplace Has Something For Everyone

We can all agree that December is probably the busiest month of the year, adding all things holiday to daily life — gift exchanges, preparing special meals and desserts, attending or hosting parties. It’s difficult to accomplish our holiday tasks when we find ourselves running in all directions. That takes time and energy we never seem to have enough of. But what if we can make it easier? Come to the Butcher Boy Marketplace, where you can check everything off your gift-giving and entertaining to-do lists! 

By shopping local, you not only will receive the benefit of more personal attention and excellent service, but you’ll also contribute to your own community. For every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., approximately 67 cents stays in the local community, according to a study conducted by American Express.

Art & Frame_Butcher Boy MarketplaceArt and Frame is the place to go when you want your gifts to mean something special. Danny and Joddi Chang can help you choose a piece of wall art or sculpture that will fit perfectly in the room you have in mind. Bring them your own prints or family photos to be professionally framed. They can also create personal gifts that hold sentimental value: preserve a work of needlepoint, a meaningful souvenir, sports jersey, puzzle, or other keepsake in a custom frame. If you have items you think would look great in a shadow box but you’re just not sure how to pull it off, Art and Frame can.

Lobster Tail Seafoods_Butcher Boy MarketplaceDoes your family celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes? This time-honored Christmas Eve tradition features seven Italian seafood dishes of all kinds. Whatever is on your menu, you can find the best quality seafood at Lobster Tail Seafoods Restaurant and Fish Market. Let Dan O’Neill and his staff cater the feast or purchase what you need to prepare it in your own kitchen. In addition to fresh shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters, clams and whatever else your favorite recipes call for, you can also pre-order holiday platters to round out your feast. 

Tran Tran Nails_Butcher Boy MarketplaceWho doesn’t like to be pampered? Give the gift of relaxation with a gift certificate from Tran Tran Nails. Ba Tran, Tran Nguyen, and their talented staff offer a variety of manicure, pedicure, and spa services. If you need a break from the holiday grind, then it’s time for some self-care. Whether you’re looking for a quick touch-up or an afternoon of relaxation complete with a paraffin dip for dry skin, a hot stone massage, or even a Reiki treatment, Tran Tran Nails has you covered. 

Ciao Bow Wow_Butcher Boy MarketplaceFamily pets deserve some holiday love, too. Visit Ciao Bow Wow Ciao Meow for everything to spoil your favorite dog or cat. Jeff Mancarella, Todd Flolo and their knowledgeable staff can show you winter jackets and fleeces, along with toys, holiday goodies, and stocking stuffers. Freshen up the basics with a new bed, food and water dishes, and collars. Bring your pet into the store with you as you browse, and let them check out the Treat Bar stocked with the goodies they’ll love.

Orzo Trattoria_Butcher Boy MarketplaceTake a break from shopping for lunch or dinner at Orzo Trattoria. But don’t leave without a gift certificate or two for someone on your gift list. And this month, when you purchase $100 in gift certificates, you’ll get a bonus gift card worth $20. Keep it for yourself or give it to a friend or loved one who would enjoy a good Italian meal. Michael Reppucci and Carol Webb will take good care of you!

Perfecto's Caffe_Butcher Boy MarketplacePerfecto’s Caffe is another great spot to get a quick bite to eat during a busy day of errands. Start your day there with a hot breakfast sandwich or choose a gourmet salad or wrap to keep your energy up in the afternoon. Warm up with a delicious specialty hot or iced beverage. Peppermint and gingerbread flavors will put you in the spirit of the season. While you’re there, be sure to order trays of muffins and bagels for yummy breakfast options for holiday houseguests. Phil and Joanne Jay have ‘perfected’ the beverages and treats to give you that burst of energy you need to finish your holiday shopping.

Nature's Cleaners_Butcher Boy MarketplaceNature’s Cleaners is a chemical-free zone. Keep them in mind for all your pre- and post-holiday needs. You can get your special occasion table linens ready for family gatherings large or small. And after all the celebrations are complete, and the tablecloth and napkins are stained with memories of your favorite holiday meals, count on Jun Chong and the spot removal experts at Nature’s Cleaners to freshen them up for your next event. If you need your dress tailored for a holiday party, they do that, too!

Pentucket Bank_Butcher Boy MarketplaceFull service, personalized banking services are available at the Marketplace. Pentucket Bank is a valuable community partner, contributing to local organizations and programs. Marion Donahue and the employees at Pentucket Bank actively volunteer in the communities they serve. If you’re looking for a gift that keeps on giving, opening a savings account for a special child in your life will help them to save for the future and build financial literacy early in life.

Jackson Kitchen Designs_Butcher Boy MarketplaceWhile children have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, adults are more likely to have a kitchen renovation on their wish lists. Jackson Kitchen Designs can provide the inspiration! Lisa Torrisi and her team of talented designers can show you the options for making modern updates to your kitchen, or modify the layout of the kitchen to make large gatherings easier to host. Keep them in mind to gift yourself something extra special after the holidays so your spruced-up kitchen is ready for next year!

Preparing Your Thanksgiving Meal

It’s time to start the countdown to Thanksgiving! If you are hosting the big meal for family and friends, there’s a lot to think about. Don’t stress about it, though. Let Butcher Boy help you every step of the way!

It starts with a fresh whole turkey. Depending on how many people you want to feed – or leftovers to have! – we can advise you on the size that’s just right for your crowd. Order it now and pick up your order starting the Monday before Thanksgiving. The same goes for side dishes and desserts. Use our order guide to see the options and quantities we have available.

Thanksgiving Meal

Roasting your turkey doesn’t have to be a difficult or intimidating task, either. Follow our step-by-step guide for a perfectly cooked turkey, whether you choose to stuff it or not.

Speaking of stuffing, many families have their go-to recipes and preferences for their favorite flavors. Some include sausage, some use cornbread, others call for fruit like dates and apples. If you’d like to try something new this year, bacon parmesan stuffing sure sounds delicious. Can’t decide which direction to go in? Try this basic stuffing recipe, then simply add whatever you’d like.

Do you have some other favorite Thanksgiving recipes you just can’t imagine the holiday dinner without? Consider those traditional flavors, with an update.  Skip the canned cream of mushroom soup and give the standard green bean casserole a slightly more homemade taste with fresh mushrooms and shallots. Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper will give your casserole a kick, no matter which recipe you use. You can even pump up the creaminess of mashed potatoes with cream cheese. It also adds a layer of unexpected flavor without complicating a basic recipe.

Remember to save room for dessert. Apple and pumpkin are the traditional favorites. You can find these and many more pies and scrumptious desserts right at Butcher Boy.

When dinner is finished cooking, don’t be overwhelmed by carving your bird. Follow these simple techniques to get the most meat out of your turkey.

If you’re more interested in spending less time in the kitchen, take a break from cooking and order your entire Thanksgiving meal from Butcher Boy. We do all the prep work and cooking, including the turkey, and have it ready for you to pick up the day before Thanksgiving. All you have to do is heat and serve! We’ll give you instructions for that, too. Call us today!

 

Cheers to a happy holiday season!