let's pawty

Sponsored by Ristorante Massimo “Authentic Italian Food Is More Than Our Passion… It’s Our Life’s Work.”

Ingredients 1 small onion chopped very thinly

1 garlic clove chopped very thinly

1C cream

1/2C white wine (good quality chardonnay)

1 saffron thread (available at Trader Joe’s)

1T clarified butter Directions Melt butter in pan & add onion.

When onion is translucent add garlic & stir.

Add wine & let simmer.

Keep 1T of cream on-hand & add the rest to the pan.

Reduce sauce till desired consistency.

Dissolve saffron thread in the remained 1T of cream & add to sauce.

S&P to taste.

Rack of Lamb Ingredients 1 rack of lamb Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper 2T extra-virgin olive oil 2T coarsely chopped fresh rosemary 1T chopped fresh thyme plus 4 sprigs 10 cloves of garlic; smashed

Directions Preheat oven to 450.

Season lamb with S&P.

Heat oil in 12” cast-iron skillet over medium high heat.

Add lamb fat-side down & cook (using tongs to flip & sear the bottom & sides) until browned; about 10 minutes.

Turn lamb fat-side up in skillet & scatter herbs over top.

Add garlic to skillet & transfer to oven.

Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in center of meat reads 130-degrees for medium rare; about 10 minutes.

Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into chops; serve with Saffron Sauce.

Massimo is not only passionate about food, but also his Mia, an adorable Maltese/Shih Tzu!

Since Massimo started sponsoring this column, Mia has become a bit of a local celebrity. While stopped at a light on Route 1, two gals motioned to Massimo to roll down his window. He did…and they then asked, “Is that Mia?” He laughed & said, “Yes, how did you know?” They responded, “We see her in Seacoast Bark!”

Editor’s Note: These are simply musings from Flip-Flop, an exuberant & opinionated shaggy dog. They are not any sort of product endorsement or “dis” by this publication or any member of our editorial team. Just a bit about stuff she likes (Flips) and stuff she doesn’t (Flops)!

Chicken Diapers This product is so silly, yet I think it’s a flip as it has grown to be a flipping successful business based right here in New Hampshire! Pamper Your Poultry makes diapers for chickens and is raking in over $60,000 a year. Founder Julie Baker came up with the idea as her daughter often brought their hens into the house, and they were making a mess. The reusable, machine-washable diapers come in an array of designs and sell for $18. This idea sure has taken flight. (PamperYourPoultry.com)

Cat Masks This is a crazy flop! There’s a website in Japan where people can order a realistic mask of their cat…so they can look alike! The company is called My Family Masks, which is meant to symbolize the bond you have with your pet. Hand-sculpted clay masks are made from a photo, complete with faux fur that is painted for details. It takes about 2 months and isn’t cheap; about $2,600. Yikes. What will humans think up next? (shindo-office.tokyo/)

Most Dog-Friendly States How cool is this. Both New Hampshire and Maine ranked in the top 10 most dog-friendly states according to a 2019 study that looked at information from the Bureau of Labor, the Animal Legal Defense Fund and other online pet-related resources. They specifically looked for high-percentages of no-kill shelters, strict anti-cruelty laws, pet-friendly public areas like dog-friendly restaurants and off-leash dog parks, and housing restrictions to compile this list. We local canines are sure lucky pups to live here! (safewise.com/blog/safest-states-pets/)

Unfriendly Dog Dining Though I know it’s due to local health codes, I think it’s a real bummer that dogs aren’t allowed to join their peeps in restaurants. Canines that live across the pond are welcome in most pubs and cafes. I sure wish our laws would change! But on a PAWS-itive note, I salute the local establishments that do allow pups on their patios. Some of my favorites are: Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, The District restaurant and Cisco Brewers in Portsmouth, Rudder’s Public House in Kittery and the Newburyport Brewing Company. I’ll be visiting all as soon as the weather warms up.

Salty Dog Product This is a great, tasty treat for sea-loving, salty dogs! Finlander Fish Skins dog treats are made in Maine by New England Fishmongers from all natural wild-caught fish. New England Fishmongers is a group of men and women who work aboard F/V Finlander in Eliot, Maine. They are dedicated to bringing fresh Gulf of Maine fish directly from their boat to consumers. You can get these wholesome treats at Just Dogs in downtown Newburyport. (NewEnglandFishmongers.com)

Soggy Dog Product OMG…a company called Walkee Paws has developed a new line of leggings for dogs complete with waterproof booties “with grippies for traction” so our paws won’t get wet! I don’t know about your pup, but I don’t mind being a soggy doggie. Wet paws are a sign of an active dog! This idea is a flop in my mind, as no self-respecting dog would ever want to be seen in public in this garb! (WalkeePaws.com)