Spring Checklist: Hot Treats
✅ FRENCH TOAST BEER
Charisse McGill, creator of French Toast Bites, became the first black woman in Pennsylvania to debut her own beer when she released a sweet ale in partnership with Doylestown Brewing Company. The French Toast— flavored brew is available at several stores and restaurants, and you can also get it delivered via goPuff. French Toast Bites Ale, LokalArtisanFoods.com
Shell illustration by Martialred-stock.adobe.com
✅ SMOKE-ROASTED SEA SCALLOPS
Scott Hattersley, founder of West Chester’s Sugartown Smoked Specialties, calls his smoke-roasted sea scallops “a crowd-pleaser.” Coming mostly from Cape May, the dry, additive-free beauties are cured with sea salt and brown sugar, then smoked over hardwoods to a mahogany hue. Order them online. Sugartown Smoked Specialties, SmokedFoods.com
✅ FAMILY-STYLE ITALIAN DINNERS
Mondays aren’t easy, but Altomonte’s “LaFaMEALias” can help. The Italian deli offers a weekly family-style menu that tends to include favorites like lasagna and chicken parmesan with penne pasta. The Monday dinners come with salad and bread and serve two people for $24.99 or up to six people for $49.99.Altomonte’s Italian Market & Deli, 85 N. York Rd., Warminster and 856 N. Easton Rd., Doylestown, Altomontes.com
Whoopie Pie photo by Hihitetlin-stock.adobe.com
✅ CLASSIC WHOOPIE PIES
Holly Holleran’s family has been in the whoopie pie business since her grandmother Tico opened a bakery in 1939. These days, Holleran bakes up the sweet sandwiches in Lancaster County and ships them all over. Flavors include devil’s food chocolate, red velvet with buttercream, peanut butter and pumpkin (proudly made with fresh pumpkin). Tico’s Whoopie Pies, TicosWhoopies.com
Pesto photo by Ange1011-stock.adobe.com
✅ TRADITIONAL PESTO GENOVESE
When the pandemic hit, restaurant veteran Gemma Carrari Richardson started making pesto with the official recipe of her ancestral home, Genoa, Italy. It’s got local basil and Italian olive oil, pine nuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Sardinian pecorino. Find her Amorpesto at the Clark Park and Headhouse farmers’ markets, Riverwards Produce and Liberty Kitchen. $10 Amorpesto, Instagram: @annamaria_loves_pesto
