Celebrate Summer @ Walter Stewart’s Market w/ Local & Unique Eats (sponsored post)

CTbites Team July 22, 2014

With summer in full swing there are even more reasons to shop Walter Stewart's Market, a fixture in downtown New Canaan since 1907. This family run grocer features not only outstanding customer service and a great selection of everyday needs for your family, but also local producers and hard to find specialty goods in every aisle.

Get healthy this summer with several new delicious offerings at Stewart’s prepared food grab and go salad case: Daikon Slaw with Organic Vegetables and Ginger Dressing, Sesame Salmon, Fresh Burrata over Grilled Peaches, or Summer Corn and Edamame Salad provide the perfect start to a great meal. Beat the heat with their Chilled Melon Soup and home made Gazpacho.

Juicing is easy at the Market with Juisi Artfully Crafted Juices available in Watermelon, Pineapple Jamu, Cucumber Chia, Kale Punch, & Raw Almond Chocolate Milk. Other cold pressed juices include New Haven based, Project Fresh Smoothies as well as Project Fresh Organic Cold-pressed Craft Juices. These are Gluten Free and non-GMO.

Looking for local fruits and veggies? Walter Stewart's always brings the farm to you with fresh local CT produce. What’s in season right now? Fresh Corn, Yellow and Green Squash from Baggott Farm in East Windsor, CT, Greens from Millstone Farm, and right around the corner…CT tomatoes, blueberries, eggplant, peppers, green beans and more as the summer season progresses.

The Buzz: Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters from Trumbull, CT is being served at Walter Stewart’s. This small batch roasted local organic coffee can be purchased by the bean, by the cup, as well as cold pressed. From further afield…Stumptown Coffee Roasters Cold Brew (iced coffee), from Portland, is also available along with A Happy Life Coffee.

200% Guaranteed Fresh Fish: Stewart’s Market receives daily deliveries of ocean fresh fish from the best and most-trusted local suppliers. They’re so confident in the quality of our fresh seafood that they back it with a 200% guarantee! Right now find local CT Fluke and delicious North Carolina Gulf Shrimp.

From the Butcher: Walter Stewart’s always carries 100% Grass Fed and Finished Steaks – like all of their steaks, expertly trimmed and butchered. NEW to Stewart’s is De Bragga Grass Fed Ground Beef; Finger Lakes region, NY State.

While you’re in the Butcher aisle, check out the Olympic Provisions Salami. This salami is made with all-natural Northwest pork which the team at Olympic hand-butchers to 100% lean, then adds back hand-cut fatback. This nearly extinct Old World technique results in charcuterie that’s as smooth and creamy as it is true in pure pork flavor. Slice thin, and pair with your favorite cheeses, wines, and bread for the perfect charcuterie board.

Eating Gluten Free? Those with special dietary needs will find both Walter Stewart’s own Gluten Free Chicken Breast Tenders as well as those from Belle Evan, and a great lineup of Gluten Free pastas from La Pasta and Pasta Prima. But wait there are more Gluten Free brands you’ll love including: UDI’s Gluten Free Breads, Glutino, Envirokidz, Way Better Snacks,, Gluten Free Pantry, Mary’s Gone Crackers, Pamela’s, Rustichella, Saffron Road, Terrapin Ridge Farms, Van’s, as well as beers by Glutenberg, Green’s and New Planet.

Craving something sweet? How about Sweet Sabrina’s Fine Cakes from Nowalk CT. Sweet Sabrina’s creates a full line to please every sweet youth and epicurean inckuding: European Cakes, Tarts, Macarons, Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate, Carrot Cake, Lemon Meringue Tarts, and assorted Macarons. While we’re talking dessert, don’t miss locally made Gelato Guiliana (New Haven CT) in flavors such as: Coconut, Passion Peach, Blood Orange Raspberry.

Sweeten it up naturally with Sweet Pea Farm’s Honey straight from Redding, CT. In varieties such as Widlflower, Clover, Chunk Honey, and Orange Blossom, you’ll find just the right match. They even have Bee Pollen and Raw Honey Comb.

Here’s another healthy favorite, and these can be tough to find at your local market, Blue Hill Orchard Yogurts. Blue Hill Yogurt is made at the culinary legend, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, with milk from 100% grass-fed cows from small, family-owned farms in the northeast. Find them in the dairy section.

Brooklyn Finds: You don’t need to drive to Brooklyn to find Brooklyn Hot Dog Company’s dogs, Buffalo Dog, and Gyro Hot Dogs or McClure’s Pickles in Spicy Spears, Garlics Spears, & Bloody Mary Mixer (excellent!).

Right next door, Stewart’s Spirits offers three tastings a week: Wine Geek Wednesday where they highlight an unusual grape or varietal; Friday Happy Hour Tasting with either a feature cocktail or wine; Saturday Tasting from 12-6 with a focus on a line-up from a particular winemaker or region. See schedule on their web site. https://www.stewartswines.com/

This month, John in the Wine Shop is excited about a few very special wines. The 2009 Bodegas Bilbainas Rioja offers elegant and intense, hints of red berries and notes of licorice on this nose along with aromas from aging, such as spice, tobacco and vanilla. Smooth, rounded, fresh and well-balanced, this is a wine that epitomizes the Rioja Alta.

The 2013 Tarima - Blanco is a great summertime sipper that’s light, bright and floral, perfect pairing with all kinds of seafood, fish and light dishes.

John also likes the 2012 Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, “The best of Oregon's Willamette Valley in a bottle! Impeccably grown Pinot Noir fruit from the Eola Hills blends beautifully with our estate fruit. Dollar for dollar, this is simply the richest Willamette Valley Pinot Noir for your palate!”

Lastly, we’d love you to check out the 2013 Hogwash Rose (Grenache). “The nose is a perfect marriage of piquant gooseberry, ripe canary melon pencil lead and wet granite. Bone dry on the palate, the striking mineral notes intermingle beautifully with flavors of lime curd, orange rind, D’anjou pear and rose hips.”

In the beer aisle, Stewart’s is featuring some very special beer from Maine Beer Company. Maine Beer Company produces these in small batches. Get them while you can.

Maine Beer

Mo - Pale Ale

Peeper - American Ale

Zoe - Amber Ale

A Tiny Beautiful Something - Pale Ale

If you’re looking for craft Whiskey and spirits, Stewart’s carries the complete line from High West Distillery: American Prairie Reserve, Campfire, Double Rye!, Rendezvous Rye, and Son of Bourye. Come try ‘em!

After you’ve visited Stew’s Spirits, test out those ingredients at home with a classic summer cocktail…or really, this one can be enjoyed all year round. Here is Stewart’s recipe for a John’s Favorite Manhattan.