@Commons Cooks: Key Limes Not Just For Pie

Most folks outside Florida and the Caribbean associate the Key lime with the sweet, tart pie made famous in the Florida Keys. In fact, key limes  are a fruit in itself! (Don’t feel bad, we didn’t know either!) and are great for all sorts of recipes in the summer time. A key lime is actually much smaller than the average lime that you slice up for lime-ades and summer beers like Corona – it ranges in size from a ping pong ball to about a golf ball. The fruit is tarter than traditional limes and has a stronger aroma. When buying key limes, remember that while they are green at the time of purchase, they are not ripe until they turn yellow!

We recommend this quick dinner recipe because it's tasty, easy to whip up and ready to eat in under 30 minutes. But remember, when you head out with your shopping list – key limes can be hard to find. If fresh key limes are not available, no worries! Key lime concentrate juice works just fine. This dish is ideal with a side salad and a side of rice and beans.

In closing, please share pictures of your dinner creation on our Facebook page!

Key Lime Chicken Skewers 
Prep and cook time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

When using this quick marinade – remember to give the meat time to soak up the delicious flavors of this recipe! And if using  wooden skewers, don’t forget to soak them in a shallow dish of water while the chicken is marinating!

Ingredients
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 2 key limes (for juice)
• 10 key limes (for skewers)
• 2 teaspoons of minced garlic
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Key limes for garnish (optional)

Preparation Requirements
• Small bowl
• Gallon sized plastic bag
• Four skewers
• Cast iron pan or baking (if cooking indoors)

Instructions
1. Cut chicken into one inch cubes
2. Slice 10 key limes, thin as possible
3. Mix soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, lime juice, and garlic in small bowl to make marinade
4. Place the chicken breasts in gallon sized bag, pour marinade over chicken, seal bag tightly and shake for 20 seconds. Place aside in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes
5. Once chicken is marinated, slide chunks on skewers, alternating with thin slices of lime that are folded in half and placed in between chicken pieces
6. Preheat grill or pre-heat over to 350F.
7. Baste chicken skewers with remaining marinade
8. Grill for 5-10 minutes on each side until no longer pink in center (or bake for 15 minutes, turning once)

Grocery Guru Advice
Supermarkets: Whole Foods, 100 Market Street, Lynnfield. Or Danvers Fresh Marketplace, 17 Elm Street, Danvers.

Commons Ground: An improved blog that suits your lifestyle

Life at the Commons is about, well, life. The Commons seeks to create comfortable, active and healthy environments for every resident. The Commons values clean living and earth-friendly features while promoting green and eco-friendly lifestyles. We are proud of the cities and towns we call home. We love the easy access from any part of the state to an amazing amount activities, events and happenings. And yes, we love to cook! 

These are a few of the reasons why you (hopefully) noticed a few changes on our blog in recent weeks. Our goal with the blogs is to provide you with quick, easy-read items that suit your lifestyle. We hope the new blog format – which will be published three days every week (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays) – gives you information and insights into things that matter to your life!]

Each week, we’ll provide you with a quick, fun and tasty recipe via @Commons Cooks (Tuesdays) and through Get Up & Go! (Thursdays), insider info on events around the state. The Commons Ground (Mondays) will rotate subjects between community news, ‘green’ lifestyle tips, home décor and design info, and digital/tech features that make sure every resident is up to speed on the latest apps and gadgets that help make life at home a bit easier.

On behalf of everybody at The Commons, thanks for reading. Of course, please be sure to let us know what you’d like  to see on these pages via our Facebook and Twitter accounts!  

Commons Get Up & Go! Fireworks Delights

Go 4th and enjoy – rain or shine!

Pop! Bang! Each year on Independence Day, firework makers sell 25 million pounds of pyrotechnics to cities and towns across the land. You don’t need a calculator  to break down these radiant displays—that adds up to a whole lot of and “oohs” and  ”aahs.” Massachusetts offers hundreds of fireworks’ displays to celebrate the Fourth of July. Even with this weekend’s uncertain weather forecast, here is list of local fireworks destinations. Hope you get to sit back and enjoy the show!

Boston - Where the Fourth … Third, Really Pops!

The Boston’s Pops Fireworks Spectacular is the best known fireworks display in Massachusetts. Due to the threat posed by Hurricane Arthur, this year’s big event will take place TONIGHT at the DCR Memorial Hatch Shell. This year's free Pops concert features special guests, The Beach Boys and the lead performers from Phantom of the Opera. The music begins at 8:30 p.m. and the fireworks take flight over the Charles at 10:30 p.m. If you don’t wants to squeeze into the crowd at the Hatch Shell, there are plenty of places on the Cambridge side of the river to set down a blanket for ideal viewing and listening. For the more adventurous soul, head over to Paddle Boston in Kendall Square to enjoy the show on the water from a canoe or kayak and watch from the river, or bring your kayak.

Celebrate Salem-style on Sunday – and Saturday too!

Due to the weather, Salem will celebrate its traditional Independence Day on three days. The fireworks launch over Salem Harbor will take place on SUNDAY, JULY 6^TH at 9:30 p.m. Earlier in the day, visitors can enjoy a free Pops concert performed by the 42-piece Hillyer Festival Orchestra and a Kid Space play area at Derby Wharf.

The weather will not interfere with the morning reading of the Declaration of Independence, which will take place at 9 a.m. tomorrow inside the Hawthorne Hotel.  On Saturday, the U.S. Air Force Heritage Band, the Blue Aces, will perform at Salem Willows starting at noon.

Gloucester cancels fireworks tonight  – but Annual Fishtown Horribles Parade/free concert are on!

We’re sorry to say that Gloucester’s volunteer fireworks organizers cancelled the big show tonight but the annual “Fishtown Horribles Parade” tradition and free concert is a lively consolation prize. There is nothing quite like the cornucopia of sights, sounds and festivities of this parade, which carries on a tradition that harkens back to the 19th Century (and some, say, perhaps back to the 17th Century). The event features musicians and bands, brightly and artfully decorated floats, flying candy and hideous masks.

Stick around for the free concert on Stacy Boulevard beginning at 7:30 p.m.!

Close to home, Winthrop celebrates on Saturday

Just minutes from Parkside, Winthrop offers a great alternative to the crowds in Boston. The fun starts at 9:00 p.m. on SATURDAY, JULY 5^TH. Remember to come early as parking in the community is limited. Happy Independence Day! 

@Commons Cooks: Independence Day Treats!

Red, White & Blue Platter and All American Cookie Bars

The Fourth of July is one of the most exciting holidays, featuring beaches, late sunsets, and (we hope!) fantastic weather. Celebrations like Independence Day deserve treats as festive as fireworks, but when we’re busy having so much fun, who has time to sweat over a hot stove?

This year, declare your independence from boring treats and time-consuming concoctions. These two recipes are not only festive and flavorful; they are easy to prepare – dessert sparklers that we’ll be ready in 30 minutes or less! If you want to save time while showing off your Fourth of July pride, buy prepared vanilla flavored frosting for the cookie bars.

Please be sure to check out the end of the recipes for “Grocery Guru Advice,” which provides information about local supermarkets that carry ingredients for these recipes – or farms located a short drive from the Commons that offer you a great way to make these recipes explode with fresh, local flavor.  We hope you enjoy this week’s @Commons Cooks recipes. And don’t forget to share smartphone pictures with us on Facebook!

Red, White and Blue Platter

Prep and cook time: 10 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

·       1 quart of fresh blueberries (in a box)

·       1 quart of fresh strawberries

·       1 pound of white chocolate pretzels

Preparation Requirements

·       Rectangular cookie sheet

·       Wax Paper

Directions

1.                   Line cookie sheet with wax paper.

2.                 Wash and dry blueberries. Put cleaned fruit back into the original container and place box at upper left hand corner of cookie sheet.

3.                  Wash and dry strawberries. Remove stems, and then cut strawberries into halves.

4.           Lay fruit out in a straight line at top of cookie sheet followed below by line of white chocolate covered pretzels. Repeat pattern to resemble stripes on the American flag. (view photo for reference.) Serve with toothpicks.

All American Cookie Bars

Prep and cook time: 20 minutes

Yield: 24 cookies

Ingredients

Cookie base

·       1 cup of unsalted butter; softened

·       2 cups granulated sugar

·       4 eggs

·       2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

·       5 cups of flour

·       1 teaspoon salt

·       1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

Frosting

      

·       1/2 cup of unsalted butter; softened

·       5 cups of powdered (confectioners’) sugar

·       1 and ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract

·       6 tablespoons of milk

·       Red and blue sprinkles

Preparation Requirements

·       Handheld or stand mixer

·       Medium bowl

·       Two large bowls

·       10” x 15” baking pan

·       PAM or other non-stick baking spray

Directions

1.                   Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.                  Mix dry ingredients (sugar, flour, salt, baking soda) in a medium sized bowl and set aside.

3.                   In a large bowl, “cream” the butter and sugar together by whipping butter with mixer until light and fluffy, then adding sugar until well mixed. (Note: If you don’t have a mixer, cut butter into tiny pieces, and then blend with fork until fluffy. Add sugar and continue to blend with fork until well mixed.)   

4.                  Add eggs, one at a time, into mixer (Note: If you don’t have a mixer, beat eggs in a 3^rd bowl until frothy, then pour slowly into creamed butter, then beat again until well mixed.)

5.                  Add vanilla to the mixture and stir. Slowly add dry ingredients. Mix until batter is smooth.

6.                  Cover baking pan with non-stick spray, then spread batter evenly across pan. Bake for 12 minutes until the cookie bake is a light golden color and you can stick a toothpick in and it comes out clean.

7.                   While cookies cool, get another large bowl and cream butter and powdered sugar (see above.) Add vanilla and milk until smooth.

8.                  Frost cookies and then add equal amounts of red and blue sprinkles until festive!

Grocery Guru Advice

Supermarkets:                               Hannaford, 357 Broadway, Saugus. Whole Foods, 100 Market Street, Lynnfield.

Family Farm:                                   Smolak Farm, 315 South Bradford Street, North Andover, MA (30 minute drive from Lynnfield Commons.) Pick your own strawberries and blueberries. Link here.

@Commons Cooks: Summer Spice!

Cajun Buttery Herb Shrimp

Sometimes, a little Southern flavor is the best way to spice up your summer. This scrumptious Cajun-style shrimp recipe turns up the heat without overheating your schedule and it satisfies even the heartiest seafood cravings. This mouthwatering dish is an easy one-pan meal packed with a whole lot of flavor – “sea” for yourself!”

Before getting down to business, consider these important tips when purchasing your shrimp.

1.       Always pay attention to the number of shrimp in the bag. This will give you an idea of the size of the shrimp inside. Name such as jumbo or extra-large can be misleading.

2.      Experts from Eating Well Magazine recommend buying frozen shrimp from your local supermarket to ensure freshness and quality. If you do go to one of the “Grocery Guru” local fish markets, be sure to check the fresh raw shrimp carefully. It should have a firm texture, a mild odor and glisten slightly under light.

Don’t forget to post pictures of your dinner creation to our Facebook page!

Cajun Buttery Herb Shrimp

Prep and cook time: 15 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

·         1 pound large shrimp (31-35 per 1 pound bag), peeled and deveined

·         1 teaspoon creole seasoning (or less for milder flavor

·         6 ounces unsalted butter

·         2 teaspoons minced garlic

·         2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

·         1 teaspoon fresh thyme

·         1 teaspoon fresh oregano

·         ½ teaspoon paprika

·         Juice of ½ lemon or more to taste

·         ½ cup chicken stock

·         Salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation Requirements

·         Medium sized bowl

·         Cast iron or large nonstick skillet

Directions

1.       Wash and clean shrimp under cold water. Set aside in bowl.

2.      Preheat skillet over medium heat for one minute, then add 3 tablespoons of butter.

3.       Season shrimp with creole spice, covering all shrimp evenly.

4.      Add shrimp to pan and sauté (lightly fry) for about 3 -5 minutes shrimp, the remove from pan and set aside.

5.      Add remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and garlic. Stir for 1 minute and allow garlic to become soft and fragrant.

6.      Add, paprika, thyme, oregano, lemon juice and chicken broth to garlic, and bring it to a rapid boil. Upon reaching a boil, turn stove to simmer and continue to cook sauce for 2-3 minutes.

7.       Add cooked shrimp, stir and remove from heat. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.

8.      Serve over pasta or rice, or alongside salad

Grocery Guru Advice

Supermarkets:                               Hannaford, 357 Broadway, Saugus. Whole Foods, 100 Market Street, Lynnfield.

Fresh Shrimp:                                 Andy’s Seafood, 78 Broadway, Saugus, MA (10 minute drive from Lynnfield Commons, link here) Call ahead for selection.

Get Up & Go! Time To Pick The Sweet Strawberries

Corcoran Management is pleased to introduce a new blog feature called Get Up & Go! Every Thursday, our team will provide you with an insider’s guide to a local destination or event that’s an hour or less drive from your apartment home. We’ll share everything from a great place to have fun with the family to the best beaches to one-of-a-kind ‘secrets’ that make living in Massachusetts so much fun!

As always, please share your feedback with us on Facebook and Twitter, or by emailing the property management office!

When the sun is shining in late June and you’re looking for a fun experience without spending a fortune, Massachusetts offers a unique seasonal pastime – pick your own strawberries. Not only is this a great way to get out and enjoy the great weather without a long drive but, if you have $5 in your pocket, you’re all set for an inexpensive day – and fresh fruit that will turn your kitchen into a pantry of goodness!

While there are several pick-your-own on the North Shore, it’s hard to beat a 20-minute drive to Connors Farm in Danvers, where strawberry fields are forever, or at least through early July. And for $5 a pound, it’s easy to bring home enough strawberries to fill 10 shortcakes!

 

Connors Farm has been in business since 1904, when it opened as a “truck farm” that transported root vegetables into the city for wholesale. Featuring 140 acres of arable land, Connors Farm is a pick-your-own paradise, with guests able to harvest their own freshly grown peaches, blackberries, apples, blueberries, and pumpkins, not to mention the ripest strawberries around! Visitors to Connors Farm also can pick up freshly grown products such as tomatoes, raspberries, and greens. Connors Farm even offers a guarantee that they will only sell freshly harvested corn on the day that it is picked – or not at all.

Beyond farm fare, “Connors Country Kitchen” features freshly baked goods (apple pie a la mode!) and delicious twists on regional classics such as the spicy chicken corn chowder. Visitors also can purchase hanging flower baskets, annuals, and perennials, all which are grown on the premises.

Connor’s Farm is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Click here for directions.