Tip Type: Inspiration & Recipes

Christmas In the Old Center

Nathaniel House_North Andover MA
Nathaniel House at Christmas, North Andover

Our December guest blogger, Wendy Wakeman, takes us to a historic hearth and kitchen in North Andover’s Old Center for a peek into her family’s Christmas traditions.

Nathaniel House, with its ample, sun-soaked rooms, was built for entertaining. When Brad and I were considering moving here, its suitability for hosting parties was a factor in the decision.

We were happy in our previous house, a sweet cottage near the library which Brad’s family had occupied for more than 70 years. A baby grand took up almost the whole living room. My favorite Christmas tradition is gathering friends around to sing carols. Over the years, our annual caroling party grew to include a punch bowl full of homemade eggnog and so many friends that we worried about the floor joists. As much fun as the party was, the little house had reached maximum capacity.

Nathaniel House would accommodate the party, and even had room in case we found new friends to invite. Brad and I are always making new friends. We’ve hosted five great Christmas parties here. This year, we’ll take a break.
I’ll miss that happy tradition. Fortunately, Christmas holds many other joyful rituals.

Aga Cooker_Nathaniel House
Traditional Aga Cooker at Nathaniel House

Christmas Eve belongs to Brad’s family. A quiet and adult celebration, we gather for a candlelit dinner followed by services at St. Paul’s. Christmas Day belongs to my big, noisy clan. My brother Josh was born on December 25, 1967. My mom was on her own that year taking care of me, 2, and Barbie, 6. My dad was in DaNang, serving our country in the Vietnam War. For us, Christmas holds extra meaning.

Traveling from family to family is fun, but wanting our own tradition, too, Brad and I carved out a quiet space Christmas morning.

I rise early and toss a batch of popovers in the Aga cooker. The gold-trimmed china tea set that belonged to Brad’s grandmother comes out of the cupboard. I set a tray with tea, softened butter, honey, and a few flavors of jam. Last year, the jam was a jar of grape made by our neighbors the Wordens.

When the popovers are ready, I arrange them in a silver bowl lined with a linen tea towel. The three of us sit by the tree, a fire ablaze in the hearth, and enjoy a special meal while we open gifts.

May you and your family find peace, joy, and love this holiday season. I am certain we will.

Wendy as Santa at Butcher Boy
Wendy, dressed as Santa, shopping at Butcher Boy for a past Christmas.

Writer Wendy Wakeman is a former Selectman for the Town of North Andover.  She and her husband Brad share quarters with a couple of cats.  While daughter Millicent now calls Minneapolis home, Brad and Wendy keep a sunny bedroom at the ready, in case she wants to visit.

Thanksgiving Made Simple

Our Thanksgiving Order Guide has everything from fresh turkeys and turkey breasts to sides and desserts, or you can order a cooked turkey or complete turkey dinner from our kitchen, and all you have to do is heat and serve!

Shop early to avoid lines if you have the refrigerator space because almost anything you order from Butcher Boy can be picked up as early as four days ahead, and even earlier for some items. You can pick up uncooked turkeys up to a week ahead of time due to the way they are packaged.

If you’re interested in cooked options from our kitchen, you can order whole, cooked turkeys or complete family-style dinners – see details here.

Make us your one-stop-shop for all your ingredients and groceries, including beverages. Browse our beer, wine, and spirits selection while you’re here and avoid the extra running around.

Wondering how long to cook your dinner, and at what temperature? Bookmark or print our Turkey Roasting Guide for at-your-fingertips information on the big day.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods? We’d love to hear from you – share your holiday meal photos with our community on Facebook or tag @ButcherBoyMarket on Instagram.

Not Quite Home For The Holidays

Laura Ciampa, Kitchd
Laura Ciampa, KITCHD

We asked Laura Ciampa, owner of KITCHD and longtime customer, to share some of her thoughts about enjoying the upcoming holidays in a challenging year—she was excited to do so! 

KITCHD helps cooking enthusiasts fall in love with their kitchens by curating a personalized selection of housewares and appliances tailored to an individual’s needs and interests. Using data, research and experience, the KITCHD team sources and suggests the best cookware and products to help customers create the optimal culinary environment for their lifestyle and aspirations. 

Not Quite Home for the Holidays 

Ordinarily, for me, Thanksgiving planning is a satisfying ritual that usually begins in September. My family’s traditional celebration consists of dear friends, immediate family, and other nomadic guests lacking a festive option. A small group of us orchestrates this annual gathering, from menu planning to meat carving. In all the years we’ve been doing this, we like to mix it up by introducing new dishes to complement the timeless family favorites: poblano chili cornbread stuffing rubbing elbows with mom’s homemade cinnamon applesauce. 

Each year, we begin perusing notes from the previous Thanksgiving, deciding which recipes to keep and which to retire. And then we brainstorm about what new dishes we should introduce to our ever-food-curious guests. Once settled, we move to the logistics: ordering the turkey, planning the appetizers, coordinating the side dishes, and determining the desserts. We then distribute the cooking and preparation tasks across many cooks in many kitchens, ensuring that everything shows up at the table at right time, in the right amount. 

But this year, as we all know, is different. Even if “home for the holidays” right now conjures up some anxiety, stress, and uncertainty, we have to make a concerted effort to keep it special. Many of us will not be able to travel. Some have sadly lost loved ones. And dining inside together in large groups is considered a dangerous option, especially for guests of advanced years. But celebrate we will. And for my geographically scattered group of loved ones, it will be a much different, pared-down version of our traditional feast. 

So right here and now, let’s commit to finding joy in the face of these challenges and unusual circumstances! In addition to giving thanks, why not seize this opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and hope? 

Celebrating one of the biggest holidays away from family and friends doesn’t have to be sad when you creatively infuse it with elements with intention and meaning. 

Here are a few things to consider for making your Thanksgiving a bit brighter: 

To feel closer with those who are far away or no longer with us: 

  • Use a family heirloom at the table, perhaps a serving piece, vase, candlestick holders, tablecloth, or something passed down, given to you, or borrowed—a lovely way to remember special people 
  • Make a treasured recipe that may or may not be specific to the holiday 
  • Play music that was special to them 
  • Select a favorite color theme 
  • Burn a scented candle that reminds you of a particular time together 

To melt the miles away: 

  • Connect with friends and family for a virtual toast or blessing at a designated time 
  • Create a holiday cocktail and share the recipe with family and friends 
  • Invite new guests, especially those living alone, to share in your virtual toast or blessing 
  • Send those not able to attend a bouquet of flowers or a small gift for entertaining to use at their table 
  • Write a short note or card telling them that you are missing them at your table 
  • Drop off a card, flowers, plant, or small plate of Thanksgiving goodies to those in assisted living or the hospital who are able to eat but not able to visit 
  • Mail a special note, photo, or poem for them to share at their table 

In your home:

  • Treat yourself to a new serving piece, vase, or linens that you love and will look forward to using
  • Plan the meal around a special bottle of wine or pick up a special bottle to compliment your meal 
  • Give yourself permission to reshape, innovate traditional staple dishes, or try new dishes to expand your culinary repertoire (you’ll be ready to use them next year!) 
  • Set up your table in a different location from where you normally eat 
  • Make it a family affair, involve children by enlisting their help with food planning, prepping, cooking, making table decorations, and setting the table 
  • Remember that most recipes can be halved or quartered, adjusting accordingly except for baking cakes (but really, an abundance of cake is probably not a problem) 

Most of all, be kind to yourself. We’ve all been doing a lot more cooking this year. Permit yourself to keep it simple and smaller. It won’t be any less delicious. 

How will you make your Thanksgiving special in this most unusual time? However it feels right to you. 

From our family to yours, have a healthy, safe, and delicious holiday!

Laura Ciampa

Kitchd

 

 

 

You can follow KITCHD at kitchd.com or on Facebook or Instagram @kitchdco  

Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Delicious – Onesto Foods

Onesto Foods_Gluten Free Onesto (OH-NEST-OH) means “honest” in Italian. 

After having children, Jane Ciccone and her husband, Jesse, wanted to continue the same Italian tradition they both grew up with: gathering in the kitchen as a family around 5 o’clock and sharing an antipasti platter before dinner. However, their young daughter at the time seemed allergic to gluten. Rather than give up the delicious combination of crackers, cheese, olives, and roasted veggies, Jane began searching for gluten-free crackers that her daughter could eat. Discouraged at the amount of overly-processed and preservative-filled options on most grocery store shelves, Jane began tinkering with her own recipes and promised to never use less than honest ingredients.

Because food that is made with the best possible ingredients not only tastes better, but also makes one feel better, Jane began creating her own “honest” recipes and the seeds of Onesto Foods were planted.

Onesto Foods will never sacrifice taste. Just like you, we care about what we eat. Each cookie and cracker recipe starts with simple, real ingredients. Every hand-crafted batch is baked with the promise of being gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO. We strive to make food that we want to eat and feel good sharing with others. We think eating honest has never tasted so good.    

Onesto Foods is also passionate about doing its part to protect our environment. Did you know that…

  • our bakery is solar-powered?
  • our packaging is printed with sustainable vegetable and soy dyes”
  • 90% of the waste generated during the printing or our cookie packaging is recaptured and reused in a Waste to Energy Program?
  • our cracker packaging is printed with 100% wind energy?
  • we participate in the Forest Stewardship Council?

  “There is nothing else that can nourish your body and soul more than sharing delicious, healthy food with family and friends. It doesn’t have to be fancy or overly complicated. Slowing down and enjoying good food, a glass of wine and laughing with good people–always fills my cup!”     – Jane

—

WINNER: 2019 BEST ACCOMPANIMENT by CULTURE MAGAZINE

WE’RE ECO-MINDED!

We’re proud that our cookies and crackers are baked using solar power. And, our packaging is produced using 100% wind energy, printed with 100% vegetable dyes, printed on recycled cardboard and is 100% recyclable. 

“…make amazing food, as responsibly and mindfully as we can.”

 

Surf & Turf for the Changing Seasons

surf and turfThere’s something about the Fall in New England that makes us live more in the moment. Knowing that the change of seasons isn’t far off, we want to squeeze every ounce out of each day: spending more time outside, soaking in the sun, hiking the trails,  or playing catch until the air turns chilly. These are the days that make us fall back in love with our region and the mouthwatering seafood we are known for.

What better meal for outdoor dining than surf and turf? While the classic steak and lobster likely comes to mind first, there are plenty of sea-meets-land combinations to choose from.

Here are a few ideas for dinners at home: 

Try one of our date night favorites, filet and scallops for two. One of the best things about scallops is the simplicity in cooking them. A quick sear on both sides is the perfect companion to a sizzling steak.

Sirloin and shrimp are another classic pairing with easy ingredients and succulent flavors. Similar to scallops, you can also control the portion. Cook up four to six shrimp for lighter fare, or up to ten for bigger appetites.

A light and fresh dinner can be created with a sliced sirloin and shrimp Caesar salad, which includes a twist on a traditional favorite. Make the salad your own with any fresh vegetables or marinate the shrimp before cooking them for an extra burst of flavor.

Bring a taste of the Caribbean to your backyard with these spicy steak and shrimp kabobs with pina colada sauce. Butcher Boy carries great cuts of meat that make it easy for you to prepare scrumptious kabobs at home.

Finally, you can go all out gourmet with steak and lobster tail. It looks fancy but is easier to prepare than you might think.

Don’t forget that you can pick up the best selection of quality meats and seafood at Butcher Boy Marketplace. When you’re finished shopping for your beef, sides, and beverages at Butcher Boy, pop in next door to Lobster Tail Seafoods for both fresh and cooked fish, shellfish, and sauces.

What are your favorite surf and turf combinations? Show us your culinary creations by sharing photos on our Facebook page or tagging @ButcherBoyMarket on Instagram.

Navigating Butcher Boy Gluten Free with GFSavvyMama

By Jamie Norris

GF Savvy MamaThose of us who eat Gluten Free are on a constant mission to find new and improved GF products that allow us to avoid gluten while enjoying great tasting food! Did you know that Butcher Boy carries some amazing GF products? In addition to high-quality meats, fresh produce, and fine cheeses that are naturally gluten-free, Butcher Boy stocks quite a large selection of Gluten Free specialty items, many from small local companies, as well as some of the more recognizable mainstream GF brands.

You can shop Butcher Boy for GF Italian pastas, breads, artisan crackers, sauces & marinades, and some pretty decadent gluten-free desserts. Even some of Butcher Boy’s convenient prepared foods are Gluten Free**.

Here are some of GFSavvyMama’s favorite GF finds at Butcher Boy*:

Pasta

Butcher Boy has a great selection of GF pastas, both dried and fresh/frozen. You can find several brands of traditional dried GF pasta on the endcap of the mainstream pasta aisle. My family recently enjoyed the Rustichella D’Abruzzo Gluten Free Corn Spaghetti, imported from Italy and made from 100% organic corn. Bionaturae is another great Italian GF pasta brand, made from a blend of rice flour, potato & rice starches, and soy four. Try the Penne Rigate!

Check out the freezer case for these Pasta goodies:

Taste Republic: this gluten-free fresh pasta (yes I said FRESH!), is frozen to maintain freshness and cooks in 2-3 minutes!  Perfect for busy nights when you need food on the table fast. Both delicious and convenient. This is a staple in my freezer. Pasta Goddess (Nantucket, MA) GF Ravioli in Mushroom & Goat Cheese, Butternut Squash and Sei Fromaggi varieties.

Breads

Julie's Z Breads Gluten FreeIn addition to Aleia’s (Branford, CT) bread and Udi’s tortillas, bagels, hot dog and burger buns (located in the freezer section), look for half loaves from Woburn-based Something Sweet Without Wheat (freezer) and Julie’s Z Breads (Ashland, MA) Gluten-Free Zucchini bread (located with the fresh bread in the bakery section). You can also find GF bread-based staples like gluten-free bread crumbs from Aleia’s and gluten-free Panko from Ian’s Natural Foods (Framingham, MA) in the packaged bread aisle, top shelf. Add the perfect crunch to your salads with Aleia’s GF Croutons – try the Parmesan flavor!

Crackers

Onesto Crackers Gluten FreeButcher Boy stocks several varieties of gluten-free crackers for your snacking and entertaining needs. My current favorite is Onesto Hand Crafted Crackers (West Newbury, MA), Everything flavor. These crackers are divine!  Perfectly crafted to hold up with your favorite toppings (no crumbling), crisp and savory enough to devour them plain.  The Rosemary and Sea Salt is also excellent. There are many gluten-free spreads and toppings available in-store. I like the Mt Vikos products which are 100% GF. Try the Kalamata Olive Spread paired with cheese on a crisp GF Cracker like Onesto.

More great GF Frozen Finds

Pineland Farms (New Gloucester, ME) GF Meatballs and Against The Grain (Brattleboro, VT) Three Cheese Pizza (gluten-free & grain-free). Choose from a full line of Bell & Evans Gluten-Free Chicken Products: Breaded Chicken Fingers, Nuggets, Patties, Cutlets, and Chicken Burgers.

Sauces, Marinades and Dressings

Gluten is often hidden in these types of products, but Butcher Boy carries many great Gluten-Free options. I love using a high-quality GF BBQ sauce (No HFCS), like Stubbs Original or Bone Suckin’ Sauce in GF Pulled BBQ Chicken and Pork, as a marinade for grilled chicken, or simply as a condiment. Have you tried Gotham Greens Dressing? This is so much more than a dressing and can be found in the fresh produce section above the lettuce. The Vegan Lemon Basil is my favorite! It’s a great marinade for grilled chicken and makes a zesty GF pasta salad!

Gotham Greens Gluten Free Dressings

Don’t Forget Dessert!

Butcher Boy does not skimp in the GF dessert department! Some of my family’s favorites are the Maine Pie Co (Biddeford, MA) gluten-free pies. The apple and wild blueberry pies taste like homemade. The dark chocolate tart is, well, you will just have to try it for yourself!

My Dad's Cookies Gluten Free DessertsMy Dad’s Cookies: Black & White, Linzer and Sprinkle cookie varieties will remind you of old fashioned NY bakery-style cookies. Perfect for any GF cookie platter or to pop in a lunch box.

Have you ever needed a small cake to accommodate a GF guest at a party or for your GF kiddo to take to a birthday party? Check out Sweet Sense (Plymouth, MA) Sweet Sense Gluten Free CakesGluten Free Baked Goods. Butcher Boy stocks the Chocolate Obsession, Very Vanilla, Carrot Cake and Vegan Cupcakes in their refrigerated case beside the bakery counter. So good!

*Not an exhaustive list – there are plenty more gluten-free products available at Butcher Boy. Please check labels as ingredients may change.

Prepared Foods:

Most people that follow a Gluten-Free diet cook the majority of their meals at home. Finding Gluten Free prepared foods is a huge win and can provide a much-needed break from the kitchen! Butcher Boy now has signs posted in their cold prepared food cases that list Gluten Free** items. In addition, their hot, juicy Rotisserie Chickens are also GF – so many possibilities!

Need a GF meal that involves zero cooking for a busy weeknight?

No-Cook Summer BBQ: Pulled pork sliders with coleslaw and baked beans. Grab a container of Butcher Boy’s pulled pork. Warm it up and serve it over toasted Udi’s burger buns with a side of their housemade coleslaw and baked beans

Easy Fiesta Dinner: Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas.

Use a container of Butcher Boy pulled rotisserie chicken, shredded cheese, and Udi’s tortillas to make GF Chicken & Cheese quesadillas. Jazz them up a bit by adding pre-cut peppers & onions from the produce section (pan saute), ready-made guacamole, and one of the many available GF salsa brands available at Butcher Boy.

As you can see, Butcher Boy has a wide variety of Gluten-Free products for you to choose from. From easy meals to entertaining, they’ve got you covered.

**While they are not a dedicated Gluten-Free kitchen, Butcher Boy takes precautions to avoid cross-contamination.  If you have questions, be sure to ask a friendly associate for help.

Jamie Norris is the owner of GFSavvyMama, a Gluten-Free lifestyle blog, a personal Gluten-Free diet consultant, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, who inspires people to live their best GF Life. Follow Jamie at www.gfsavvymama.com or on Facebook and Instagram @gfsavvymama

Just Add Ice! Food Shopping for Your Summer Getaway

Food Shopping VacationWelcome to the long, lazy days of summer, when families look for a break from the routine, take a chance to relax, and enjoy a change of scenery.  This year, you may be more inclined to bring your own food, and there are plenty of great ways to plan and prepare simple meals, regardless of your location.

Whether you’re visiting a remote cabin, taking an RV road trip, heading to a quiet campground, or arranging any other kind of summer excursion away from home, one key to a successful summer getaway will be planning and shopping for your meals in advance. Being prepared offers another advantage, too — wouldn’t it be great to pull up to your vacation spot and not have to worry about picking up food and necessities? Before you run to the store, here are a few tips to make your shopping list and vacation as efficient as possible.

Gather your coolers and note how much room you have in them to pack perishables. There are some smart strategies for packing a cooler, which will help you maximize space and keep food dry. Organize your coolers in a way that makes the most sense for your trip – perhaps designating where the meats, vegetables, fruit, and drinks will be stored according to the size of the cooler.

Keep it simple. Your relaxing week away may not be the ideal time to try out new recipes that require a lot of ingredients or risk that the rest of your family may not be impressed. Stick to the tried-and-true meals that you know everyone will love, such as burgers, steak tips, chicken, sausages, pasta salad, and corn on the cob. With a few different sides and marinades, you can create something new and unique within the limits of your cooler or RV-sized refrigerator.

Along those lines, stick to essential ingredients so you can avoid spending a lot of money on items you’ll have to bring back home or won’t use more than once. Lemons, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs are the perfect staples to mix and match in seasoning meats, veggies, and salads.

Consider the shelf-life. Marinated meats in vacuum-sealed packages stay fresh for days and freeze well (Butcher Boy offers a wide variety), and hot dogs will typically last further into the week — or even weeks — ahead. You can still stock up on a few favorites that might not stay fresh longer than a few days; just be sure to cook them early on in your stay.

Plan for a rainy day or two. You may not be able to use the grill every day, so be sure to have some alternative options on hand.  Simple pasta dishes, sandwiches, quesadillas, or tacos are a few good options, in case you need to toss something together indoors.

Don’t forget breakfast, snacks, and dessert. Muffins, cereal, yogurt, berries, and granola can pull double- and triple-duty on vacation.  Bring bags of chips, a couple of pies or brownies, and pancake mix.

Butcher Boy can make your meal planning easy as your one-stop shop for all your vacation culinary needs. Chose from our large selection of vacuum-sealed marinated meats, including chicken, steak tips, and lamb. They’ll stay fresh until you’re ready to open them up for cooking. Our bakery has breads and pastries to satisfy the sweet tooth of everyone in your family. We also have all the produce you’re looking for, as well as other grocery items, wine, beer, and spirits.

Travel safe and enjoy your summer!

Grilling For Father’s Day

Like many holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions over the past few months, Father’s Day is sure to feel and look a little different than we’re used to. But if you’re with your family – either at a safe distance or online – a backyard barbeque on a (hopefully) sunny, early summer day might help make this year’s celebration as close to “normal” as you can get, despite any restrictions related to the current public health crisis.

Why not cook Dad a steakhouse meal of your own? Butcher Boy has a variety of cuts available. Some of our favorites for a special dinner include tender filet mignon and flavorful New York strip.

father's day grillingWe’ve shared some delicious recipes in the past that are worth another look for your Father’s Day menu. For more inspiration, try this Steak au Poivre with Cognac Sauce or Bistecca alla Fiorentina, which is really just a fancy Italian name for a porterhouse dish but not any more difficult to prepare.

Need some advice for fool-proof grilling? We provide that, too, with our steak grilling guide and tips on techniques.

If it’s not possible to spend the whole day with your father, grandfather, or other special male figure, consider bringing him your homemade meal to go. Drop it off or set up a picnic on the lawn for you to enjoy together. No matter what, memories will be made this Father’s Day, and we wish all you a safe and healthy one.

Don’t forget Butcher Boy is open to serve you. Please visit and shop with us, following our current guidelines.

 

grills perfect match

Substitutions, Swaps, and Simplicity for Homemade Meals

food substitutionsThere’s an irony to the circumstances we find ourselves in, with stay at home orders and restrictions in place for venturing out. Most of us are now preparing more meals at home, but a quick run to the grocery store to pick up last-minute ingredients isn’t as convenient as it used to be just a couple of months ago.  What’s more, even when we plan our family menus ahead of time, some items are just simply unavailable when we make our weekly or monthly shop. But there are ways around those challenges with a bit of knowledge and ingenuity.

If you want to make a meal for which you do not have, or are not able to purchase, all of the ingredients, don’t worry! First, while shopping, try to think about which foods can be used in multiple ways. Dried pasta is an especially popular grocery list item these days, but try to stock up on various kinds. Almost any shape is perfect for casseroles, soups, or a traditional pasta meal with sauce. The same goes for canned or dried beans and rice. Keep those in your pantry to have on hand for any recipe.

Proteins are more versatile than you might think.  Don’t worry if you don’t have or can’t find the exact meat your recipe calls for. For beef stews, try chuck, short rib, bottom round, or brisket. To get the most out of a large dinner, consider meats that can be sliced and used for lunches the next day, such as open-face sandwiches with gravy, Au Jus, or horseradish, or as a protein on top of salad, couscous, or rice with veggies. Ground beef isn’t just for burgers, it can also be used to make chili, Bolognese, sliders, or meatballs, and paired with any grain or pasta for a filling meal. With a pretty long shelf-life, bacon also has a place at the table – save the leftover cooked slices from breakfast and add it to sandwiches or burgers, or crumble it up to mix into salads, mashed potatoes, or pasta carbonara.

When it comes to produce, leafy greens and root vegetables are versatile enough to work with most meals. Spinach, kale, swiss chard, carrots, potatoes, turnips, and radishes are some examples. Different kinds of onions – yellow, red, white, shallots, leeks – can be swapped out in recipes as well. All of those have a relatively long shelf life, too, so they won’t go bad before you have a chance to use them.

Don’t forget Butcher Boy is open and we prepare our own meats, so you’ll typically find a good selection of beef, chicken, pork, and more available. We do have guidelines in place to keep our employees and customers safe. Be sure to check our website for updates on store hours and other news. Thank you for your loyalty!

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.