Thursday, November 20, 2014

Graeter's Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Today, waiting for the milk man is full of much more anticipation than usual.  That's because there will be some Graeter's ice cream pints on the delivery truck today!  We have reordered Black Raspberry Chip, their most popular flavor!




Graeter's is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has been making gourmet ice cream using the "French Pot" process since the early 1920's.   According to Graeter's website, it is the only ice cream manufacturer in the world using French Pot freezers to produce its ice cream.   These batches are each only two gallons, which is also the smallest batch in the industry.  If you have not yet tried their ice cream, it is most delicious!  It is quite a bit more expensive than other brands of ice cream, but each pint is hand packed with high quality ice cream made in small batches.  You will notice the difference in taste and also the heft of the pint container!


Having spent about ten years in Cincinnati beginning in the mid 1970's, I have enjoyed eating Graeter's ice cream made locally. When I relocated to Columbus, it was several years before a Graeter's franchise location appeared on the scene.  I was thrilled!  Still nothing beats the fond memories of sitting at the little round marble tables at the Graeter's ice cream and candy shop in the Clifton neighborhood of Cincinnati and enjoying a couple of scoops of double-chocolate chip ice cream in a hand-made waffle cone.


I hope you will stop by the Homer Village Market and pick up a pint of Graeter's ice cream!  Other flavors we sometimes stock include the Mocha Chocolate Chip, Chocolate-Chocolate Chip (formerly known as double-chocolate chip), and Coconut Chocolate Chip.  These "chips" are more like chunks of rich, dark chocolate.   If you visit Graeter's website, you can view the video of their French Pot process of making ice cream and you will see how the chocolate chips are introduced to the recipe!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Deer Hunting Season

Licking County, Ohio, is a favorite destination for deer hunters from all over the country. The deer population is large, and the rural landscape provides a great habitat.

Area farmers are still in process of harvesting crops, so the deer still have plenty of cover. This can be frustrating for hunters in their tree stands in the fence row along the edge of the fields. Sometimes it may seem as though more deer are crossing the highways than are seen in the fields and woods!

Serious hunters will set up their stands early and begin watching for patterns of the herds of deer. Some will even put a "trail camera" or "deer cam" near their tree stand to see when the deer are most active.

Here is a picture of the buck harvested in November 2013 on our farm by our friend Dave, an experienced, licensed deer hunter we permit to hunt there.



Dave monitored he activity of the herds earlier in the season.  To maintain a good population of deer for hunting, Dave will not target any female (doe) deer or young males (bucks).

The trail cameras this year have captured photos of some large bucks as well as young families of deer, some even still nursing.  We will post some photos of the herds as well as the harvest later in the season.

Happy Hunting!  We welcome hunters to stop by the Homer Village Market when they emerge from the woods!




Sunday, October 5, 2014

Recipes for Alligator Meat

Hunting season for wild alligator in Louisiana kicks off in October annually.  Here in Ohio, deer hunting season for bow-hunters begins around the same time.  It seems that Ohio's bow hunters have a taste for exotic meats.  Although Homer Village Market tries to keep wild-caught Louisiana alligator in stock twelve months of the year, we get the most requests for alligator when Ohio's hunting season begins each fall.

Many customers requesting alligator meat already have their favorite recipes, but just as many customers are wanting to try alligator for the first time and request recipes.  One can find many recipes for alligator on the many cooking websites such as cooks.com, foodnetwork, and epicurious.  Also recipes can be found on the state websites for Louisiana and Florida where alligator hunting and alligator farming are significant industries within their local economies.

Below are some recipes that cover the most common techniques for cooking alligator.  If you are already familiar with cooking techniques in your own kitchen or backyard grill, you will be able to adapt your favorite recipes to use alligator meat.  You can make:
  •  a Cajun casserole using tomatoes, garlic, rice, and peppery spices,
  • an oriental-style stir-fry such as "General Tso" style dish over rice
  • lightly pan-fry and serve as a "po-boy" sandwich with usual sandwich toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, bacon, cheese, pickles, mayo
  • a family-style fondue pot meal
  • deep fry or pan fry using either a buttermilk and seasoned flour batter or an egg and seasoned flour batter and serve with a sweet/tangy red sauce or a ranch dipping sauce
  • grill marinated gator and veggie kabobs and serve with baked potatoes or rice pilaf
  • grill hand-cut gator "steaks" using a dry rub after marinating in citrus or vinegar-based sauce
  • make a jambalaya or gumbo using a combination of vegetables, seafood, sausage, poultry, and rice
  • cut in half-inch cubes, toss in a seasoned flour and cornmeal mix after basting in milk or buttermilk, deep fry, and serve over baked potatoes with a side of ranch-style sauce
The important thing to remember, no matter which cooking technique you use, is that alligator is considered "seafood" and it cooks quickly.  Just a few minutes on each side on the grill or fry pan, or deep fry a few minutes until golden brown.  If making a gumbo or casserole, be sure to add the alligator meat after the rest of the ingredients have been cooked to tender.  If alligator is overcooked, it will become chewy and tough.

Here are a few recipes collected from the internet over the past several years:


Grilled Cajun Style Gator Tail


4-6 pounds Alligator Tail
Enough milk to cover alligator meat

Seasoning Ingredients:
1/4 cup paprika
6 tablespoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons salt
4 tablespoons black pepper
3 tablespoons oregano, crushed
2 tablespoon thyme
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper(more if you like spicier)

Seasoning Directions:
Combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, white pepper, oregano, black pepper, thyme and cayenne pepper in jar with tight fitting lid. Shake well to combine. When ready to cook, cut gator tail meat into 1/2-inch cubes. Roll each cube in a tablespoon of the mixture.

Grilling Directions:
Cook over high heat on your barbeque grill for 4-5 minutes, flipping once. Alligator tail should be white and firm to the touch. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing onto the meat.
 
 
ALLIGATOR FINGERS "Quick and easy way to fix up gator bites for your friends - exotic, but taste like chicken! "
2 pounds alligator meat, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons vinegar
salt and pepper
to taste oil for frying
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons black pepper
OPTIONAL DIPPING SAUCE
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon brown mustard
1 tablespoon
red wine vinegar

Place alligator meat in a medium bowl, and mix with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate about
10 minutes
.
Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame.

Add to a large resealable bag the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder,
cayenne pepper
, and black pepper. Squeeze off excess liquid from meat, and add one handful of meat to the resealable bag. Shake to coat. Remove meat, shake off excess flour, and set on a plate. Repeat with remaining meat.
When oil is hot, place meat pieces into oil, being careful not to overcrowd. Fry until
golden brown
, about 3 minutes. Remove to paper towels, and serve hot.
To prepare dipping sauce, mix together in a small bowl the mayonnaise, horseradish, brown mustard, and red wine vinegar.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here are some recipes from Food Network's website:
 
JAMBALAYA
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon crushed red chile flakes
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 8 ounces tomato puree
  • 1 (32-ounce) can tomatoes, diced in puree
  • 1 (32-ounce) can tomatoes, diced
  • 1 pound andouille or other hot, smoked sausage
  • 1 quart chicken stock
  • 4 cups green peppers, diced
  • 4 cups yellow onions, diced
  • Cooked Rice
  • 1 pound chicken, boned and cubed
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup scallions, diced
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Saute the garlic, chiles, and bay leaves in the oil. Once the garlic is fragrant, add all the tomato products and simmer, stirring for about 45 minutes. Slice and roast the sausage for about 20 minutes. Drain the fat off.
Add to the tomatoes, chicken stock, sausage, green peppers, and onions and simmer another 1 to 1 1/2 hours, add salt and pepper. The jambalaya is finished when it has thickened and turned brick color, without any more oil coming to the surface. At this point, cook a big pot of rice to mix with the sauce (equal amounts of rice to the sauce) and add any meats you want to the jambalaya sauce (chicken pieces, shrimp, alligator, veal etc.) Poach the meat in the sauce to cook it. Add scallions at the last minute for color.
To make vegetarian jambalaya, smoke the tomatoes first, in a home smoker, or place them in the oven with a pie plate of smoking chips for a 1/2-hour. This gives the sauce the same flavor as adding sausage. Then use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and add any vegetables of your choice at the end.
 
GEN TSO’S ALLIGATOR WITH SNAP PEAS AND KUMQUATS (4 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS
  • Peanut oil, to cook
  • 1 pound cleaned alligator meat, 1/2-inch dice
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 8 kumquats, 1/8 inch slices (may sub with 2 zested and sectioned oranges or tangerines)
  • 1/2 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup naturally brewed soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 cups snap peas, blanched
  • Salt and freshly ground black peppe,r to taste
Directions
In a large saute pan on high heat, coat well with oil and add alligator. Season and quickly brown meat, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and set aside on paper towels. Wipe out pan and coat lightly with oil. Saute the garlic and ginger for 2 minutes. Add the kumquats and stir. In a small bowl, mix together the vinegar, soy and sugar until dissloved. Deglaze with mixture and reduce by 50 percent. Add back the alligator and snap peas, check for seasoning.
  • SPICY PEANUT RICE
  • Peanut oil, for cooking
  • 1 cup whole roasted peanuts, unsalted
  • 5 Thai bird chiles, chopped
  • 1 small yellow onion, minced
  • 4 cups cooked Chinese rice (or other long grain)
  • 1 tablespoon naturally brewed soy sauce
  • Salt and freshly ground black peppe, to taste
In a small wok or sautee pan, coat lightly with oil and saute the peanuts, chiles and onions for 3 to 4 minutes or until onions start to take on color. Add the rice and stir until hot. Add soy sauce and check for seasoning.
PLATING On a large round plate, place a small mound of rice in the middles and top with alligator. Ladle a little sauce on top. Enjoy.
WINE: Very chilly beer like Foster's or Corona
 
GATOR TATERS (PAULA DEAN 4 servings)
Ingredients

Baked Grilled potatoes:

  • 4 potatoes
  • Oil
  • 1/2 pound butter

Sauce for Potatoes:

FRIED GATOR:

  • 2 pounds gator tail cut into chunks
  • Buttermilk
  • Flour
  • Salt and pepper
  • 16 ounces vegetable oil
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup grated Monterey jack cheese
  • Sliced green onions, to garnish
Directions
Wash and coat potatoes with a little bit of oil. Pierce each potato with a fork, wrap in tin foil, place directly on hot coals, and cook for approximately 45 minutes. Use tongs to turn potatoes often.
In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients to make the potato sauce, and mix well.
In a large bowl, toss the gator chunks into the buttermilk, and dredge with flour that has been seasoned with salt and pepper. Using a large skillet, heat oil to 350 degrees F. Fry gator chunks until golden brown, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Split potatoes and top with butter and potato sauce. Top potatoes with 2 pieces of fried gator chunks on top and sprinkle with cheese and green onions.






Alligator Balls Recipe

1 lb Chopped alligator meat
1 Egg
1 tb Finely chopped onions
1 tb Finely chopped celery
1 tb Finely chopped parsley
 2 tb Finely chopped shallots
2 ts Lemon pepper
 1/2 ts Salt
 1/4 c Bread crumbs
1 c Cooking oil
 Flour to dredge
Combine all ingredients, form 1 inch diameter balls, allow to set one hour. Dredge in flour and fry till brown. Serve hot.


HERE'S A RECIPE FROM FLORIDA

GRILLED GATOR KABOBS

Ingredients

1/2
cup Florida orange juice concentrate

1/4
cup Florida orange juice

2
tablespoons light soy sauce

2
tablespoons brown sugar

1
teaspoon cumin

1/4
teaspoon cayenne

1
pound Florida alligator meat, cut into cubes

1-inch cubes assorted Florida vegetables or fruit, cubed

Preparation For the marinade, combine orange concentrate, orange juice, soy sauce, sugar and spices in a medium glass bowl. Reserve half for basting. Add alligator cubes; stir to coat well. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for increased flavor. Soak wooden skewers in water for 10 minutes to prevent them from burning. Thread marinated alligator cubes onto skewers, alternating with vegetable or fruit cubes. Heat the grill to high heat and grill kabobs for 6-8 minutes; turning once. Brush with extra marinade for the first 5 minutes. Discard any leftover marinade.
Yield 4 servings

 
 
 


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Fresh, Local Beer!

There is a good reason they are called "craft" beers.  Small, local breweries are performing their craft when they brew and bottle their beer for our consumption.

Large, commercialized breweries with a national distribution network also are brewing some much-loved beer for our consumption.  They have taken their "craft" to a whole, new level of mass production with a taste that appeals to the masses of beer consumers.  Their advertisements appear on TV and billboards and infomercials on the internet and in the press.

Small, "craft" breweries are creating recipes for some unusual and limited-edition beers.  Often you will find them bottled in large, 22-40 ounce bottles with an artistic label.  Their Facebook pages and websites will announce the "birth" of their latest creation.  Sometimes the bottles are even numbered as an artist would number his prints and paintings.

Due to some recent Ohio legislation reducing the license fees for small brewers and distilleries, more and more "craft" breweries and distilleries are getting into the business of making and distributing their beverages.   Most of these small-scale breweries are producing beer for their own tasting rooms as well as for local bars and restaurants to have on tap for their customers.  A few of these small operators are investing in the equipment and technology to bottle, can, label, package, and distribute their beer to consumers at retail carryouts in many of Ohio's nearby counties.

This week, Homer Village Market is offering two more locally produced "craft" beers:

  • Lot 21 Blonde Ale produced by Millersburg Brewing Company, Millersburg, Ohio
    • 6-pack 12 oz. cans $8.99
  • Bleeding Buckeye Red Ale produced by Elevator Brewing Company, Columbus, Ohio
    • 6-pack 12 oz. bottles $8.99

Recently, Homer Village Market began offering craft beers brewed by Homestead Beer Company in Heath, Ohio, which is in our very own Licking County.

  • Tenpenny Amber Ale - six pack of 12-ounce bottles - $8.99
  • Barnraiser Pale Ale - 22 oz. bottles - $4.99 each
Autumn is one of the most beautiful of the four seasons in Ohio with mild temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures in the evenings.  Friends and families gather together around bonfires in the evenings to enjoy the star-lit skies and enjoy the fruits of their harvests from gardens, fields, vineyards, and orchards.  Fall colors are beginning to show in the leaves and flowers, and colorful gourds are decorating porches and entrances to all the local homes and businesses.

What a perfect time to enjoy some new flavors in beers and wines!  Pass the chips and salsa, and enjoy one of the many craft beers available in Ohio.  When you tailgate before or after the Ohio State Game and you have reached your safe destination, try some of these flavorful, fresh beers with some bratwurst or burgers!   Enjoy the tastes, sights, and sounds of the season!










Wednesday, August 27, 2014

More about Beer

Homer Village Market began selling beer and wine in February 2014, as many of you know.  It has been an interesting journey to discover what beer and wine brands customers prefer.  Even more interesting has been researching all the beer and wine brands available from the major distributors in Ohio.

The internet makes research fascinating and exhaustive.  Breweries and Wineries generally have websites and Facebook pages.  They frequently post links to articles about beer and wine brands, cooking with beer or wine, or results of beer and wine competitions from around the nation and around the globe.  What better way to discover a new beer or wine to try than to read about other people's experiences and recommendations!

Here are a few interesting links I came across today regarding beer.  I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did!  Where does your state rank for beer in list of "Best Beers in America?"    Ohio ranks #12.

http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/every-state-in-the-usa-ranked-by-its-beer

Or how about this article which is a sort of "bucket list" of beers to drink before you die!  I was surprised to see Miller High Life on the author's list.  I might have to taste that one for myself!  I see in the picture that particular bottle has a Harley Davidson emblem.  The only person I know who loves to drink Miller High Life also loves his Harley....I presume there must be some connection between the two brands.....that will be my next research project on a rainy day!

 http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/beers-to-drink-before-you-die-pliny-the-elder-yuengling-and-more-thrillist-nation

It is also fun to read beer reviews on the Beer Advocate website.  Sometimes you can find beers similar in style to ones you already know and love.  If you are hesitant to buy a whole pack of a beer brand you have never tasted, because you fear you will be stuck with the rest if you don't like it, you could always go to a local bar that has an extensive beer list, and try just one.  In our area, Brew's Café has a rather extensive beer menu.  I hope you will experiment with a few new styles of beer and wine just to be sure you don't miss anything fabulous! 

Did you know that some beer actually tastes good with various kinds of cheese?  Usually one thinks of wine paired with cheese and beer paired with chips or peanuts or maybe hot dogs and burgers.  Cooking with wine and beer is also an adventure.  I love using beer to cook bratwurst.  Dry white wine can make great soup with the addition of herbs, seafood, and vegetables.  Dry red wine makes a good marinade ingredient and also a good addition to sauces for pasta or meaty gravy.  Sweet red wine can be used in desserts such as fudge brownie recipes, red velvet cake recipes, or frozen into a slush to make a pure wine dessert! 

If you want to try something new or pick up some of your favorite brands, please stop by the store and check out our selection!  Thanks for reading, and thanks for shopping in the store!





Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Kids Are Back to School

We knew it was coming, but how did this happen so quickly?  The Hartford Fair ended and Labor Day weekend is next weekend.  The crops are looking good, and football practice began last week!  These are all the signs of Summer coming to an end.

Tomatoes are finally beginning to ripen, and the hot peppers in the garden are ready to pick! Many home gardeners have already harvested their sweet corn and have put away plenty for over the Winter!

Speaking of Winter, last Winter was so cold that our grapes, peaches, and strawberry crops were damaged.  We are hoping that this Winter will not be as severe!  Our local orchard brought in some delicious peaches from North Carolina, so we didn't have to do without peaches this year!  The apple orchards look very good.

Now that Fall is approaching and the kids are back in school, it is time to get back to the familiar routines and schedules.  Summer was nice and lazy for many of us, hectic for others. The school year brings structure back to our lives, and the children are back at the top of our priorities.

Enjoy the season, and take time to smell roses!  Take lots of pictures, and cherish the memories of family times together!  Life is moving so quickly!

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Pelotonia Fundraising Bicycle Tour

They have one cause--ending cancer.  Over seven thousand bicycle riders participated in Pelotonia 14 today.    They rode on 276 teams (pelotons) on a beautiful, sunny day in Central Ohio.   Over the past several weeks, I had the pleasure of meeting some of the riders as they trained for this big day.   Some stopped for a cold bottle of water or Gatorade and a snack at the Homer Village Market and rested under the awning in front of the store.

This is an annual event, and the riders raise millions of dollars for cancer research.  Many sponsors help to promote the event, donate funds, and provide volunteer workers at the rest stops or to assist with transportation.   In many of the small towns along the route, you will see bystanders cheering them on, waving flags or ringing bells.  Family members follow in vehicles and try to meet them at the stops and provide additional encouragement and refreshments.

I want to thank all of the Pelotonia participants, friends, and family members who stopped by the store today to buy refreshments.  Thank you for the important fundraising effort you made today!

Thanks also to the two Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers who stood in the middle of our intersection and directed traffic in the hot sun from 10 o'clock in the morning until 6 o'clock in the evening.  You kept everyone safe and the traffic was flowing smoothly.  Thanks also for supporting the store with your purchases!

We look forward to next summer when the cyclists will be training for Pelotonia 15.  Hopefully, next year's ride will have such good weather, good turnout, and most importantly, many donations to support the cause!

Be sure and check out the website and consider riding next year or donating your money or time to help raise money to end cancer.


http://pelotonia.org/





























Friday, July 25, 2014

A Good Day to Make Wine Slushies

Adults all over the nation are enjoying wine slushies at their State fairs and summer festivals.  If you have never tried one, you are missing a real treat.  Kids enjoy slushies made with fruit-flavored simple syrups made of sugar, water, and ice.  Adults are just grown-up kids when it comes to enjoying a slushy in the summer!

All you need is a blender, some sweet red or white wine, a little bit of your favorite fruit, a freezer, and a little bit of time.....about an hour or so, unless you want to blend in some shaved ice.  If you really like it sweet, you can add some powdered sugar.  You can use fresh or frozen berries, peaches, or even canned peaches or pears. 

Crush your sliced fruit or whole berries in a blender with a little bit of sweet wine to help it blend smoothly.  Then add the whole bottle of wine and blend until combined.  Pour the sweet concoction into a shallow freezer-safe casseroles or pie plates and place on the freezer shelf for about 30 minutes.  Take it out of the freezer and scrape the mixture with a fork.  Replace in the freezer. Repeat a couple more times and then divide the slushy mixture into glasses to enjoy!

Another method is to blend the sweet wine with ice cubes in the blender to make it into a slushy that is ready to drink right from the blender!  Still another method is to blend fruit and wine in a blender as in the previous recipe, but instead of freezing it in a shallow dish, pour into ice cube trays.  When you want a slushy, all you need to do is toss a handful or two of the sweet ice cubes into the blender and pour into glasses.



Sunday, July 20, 2014

Did You Know?

Forty-six facts you should know about Homer Village Market.  (Or...maybe you knew but forgot!) 

  1. The store was first ESTABLISHED in 2006 selling cold soft drinks, shelf-stable foods, tobacco products, farm-stand produce, and general store merchandise.
  2. In 2008, we implemented the requirements to become a LICENSED Retail Food Establishment so we would be permitted by law to sell refrigerated and frozen foods.
  3. In 2010, we obtained a license for mobile food service and became CERTIFIED in food safety.
  4. In 2014, after a successful LOCAL OPTION ELECTION, we obtained BEER & WINE retail carryout permits for our location.  The rest of the township is still considered "dry" status.
  5. The store is OPEN all year:  Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.  HOURS are scheduled each season and are posted on our door as well as website, facebook page, and available in the store  upon request. Typical hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. six days per week, sometimes longer in summer and shorter in winter. Sometimes the store is open 7 days per week due to receiving. The store is usually closed on major HOLIDAYS, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving and sometimes Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Fourth of July, except by appointment. 
  6. Our PHONE number is 740 EIGHT NINE TWO THREE TWO FOUR TWO.
  7. Our WEBSITE address is www.homervillagemarket-generalstore.com
  8. Our FACEBOOK page address is https://www.facebook.com/HomerVillageMarket
  9. YES, we are licensed to sell BEER ON SUNDAYS (as well as throughout the week).
  10. We have a good variety of domestic, regional, and imported WINE in addition to domestic, local, regional and imported BEER.  We sell both at the lowest prices permitted by State law. Our wine permit also allows us to offer prepackaged COCKTAILS and 40-proof spirits for carryout (except Sundays).
  11. We also offer an assortment of the most popular brands of CIGARETTES, smokeless tobacco products, and cigars at STATE MINIMUM prices. We have no e-cigs or loose tobacco.
  12. We accept SNAP benefits (aka Ohio Direction Card, FOOD STAMPS) for eligible items (food including nonalcoholic beverages, snacks, ice).
  13. We accept debit and CREDIT CARDS and cash but NO CHECKS.
  14. We have FOOD staples such as milk, bread, lunch meat, pasta, produce, canned foods, bottled beverages, cereal, coffee, tea, ice cream, and condiments.
  15. You can buy premade SANDWICHES and SNACKS to go.  We also have a commercial microwave to heat your sandwich.
  16. You can get a hot cup of COFFEE for only $1.
  17. In addition to the Pepsi vending machine outside the store, inside the store you can find bottles and cans of cold PEPSI products, tea, water, Gatorade, juice, coffee drinks, and bottled water in the cooler.
  18. We carry a variety of commonly needed BAKING INGREDIENTS, such as
    • Flour
    • Sugar
    • Cooking Oil
    • Butter, Margarine and Crisco shortening
    • Yeast
    • Cake Mixes
    • Chocolate chips
    • Prepared Frosting
    • Vanilla
    • Spices
  19. We offer a variety of PRODUCE all year around and others seasonally:
    • Potatoes
    • Onions
    • Lettuce
    • Tomatoes
    • Carrots
    • Canned vegetables
    • Fresh and canned fruit
    • Dried fruit and roasted nuts
  20. We stock over 14 brands of CANDY bars and another dozen brands of candy and cookies.
  21. There is a shelf devoted to LOCAL/regional pickles, jams, jellies, chutneys, salsa, syrup, etc.
  22. We carry ROSSI PASTA and several of Rossi's gourmet sauces (Marietta, Ohio).
  23. PET FOOD:  We offer dry and canned cat and dog food.
  24. NO SHOPPING CARTS are necessary in our store because you can almost reach the check-out counter from any aisle!  The store display area is only about 250 square feet!
  25. You do not have to stoop or reach for anything--all you need to do is ASK FOR SERVICE.  Our frozen meat/seafood section is not self-service due to the limited display space. Let us help you find what you want or let us show you what we have.
  26. We have FROZEN SEAFOOD, POULTRY and MEAT as well as SAUSAGES and meat snacks.
  27. The LAMB that we sell is naturally raised and pastured on our own LOCAL FARM.  It is processed, packaged, labeled, weighed, and frozen at a USDA inspected local facility.
  28. You can choose from over 15 varieties of pre-packaged CHEESE and a half dozen kinds of prepackaged DELI SALADS in our cooler.
  29. You can buy HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES for wrapping and storing food as well as paper and cleaning products.
  30. There is even a "BATH AND BODY" section where you can find an assortment of basic products for men, women, and children.
  31. We have some commonly needed AUTOMOTIVE fluids as well as charcoal, lighter fluid, ice, and batteries.
  32. We offer OVER-THE-COUNTER drug products such as pain relievers, digestive relief, cough drops, skincare, and first-aid products.
  33. We have a BULLETIN BOARD inside the store for use by customers who have local businesses to advertise or to promote nonpartisan, nondenominational events open to the public.
  34. We can SPECIAL-ORDER for you any large quantities of food, beverages, or specialty products with one week's notice. 
  35. All of our refrigerated and frozen foods are manufactured/processed by USDA INSPECTED SUPPLIERS and safely transported and delivered refrigerated or frozen.
  36. Homer Village Market is equipped with commercial, FOOD-SAFETY APPROVED equipment and is inspected by the local and state government authorities.
  37. Homer Village Market is protected by a state-of-the-art SECURITY SYSTEM which is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  38. The store is AIR CONDITIONED in the summer and HEATED in the winter for a constant temperature below 70 degrees for the comfort of our customers and the quality of our products.
  39. For the directionally challenged without GPS:  The store is LOCATED  5 miles south of Brandon, 5 miles north of Fredonia, 10 miles south of Mount Vernon, 10 miles north of Granville, 4 miles southwest of Utica, 15 miles northeast of Newark, 30 miles north-east of Columbus, 10 miles northeast of Johnstown, and about a half mile from the Homer Volunteer Fire Department and EMS.  Our storefront faces State Route 661, two miles north of State Route 62 (flashing light)  at the intersection with Homer Road (diagonally across the street from the Homer Post Office). We are in Licking County, Burlington Township, about 3 miles south of the Knox County line.
  40. NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS are available at the store.  Sorry, (You can thank the Ohio EPA).
  41. PARKING is available in the adjacent parking lot or across the street on Homer Road N.W.
  42. NO LOTTERY tickets are available at the store at this time.
  43. There is usually NO WAITING in line to check-out your purchase. 
  44. We appreciate you, and you are treated with COURTESY, respect, and friendly service.  In consideration of any customers who may be waiting, we strive to offer prompt and efficient service and checkout.
  45. We offer convenience but at LOWER PRICES than a typical "convenience store."
  46. We use LOCAL SUPPLIERS, so the money you spend in the store benefits our state and local economy.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Alligator and Frog Legs

Now that Summer grilling is in full swing, many customers are stopping by the store for wild-caught Louisiana Alligator meat and frogs legs.  Many people ask, "How do you cook it?"

There are dozens of recipes online if you google on alligator or frogs legs.  One of  my trusted sources for recipes is the Food Network.   Many enjoy alligator bites, battered and fried, just as they prepare them in the taverns down south.  Others like to put them on the grill with some Cajun seasoning. 

We enjoy alligator bites stir-fried with onions and hot peppers in a garlic-black bean sauce, served over a bed of steamed rice.   If you want to enjoy an "unadulterated version" of alligator, just toss a few medallions in a skillet to brown both sides and cook them through.  Be careful not to overcook it or else it will be chewy and tough.  Seafood cooks rather quickly. It will have the consistency of a tender pork chop.   Try making a sandwich with the alligator topped with lettuce, tomato, bacon, and mayonnaise.  If you like cheese, provolone is a good choice.

Frogs legs also are good lightly battered and fried.  I like mine with cocktail sauce.  Another favorite way to prepare frogs legs would be in a creole dish.  Cut the pair of frogs legs into two legs and then sauté them in butter and garlic until almost done, just a few minutes per side.  Then add a diced tomato and some Cajun seasoning that includes paprika and ground hot pepper.  Simmer a few minutes to blend the seasonings.  Chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon can be added when you serve this and it goes nicely with steamed rice.

Frogs legs are also very good on the grill.  The larger size frogs legs may be better for the grill as they are easier to turn and less likely to get overcooked.

If you have a recipe to share, please stop by the store and let me know!