Small Town Living in Maryland Blog

Beef Wellington, 2,700 Miles Apart

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Christmas was already in motion when the universe decided to have a little fun with me.

I was in my kitchen making Beef Wellington when I called my brother to wish him a Merry Christmas. Mid-conversation, he casually mentioned that he was also making Beef Wellington for himself and our dad. We were 2,700 miles apart, yet somehow preparing the exact same meal at the exact same time. I couldn’t help but laugh. It felt like one of those quiet, unmistakable reminders that distance doesn’t really matter when hearts – and minds – are still connected.

This year’s Beef Wellington felt especially meaningful, not just because of that moment, but because it represented persistence, patience, and finally getting it right.

The Gluten-Free Redemption

I followed the Food Network recipe for Individual Beef Wellingtons as my guide. While I didn’t follow it exactly, it was the foundation I mimicked and adapted to fit my needs, especially gluten-free ones.

In the past, gluten-free puff pastry had been my downfall. The last time I tried making Beef Wellington with a gluten-free option, the pastry tasted terrible and honestly ruined the dish. It was dense, off-flavored, and disappointing after so much effort. I went into this attempt cautiously, hopeful but guarded.

This time, I used DUFOUR gluten-free puff pastry, and it was absolute perfection. Flaky, buttery, and everything puff pastry should be. It completely redeemed the dish and erased every bad memory of failed gluten-free attempts. I was beyond happy with the outcome, and even better, the kids loved the entire Christmas feast. Watching them enjoy it made all the effort worth it.

The Great Pâté Hunt

Then there was the pâté...

I never imagined that finding liver pâté would be the hardest part of my Christmas menu. I searched high and low – multiple grocery stores, multiple days – wasting far more time than I care to admit. It felt absurd that such a classic ingredient was so hard to track down.

Finally, I reached out to my cousin and his fiancée for suggestions. Without hesitation, Jen said, “Janssen’s Market in Greenville, DE.”

At that point, pâté was the very last thing on my list. I got in the car and drove 30 minutes, hoping they truly had what I needed because I didn’t have the energy for another dead end.

They had it!

The liver pâté from Janssen’s Market was exactly what I had been searching for, and it tied the entire dish together. Rich, smooth, and balanced, it elevated the Beef Wellington and brought everything into harmony. Janssen’s didn’t just finish my shopping list; they saved my sanity and my Christmas dinner.

Worth Every Mile

That Christmas meal ended up being more than just food. It was a connection across distance, a redemption story for gluten-free cooking, and a reminder that sometimes the last ingredient, the hardest one to find, is what makes everything complete.

Pure magic on a plate, worth every mile driven, and a Christmas dinner I won’t forget anytime soon.

Review: SouthHouse (Philadelphia, PA)

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A Gluten-Free Friendly Stop in South Philly

⭐ Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

After picking my daughter up from the airport, we made a much-needed dinner stop at SouthHouse in Philadelphia, and I’m really glad we did.

SouthHouse describes itself as a neighborhood dive-style sports bar, and that vibe comes through right away: casual, welcoming, and perfect for comfort food after a long day. What stood out to me most, though, was how thoughtfully they accommodate gluten-free diners.

Gluten-Free Options That Matter

We ordered cheesesteaks and burgers, and I truly appreciated that SouthHouse offers:

  • Gluten-free buns for their smashburgers
  • Gluten-free hoagie rolls for cheesesteaks
  • A dedicated fryer, which is huge if you’re gluten-free

Knowing that cross-contamination was taken seriously made the experience much more relaxed and enjoyable.

The Real Standout: Fries & Tater Tots

While the sandwiches were solid and filling, the real stars of the night were the fries and tater tots. Perfectly cooked, well-seasoned, and fried in that dedicated fryer – they absolutely delivered. Portions were generous, too; we all ended up taking leftovers home.

If I’m being completely honest, I’d go back just for their app menu. Those fries and tots alone are worth the visit.

Service & Food Notes

Although the restaurant was not very crowded, the service was slow. We did take some time deciding what to order since we had so many gluten-free choices available – something that doesn’t happen often, but even factoring that in, the wait felt longer than expected.

The cheesesteak was a bit dry and definitely needed more Cheese Whiz. In hindsight, I should have asked for extra Whiz, as the portion provided wasn’t quite enough to balance the meat and roll.

Final Thoughts

SouthHouse earns 3 stars from me. While the sandwiches didn’t fully stand out and the service lagged, the gluten-free options, dedicated fryer, and standout fries and tater tots make this a place I’d still return to, especially for appetizers. For anyone eating gluten-free in South Philly, it remains a solid option, just not a must-visit.

SouthHouse
2535 S. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
📞 267-314-5937
📧 southhousephilly@gmail.com

🔗 Learn more: https://southhousephilly.com/

Restaurant Review: P.S. & Company (Philadelphia, PA)

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Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

While in Philadelphia, I stopped by P.S. & Co. after a recommendation from Felim (@feedmefey), specifically to try their cinnamon rolls. Since I was already in the city that morning, it felt like the perfect opportunity to see if they lived up to the hype.

They absolutely did.

P.S. & Co. is a renowned organic, vegan, and gluten-free bakery and café in Philadelphia, and the care they put into their food is immediately noticeable. The cinnamon rolls were outstanding – soft, rich, and perfectly spiced with just the right balance of sweetness. The texture was spot on and satisfying with every bite. Even without being heated at the restaurant, the flavor held beautifully, which speaks to the quality and freshness of the pastry.

Because I had a 45-minute drive back to Maryland, I chose to take them home boxed rather than warmed. Reheating them myself was simple, and they tasted just as indulgent once warmed. The cinnamon flavor came through without being overpowering, and the icing was smooth and generous without overwhelming the roll.

What made the experience even better was the personal touch. The owner, Andrea Kyan, was at the counter helping me with my order, and she was incredibly friendly and genuinely enthusiastic. Her warmth and passion for what she does made the visit feel welcoming and memorable.

These cinnamon rolls also traveled surprisingly well, something not all pastries can claim. They held their structure and flavor beautifully and made for a perfect weekend treat at home. They were a hit with my kids.

If you’re in Philadelphia and looking for a cinnamon roll that delivers on flavor, quality, and experience, especially within the organic, vegan, and gluten-free space, P.S. & Co. is absolutely worth a visit.

P.S. & Co.
1706 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

https://psandco.com/

📞 + 1.215.985.1706
✉️ info@psandco.com

Review: Jersey Mike’s – Newark, Delaware

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As someone with a gluten allergy (and with children who are also gluten-free), finding a sandwich shop that truly understands cross-contamination precautions can be a challenge. Normally, we skip sandwich places altogether since gluten-free rolls are rarely an option, but at Jersey Mike’s, things were different.

I recently took my sons to Jersey Mike’s to try out their subs on Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread, and we were genuinely impressed. The guys behind the counter went above and beyond to make sure our order was safe. They were friendly, accommodating, and clearly knowledgeable about the steps needed to avoid cross-contamination. It immediately put us at ease and made us feel welcome, something that’s not always the case when dining out gluten-free.

At Jersey Mike’s, you can choose from two gluten-free bread sizes: Regular and Giant. We went with the Regular size this time since each of us ordered separate sandwiches. However, if we end up getting the same sandwich next time, the Giant size would be a better deal financially. It’s large enough to split in half and share, saving money without compromising flavor.

The meat and cheeses were freshly sliced right in front of us, which added to the quality and freshness of our sandwiches. The bread held up nicely (which isn’t always the case), had a good texture, and the fillings were fresh. While mine was a bit on the dry side and could’ve used a little more mayo, that was an easy fix with an extra mayo packet. Overall, it was a satisfying meal and a positive experience from start to finish.

Jersey Mike’s uses Udi’s pre-packaged gluten-free rolls, baked off-site to minimize risk, and they follow clear protocols to prevent cross-contamination. While a shared kitchen always carries some level of risk, from what I saw, they took every precaution seriously.

For anyone living gluten-free who misses a good deli-style sandwich, Jersey Mike’s is definitely worth a visit. We’ll absolutely be going back.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Here’s why:

  • +1 star for excellent gluten-free awareness and precautions
  • +1 star for friendly, accommodating service
  • +1 star for freshness (meats and cheeses sliced in front of you)
  • +1 star for availability of gluten-free bread in both sizes
  • –1 star for the sandwich being a bit dry and needing more mayo

Location Visited:
Jersey Mike’s Subs
1107 S. College Ave
Newark, DE 19713
📞 (302) 454-7100
🕙 Open 7 Days a Week: 10 AM – 9 PM

From Garden to InstantPot: My Two-Day Pepper Dehydrating Journey

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I picked a batch of jalapeño, habanero, and cayenne peppers from my garden and decided to dehydrate them in my Instant Pot so they wouldn’t go to waste. 🌶️ It was my first time trying it with whole peppers, and I was curious to see how it would turn out.

The Instant Pot automatically sets the dehydrator to 125º for 7 hours, so I loaded all the peppers in together and let it run. When the timer finally beeped, the cayenne peppers were perfectly dried — crisp and ready to store. But the jalapeños and habaneros were still soft and far from done.

So, I reset the dehydrator and ran another cycle. And then another. It ended up taking two long days before the jalapeños and habaneros finally reached that perfect dry snap. The whole house smelled amazing — smoky, spicy, and earthy all at once.

It was definitely a slow process, but totally worth the patience. Now I’ve got a container of homegrown heat ready to crush or grind whenever I want to add some fire to my cooking. Nothing beats preserving your own peppers straight from the garden. 🔥

🌾 A Day at Kincaid’s Ranch in South Jersey

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The kids and I spent the day with our friends, Jim and Beth, at their beautiful ranch in Bridgeton, New Jersey, recently, and what a blast it was! It’s the kind of place that makes you instantly breathe a little deeper. Wide open land, blue skies stretching forever, and that peaceful South Jersey calm that stays with you long after you leave.

Their ranch produces soybeans, stretching across acres of rich soil that shimmered golden-green in the afternoon light. I’ve always admired the work that goes into growing something so simple yet so essential. All around the property were walnut trees (the big, old ones) dropping what looked like green tennis balls scattered across the ground. I had no clue they were walnuts at first until Jim laughed and explained it. The kids wasted no time turning them into a makeshift baseball game, cracking a few open in the process and learning something new without even realizing it.

The 4-wheeler rides were another highlight — the sound of laughter chasing behind them as they zipped along side the fields. And the kittens… they were plenty, each one friendlier than the last. It took every ounce of willpower to leave without one tucked in a jacket pocket.

We spent the afternoon talking, laughing, and soaking in that quiet, easy rhythm that comes with life on a ranch. My grandfather was a produce farmer in California, so I know and deeply admire the hard work and dedication it takes to run a farm. Watching Jim and Beth care for their land and crops reminded me of the same kind of heart and grit my grandfather carried — something that never leaves you once it’s in your roots.

Easily a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ afternoon of fun and laughter; the kind that fills your heart and reminds you why small-town life on the East Coast is something special.

☕ Support the Journey

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The Maryland Italian Festival kicks off this Friday, September 26th, at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen and runs all weekend long!

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🇮🇹 Thanks to the festival hosts for providing us with tickets — we’ll be there and can’t wait to share our experience. Hope to see everyone out there enjoying the food, music, rides, and family fun! 🎉

🎟️ When and Where

  • Dates: Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 28
  • Times: Friday 5 PM – 10 PM, Saturday 11 AM – 10 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 7 PM
  • Location: Ripken Stadium Parking Lot, Aberdeen, Maryland
  • Admission: $12 for adults, children 12 and under are free with a parent
  • Parking: Free on-site and at satellite lots with shuttle service