Saturday's Surprise: Pipe Dreams Do Come True

We want to sincerely thank everyone who supported Small Business Saturday. If small businesses are truly the engine of our economy, yesterday, we felt like The Little Engine That Could. Everyone who shopped with us spoke of their support for Small Business Saturday, and the idea it represents- supporting the mom & pops, the tiny stores that dot the main streets and downtowns. To many, our little "downtown" died years ago. Once a thriving little village with beloved gift shops like Hazelton's, Puritan Clothing, and Mahoney's Drug Store, Dennis Port had it all. But, it all faded away when a local developer built Patriot Square in Dennis, right off Rt. 6. As the people disappeared from the little village to shop and do errands at the new strip mall with the sleek, brand name stores, the shops began to vanish. It didn't take long for Main Street to fade into oblivion. When we came to Dennis Port, it was tumbleweed city. I have been told more than once that I should have been a plumber--because I have so many pipe dreams--(and Joe wears his pants like a plumber), so I guess it was fitting that a couple of dreamers wanted to help to rebuild this little village. Passionately, we worked to put a shine on this old, forlorn and forgotten place and fought to bring it back to life. For the past 15 years, we've invested our hearts, our minds, our savings, and our dreams into Dennis Port. While it is still a struggle to lure "the locals" into our store, --one that often makes us literally knock our heads against the wall--, there are days like yesterday, when people show they really do appreciate the little guy. Thank you! Go small businesses! Keep supporting the shops that support your community...

Joe's 10 Steps To Turkey Pefection: "Turfecty"

Every Thanksgiving, without fail, Joe cooks a perfect turkey. I decided to ask him what his secrets are, since I'm usually very busy relaxing on the couch while he's acting like a mad scientist, using every pot, pan, gadget, and cutting board in the kitchen. From what he's told me, it sounds pretty fool-proof, and I think it's worth sharing.

#1. Begin with a strong, sturdy roasting pan. Layer the bottom with rough chopped onions, carrots, and celery. He used a fancy culinary word to describe this, but I can't spell it.

#2. Salt & Pepper (a chef's best friends) the CAVITY of the bird (please make sure it's empty!). Slather the whole turkey with olive oil, and salt & pepper.

#3. Sit the fine fellow on top of the chopped veggies. Tie his legs together. Place SALT PORK* strips across the breast. (*I think this is the real secret)

#4. Cover wings with foil, and cover turkey loosely with foil.

#5. Slow roast in a 350 degree oven. Follow time table below for cooking, but it is important to use a thermometer to find the turkey's temperature.

#6. Remove the foil with 45 minutes to go, then continue roasting.

#7. When it's reached 180 degrees deep in the thigh, your turkey is done and ready for a rest. Take him out of the oven and pan, and make a tent of tin foil for him to hide-out in for 20 minutes.

#8. Return veggies to oven and roast for another 20 minutes to caramelize them and make exceptionally yummy gravy juices.

#9. Pour your veggies and drippings through a strainer. Take the resulting liquid and put it through a fat separator.

#10. In a sauce pan, begin a roux with 4 tbls butter and 4 heaping tablespoons of flour. When it smells like popped corn, pour in your fat separated liquid, and whisk into a heavenly gravy.

That's all! Make sure you carve your turkey with a sharp carving knife and enjoy the most mouth-watering turkey you have ever had. Then take a nice nap, you deserve it...hopefully someone else will clean up.

Make a Whimsical Creme Filled Cookie Cake!

Remember the days of twisting off the top of an Oreo cookie to get to the delicious creme filling? Then, to change things up, dipping the next cookie in a cupful of milk, so it melts on your tongue. Well, the cake pan gods have created a monument to that childhood pleasure: the NordicWare Creme-Filled Wafer Cake Pan Set. And, with their easy, delicious recipe, you can make your sandwich cookie lover's dreams a reality, a gigantic cookie cake.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups water

3/4 cup cocoa (and some extra for dusting)

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup butter

2 1/4 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease pans and sift a little cocoa into pans, turning to coat. Tap out excess, set aside. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cup cocoa; set aside to bring to room temperature. In medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat on medium speed, scraping bowl often until combined. Gradually blend in flour mixture, alternating with cocoa mixture, until well blended. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 38-43 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Invert onto cooling rack and cool completely. Sandwich cakes together with your favorite frosting or ice cream!