Eat PA: Duffy’s Tavern

Recommendations for each stop on Eat PA come from a variety of people: friends, family, co-workers, our own discoveries and more. This next stop was a place I visited briefly with my sister at one point, but was recently recommended as a “must stop” by my parents when I told them about this new blog campaign.

Tucked away in the small town of Boalsburg, just four miles from State College, PA, is a Victorian tavern that has been around for almost two centuries – Duffy’s Tavern. It was built in 1819 and with traditional wood flooring, deep-set windows and seven fireplaces is a rustic and necessary stop for everyone.

One of the most interesting aspects of traveling to each of these different eateries in various geographical locations of PA is discovering and learning the history that each area represents. Whether national, local or even personal history – so far each spot I have stopped at, and the few I have planned for the near future are rich in history. This building, still standing in its original stonework, catered to colonial travelers in the past. The entire colonial atmosphere of the small downtown atmosphere located in Boalsburg is one that really makes you feel like you are stepping back in time.

Our experience was great. We visited on a Sunday afternoon. The tavern was packed full of Steeler fans, but the dining area was quiet and homey.  Walking through each room felt somewhat like you were walking through a museum – excited to see what was to come next.  We sat in a dining area that was once a porch. It is now enclosed and part of the building and provides a great view of the middle of town. Taylor indulged in a bottled root beer – we both agreed it tasted even better because of the glass bottle. After our appetizer and meal we took a stroll through entire tavern. With multiple dining rooms and a bar it was so interesting to see all of the vintage decor – pictures below. Not to mention it looked lovely decorated for Christmas!

Taylor and I both agreed it was a great place and we can see why locals love it. A great staff, diverse menu, varying specials, historic building and rustic decor all tucked in the small town of Boalsburg, you are sure to have a great experience.

Appetizer-Bavarian Soft Pretzel Sticks

• 3 soft pretzels (Taylor ate one before I returned from the bathroom)
• dipping sauces: whole grain mustard,  jalapeno cheddar cheese, maple butter

Taylor – Salmon Filet

• parmesan salmon
• rice pilaf
• creamed spinach

Me (Elle)- Lamb Sliders

• lamb sliders
• toppings: roasted red peppers, onions, garlic herb aioli, mixed greens
• sweet potato fries

Price Guide- 

Bavarian Soft Pretzel Sticks: $8.00
Salmon Filet: $25.00
Lamb Sliders: $11.00

The Next Generation of Holiday Traditions

Ah – for the love of all things peppermint. Life truly is grand – however, experiencing my first holiday season in my own home has seriously been weird.

Decorating my own space, listening to my own Christmas music, sending my own Christmas cards and making sure every room I step in smells like a Christmas tree or sugar cookies, while fun – is very weird. Going home to my parents’ house for the holidays each year, walking in to a fully decked out Christmas wonderland, festive baking and the same holiday CDs was something I truly looked forward to. Luckily it is all still the same, but no longer am I leaving a cold and barren dorm room – but a warm and festive home – to celebrate at my parents warm and festive home. It’s weird. I don’t think I ever took for granted all the wonderful Christmas festivities that when on in the Collins household, because like I mentioned, I get excited for it every year. Yet, as people get married, children are born, and new additions are added to the family – we are building the next generation of family traditions which is a great transition to be a part of!

I am a girl who loves traditions. Year after year as the same people in my family attend the same family events, it never gets old. So naturally, as the traditions change (even though only slightly) – it’s weird. For example – this year will be the first Christmas Eve that I will not be sleeping at my parents’ house – weird. This may sound childish or immature to those reading, but quite honestly your judgment doesn’t bother me – the fact that I am not having a sleepover at my parents’ the night of December 24^th does – weird, yet so very awesome.

Although I do not enjoy traditions changing, the fact that this year is allowing me to create my own traditions provides a more exhilarating feeling than anything else. So, while it’s weird, it’s still very cool – changing traditions, creating my own and adding new family member to the mix is all a worthwhile experience.

I know the best is yet to come!

Christmas Gift Sneak Peak

Ready for the holidays! Christmas gift sneak peak!

Sweet and Simple: Festive Chocolate Bark

Well it is that time of year ladies and gents. With one holiday weekend down and about a week more of celebrations to come at the end of December, it is time to prepare your taste buds. Every year people naturally complain about all of the food, overeating and it being to cold and/or dark to hit the gym, but let’s be honest – who can blame them!? No matter how much self-control you have, it is hard to say no to home-made food, cuddling on the couch and indulging in all of the sweet treats.

This year however, I am trying harder than ever to get to the gym AND watch what I eat now, and around the holidays. The way I see it, you just can’t indulge all the time. Picking and choosing your favorite holidays indulgences is OK and something I see as one of life’s simple pleasures.

The recipe below is one that is totally easy, but makes for the perfect satisfying bite when craving something sweet. Eating a portion of this bark will cut your sweet craving and prevent you from indulging.

This is also a treat I am going to bring to holiday parties for everyone to enjoy and/or for a gift. Make the bark, break it up and put it into a tin gift box or display it nicely on a holiday plate. It is homemade, simple and sweet!

I call it “festive” bark because the toppings can change with the season. For this time of year I chose to do half with almonds, cranberries and sunflowers seeds, and the other half with Trader Joe’s Coconut Cashews – another festive option would be peppermints. In the summer you could top it with a variety of dried fruits, or pumpkin seeds in the fall.

No matter when you decide to indulge, choose this bark as your holiday dessert, a replacement of the standard Christmas cookie and/or as a “healthier” option to satisfy your sweet tooth. Don’t deprive yourself, it is all about balance! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Enjoy!

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups(one bag) meltable semi-sweet chocolate disks
• nuts, dried fruits, seeds etc. – to taste

1. Place 1 or 2 sheets of wax paper of cookie sheet.

2. Melt the chocolate in a microwavable safe dish. Cook in 30 second intervals and stir at each break until completely melted.

2. Spread melted chocolate out on wax paper as thin or thick as you would like.

4. Sprinkle toppings.

5. Leave on kitchen counter at room temperature until harden – I made mine at night around 8:00 and it was the perfect consistency to cut in the morning.