INN-DULGE YOUR TASTEBUDS
A Philadelphia pastor preparing a pasta recipe so decadent it
seems almost sinful will be among the highlights at the Manchester Inn's fourth annual
Chocolate Lovers Weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 11th at 25 Ocean Pathway.
The Rev. David H. Hinkelman, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of the Redeemer in Philadelphia, was among 390 people to take part in the chocolate
lovers event at the Manchester last year. Inn owners Clark and Margaret Cate melted 80
pounds of chocolate, served 15 gallons of homemade soup, 8 gallons of their traditional
hot cranberry punch, and helped Hinkelman cook up 10 pounds of his recipe for Chocolate
and Nut Bowtie Pasta.
The Manchester is among several inns that will be open for
touring during the Victorian Inn-side Open House on February 7, hosted by the Ocean Grove
Area Chamber of Commerce. Admission is free, and at the Manchester's Secret Garden
restaurant, visitors will be able to make their own chocolate lollipops, peanut butter
cups, angels, coconut and caramel candies, using milk, dark, white and red chocolates.
There will be fresh fruit for dipping in chocolate fondues, and
for the adventurous, fresh chocolate-dipped pretzels, potato chips, Oreo cookies and mini
s'mores. For those with a craving for something less sweet, the Manchester's chef will be
preparing several aromatic (but non-chocolate) soups and the inn's popular winter drink
staple, a hot spiced cranberry punch.
Several of the circa 1875 inn's 35 guest rooms will be open for
the tour, and visitors will be able to view intricately hand-painted lighthouse murals on
the stairways and the silhouettes of Victorian families and collection of antique hand
mirrors decorating the hallways. Five rooms on the second floor have private porches
overlooking the ocean. The inn is open all year and is also available for private parties.
Cate, who refers to Hinkelman, a family friend, as "our
pasta pastor," said the dish proved so popular last year that they will be passing
out recipes at this year's event.
Chocolate and Nut Bowtie Pasta
Saute 6 ounces of cooked bowtie pasta in 2 ounces of butter.
Add 1-ounce almonds
1-ounce hazelnuts,
1-ounce sweet brown sugar
Add 2-ounces semi-sweet chocolate morsels, toss, and when melted, serve immediately.
Manchester Inn's Hot Cranberry Punch
6 cups cranberry juice cocktail
2 cups orange juice
2 cups lemon juice
¼ cup sugar
2 tablespoons grated orange rind
6 whole cloves
3 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
Combine all the ingredients in a large Dutch oven and bring to a
boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Strain the mixture and discard spices.
Yields 8-9 cups, 8-ounce serving size.
