Salmon is a market favorite
Q. Like most nights, I was tired from work and did not feel like making dinner. So I stopped at Doris Italian Market & Bakery near my office in Sunrise. I got the orange blossom salmon from their prepared foods section and it was unbelievable. The salmon was so fresh, cooked to perfection and delicious. It was light and simple. Would it be possible to get the recipe from them? I’d love to try to make this myself. — EmmaJean Livingston, Boca Raton
A. I can certainly relate to this scenario, EmmaJean. How lucky you are to have Doris Italian Market & Bakery (multiple locations, dorismarket.com) en route home. Now with five locations dotting South Florida, I’d say that’s a good indicator that many other Floridians are following suit.
The original Doris Italian Market & Bakery opened in Hollywood in 1947. Carmelo Alfano, a Sicilian immigrant and butcher, bought the store from the original owners in the early 1980s. Nowadays, Alfano’s son John serves as president of the company and daughter Jacqueline manages the marketing and administrative work. No doubt the family’s hands-on approach is a direct correlation to its success.
Over the years, the market grew based on customers seeking variety and convenience
Claire’s Tip of the Week: It’s baking season, and here are a few tips to get prepared and in the spirit.
Get organized and take an inventory. Ditch the old spices that have lost their potency sitting in the back of the cabinet. Buy smaller containers when available.
Shop the big box stores with a friend and share the cost. Split bulk purchases on costly items like vanilla beans and nuts.
Shop the sales, stock up and freeze items such as chocolate and butter.
Make doughs in advance; prep, preportion and freeze in resealable bags.
Invest in silicone baking mats or parchment paper for lining baking sheets. Both help distribute heat more evenly and reduce clean-up time.
under one roof. What started as a neighborhood mom-and-pop butcher and deli now offers everything, literally, from soup to nuts. Aside from the quality meats and authentic Italian-American deli that established the business, Doris Market now features fresh produce, seafood, cheese displays, scratch-made baked goods, prepared foods and specialty packaged products. An extensive wine selection and fullservice catering department rounds out the offerings. The newest North Palm Beach location boasts a brick pizza oven, Lavazza coffee bar, in-store homemade gelato, a chef's demo kitchen and even a bocce ball court. It doesn’t get more Italian than that.
The orange blossom salmon is one of many menu specials that Doris Market offers on a rotating daily basis. Since it’s not a regular menu item, be sure to call ahead and check availability.
Q. I recently moved and misplaced my aunt’s recipe for pumpkin bread. I haven’t been able to find a recipe that comes close. It was very moist and delicious. All the recipes I’ve tried are bland. Do you have a favorite recipe? — Maryann Stanton, Fort Lauderdale
A.When I was growing up there was always a loaf of pumpkin bread on the kitchen counter during the holidays. It was then that I developed a liking for pumpkin bread toast with cream cheese for breakfast. So delicious.
I think my mother made every possible rendition of this bread over the years. Likely because she always winged it in the kitchen and used whatever was on hand. No orange juice? Try apple. No ginger? Substitute clove or allspice. Try any of the suggested flavor combinations that appeal to your taste or come close to your aunt’s version.
While I do love walnuts for this recipe, pecans, almonds or pumpkins seeds are tasty, too. Dried fruit such as cranberries, dates or figs are also nice additions. And a handful of chocolate chips always pleases the kids.