Archives: Know-How

Local Vendors at Butcher Boy

We recently featured some of our favorite local products you can purchase right from Butcher Boy. Ready for more? Here’s a taste of what’s available on our market shelves – delicious foods and snacks from sweet to savory.

 

Julie Ganong and Alan Mons of the Chococoa Baking Company in Newburyport have updated a favorite New England treat. The Whoopie is a smaller, richer, triple chocolate version of the classic dessert many of us remember from childhood. At just 130 calories for a chocolate Whoopie, with no trans fats, it’s practically guilt-free!

 

When you’re ready for something crunchy, look no further than Regenie’s. Regina Ragonese first created her homemade pita chips when she was running Ellie’s Lebanese restaurant in Lawrence. Based on customers’ rave reviews, Regina knew they were something special and made the chips her full-time business 20 years ago. Today, those famous pita chips come in seven flavors, and she’s expanded the snacks to include falafel chips and sweet pita brittle. All of them made with natural, simple ingredients. Regenie’s pita chips have a national reputation, and we’re proud Butcher Boy provides them in the Merrimack Valley.

 

Beach pizza is not just for summer anymore. You know what we’re talking about – square pieces of barely-there crust, sweet sauce, and a sprinkling of melted cheese. It sparks memories of childhood days spent on the seacoast. You can get that nostalgic taste right here at Butcher Boy, year-round! Family-owned and operated with three convenient locations in Salem, NH, Haverhill, and Methuen, Sylvia Bouraphael’s NH Beach Pizza now conveniently prepares and packages their pizza as a take-and-bake option, both fresh and frozen. Pick it up anytime and enjoy it from the comfort of your own home, beach sand not included.

 

What started out year ago as a tradition of baking zucchini bread from the family garden’s bounty, to sharing her baked goodness at local farmers’ markets, to her own bakery, Julie Gross has turned her z-licious breads into a successful venture. Julie’s Z Breads now includes all kinds of flavors of zucchini bread, not just the traditional. Choose from fruit breads, like lemon blueberry, chocolate varieties, and nut breads – there is also a great selection of popular gluten-free breads. Julie uses the freshest, local ingredients.

 

Next time you’re up for a night in while binging on Netflix or when you just need something to curb your cravings, think of Butcher Boy and choose a local snack. What’s your favorite?

Shop Local. It Matters.

We love Butcher Boy’s connection to our community. With deep roots in the Merrimack Valley, we take the opportunities when we can to support other local businesses because we know that benefits everyone who lives and works here. Building those relationships is important for creating local jobs, boosting the tax base, and helping our communities thrive. Meet a few of these businesses here and stay tuned to our blog and social media
communities as we continue to highlight local vendors in the future.

 

Rogers Spring Hill Farm

When you shop at Butcher Boy, you can choose pasture-raised, organic eggs direct from Rogers Spring Hill Farm. This Haverhill, MA, farm has been run for generations by the Rogers family, beginning in 1902 and slowly expanding its operations ever since. Today, Hillary Rogers and her team welcome you to pick your own berries and apples, purchase a variety of flowers and vegetables, and even hire their experienced landscapers to design your backyard oasis.

 

Popzup Popcorn Factory

Planning movie night at home? Munch on delicious non-GMO, gluten-free popcorn from Julie and Marty Lapham at the Popzup Popcorn Factory in Dover, New Hampshire. Choose from hand-popped bags in a variety of seasonings.

 

 

 

GoodieKrunch

If your snacking tastes run more sweet than savory, you can find GoodieKrunch at Butcher Boy. Inspired by HamdAllah Olona’s traditional family recipe from West Africa– but made in Haverhill!– it’s a rich, crunchy combination of coconut and other healthy ingredients that combine for a delicious vegan and gluten-free option to curb your hunger. If GoodieKrunch or its baker sound familiar, perhaps you heard about HamdAllah’s first place win in the Entrepreneurship for All business mentorship program. We love being part of promoting her success!

 

Kaha Coffee

Coffee lovers appreciate the beans Butcher Boy gets from KaHa Coffee of Amesbury, MA. Forget the bland flavors you’re used to. The blends of KaHa’s specialty roasts created by Tyler Workman are like no other. What’s your favorite local product? Visit our market to see what else we offer that supports local businesses.

Winning Ideas for a Game Day Tailgate

This is a favorite time of year for sports fans — beautiful, crisp fall days usually means football, friends, and food. Lots of it! Whether you are hosting a game day tailgate at home or at the stadium, Butcher Boy has everything you need to serve up delicious snacks, finger foods, and main courses.

Recently, Tony Massarotti, co-host of Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub, stopped by Butcher Boy to pick out some favorites for tailgating. If there’s someone you’re sure to find watching every game, and who KNOWS tailgating, it’s Tony Mazz. Check out his selections here.

When you’re ready to fire up the grill on a weekend afternoon to cheer on your favorite pro or college team, let us help you choose the best beef, chicken and pork for your group. Our handmade, 100% beef burgers are a great way to feed a crowd. Score extra points with chicken or steak tips in a variety of marinades to satisfy everyone’s tastes. Or you can give dry rubs a try — either from your own combination of spices or from our market.

We have the freshest produce for you to create your favorite salsa, guacamole, and dip recipes from scratch. Sandwiches are an easy way to feed your friends when kickoff is early in the day. Visit our deli to get all the fixings for a make-your-own sandwich platter or create subs you can cut into individual portions. If it’s chili you’re in the mood for on game day, we’ve got the ground beef you need. Shop our grocery aisles for all the other ingredients that pack the boldest flavor.

Weeknight games in Foxborough can be tough for cooking up a tailgate menu. Make it simple by shopping Butcher Boy for prepared foods. Some are ready to eat, others can be easily warmed up and served from a hot dish or crockpot.

Win or lose, you can give every football game a sweet ending with cookies, pastries, or whoopie pies from our bakery.

What’s your go-to tailgate food? Share your favorite recipes with us on Facebook or Instagram and be sure to shop Butcher Boy so we can show you how to capture the flavors you’re looking for!

Return to the Family Dinner Table

Today’s families are busy, but we think it’s time to make coming together around the dinner table a priority. We understand keeping up with schedules that include work, school, extra-curricular activities, athletics, and everything else that tends to get in the way is difficult. But what if you could revisit the days before life got so busy? Butcher Boy has all the ingredients for making meal planning easy so you’re making the most of time with your loved ones.

While a standard Sunday dinner together would be wonderful, perhaps there’s an alternative if that doesn’t work for you. Make it Friday evening instead, when everyone is ready to wind down from the week. Or perhaps Sunday brunch before it’s time to rev up for the week ahead. Saturday morning breakfast might be the best time for some families to reconnect before diving into a weekend of errands and soccer games schedules.

Include the kids in planning your time together. Let them help set the menu, set the table, even help with simple cooking and prepping tasks. That includes the clean-up, too. Clearing the table and doing the dishes should be a family affair.

Unplug during mealtime. Turn off the television, put away the smart phones, and focus on family conversation. Everyone is more likely to relax over a good meal, and it’s a great chance to listen to the kids talk about their days.

Traditions aren’t strictly for holidays. Establish some regular rituals and routines in weekly family time. Play a game, take a walk together, or watch a movie after dinner. Let everyone in the family take turns deciding what the dessert will be. The simplest tradition might be preparing the same entrée, if it’s something everyone looks forward to and counts on – Sunday steak night, perhaps.

If the goal is to maximize family time, make it easy on yourself by shopping at Butcher Boy. Let our staff help you choose just the right cut of beef and offer tips on how to prepare it. Choose from a variety of marinades perfect for pork and chicken. If breakfast is on the menu, we offer farm fresh eggs in our grocery and locally grown fruits. Visit Butcher Boy’s bakery for a selection of pastries, cakes and pies to satisfy your family’s sweet tooth. And don’t worry that having to cook will keep you tied up in the kitchen all day or evening. We have prepared entrees, sides, salads, soups, and much more, all ready to eat.

A staple in the Merrimack Valley since 1955, Butcher Boy knows the importance of family, and we want to be part of what brings your family together. Tell us what favorite foods bring you to the table, and share your traditions with us!

Grilling Favorites, No Matter the Style

Grilling Inspiration Got a new grill this year and looking for unique ways to impress your guests? While you can make a great burger on any type of grill, there are some foods best grilled using certain techniques. Here are a few inspiring recipes for the most popular types of grills.

Gas grilling is a quick cooking method that uses hot grates heated by a gas source. Major advantages of gas grills are convenience and control – they’re easy to ignite, and they heat up quickly. Setting up direct and indirect cooking zones also is pretty simple.

Charcoal grilling is a quick, direct-heat cooking method that uses a grate over piping hot charcoal flames. No doubt you’ve met chefs and home cooks who swear by charcoal grills and would never cook with anything else. For many of them, it’s about flavor, but charcoal also can produce more heat than standard gas grills.

A wood chip smoker box can be added to either a charcoal or gas grill. Different flavors can be infused into whatever meal you’re grilling, based on the kind of wood you choose. Apple, cherry, hickory, maple, and mesquite are some common types that produce a classic, smoky barbeque flavor your guests are sure to eat up. If you have a charcoal grill, another option is to get back to cooking basics — swap the briquets for wood chunks or logs.

Don’t forget to shop at Butcher Boy for all the meats, produce, and other ingredients you need for a successful cook out. Try our marinades and sauces to give your favorite meals that extra kick. Don’t waste time preparing side dishes – we have them all made and ready to go from fridge to table!

 

grills perfect match

What’s on Your Grill?


We want you to see what’s on your grill this summer, and it could be worth up to $200! Between July 19 and August 19, submit a photo to show us what you’re grilling, and the winner of our contest by popular vote will receive a $200 Butcher Boy gift card. The second place winner will receive a $100 gift card, 3rd place will receive a $75 gift card, and 4th place will receive a $50 gift card.

What’s your favorite summer meal on the grill? Do you have a specialty that brings friends and family to the backyard for a taste of summer? Maybe your burgers are second to none, or no one grills a steak to perfection the way you do. Are you creative with chicken? If you grill it, we want to see it!

Upload your photo submission to our contest page on Facebook, and if it gets the most likes, you’ll win a gift card to shop at Butcher Boy for all the ingredients you need for your next big cookout. Encourage your friends and family to vote for you to rack up your likes. Click here for all the contest details.

Not Your Average Independence Day

School’s out, and the lazy days of summer are just beginning. For most Americans, celebrating the Fourth of July is when the season of fun in the sun really kicks into high gear. Maybe you’ve celebrated in the past with a low-key backyard barbeque and coolers full of water, soda, and beer. Let us help you raise the bar with a more memorable menu for our country’s big birthday party.

Have you stocked up on entertaining basics? If so, you won’t have much shopping to do for serving utensils, string lights, and disposable plates to good use. If not, no problem! We’ve got what you need at Butcher Boy, including all things red, white, blue, and star-spangled.

Basic hamburgers can be taken up a notch with pre-made seasonings or rubs, or you can create a simple condiment bar for guests with favorites like bacon, cheese, dressings, and veggies in mason jars. Try a sirloin strip steak, grilled to perfection, sliced, and served on a platter. We can also help you select beef tips and meats you can marinate yourself. How about trays of grilled sausage and peppers with sliced rolls ready for party goers to make their own subs? Check out more July fourth recipe ideas we’ve shared before.

Don’t let preparing salads, side dishes, and desserts keep you inside and away from the party. The easiest option is to pick them up at Butcher Boy. We have traditional favorites – potato or pasta salad, baked beans, antipasto platters – fresh produce for a simple garden salad, and a variety of pastries, pies, and cakes to choose from.

Butcher Boy also carries a full selection of beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages for simple, one-stop shopping. A summer cocktail made in batches can provide welcome refreshment.

Update the well-known mimosa by swapping orange juice and champagne for lemonade and prosecco, poured over fresh blueberries for garnish. For a festive option the kids and adults who prefer something non-alcoholic will enjoy, use sparkling white grape juice, ginger ale or club soda instead of prosecco. Stick with the patriotic theme of the day with a red, white & blue sangria.

However you celebrate Independence Day, make it a memorable start to summer, with the promise of beach days, hikes, bike rides, and kayaking ahead.

Backyard Parties that will Bring Friends and Family Outside

Backyard Parties_BBQ Whether to celebrate a special occasion, hang out with the neighbors, or just get the little league team together, planning a casual barbeque or backyard gathering is a great way to enjoy summer in New England. We have some ideas that will inspire you to start the grill.

The set-up
Arrange patio furniture, tables and folding chairs in the way that works best for your space and number of guests. If you’re worried about making sure you have enough seating, keep things cozy and casual with a sit-down meal — on the grass. Spread several large blankets around the yard to encourage kids and willing grown-ups to settle there with their plates.

Let the kids lend a hand with a lemonade stand beverage station. Little ones can stay occupied by pouring drinks, and they’ll be sure to make sure everyone is well hydrated.

Backyard games are fun for all ages, and there are many you can create yourself, but the classic favorites, such as cornhole, bocce, croquet will entertain as well.

Food Hacks
Finger foods are perfect for an outdoor party. In addition to the snacks and appetizers you usually serve, put a twist on salad. Try converting it into something easy to eat, like these bite-sized Caesar salad cups.

Make hot dogs easier to hold by using coffee filters as disposable wraps. They’re durable, lightweight, and more flexible than paper plates.

For dessert, s’mores are a big hit. But if you don’t have a fire pit or don’t want everyone crowding around the grill, how about setting up a bunch of individual marshmallow roasting pots? They’re easy to supervise and fun for s’mores makers to assemble their sweet masterpieces.

The Traditional Menu

Kids love eating food that comes on sticks, and you can make kebabs out of anything – fruit, veggies, chicken, and beef.

Pasta salad is a picnic and barbeque staple. Check out the recipes we found for different versions to choose a favorite, or choose from our large selection of pasta, potato. grain and bean salads. Don’t forget to consult our steak grilling guide for fool-proof advice. Elevate basic chicken with these grilling ideas.

Butcher Boy has ready-made burgers, hot dogs, marinades, and everything else you need for a delicious cook-out.

 

grills perfect match

Entertaining Basics to Celebrate the Good Times

Summer is a wonderful time for celebrations, whether it’s an impending wedding, birth of a baby, a graduation, or other milestones and accomplishments. When you want to bring family and friends together for the occasion, Butcher Boy can help. Any of our appetizers, entrées, side dishes, salads, platters, desserts, and more can be ordered and picked up. Simply tell us how many guests you’re expecting, and we’ll guide you on quantities.

More about the menu in a bit, but what about arranging the other elements of your party?

Make a Plan

Whether you are having a handful of people over or the entire graduating class, outlining a plan will take some stress off your shoulders. Set the date, determine the guest list, decide on the type of invitation – electronic or paper – and budget. Do you need music, party game ideas, or other entertainment?

Think Inside the Box

If you’re hosting more than one party within the next couple of months, repurpose as many supplies as you can get away with. Store trays, glassware, and serving utensils in a plastic container till you need it. Purchase disposable plates and napkins in bulk and in a color that will last you through several celebrations to avoid running out or having too many for any one event. We have a variety of styles in paper plates, cups, serving utensils, décor, and more so you can pick up everything you need in a single trip.

Decorating Details

A little goes a long way when it comes to decorations. A touch of color here and a hint of texture there will be enjoyable and memorable to the guests. If the weather cooperates, you can extend your gathering to the outdoors, and simple strings of lights when the sun sets can create nice ambience. You can get creative with where and how you string them for each event. If the party is staying indoors, you can turn down the overhead lights and string your lights indoors to create a welcoming atmosphere. Festive details like flag garland or table decorations are fun. Depending on how many children will be at the event, unscented candles are a subtle touch. Small bunches of flowers in mason jars make nice centerpieces and accents.

Satisfy Every Appetite

There are many options for feeding your party guests, depending on the size of your crowd, time of day, weather, and the mood of your gathering. Would you prefer to serve finger foods and appetizers, or is an entrée better with a few side dishes and snacks beforehand? If the sun and temperature make eating anything heavy too uncomfortable, maybe cool salads, fruits and sandwiches will hit the spot. Grilling can be easier for smaller groups, and we can help you select some of the best meats and marinades to impress your guests. We’ve got some steak recipe suggestions, too. If you’d rather leave the cooking to us, don’t forget to browse our extensive catering menu. Swing by our wine and spirits aisle and stock up on all of the ingredients for a signature cocktail and other beverage options.

Be Prepared

The better prepared you are before the day of the event, the more fun you will have hosting it. Create your music playlist ahead of time, test the speakers and have your charger nearby just in case. Make as many food items as you can or pick up your order the day before. If you are using the grill, be sure you have enough propane. Remember the ice! Another thing to remember is the placement of your food and drinks. Be sure that the path and space for serving won’t get too crowded as your guests serve themselves. Set the tables up ahead of time to ensure you have enough space. And don’t forget to delegate some tasks so you can mingle and enjoy yourself, too!

Every Party Has a Beginning and an End

Once the majority of guests have arrived, you can kick off the festivities with a special toast or ice breaker activity. As a party winds down, sometimes people aren’t sure when it’s okay to leave or if they are going to miss out on anything else if they do. Signal the end of a celebration with a group photo or a final toast to the guest of honor.

Whatever the celebration, enjoy your time to eat, drink and be merry. Spring parties are a great way to gear up for summer cook-outs! Butcher Boy will be here, with everything you need.

Spring Into Fun In The Merrimack Valley

Spring - Merrimack ValleyThe sun is out, the birds are singing, the trees and flowers are beginning to bloom. It’s time for spring cleaning – inside and outside! – and taking on some of our favorite pastimes of the new season. Whether you’re gardening, playing weekend rounds of golf, catching a baseball game, or enjoying outdoor activities with the family, you’re likely doing it all with an extra spring in your step now that winter is behind us.

There are some fun events planned in the area over the next few weeks, also. Here’s a look at what’s ahead.

May 4

Enjoy the sounds of the talented Merrimack College jazz ensemble and other student musicians at the Merrimack Music Jam weekend. It’s on campus at the Rogers Center for the Arts.

May 4 & 5

One of the world’s most successful movies of all time also is an award-winning stage production, and you can buy tickets to see Titanic the Musical at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly while doing good at the same time. The show is a fundraiser for the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.

May 19

The 47th North Andover Sheep Shearing Festival will be held on the Town Common from 10am to 4pm. This family-friendly event includes shearing and blacksmithing demonstrations, music, craft booths, food vendors, pony rides, and cow-pie bingo! There will be free parking and shuttles from the Franklin and Middle Schools.

May 28

Nature’s Playgroup at Stevens-Coolidge Place is the perfect opportunity for children and kids at heart to explore the wonders of the outdoors. This is the time when it’s okay to get dirty! Keep your eye on the Stevens-Coolidge calendar for events and activities all season long for the whole family.

Through the month of May

Smolak Farms is a favorite destination for adults and kids of all ages. In addition to the regular activities such as hay rides and feeding the animals, the farm playground is free and open to the public any time.

During a busy spring weekend, what will you have for lunch or dinner? Let us help take the stress of menu planning off your plate. Swing by Butcher Boy for the best selection of specialty cut meats perfect for the grill, whether you’re in the mood for chicken, steak or anything else on our menu of prepared or ready-to-cook items.