The Connections Bernards Ridge Edition June, July & August 2021

theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 38 DINING & PROVISIONS A Pinch of LOCAL FLAVOR Salmon with Mango Salsa For the salmon • 2 lb. whole skinless salmon fillet • Olive oil • 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt • 1 teaspoon black pepper • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/4 cup honey • 1/2 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar For the Mango Salsa • 2 large ripe mangoes, chopped (or substitute 2 1/2 cups frozen mango) • ½ cup chopped pineapple • 1/2 red onion, diced • 1/2 sweet bell pepper, chopped • 1 jalapeno (seeded if you don’t want a lot of heat), diced • Squeeze of lime (about ½ lime) • Lots of fresh chopped cilantro • Salt and pepper to taste 1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. 2. Toss all the mango salsa ingredients together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. This can be made several hours in advance as the avor actually gets better as it sits. 3. Place salmon on a double sheet of heavy duty foil large enough to wrap and seal around the let. 4. Whisk together the olive oil, paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Rub seasonings on the salmon and pour the mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar over the salmon. Once the salmon is seasoned, top with 3-4 spoonfuls of salsa. Double wrap it in heavy duty foil, sealing it on top. 5. Bake for 12 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 2-4 minutes or until salmon registers 125 degrees, for medium or 145 for well done. 6. Remove the salmon from the oven and loosely cover with foil again. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. 7. To serve, divide the salmon up into individual portions and spoon the mango salsa on top. 8. Serve with white rice or the rice of your choice and enjoy! INSTRUCTIONS Submitted by: Heat up your barbecues and break out the bicycles. It is summer in Basking Ridge! That means long hot days, Little League games, lacrosse and - Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream, of course. Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream has been a spring and summer staple for a whole generation of Somerset Hills families and this spring, it came back with a whole new look. Everyone loves Ava ’s, as Basking Ridge’s favorite ice cream spot is affectionately called. Ava ’s mission is to create homemade ice cream that is made fresh in-house with high-quality in- gredients and in small batches for the ultimate freshness. All of their avors are made with ingredients from Dingman’s Dairy and locally sourced from area farms, giving them a fresh- ness like no other ice cream. Whether you are looking for a scoop of salty caramel pretzel, key lime pie, ocean blue raspberry, or Madagascar vanilla - you know that the ice cream you get is going to be fresh and delicious. Their menu includes favorites like malted milkshakes, root beer oats, old-fashioned hand-spun milkshakes and, homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches. When the DiGiorgio family bought Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream in 2016, it was not just about the ice cream. The family of ve loved that the ice cream shop nestled on West Hen- ry Street in downtown Basking Ridge was a gathering place for people of all ages in the community. With casual outdoor seating, great parking and access to the playground and expansive lawns at Oak Street School, it is more than just a place to get ice cream. It is a place to meet up with friends, celebrate a team victory, or just have a leisurely afternoon on a hot summer day. The DiGiorgio family embraced the com- munity. All three of their children help out behind the counter and they actively get in- volved with neighborhood causes. One of their avors, Goodness Gracious, a luscious mix of chocolate ice cream, caramel and marshmallow swirls, and chocolate chunks, is Grace’s favorite. She is a child diagnosed with cancer in 2018. In her honor, Ava’s Home- made Ice Cream donates all of the proceeds from the sale of this avor to pediatric cancer research. They also helped out a local Cub Scout pack by donating the prize for the Blue and Gold raf e- the winner created his own avor at Ava’s! This summer, regulars will notice that the inside of Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream has been given a bright new look. There are other environmentally conscious changes, too - like paper straws and biodegradable cups and spoons. Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream con- tinues to be an allergy-aware, tree nut-free environment. There is a lot more happening at Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream this year. Be sure to visit Ava ’s brand new website as well as follow them on social media to keep up as they announce new special avors and more updates. But don’t just rely on social media, come see for yourself. If you are not from Basking Ridge and have never expe- rienced Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream, be sure to put it on this summer’s to-do list. Gather some friends or family, hop on your bike, take a walk or drive over and get in on Basking Ridge’s best summer tradition - ice cream at Ava ’s! Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream 1 W. Henry Street Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 908-696-0090 www.avasicecream.com Visit our website for current hours C C Whether you are looking for a scoop of salty caramel pretzel, key lime pie, ocean blue raspberry, or Madagascar vanilla - you know that the ice cream you get is going to be fresh and delicious. Their menu includes favorites like malted milkshakes, root beer oats, old-fashioned hand-spun milkshakes and, homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches. One of their avors, Goodness Gracious, a luscious mix of chocolate ice cream, caramel and marshmallow swirls, and chocolate chunks, is Grace’s favorite. She is a child diagnosed with cancer in 2018. In her honor, Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream donates all of the proceeds from the sale of this avor to pediatric cancer research.