17 minute read
Entertainment
Asian glazed meatballs twist on Italian dish
By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (Oct. 22, 2021) Massive crowds are long gone and sandy beaches are finally at peace. Serenity has washed ashore, which makes the hustle and bustle worthwhile. Crystal blue skies and crisp temperatures are indicative that change is in the air. Gorgeous foliage is the new scenic look for the Eastern Shore, and locals are loving it.
The time for trick-or-treating is creeping up on us. Beware, ghosts and goblins are lurking in the gloomy shadows. Don’t be surprised if you see witches crossing the moonlit sky.
Little monsters can’t wait to fill their bags with goodies. One of the advantages of having a sibling is being able to wheel and deal as the art of swopping equates total satisfaction.
A busy evening calls for dinner made in advance. Meatballs are popular with kids and adults alike. The seasoned ball of meat is wolfed up worldwide. A few helpful hints make for a sinful, delectable bite.
I am sure you have heard the expression, “You get what you pay for.” Meatballs are no exception. See USE Page 32
Dining Guide
■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$ ■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted —————————————
DOWNTOWN
South end to 28th Street
■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE 15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, inside The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410289-7192, www. captainstableoc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Breakfast and lunch, Wednesday through Monday, 8 a.m. to noon. Dinner and lite fare, Wednesday through Monday, 5-9 p.m. Featuring seafood, steaks and poultry. Daily chef specials. Dine in or carry out available. ■ COASTAL SALT 16th Street and the Boardwalk, Ocean City 410-973-7258, www.coastalsaltoc.com $$-$$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Enjoy and dine with the beautiful view of the ocean with Reel Eats & High Spirits. Now open Thursday through Sunday. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m., lunch at noon and dinner at 4 p.m. Happy Hour, 2-5 p.m. Wonderful starters, soups, salads, lite fare, and entrees. Famous bone-in ribeye, burgers, crab cakes, tacos, thyme roasted chicken and so much more. Dine in or carry out. ■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT 28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Casual dining atmosphere for families. Soups, salads, crab cakes, hand cut steaks, fresh seafood, scallops, fresh soft crabs, and specialty dishes. Happy hour daily, 3-6 p.m. with food and drink specials. Early bird daily, 4-6 p.m. with special dinner menu. Open Monday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday at noon; Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Dine in or carry out. ■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR Oceanfront and 17th St. in Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, www.coralreefrestaurant.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Enjoy our hearty homestyle breakfasts starting at 6:30 a.m. daily. Lunch and dinner offering light fare of soups and salads along with our house specialty Scallops St. Croix, along with ribs, Cuban pork and steak selections. ■ THE DOUGH ROLLER S. Division Street and Boardwalk 410-289- 3501; 3rd Street and Boardwalk 410-289- 2599, www.TheDoughRoller.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar An Ocean City family tradition since 1980. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Buttermilk pancakes, fresh handmade dough pizza and Italian dinners. We have something for everyone! ■ THE VICTORIA ROOM Located in the Dunes Manor Hotel, 2800 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City 410-289-1100 $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Oceanfront dining with coastal inspired dishes along with regional favorites, craft cocktails, small-plates and a relaxed ambiance. Serving breakfast and dinner with spectacular ocean views. The house specialty – Maryland Crab Cakes are some of the best in Ocean City. Open 7 days a week. Dine in, take out, no deliveries. ■ THE VIEW RESTAURANT AND BAR AT CAMBRIA, OC Located in the Cambria Hotel, 13 St. Louis Avenue, Ocean City 410-280-1645 or 410520-4541 Open to the public with a new full menu, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Happy Hour each day from 3-9 p.m. Open 7 a.m. daily until midnight Fridays and Saturdays and until 10 p.m. all other days. Enjoy overlooking the bay with fresh baked pastries on premise. Wounder appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrees and flatbreads.
MIDTOWN
29th to 90th streets
■ 32 PALM Located in The Hilton,32nd Street, Ocean City 410-289-2525, www.32palm.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Open daily, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bar and lounge. Western Caribbean cuisine with a mix of traditional Eastern Shore favorites. ■ THE DOUGH ROLLER 41st Street and Coastal Highway 410-5249254; 70th Street and Coastal Highway 410524-7981, www.TheDoughRoller.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Online ordering See downtown locations for description. ■ JOHNNY’S PIZZA PUB 56th Street, Ocean City 410-723-5600, www.johnnyspizzapub.com $ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Featuring homemade pizzas, 18 gourmet pizzas, a variety of calzones, subs, burgers, sandwiches and jumbo wings with 20 different sauces. Open everyday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Dine in, pickup, carryout and delivery. ■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ 6701 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City 443-6645639, www.longboardcafe.net $$-$$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Classic and creative American dishes and cocktails are showcased in a festive, surfthemed setting with weekly specials. Featuring burgers, tacos, prime rib, seafood and more. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Dine-in and curbside pick-up. ■ MARLIN MOON Located in the Double Tree Hotel, 3301 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City 410-289-1201, www.marlinmoonocmd.com $$ Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. Restaurant and bar with fresh seafood, small plates, desserts and cocktails. ■ RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT 61st Street Bayside/2nd Floor @ Bayview Bar & Grill, Ocean City 443- 664-7043 $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Bayfront dining with a casual atmosphere. Specializing in burgers, flat breads, crab cakes, shrimp burgers and full dinner specials. Open Friday and Saturday, 4-11 p.m. and Sunday, 1-9 p.m. Happy Hour Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4-7p.m. ■ SEACRETS 49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Open Thursday and Friday, 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. with Island atmosphere. Jamaican jerk chicken, appetizers, sandwiches, paninis, pizza and fresh seafood.
UPTOWN
91st to 146th streets
■ HORIZONS OCEANFRONT RESTAURANT, BREAKERS PUB & LENNY’S BEACH BAR & GRILL Inside the Clarion, 101st Street, Ocean City 410-524-3535, www.clarionoc.com $-$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Serving beach-inspired dishes in our oceanfront restaurants, Horizons and Breakers Pub. All-day menu, available 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner including light fare and steamer specials. ■ THE CURRENT RESTAURANT Located on the sun terrace at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort, 9100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 21842 443-856-2367, www.princessroyale.com $-$$ | Dine in | Full bar Open to the public, open-ocean air dining, providing an experience unique to any other in Ocean City. Commanding view of the Atlantic Ocean and East Lawn. Enjoy a range of coastal cuisine, signature cocktails, local craft beers and live entertainment. Locals receive 25 percent off food and drink. Must show valid ID. Closing for the winter this Sunday. ■ OCHO RIOS JERK & TINGS 11805 Coastal Highway, Unit N, Ocean City www.ochoricosjerkandtings.com $$ | Full bar Serving you authentic Jamaican food, appetizers, lunch specials, stews, salads, burgers, jerk shrimp or chicken, and entrees. Steak, oxtail, seafood and chicken with many special sauces. Signature jerk escoveitched or BBQ. Side dishes with rice and peas, fried sweet plantains, fried cornmeal dough and mac & cheese. Desserts, Jamaican rum cake, NY cheesecake and red velvet cake. Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dine in or carry out. ■ THAI O-CHA 13727 Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410250-9918, www.thaiochamd.com $$ | Serving authentic Thai food, full vegan menu and vegetarian options including curry, rice and noodle dishes. Homemade appetizers, soups, and sauces. Seafood, meat, chicken, stir fries, vegetable, tofu and desserts. Dine in or takeout. Serving lunch Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 3 p.m. Hours open: Thursday through Tuesday, noon to 8 p.m.
WEST OCEAN CITY
■ OC CHOPSTICKS Asian Bistro 12741 Ocean Gateway, Suite 890, West Ocean City (Outlets Ocean City) 410-8011111, www.occhopsticks.com $$ | Beer | Premium Sake Offering a wide array of authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai food. Dine-in and carryout. Lunch specials. Dinner and lite fare. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
OCEAN PINES
■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE 100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines 410-6417222, oceanpinesgolf.org/dining $$ | Full bar With sweeping views of the 18th hole, the new Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items. Full bar. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting. ■ OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB 1 Mumford Landing Road, Ocean Pines 410641-7222, www.OPyachtclub.com $$-$$$ | Full bar The Ocean Pines Yacht Club offers casual coastal cuisine for lunch and dinner in a beautiful bayfront setting. Fresh seafood, signature drinks, live music and more. Open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m.
Use mixture of ground beef, pork and veal
Continued from Page 29
Tasty meatballs are at their best when made with equal amounts of ground beef, pork and veal. Ground beef is the foundation of the meatball, pork gives it needed fat and flavor, and veal adds tenderness.
One may opt to use meatloaf mix, which is a combination of all three meats. Some brands contain mostly beef, so be aware you may be paying a high price for a combination that does not have equal parts.
Salt is a must when it comes to meatballs. One teaspoon of salt per pound is the general rule of thumb. Basil, oregano and parsley are key ingredients when it comes to the little balls of goodness. Onions, garlic and celery are also considerations.
Eggs are crucial to the texture of meatballs; they add moisture and are a binder. Too many eggs will make your meatball soggy and heavy. The ratio of eggs to meat is one egg per pound of meat, but it depends on other wet ingredients included in the recipe.
Breadcrumbs help give the meatballs their tender consistency. It is a common mistake to add too many breadcrumbs. A half cup of breadcrumbs per pound of meat should suffice in most recipes.
Believe it or not, but there is a proper way to roll a meatball. Lightly oiling your hands keep the meat from sticking to you and keeps the meatball shape.
How you cook the meatballs is a discussion without conclusion.
There are those who prefer to bake them in the oven, then there are those who insist cooking them in a slow cooker. Then, some meatball purists proclaim browning them in a sauté pan and finishing them in the sauce is perfection.
I am a fan of sautéing them, but you must continually turn them with a large spoon so the meatballs achieve an even sear and do not develop a flat side. But if one is preparing mini meatballs, simply bake them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
Mini Asian meatballs with an Asian glaze are a yummy twist on Italian meatballs. The smaller meatball makes it more kid friendly. A garnish of sesame seeds, chopped scallions and cilantro heightens the “Asian” theme and adds to the beautification.
Best of all Asian meatballs with an Asian glaze can be made in advance which makes them perfect for busy celebrations. Enjoy!
Asian Meatballs
3 tablespoons sesame oil 6 large cloves garlic, minced 1 ½ cups finely chopped scallions 3 pounds combination of ground beef, pork and veal 1 ½ cups unseasoned breadcrumbs 2 teaspoons cornstarch 3 eggs 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 3 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
Asian Glaze
2 teaspoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons minced garlic from a jar 2 tablespoons minced ginger 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup low sodium soy sauce 1 1/3 cup water 2 teaspoons rice vinegar 4 tablespoons hoisen sauce 2 tablespoons oyster sauce 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce few splashes Chinese Hot Oil 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish
white sesame seeds black sesame seeds thinly sliced scallions chopped fresh cilantro
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 2. In a medium sauté pan, heat sesame oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and onions, and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Strain mixture and set aside. 3. Combine meat, breadcrumbs, cornstarch, garlic, onions, and ginger, and mix until thoroughly combined. 4. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, soy sauce and salt. Add this mixture to the meat and mix thoroughly. 5. Place parchment paper on 2 large baking sheet pans. 6. Spoon out 1-inch of meat with a tablespoon and shape into balls. 7. Bake for 10 minutes. 8. While the meatballs are cooking, heat a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Whisk all of the ingredients except for the cornstarch. When the sauce is hot, make a slurry with 2 tablespoon cornstarch and two tablespoons of sauce. The slurry should be fully incorporated. Add the slurry to the sauce and whisk until the sauce has thickened. 9. Coat meatballs in the sauce, add garnishes, and serve.
This recipe makes approximately 100 mini meatballs
Secret Ingredient – Halloween. “A mask tells more than a face.” – Oscar Wilde
(Oct. 29, 2021) The Ocean City Fire Department teamed up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)—the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years—to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.”
This year’s campaign, held Oct. 39, worked to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“What do the sounds mean? Is there a beep or a chirp coming out of your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm? Knowing the difference can save you, your home, and your family,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA.
“It’s important to learn the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When an alarm makes noise—a beeping sound or a chirping sound—you must take action,” added Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers. “Make sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond. To learn the sounds of your specific smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check the manufacturer’s instructions that came in the box, or search the brand and model online.”
Ocean City firefighters and fire marshals wants to share safety tips to help people “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.” * A continuous set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out. * A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed. * All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years. * Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced. * Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week or for those who live in the Ocean City Fire Department response area and do not have a working smoke alarm, contact OCFD Public Information Officer Ryan Whittington at rwhittington@oceancitymd.gov.
OCTOBER 29, 2021 Community, guests celebrate Showell Elem. full opening
By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Oct. 29, 2021) It took more than a year after construction finished, but state and local representatives finally celebrated the opening of the new Showell Elementary School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.
“We know this day is long overdue, but we appreciate your patience and understanding along this journey,” Showell Elementary School Principal Diane Shorts said in her remarks from a podium in the school’s outdoor amphitheater, which is built right into the school’s exterior. “I’m very excited to hold our celebration here … because (I’m standing) in one of the most exciting and forwardthinking projects of this new school … We are able to open up this beautiful wall of windows to transform our indoor stage to this outdoor amphitheater, where we can showcase our fantastic student performers.”
The 9,600-square-foot school — nearly twice as big as the former school — officially opened in September 2020, but with covid-19 shuttering schools across the country in favor of distance learning, it wasn’t until the current school year that the Ocean Pines-area community truly got to see the $47 million facility firing on all cylinders.
“It is a dream come true to have our doors open and children here every day benefiting from the beautiful new building,” Shorts said afterward. “As the principal it is wonderful to have our fourth-grade students back from Berlin Intermediate School and our second-grade students inside the building instead of in trailers. The new technology allows our teachers to increase engagement for the students in their lessons and students can show their creativity in a multitude of ways.
Several Worcester County Commissioners and State Sen. Mary Beth Carozza were among the public figures in attendance.
Speakers included Shorts, Worcester County Superintendent Lou Taylor, Board of Education President Elena McComas and Worcester County Commissioner President Joe Mitrecic.
“Those gathered here on this special day know all too well that the old Showell Elementary School facility’s age, degraded condition and lack of classroom space Made a replacement necessary,” Mitrecic remarked. “That’s what makes today’s dedication of this new state-of-the-art school a genuine cause for celebration.”
Mitrecic went on to underscore the importance in continued investment into education initiatives.
“The commissioners remain committed to securing the funding necessary to guarantee that our children are provided with exemplary education opportunities, to allow them to remain competitive as they move up through the school system,” he said. “Through very careful planning and funding, the county and state have worked hard to provide our students with world-class schools, teachers, learning tools and other resources necessary for success. The new Showell Elementary School is a major stepping-stone along our path to securing an even brighter future for our children.”
The morning included a presentation of colors from the Stephen Decatur High School JROTC Color Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance led by a Showell fourth-grader and a performance by the third- and fourthgrade chorus.
Looking to the future, Shorts said the top objective is to remain cautious.
“The main goal right now is to make it through this pandemic safely,” she said. “And to be able to open our doors to the public so they can see all the hard work that was completed to make this school stateof-the-art and a perfect learning environment for students in this community.”
Construction of the new school included the demolition of the old one to create the parking lot and bus loop.
Enrollment at Showell is currently 660 students, according to Carrie Sterrs, Worcester County Public Schools coordinator of public relations and special programs. That number includes the fourth grade, which had been displaced to the Berlin Intermediate School before Showell’s opening.
JACK CHAVEZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY Worcester County Superintendent Lou Taylor, Showell Principal Diane Shorts and several local and state officials cut the ribbon on the new elementary school that opened its doors for the first time this school year. The 9,600-square-foot school has been ready for full use for more than a year, but the covid-19 pandemic forced the Showell community to settle for distance learning in the 2020-21 school year.
Crossword answers from page 34
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