Cooking Archives - Page 4 of 6

Summer Shish Kabob Skewers

Shish Kabobs are a fun, tidy way to cook your favorite meats on the grill. Forget utensils, just prepare your ingredients, skewer, and cook!

You’ll have your hungry family or ravenous BBQ guests jumping for joy when you serve these marinated shish kabob favorites.

1) Marinated & Grilled Lamb Shish Kabobs

Marinated and Grilled Lamb Shish Kabobs — via Vodka & Biscuits

Colorful and delicious, this lamb shish kabob recipe from Vodka & Biscuits is extremely simple to make. Their killer combo marinade consists of paprika, coriander, cumin, and oregano mixed with lemon and garlic. Soak the cubed lamb and veggies for two hours, stack onto skewers, and place on the grill. Plate as is, or slide the food off the skewer atop a couscous base.

2) Grilled Asian Garlic Steak Skewers

Full of fantastic flavor, The Recipe Critic‘s soy sauce garlic marinade is guaranteed to seep into your steak and make the meat melt-in-your-mouth tender. Toss the cubed sirloin in the sauce and refrigerate for three hours (or as long as overnight). Thread the steak along with onions on wooden skewers, which have been pre-soaked in water. Top off with sliced green onions to complement the sesame seeds. Now your meal is picture perfect.

3) Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs

Make your dinner as sweet as summertime with Cooking Classy‘s Hawaiian Kebabs. Pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce are gleefully combined to create a sweet, tropical-inspired taste. With bell pepper and red onion stacked between the chicken and pineapple, this savory sequence is sure to please both the stomach and eyes.

4) Butcher Boy Prepared Skewers

Butcher Boy Chicken and Beef Skewers — via Butcher Boy Market

While there is pleasure in making your own marinade, you can save time by picking up our prepared marinated skewers, available at our meat counter. Choose from chicken or beef, with yellow and green bell peppers, onions, and finish with cherry tomatoes. Our shish kabobs will be a hit at your next summer barbecue.

Happy Grilling!

Want more grilling ideas?

Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

Steaks for Father’s Day

Fire up those grills or stovetops and get ready to spoil dad. While he has a whole summer of outdoor cooking coming his way, he shouldn’t be responsible for his own Father’s Day dinner.

Here at Butcher Boy Market we know what Dad really wants: steak. So we’re serving up several tasty and unique recipes to go with some of our favorites cuts. Not a steak cooking champ like Dad? Refer to these six easy tricks for grilling the perfect steak, and our guide on how to check your meat’s temperature without a thermometer.

1) Filet Mignon with Porcini Compound Butter

Oh the tender filet. This lean cut, when cooked correctly, has all the decadence of a upscale restaurant without the price tag. FoodieCrush advises that you pan-grill the steak first, and finish it off in the oven. The Porcini compound butter creates a succulent sauce when melded with the meat. Bacon-wrap your steak for an extra burst of flavor. Don’t be stingy with the kosher salt and black pepper. Serve with pats of the butter on top.

2) Seared New York Strip Steak with Red Wine Balsamic Reduction

Strip steaks are easy-to-cook and delicious with a tight texture and strong beefy flavor. The Cookie Rookie‘s recipe for skillet seared strip steak with balsamic reduction is perfect for your Father’s Day celebration or just a regular day. Massage the reduction into the steak and top with garlic, sea salt, and rosemary, let it marinade for thirty minutes before cooking. Slice the meat and drizzle on the remaining sauce.

3) Grilled Porterhouse Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

For a bigger and beefier meal, grill your dad the proclaimed King of T-Bones, the Porterhouse steak. With just a little heat from jalapeño, Fine Cooking‘s recipe pairs the steak with their spicy take on the classic Argentinean condiment: chimichurri. As with every steak, after you’ve finished cooking to your desired temperature, let it rest before serving. Trust us on this.

4) T-Bone Steak with Garlic and Rosemary Recipe

The t-shaped bone in the t-bone steak conducts heat within the meat, which helps it cook evenly. This cut doesn’t need a long cooking time to tenderize, and is a popular staple of steakhouses. To avoid the madness of a steakhouse on Father’s Day, use Kitchen Swagger‘s “steakhouse method” recipe at home instead. The steak is seared with butter, olive oil, minced garlic, and fresh rosemary, then finished off in the oven to give it a slightly crusted outside and juicy tender inside.

5) Cowboy Steak and Whiskey Butter

The Cowboy steak, also known as a bone-in ribeye, is a tender cut with a delicious marbling of fat. If Dad is a fan of Jack Daniel, then this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens is sure to please. First, prepare the compound whisky butter and roll in a round log to refrigerate until hard and easy to cut. Next, prepare the dry rub and follow the grill instructions for medium-rare doneness. Let it rest before topping it with the butter.

Happy Father’s Day from Butcher Boy!

Want more Father’s Day ideas?

Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

Recipes for a Picnic-Perfect Memorial Day

Memorial Day is almost here. It’s a time to of thanks and remembrance of those who gave their lives to serve our great country. One of the things we find beautiful about the holiday is that it’s so often celebrated with our communities, and the thing that always brings people together: good food.

As we enjoy the sunshine and long weekend, we share this food with our families and friends. That’s why we carry hotdogs, pre-made hamburgers, and sliders for your grill, as well as a variety of salads and sides ready for you in-store. Complete your picnic and spruce up your sliders with these memorable recipes:

1) The Best Ever Homemade Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing

You simply cannot have a barbecue without cool, creamy, tangy blue cheese dressing. Whether drizzled on a salad, or in a bowl for dipping pleasure, this chunky dressing from Domestic Superhero will have guests clamoring for more. Domestic Superhero recommends crumbling the blue cheese yourself, and letting the dressing sit in the fridge for four hours for optimal deliciousness.

2) Blueberry Broccoli Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Ranch

This unique salad from Peas and Crayons may look straight out of a gourmet bistro, but it is easily thrown together from ingredients already found in your fridge. Ripe avocado, blueberries, baby spinach, chopped broccoli, and crumbled feta make up the main part of the salad, with dried cranberries and sunflower seeds sprinkled through-out, creating little flavor pops. Make your own dressing with the included poppy seed ranch recipe.

3) Easy Potato Salad with Eggs

Melanie Cooks‘s potato salad has a special secret ingredient: sweet pickle relish. The depth of flavor the relish and tangy mustard brings to the creamy dressing will have everyone craving seconds. Use red or yellow potatoes, as the sturdy starch and thin skin makes the best salad possible. Sprinkle paprika on top for a dash of color and extra flavor.

4) Mediterranean Pasta Salad

There’s nothing better than a good pasta salad. Whip up Gimmie Some Oven‘s delightful, light Mediterranean Pasta Salad to pass around your picnic table. Grab your favorite type of pasta and mix with kalamata olives, cucumbers, feta cheese, tomatoes, and red onion. Toss in the zesty lemon-vinaigrette to complete this guaranteed crowd-pleaser of a dish.

Slider Topping Recipes:

1) Bourbon Burgers

As drool-worthy as ketchup and lettuce are, sometimes it’s good to mix it up with your toppings. Call Me PMC‘s cheddar, caramelized onions, bacon, and bourbon-spiked barbecue sauce burger will have your family licking their lips and fingers. If your party is alcohol-free, use the slow cooker recipe for the sauce instead.

2) Smoky Avocado Burgers with Pineapple Pepper Relish

Smoky Avocado Burger with Pineapple Pepper Relish — via Joyful Healthy Eats

Who knew avocado and pineapple would pair so well? Mouthwateringly juicy, this colorful burger recipe from Joyful Healthy Eats is creamy and spicy from the chipotle pepper mayo sauce. Blend the spices together to make a spicy rub for the patty, then grill to your liking. Mix up the pineapple pepper relish, and mash up the avocado with lime juice and garlic powder. This burger is a meal in itself, so don’t be surprised if your guests neglect the sides.

3) Smoky Avocado Burgers with Pineapple Pepper Relish

Blue Cheese and fried onion burgers — via
Jo Cooks

Jo Cooks considers her crispy fried onions burger a happy accident. S/he was aiming for caramelized onions, but when they were left in the pan a little too long, they became crispy, and a new burger was born. With spicy mustard, blue cheese slices, tomatoes, and baby arugula, you’ll be silently thanking Jo’s absentmindedness when eating this beautifully topped burger.

Happy Memorial Day from Butcher Boy, and thanks to all those who serve!

Want more Memorial Day ideas?

Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

Perfect Meals for Mother’s Day

Next week is devoted to celebrating mom. We owe many things to mothers, and they deserve more than just one day to honor them. On this special holiday, you want to show your mother, grandmother, or mother-of-your-children how much you care. That’s why we offer a selection of beautiful flowers, cards, and chocolates to surprise her.

Another great way to show your love is through food. A delicious quiche or a refreshing artisan salad is sure to thrill the matriarch in your life. Pick up one of our fantastic prepared salads, or create your own quiche from the options listed on our catering menu. If you’re looking to impress by cooking at home, here are some terrific recipes that are sure to take her breath away.

Salad recipes:

1) Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Chicken

Strawberry and Avocado Spinach Salad — via Foodie Crush

Who says a salad can’t be hearty? This palate-pleasing dish from Foodie Crush is just right for Mother’s Day lunch or dinner. A tantalizing combination of spinach, sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, tender chicken, and mellow white balsamic dressing will be the high point of her pampered day. Top the salad with smoothly sliced almonds and feta, and pair with her favorite wine. This wine guide will help you select the perfect varietal to complement her meal.

2) Cobb Salad

Mom has earned a great meal, and Self-Proclaimed Foodie promises to deliver just that with her “perfect” cobb salad. The recipe recommends cooking the chicken in a slow cooker for optimal moistness, then shredding the meat for the salad. Crumbled blue cheese, hard boiled egg, avocados, cherry tomatoes, bacon, and the chicken are added to a bed of romaine and red leaf lettuce. Then, buttermilk blue cheese dressing is drizzled on top as a grand finish. This recipe comes with bonus instructions on how to make the blue cheese dressing at home, if you’re feeling ambitious.

3) Arugula Skirt Steak Salad with Caramelized Pears, Pecans, and Gorgonzola

Dad isn’t the only one who loves steak. Spicy arugula serves as the base of Baker by Nature‘s bold and colorful skirt steak salad. First the steak sizzles in a large skillet for 5 minutes. The meat is left to rest while the pears (and later, the pecans) are caramelized in butter and brown sugar. The steak is then arranged on the arugula and covered with the pears, pecans, and gorgonzola. Lightly dress with vinaigrette and add some after-dinner chocolate on the side.

Quiche recipes:

1) Chicken, Cheddar, and Black Bean Quiche

Chicken Cheddar Black Bean Quiche — via Cooking Bride

This smoked cheddar and black bean quiche from Cooking Bride is a unique spin on the savory tart, and will stand out from the buttered toast breakfast-in-bed of yesteryear. The crust of the pie is filled with the beans and baked for 12-14 minutes. The beans are then removed, the crust is baked for 8-10 more minutes and set aside to cool. The cheddar, chicken, beans, and other ingredients are combined and poured into the cooked shells. Bake your quiche until the tops are slightly browned. Serve with a big smile and a heart full of love.

2) Meat Lovers’ Quiche

Mom’s got a long day of pampering ahead of her. Fuel her up at breakfast with this meat-and-cheese-filled flaky quiche from Barbara Bakes. Bacon, ham, and ground sausage are added to a par-baked pie crust filled with well-beaten eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Then sprinkle some serious amounts of cheese evenly throughout the pie. The quiche’s center will be set after baking for 20 minutes. Grab mom’s favorite coffee cup and set up the bed tray to give her the full-service experience she deserves.

3) Spinach and Bacon Hash Brown Quiche

Grandbaby Cakes gives the classic quiche recipe a delicious twist with the addition of a tender hash brown crust. Not only does this spinach and bacon pie bake up beautifully, its presentation on the plate will live in her Mother’s Day memories for years to come. The hash browns are cooked until golden brown, then formed into a crust in a pie plate while bacon crisps in a pan nearby. The smooth egg custard is mixed up and poured into the hash brown crust along with spinach, cheeses, and tomatoes. Garnish with cherry tomatoes on top and rose petals on the side for that extra special touch.

Happy Mother’s Day from Butcher Boy Market!

Want more Mother’s Day ideas?

Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

Spring Antipasto Platters and Appetizers

Spring is in full swing and it is finally warm outside. Take advantage of the pleasant weather by hosting a garden party, back yard barbecue, or a tea party in the sunroom. Food is the centerpiece of family and friend gatherings, so it’s important to have something for everyone.

Appetizers like antipasto platters and satay skewers are fantastic finger foods that invite socializing and mingling. Our catering menu offers a variety of platters, so you can order online for pick-up and join the rest of your guests without the stress of wondering when (or if) the food will arrive.

If you prefer to impress your guests with your own carefully crafted creation, we encourage trying the following delicious recipes:

1) Greek Inspired Antipasto Platter

This antipasto platter from Half Baked Harvest has all the favorites of the traditional Italian version: deli meats, veggies, and mozzarella cheese, with an added Greek twist. Beautifully arranged sun-dried tomatoes, hummus, goat cheese, and pita chips fill out this cultural, culinary spread, including marinated feta and olives to enchant your guests’ palates. We’d be remiss not to mention the apricots, strawberries, fig jam, and honey that’ll appease those craving something sweeter.

2) Easy Antipasto Skewers

As the saying goes, “you eat with your eyes first.” Ingredients such as those in The Mediterranean Dish‘s Antipasto Skewers are selected for their color and texture, in order to set the stage for dinner. Rolled or folded proscuitto is stacked on a skewer, followed by artichoke hearts, mini mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and finished off with a Kalmata olive. Parsley or basil leaves are rotated on the skewer, and dried oregano is sprinkled on top for garnish, making this appetizer true beauty on a stick.

3) Honey Balsamic Steak Bites

Can an appetizer really deliver sweet, salty, and savory in one bite? Tip Hero‘s skewered steak bites have a deep infusion of flavor, thanks to the acidic nature of the balsamic vinegar in the marinade, which further tenderizes the meat. Sweetness is added through honey, saltiness with soy sauce, and finally, a savory finish with herbs and garlic. Marinade the steak for 1-4 hours, then pan cook to your liking. Use our handy Steak Guide to learn how to check the steak’s temperature without a thermometer.

4) Bacon Bourbon Meatballs

There’s nothing tastier-sounding than alliteration, especially when bacon is involved. House of Yumm‘s Bacon Bourbon Meatballs are hand-formed from ground beef and bacon, then simmered in a pan filled with tangy bourbon-BBQ sauce. We love the zing of spice from chili powder. Toothpicks make these delicious bites the perfect no-mess appetizer, and the BBQ sauce works great in a tiny ramekin for your guests’ dipping pleasure.

5) Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Baked or grilled, these chicken skewer appetizers from Carl’s Bad Craving are sure to be a hit opening act. Soy sauce, brown sugar, tumeric, and coriander are just some of the mouthwatering ingredients featured in the savory sauce that will function as both marinade and base of the Peanut Sauce. The chicken requires a minimum 6 hrs of refrigeration in the marinade, but we promise it is worth the wait. Next, peanut butter is added to the remaining sauce after boiling. All that’s left to do is for you to dip the chicken and enjoy.

Want more springtime appetizer ideas?

Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

Easter Dinner Recipes

Easter is a time for reflection and celebration, and also for family and delicious food. Here at Butcher Boy, we firmly believe in upholding the traditional meals that bring families together.

We carry a variety of ham, legs and racks of lamb, and roasts for your Easter dinner, and mouth-watering brisket perfect for Passover. We have sides to complement the savory meats, and homemade glazes, sauces, and gravy to top it all off. Visit our Bakery for your holiday desserts and fresh Produce section for the ingredients you need to make an unforgettable meal at home.

Below are some of our favorite Easter recipes.

1) Glazed Easter Ham

While we carry a delicious homemade honey ham glaze in-store, we can’t help but be intrigued by The Pioneer Woman‘s brown sugar glaze. Spicy brown mustard, apple cider vinegar, and get this, Dr. Pepper (or Coke) combine with brown sugar to create a sweet glaze with a slight tang. Our hams are fully cooked, so use our Ham Roasting Guide for reference when heating up the meat for this recipe.

2) Greek Lamb

This tender, roasted leg of lamb from Compass & Fork is a perfect table centerpiece for Easter. In true Greek form, the lamb is stuffed with bits of garlic and small sprigs of rosemary, with deep incisions made into the meat. The lamb is then marinaded overnight in sea salt, pepper, olive oil, crushed garlic, rosemary, and lemon juice. This meal is succulent and flavorful, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

3) Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce (Brown Butter)

With heavy meats, you may find yourself craving a lighter side. Low Carb Maven delivers just that with their brown butter hollandaise-covered asparagus. A tradition hollandaise is made by continuously whisking butter and egg yolks. This recipe goes more high-tech, slowly adding melted browned-in-a-pan butter to a slow-running blender with the egg yolks, lemon juice, and water.

4. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Au Gratin Potatoes — via Yellow Bliss Road

Planning ahead is all a part of the meal process. This recipe from Yellow Bliss Road has you boil the russet potatoes whole and unpeeled, cutting down on precious cooking time. Prepare the creamy bechamel sauce loaded with shredded cheddar cheese while the potatoes boil. The ground Hungarian paprika and fresh chives for garnish help make this dish as colorful as it is delicious.

Happy Easter from all of us at Butcher Boy Market.

Want more holiday dinner ideas?

Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

Veggie Noodles and Riced Veggies Recipes

Spiralized veggie noodles and riced vegetables are a delicious twist on how to get your recommend four-to-five servings of vegetables a day. Not only adding a colorful pop to your recipes, the substitution is a healthy way to enjoy some of your favorite meals. At Butcher Boy we carry spiralized and riced veggies pre-packaged and waiting to be made into your dinner. For noodles, we carry butternut squash, summer squash, and zucchini. For riced, we have both broccoli and cauliflower.

Pick-up your pre-packed veggies today and save several steps in these feel-good recipes that also taste good.

Noodle Recipes:

1) Sausage and Kale over Butternut Squash Noodles

Sausage and Kale over Butternut Noodles — via A Whole New Twist

With crumbled sausage, sweet onions, and peppery baby kale, you’ll hear your stomach rumble with hunger at the sight of this vibrant edible masterpiece. Nutmeg and sage assist in elevating the flavor of the butternut squash noodles, or bunoodles, as A Whole New Twist lovingly calls them.

2) Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Pesto

How often can you say creamy and healthy in the same sentence? Eat Yourself Skinny invites you to enjoy a big bowl of avocado pesto pasta made with sautéed zucchini noodles. Lemon juice, sea salt, and basil leaves add a next-level taste complexity to this dish that makes you feel full and satisfied.

3) Summer Squash Pasta with Garlic and Tomatoes

Summer Squash Cappellini — via Veganosity

Ready for a dish that looks as happy as you’ll be eating it? With bright yellows from soft summer squash noodles, and vibrant red from plump tomatoes, this five-ingredient recipe from Veganosity is as simple as it is pretty. Olive oil and diced garlic make a healthy, yet flavorful accompaniment to this lively meal.

Riced Veggies Recipes:

1. Cauliflower Fried Rice

When it comes to tricking your tastebuds, this side dish from Iowa Girl Eats takes the figurative cake. Fry up the cauliflower rice with mixed vegetables and chopped green onions in hot sesame oil and egg. Add minced garlic, then season with salt and pepper. Bet you thought you’d never eat such a healthy fried food.

2. Creamy Garlic Riced Broccoli

creamy brocolli and garlic — via Barefoot Provisions

This nutritional side from Barefoot Provisions is a perfect for the dinner plate, or a healthy but indulgent snack. Skillfully combining the flavors of two delectable vegetables, riced broccoli is mixed with butternut squash, nutritional yeast, and coconut milk cheese-like sauce.

3. Broccoli and Cauliflower Rice Chicken Casserole

broccoli cauliflower chicken casserole — via Isabel Eats

Riced vegetables make great sides, but they can also help make a fantastic and filling dinner. This chicken casserole from Isabel Eats brilliantly mixes riced cauliflower and broccoli into a baked dish the whole family will enjoy. Prepare to be extra pleased when devouring the tasty leftovers the next day. If there are any.

Want more dinner ideas?

Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

St. Patrick’s Day Feast

Dia dhuit (Hello). It is now March, which means that everyone’s favorite holiday to deck themselves out in green is quickly approaching. Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Lá Fhéile Pádraig), honors the life of Saint Patrick, while also celebrating Irish culture in North America as a whole. We love shamrocks, the wearing of the green, and attending the parades, but we must confess our favorite part of the holiday is the delicious meal served. That’s why for over 50 years we’ve been making in-house the traditional New England grey corned beef, and have the full corned beef and cabbage dinner ready for pick up in the kitchen.

We also carry red corned beef, corned ribs, along with cut-and-peeled carrots and potatoes, ready to be cooked at home. Here are some great recipes to try:

1) Corned Beef and Cabbage

Corned Beef in Crockpot — via Food Fanatic

Slow-cooking your corned beef leaves it tender and juicy. This recipe from Food Fanatic lets you deck out your table in green while the vegetables, meat, and pickling spices cook up in the pot. Save the cabbage until the very end, cooking it on high for one hour. Your vegetables will be fork-tender, meat delicious, and guests tempted to throw a parade in your honor.

2) Horseradish-Mustard Sauce

A zesty horseradish sauce is the perfect companion to your St. Patrick’s Day meal. Taste of Home makes it simple to prepare this three-ingredient creamy topping. Careful to not drown your meal, as the Irish say, “better be sparing at first than at last.”

3) Irish Soda Bread

A delicious treat with a pop of raisins, traditional Irish soda bread is a must for your meal. Gimme Some Oven‘s recipe is easy-to-follow and bakes up beautifully. Serve warm topped with butter to see those Irish eye’s smiling.

4) Homemade Corned Beef Hash

If you’re enough lucky to have leftovers, then you’re lucky enough. Cook up your leftover corned beef in this scrumptious breakfast dish from Happy Money Saver. Toss boiled russet potatoes, onions, and Worcestershire sauce together in a skillet and in twenty minutes you’ll have a meal that makes your family say “Sláinte!”

Erin go Bragh!

Want more St. Patrick’s Day ideas?

Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

Romantic Valentine’s Day Menu

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and we want yours to go smoothly. So here at Butcher Boy we have chocolate dipped strawberries for something sweet, flowers for something beautiful, and meats for you to make the perfect romantic meal for someone special.

A deliciously cooked dinner is a great way to show your love, so try out one of these recipes as part of your tender loving care.

1) Prosciutto Crostini with Burrata and Lemon Honey Drizzle

The Charming Detroiter’s prosciutto crostini has everything we look for in an appetizer. It’s loaded with flavor, easy to make, and elegant. Salty prosciutto is offset by the addition of honey, and the cheese provides a luscious creaminess that ties everything together.

2) Pan Seared Filet Mignon with Garlic Herb Butter

Filet mignon is is the ideal cut of beef for a special occasion like Valentine’s Day. This main course, courtesy of Kitchen Swagger, is cooked in a hot cast iron skillet and just calls for a few additional ingredients: butter, rosemary, and tarragon. Best of all, it takes just 20 minutes to prepare from start to finish. Check out this wine pairing guide to find the perfect spirit to complement your steak.

3) Rack of Lamb with Spicy Fennel Rub

rack-of-lamb-recipe — via Fearless Fresh

Is your sweetheart not a steak-lover? Spice it up with this fiery fennel rub on rack of lamb from Fearless Fresh. Re-ignite your passions with just the right amount of heat from chili and black pepper. The prep time says 15 minutes, but we promise this recipe will taste like it took hours to make.

4) Parmesan-Herb Roasted Potatoes

No dinner would be complete without a starch, such as potatoes. Cooking Classy’s version uses Parmesan, rosemary, and parsley. These ingredients are tossed with the spuds and olive oil before roasting in the oven. You know they are ready to be taken out when the skin is crispy and a deep golden color sets in.

5) Killer Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

spinach-salad-I-howsweeteats — via How Sweet It Is

Bacon makes everything better, especially salads. This side was created by How Sweet It Is and is the embodiment of comfort food kicked up a notch. Prep everything the night before, such as cutting the onions and hard boiling the eggs, and dress the salad right before serving.

6) Flourless Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Glaze

At the end of a fabulous meal, there’s nothing more satisfying than topping it off with an incredible dessert. This flourless chocolate cake comes to us from Fine Cooking and is the epitome of indulgence. The key here is to use high-quality bittersweet chocolate. The better the chocolate, the richer the flavor.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Butcher Boy!

Want more romantic menu ideas?

Visit us in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

Super Bowl Recipe Favorites

On February 5, the Patriots will face off against the Falcons in the Super Bowl. This is going to be a big game in Patriots’ country and your guests are going to have a large appetite to match. Make sure your spread is as memorable as this game is sure to be.

Try these five championship-worthy favorite recipes to serve during the big game:

1) Chili

Is there anything better than the deliciously combined flavors of a hearty chili? With nutty, smoky cumin, and sugary sweetness balancing the tarty tomatoes, Pip and Ebby‘s self-proclaimed “best chili on earth” recipe is comfort in a bowl. Just what you need when watching the Patriots make history.

2) Baby Back Ribs

There’s nothing quite as finger-licking good as homemade BBQ sauce dripping off slow-smoked ribs. First mix together the spice rub to imbue the meat with plenty of flavor. These fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs from Bay Area Bites are perfect for your guests to anxiously gnaw away on as they watch football history in the making, or at least enjoy the halftime show.

3) Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

The-Best-Slow-Cooker-Pulled-Pork — via Slow Cooker Gourmet

Prepare this perfectly spiced pulled pork the night before to give yourself extra time to prep for your guests. With just the right amount of apple cider vinegar to give the tender pork a zip of extra flavor, this game day staple from Slow Cooker Gourmet can be served as sandwiches, tacos, or on its own. We recommend sandwiches, to avoid mixing pointy objects and high emotions.

4) Honey BBQ Wings

Crispy-Baked-Honey-BBQ-Wings — via A Night Owl

It simply would not be the Super Bowl party without a plate filled with crispy wings. A Night Owl‘s recipe for baked honey bbq wings is easy, leaving frying completely out of the delicious equation. The sweetness of honey and the tangy spicy of hot sauce will satisfy even the most devoted fan, turning their attention from the screen even if just for a moment.

5) Garlic Parmesan Wings

Crispy-Baked-Garlic-Parmesan-Chicken-Wings — via Joyful Healthy Eats

There’s no rule against serving two different types of wings during the big game. Pleasantly surprise your guests with Joyful Healthy Eats cheesy twist on this football fan favorite. Smoked paprika and red pepper flakes delight the palate while the sprinkled-on parmesan will have your guests licking their lips for more.

Want more Super Bowl snack ideas?

Visit us in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.