Connecticut Cabbage Rolls

Fry up a little ground pork with onions and sun-dried tomatoes. Add cumin, paprika, a tablespoon of red miso, rice wine vinegar, and whatever other spices you like.

Wrap the result in cabbage leaves and hold them together with toothpicks (note: use non-colored ones). Steam them about ten minutes in a Chinese steamer and enjoy!

Oh...why "Connecticut" cabbage rolls? Well, I could say because they used local ingredients. But really, I've noticed that many people simply add the name of their state (I'm looking at you, Texas)  to the beginning of a recipe. So, I'm adopting that method. Connecticut everything.

Barnum in Bethel

While giving a presentation for A History of Connecticut Food in Bethel, I visited my old friend P.T. Barnum at the center of town. "The noblest art is making others happy." Indeed.

Cockles

Picked up some cockles at the #1 Fish Market in Hamden, and steamed/sauteed them in wine and garlic.

Delicious. They are like little clams, but sweeter, barely needing any butter or lemon. A delightful treat!

Farmington Canal Rail Trail North

On our way to Southwick, Massachusetts from Avon, Connecticut. A wonderful ride - the section north of Simsbury/Granby is probably my favorite section of bike trail I've ridden so far in Connecticut.

Alas for Gustave Whitehead

Thanks to my student, Anna, who snapped this photo of the new Gustave Whitehead Memorial Fountain in Bridgeport. First in Flight!

Rochambeau and Cultural Memory

The Rochambeau mall in Southington? Why Rochambeau? Well, this is the route that the French general took across Connecticut on his way to Yorktown, and American victory in the Revolutionary War. Cultural memory is longer than we sometimes think.

Carmody's Farm

Carmody's Farm - fresh produce! One of the many small farm stands that make eating local in Connecticut great (and easy). On Peck Lane near Route 691.

Book Signing at the Griswold Inn

Amy and I were pleased to give a book signing at the gift shop of the Griswold Inn in Essex. Built in 1776, it is one of the great inns of America, with a tavern second to none. It survived the burning of Essex in the War of 1812, mostly because the beer and food was so good.

This budding artist was out on a very hot day, painting the village, which is noted by many as one of the (perhaps THE) most beautiful villages in the nation. If you've never been there, check it out and make your own judgment...

Ashlawn Farm Coffee

I have just ordered this coffee from Ashlawn Farm in Old Lyme, Connecticut. A connosieur friend of ours, and no Connecticut partisan, has declared it the best coffee he ever tasted. Although I don't drink as much as I used to, my wife is still in love with the holy bean. So, I'm looking forward to it.

Mount Carmel Railroad Station

This is the Mount Carmel Railroad Station from the New Haven/Northampton line, now the Farmington Rail Trail. In the back you can see the cliffs of Sleeping Giant Mountain.

It is now a hairdressing establishment!

In the New London Day

Amy Barry has written an article on A History of Connecticut Food in today's issue of the New London Day.

"For those who didn't realized that the Nutmeg State lays claim to a lot more than nutmeg - and that many dishes and styles of cooking originated here in Connecticut - the recently published "A History of Connecticut Food" by Eric D. Lehman and Amy Nawrocki will be quite an eye opener..."

Check the rest out here.

Fort Trumbull

At Fort Trumbull in New London.

The Thames harbor is really beautiful from up here - one of the great views in Connecticut.

Monte Cristo Cottage

Visited the childhood home of Eugene O'Neill, the only American to ever win the Nobel Prize for playwriting.

Below is the actual room in which Long Day's Journey into Night was set.

And here I am reading the play on the front porch of the cottage, with a view of New London harbor.

The Study

The Study in New Haven, Connecticut. A fine hotel with a touch of real class.

And yes, I did study while I stayed there. I highly recommend it.

Connecticut's Own Foxon Park

We served Foxon Park sodas for our Independence Day party - and they were a big hit. "Aren't these from Connecticut?" someone asked. Indeed. I particularly like their birch beer and lemon soda.

Tour de France Summer

The Tour de France 2012 starts today, and in honor of this famed event I have posted one of my favorite photos of my wife, Amy Nawrocki, attacking a huge hill in Hamden. You can't tell from this photo, but this hill is like the Alp d'Huez. Seriously, if either of us ever gets up this hill, it will be a banner day for our clan.

Video Review of the Insiders' Guide

This is a review by Jill Merriam, the Dealer for the People. It's great to have someone find your work, and find it helpful.

Tender Barbecue Pork Ribs

Fall-off the bone tender pork ribs with multi-grain rice...the secret? A simple crockpot.

The Squirrel Tells Me

The work of sawing wood awaits. I have to finish writing a book first (and perhaps a second one) but I must prepare for the winter. Between now and then I shall mow the lawn, but it will never replace the good work of creating firewood. Soon, Mr. Squirrel, I will attend to that pile (and the others). Soon.

Duck!