"Savoring" Launches New Web-Based Recipes for Sandy Recovery!

In our travels over the past year to share the story of "Savoring" and it's 150+ recipes from celebrity chefs, restaurateurs, and home cooks, we've been asked by many if there is a way to still contribute a recipe. Now there is!

Today, "Savoring" officially launches "Recipes for Rebuilding"--recipe features from guest contributors which are then available for purchase right here on the spot. As always, we are all volunteer, and 100% of the net proceeds go to NJ Shore Sandy recovery.

Our first recipe available for a donation online is warm and delicious Ryland Inn Tomato Soup from Executive Chef Craig Polignano.

Inspired by his family’s own kitchen and garden growing up, it seemed natural that Craig Polignano would, from the age of 13, choose to work in an array of local NJ restaurants before making the decision to attend the Culinary Institute of America in pursuit of his career in food service. After completion of his studies, Chef Craig’s relentless enthusiasm landed him a spot in the kitchen of The Ryland Inn of Whitehouse, NJ. There his passion and dedication prompted him to enhance the existing 3-acre organic garden by building a 15-bed specialty herb garden with dozens of varietals.

Chef Craig went on to expand his knowledge base and worked as Sous Chef at Copeland in the Westin Governor Morris in Morristown, NJ, and shortly after was promoted to Chef de Cuisine at The Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, NJ. He then accepted an opportunity with the Michael Mina group at the St. Regis Hotel in Dana Point, California as Executive Chef of the Stonehill Tavern.

Chef Craig has since returned home to NJ and the Ryland Inn which has been brought back to life by Frank and Jeanne Crettella, owners of Landmark Hospitality, which also owns Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City, NJ and Stone House at Stirling Ridge in Warren, NJ. After spending almost two years as Chef de Cuisine, Chef Craig has recently been promoted to Executive Chef.

Along the way Chef Craig says, "Some of my best memories as a young adult are of spending time at the NJ Shore. My best friend's family had a small boat, and we spent hours going up and down the shore line, fishing and relaxing."

Chef Craig's Ryland Inn Tomato Soup is a perfect tonic to ward off autumn's chill, fragrant with fresh vegetables and quick and easy to assemble. Thank you Chef Craig for contributing this recipe for ongoing NJ Shore Sandy recovery!

The Ryland Inn is located at 115 Old Highway 28,Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889, telephone 908.534.4011. Executive Chef Craig Polignano uses farm-to-table, local and sustainable ingredients to create menus of fresh food and flavors that change with the seasons.

Purchase Recipe

"Savoring" Announces First Grant for Ongoing Sandy Recovery!

Because every little bit helps...

We are thrilled to announce the first "Savoring the Shore" grant is awarded to USA Hometown Heroes for aid with housing assistance, rental assistance, housing reconstruction and repairs, and furniture and appliances for individuals still living with the devastation wrought by Sandy.

Based in Toms River, NJ, one of the areas hardest hit by Sandy, USA Hometown Heroes is a NJ non-profit organization that was founded in 2008 to help others by paying it forward. They continue to work with victims of Sandy in all 21 NJ counties that were affected by the storm, and they receive new applications for help every week.

The "Savoring the Shore" project has been nearly a two-year journey that has celebrated the NJ shore while raising funds for ongoing Sandy recovery through the community cookbook "Savoring the Shore." "Savoring" features 150+ recipes from celebrity chefs, restaurateurs, and home cooks with 100% of net proceeds going to ongoing Sandy recovery. Much has been done in the almost two years since Sandy, but many are still displaced. The need is great and our motto is "every little bit helps."

"Savoring" may be purchased through the link at left, a retailer listed at left, or at amazon.com.

Know a great group who is helping the Jersey Shore continue to recover? Click here for our grant application.

Luscious Berry Mascarpone Tart

This beautiful confection from Chef Adele DiBiase of Vita Organic Foods and Pizza Vita in Summit, NJ, features fresh berries floating on a layer of whipped mascarpone and cream in a pastry crust. We will be demonstrating the recipe on Friday night September 26 at 8:15 PM at the Roseland Greek Fest in Roseland, NJ, and the complete recipe appears on page 120 in "Savoring."

Almost two years after Sandy there are still families and businesses who are trying to rebuild their lives. 100% of the net proceeds from "Savoring" go to ongoing NJ shore Sandy recovery. We are a NJ non profit and 501(c)3 and we are currently accepting applications for grants.

"Savoring" features 150+ recipes from celebrity chefs, restaurateurs, and home cooks and is available online by following the link at left or through amazon.com. "Savoring" is also available at a number of retailers throughout NJ whose names are listed on the page at the left.

Roast Poblano - Creamed Jersey Corn

There's no better way to celebrate the NJ harvest than with Drew's Bayshore Bistro's Chef Drew Araneo's delicious recipe "Roast Poblano - Creamed Jersey Corn" featuring (yum!) fresh Jersey tomatoes and Jersey corn.

Start with fresh Jersey corn cut off the cob.

Chop ham, onion and roasted Poblano.

Saute the ham and Poblano in butter. Then add the onions and cook until translucent.

Stir in the Jersey tomatoes and corn and heat through for a super quick and bright side dish (absolutely no leftovers here). The complete recipe--including Chef Drew's optional cream sauce--is on page 61 in "Savoring."

100% net proceeds from "Savoring" go to ongoing NJ shore Sandy recovery. Copies of "Savoring" may be purchased online through the link at left or through Amazon.com, "Savoring" is also available at the retailers listed at left. Non-profits helping Sandy victims please apply for grants through the link at left.

Pistachio-Nut Crusted Sea Scallops

These little gems from the sea are mouth-meltingly delicious. They are also so easy to make that they will likely become your new fast food! In the time that it takes to preheat the oven to 500 degrees F they are assembled.

Lightly season the scallops on both sides and place in a pan. Add butter, chicken stock, a splash of white wine and some lemon juice.

Top with ground pistachio nuts and bake for under 10 minutes. That's it--just serve and enjoy!

We are so grateful to Chef Adele DiBiase of Vita Organics and Pizza Vita for sharing this delightful recipe with "Savoring," 100% net proceeds to NJ shore Sandy recovery. The complete recipe may be found on page 75. Books may be purchased through the link at left, through the retailers listed on the page at left, or through Amazon.com.

Grant applications for our first round of funding are due in our office on August 15. Please find more information and a link to the grant application on the left side of this page.