5 Block Island Recipes You Can Make at Home
Block Island has some of the best restaurants in the area. From gourmet meals to donuts, there’s a meal for and taste and price point. The Block Island Ferry also has the advantage of having many renowned establishments just minutes from its ports in Pt Judith and Newport.
But what happens if you just can’t get away? You’re craving those Block Island dishes but you’re stuck at work. Fret not! Below we’ve compiled 5 different island dishes that you can make in the comfort of your own home!
Clam Cakes & Chowder
Any New Englander worth their salt knows that clam cakes and chowder is an essential staple of Rhode Island cuisine. Each restaurant in the area has their own variation on the meal. Clam cakes are a bit different from place to place and don’t even get us started about the chowder! These dishes are so popular, in fact, that many competitions for the best have spawned across New England.
The folks over at Yankee Magazine have put together their own recipes for clam cakes (https://newengland.com/food/clam-cakes/) and Rhode Island Clam Chowder (https://newengland.com/food/soups-stews-chowders/rhode-island-clear-broth-clam-chowder/). These are a great jumping off point for you to create your own twist on this famous dish!
Baked Striped Bass
The Sunday School Builders over at the First Baptist Church of Block Island put together their very own cookbook back in 1962 with all their favorite recipes. Along with the usual seafood fare, they also included some very interesting choices. Have a whole bunch of haddock and don’t know what to do with it? Try some fish pudding! Suffering from a bad cough? Just mix equal parts molasses and rum. That’ll cure anything!
One simple, yet tried and true, dish from contributor J. M. L. is baked striped bass. This recipe (https://pvd.library.jwu.edu/ld.php?content_id=33181180) uses salt pork and a light cream to create a savory, delicious meal.
Block Island Braised Littlenecks
Block Island’s own Pamela Gelsomini has made a name for herself. Creating social content under the name “Dish Off the Block”, she has won many awards, written two cookbooks (What Can I Make With This Frickin’ Chicken?! and Fish Off the Block), as well as curated her own line of spice mixes.
One delectable dish she has created is her Block Island braised littlenecks with chorizo, chard, and cannellini beans (https://www.dishofftheblock.com/recipe/block-island-braised-littlenecks-with-chorizo-chard-and-cannellini-beans/). It’s a quick, one pan meal that will leave your guests full and satisfied!
Block Island Barnacles (Blue Dory Cookies)
Bed & breakfast establishments are kind of great. Besides their home-y feeling, each has a little extra something that goes above and beyond the usual hotel/motel experience. This is especially true over at the Blue Dory.
Proprietor Ann Law has made batches of fresh chocolate chunk cookies, called Block Island Barnacles, for her guests for over 25 years. Luckily for us, Kate over at FramedCooks.com was able to get the recipe (https://www.framedcooks.com/blue-dory-cookies/) so you can make them at home! Not too savvy in the kitchen? Ms. Law also ships her treats (https://blockislandinns.com/about/block-island-barnacles/) premade to your home!
Block Island Cocktails
Back in July 2010, Pippa Jack over at Rhode Island Monthly had the chance to grab some cocktails over at the Hotel Manisses. The drinks were so good that the Rhode Show invited bartender Jerry Riker to come into the studio and show how they were made.
Now when they drank them it was 8 in the morning. We might suggest waiting a little later in the day before you take a stab at mixing up Jerry’s Block Island Blackberry or Sangria Martini (https://www.rimonthly.com/cocktails-from-block-island/).
We hope you add these recipes in your cooking arsenal to share and enjoy. But don’t stay away from Block Island for too long. It’s always better when someone else is doing the cooking for you!
See you in the kitchen and Sail Away…
