Celebrating Delaware Day

Delaware is an interesting state rich in history, yet because of its size, it is often overlooked. Stretching 96 miles long and only 39 miles wide at its widest point, Delaware has the fewest number of counties than any state with just three. And despite its relationship to Washington DC, Delaware has only three electorial votes. Small indeed.

That might explain why Delaware has more chickens in the state than people. That’s not meant as an insult. It’s just that people require a whole lot more room than a chicken. Poultry and eggs account for 75% of the state’s agricultural production.

During the Civil War, Delaware was divided on the issue of slavery. No actual battles were fought in the state, which is why it was considered an important buffer zone by President Lincoln. Fort Delaware; on Pea Patch Island, served as a base for the Union Army as well as a POW camp for Confederate prisoners.

Speaking of Pea Patch Island, it is located in the mid channel of the Delaware River, near the entrance to Delaware Bay. The Island emerged as a mud bank in the river in the 18th century. According to folklore, a ship full of peas ran aground on the island, spilling its contents. Before long, pea plants began to take root, giving the mile-long island its name.

Opened in 1951, the Delaware Memorial Bridge is the longest twin-span suspension bridge in the world. The bridge connects Delaware to New Jersey. Just don’t try crossing the bridge on a holiday – traffic is a nightmare!

Finally, Delaware is home to the largest population of horseshoe crabs in the world. Despite its name, the horseshoe crab is not a crab at all. It’s a marine arthropod that lives in shallow coastal waters. They say you can eat them, but I think I’ll pass if for no other reason than a respect for something that has been around since before the dinosaurs.

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Today is also National French Fry Day. So I went looking for recipes popular in Delaware that would go well served with fries. That’s when I found this delicious Bistro recipe from Taste of Home. It was perfect. Enjoy!

Delaware Pub Supper
Bistro Beef Barbecue Sandwiches
Air Fryer Crinkle Fries

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Bistro Beef Barbecue Sandwiches
1/2 cup Brown Sugar, packed
1/2 cup Picante Sauce
1/2 cup Red Wine
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
4 Garlic Cloves, sliced
4 lb Sirloin Tip Roast
16 Kaiser Rolls
8 tablespoons Butter
2 cups Deli Coleslaw

In a bowl, mix brown sugar, Picante sauce, red wine, vinegar and Worcestershire Sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper, set aside. Peel and slice garlic cloves, set aside.

Cut roast in half, cut slits into the roast and insert garlic. Place roast in the bowl of a 5-quart slow cooker. Pour sauce over the roast. Cook, covered, on LOW until tender, about 8 or 9 hours.

Remove roast from the slow cooker, place on a cutting board. Skim fat from the cooking liquid. Shred the meat with two forks, return shredded beef to the cooker. Heat through.

While the shredded meat warms, split rolls. Lightly butter, place under a broiler to toast. To serve, pile the meat on the toasted rolls, top with coleslaw and enjoy.

Air Fryer French Fries
Cooking Spray
15 oz frozen French Fries or as desired
Salt to taste

Spray basket of the air fryer with cooking spray, place in fryer. Set Air Fryer to 390-degrees for 15 minutes. Pause after 5 minutes heating time. Remove basket, spread fries out inside the heated basket. Spray with more cooking spray, season with salt.

Return basket to fryer, continue to air fry for 5 minutes. Pause, remove basket and shake fries about. Season with a bit more salt if desired. Insert basket in fryer, fry another 5 minutes.

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Remember the marvels the Lord has done