Our Blog

February 8, 2012

King Arthur Flour Co. is a just an hour away

Did you know that King Arthur Flour Co. is Mecca for all those who bake, try to bake, want to learn to bake, or simply enjoy eating fantastically delicious baked items?  That pretty much covers all of us, doesn’t it?  And did you know that King Arthur Flour Co. is in Norwich, Vermont, just an hour away from Rabbit Hill Inn?  This is why so many guests visit there during their stay with us.  Founded in 1790, it’s the oldest flour company in America.  Today, it is a baker’s paradise!  Here, you will find everything, discover exciting new things, learn new things, and taste new things.  Consider it a baker’s “Disney experience” (sorry, no parade).  Three key tips — (1) if you go, go hungry (enjoy lunch in their awesome cafe or a snack in the King Arthur Bakery); (2) make sure there is plenty of room in the trunk of your car; and (3) plan on spending some time there.  If you take your time, you’ll enjoy it more and not feel overwhelmed.

Fact is, most folks don’t realize that we are so close to King Arthur Flour until they get here so we thought we would spread the news.  If you wish to visit King Arthur Flour Co. during your next visit, we will gladly help you plan a terrific day trip.  While you’re in the area, visit our friends at Stave Puzzles (also in Norwich).  Visit the nearby Woodstock/Quechee, Vermont area or the Dartmouth College/Hanover NH area (there is a terrific cooking store in Hanover called Main Street Kitchens).  And when your day is done, you’re just an hour away from Rabbit Hill Inn.

King Arthur Flour is open nearly every day except for major holidays.   Click here for store hours.

To hold you over until you get here, you certainly can wander the King Arthur Flour store online.  No, it’s not the same, but it won’t disappoint. Be sure to visit their enormous King Arthur Flour recipe library.  No doubt, it will become a favorite baking recipe resource.  The website also offers informative guides for baking tips, techniques, ingredients, online baking classes, and much more.  Speaking of classes, you can take classes at their Baking Education Institute.

Sign on to their terrific blog (awesome recipes).  And be sure to join the nearly 60,000 other King Arthur Flour friends on FaceBook.  Tell them Rabbit Hill sent you. ;)   By the way, you ARE part of our Rabbit Hill Inn Facebook community, aren’t you???


January 31, 2012

Hungarian Goulash – Try this delicious hearty stew recipe on Super Bowl Sunday

Tired of serving chili on Super Bowl Sunday?  Try this awesome Hungarian Goulash recipe instead.  It will be a HUGE hit!  This delicious rustic hearty stew recipe has been served from the hearth on many a winter Saturday afternoon at Rabbit Hill Inn.  We got this recipe from our dear friend, Paula.  It always gets rave reviews.  Now you can try it at home.   Give it a try – let us know what you think.  Send your comments to us on FaceBook. We’d love to hear from you.

Ingredients: to yield approx. 1.5 quarts

¼ cup salad oil                                    2 lbs. stew meat*

1 cup sliced onions                              1 clove minced garlic

½ cup chopped carrots                        ½ cup chopped bell peppers

½ cup tomato paste                             ¼ cup brown sugar

2 tsp. paprika                                       2 ½ cups water or beef stock

½ tsp. thyme                                       ½ tsp. rosemary

½ cup cider vinegar

*you may use any kind of meat… venison, beef, pork, moose, lamb, boar, or a combination of these.

Method:

  • In a stockpot, heat oil and brown the meat. Remove meat from the pan when done and set aside.
  • In the same pot, sauté onions, garlic, peppers, and carrots just until partially cooked.
  • Add the meat back into the pot along with the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.
  • Turn down to a simmer and cook for 2 hours.  The liquid will reduce and the stew will thicken as it cooks.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

If you want to make it sweeter, add more brown sugar.

November 23, 2011

Our Thanksgiving Message to You

Thanksgiving is a holiday for everyone and excludes no one.  Simply stated, it is a day dedicated to gratitude. It is  also the perfect time for us to take pause and express our gratitude to you, our Guests. Together, we create the magic that is Rabbit Hill Inn.  But without you, this is just a really nice, big house.  Your presence helps make it the warm, fun-filled place that it is!  Thank you all for being part of the pulse of Rabbit Hill Inn.  We couldn’t do it without you.

We wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving,

Brian, Leslie, and the entire RHI family

p.s. As you plan your holiday menu, perhaps one of these heavenly Rabbit Hill Inn holiday recipes will come in handy.   Just a little gift from our kitchen to yours. If any of these appear on your holiday table, let us know. Share a quick message or photo on our FaceBook page. We’d love to hear from you!

Soup’s On… We all know that soup is a perfect food at the family table. It warms the soul as it satisfies the stomach.

This Sherried Pumpkin Bisque with Toasted Hazelnuts recipe will be a great beginning to a wonderful meal.


Something on the side… Tired of the same ol’ side dishes? It’s always fun to combine old traditions with something new and exciting. This delicious Sweet Potato and Pear Cheesecake side dish will look great next to the turkey.  Trust us, this savory cheesecake will be a big hit! You may want to make two of these… everyone will want seconds!



What? There’s more?? When the desserts are placed on your table, this delicious cake deserves to be placed on the special pedestal. A  Maple Caramel Upside Down Cake will be the perfect ending to your wonderful holiday meal.


“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
~ Melody Beattie ~

November 15, 2011

Conde Nast Traveler Magazine lists Rabbit Hill Inn in World’s Best Awards

Wow! Check out the November 2011 issue of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.  This is their BEST IN THE WORLD Readers Choice Awards Issue.

There is it on page 139…Rabbit Hill Inn ranked #8 TOP SMALL RESORT in the United States. We found out as a result of someone leaving us a congratulatory message on our answering machine.  You can’t imagine how thrilled we are about this.  Thank you Conde Nast and all those who shared their glowing opinions about RHI.    The press release below shows all the details:

Conde Nast Traveler Magazine just announced the results of its 23rd Annual 2011 World’s Best Readers Choice Awards. Vermont’s Rabbit Hill Inn scored an impressive 91.6 points making it the No. 8 Top Small Resort in America.  The rankings were based on approximately eight million votes submitted by more than 28,000 readers from across the globe.  In addition to rating resorts, they also rated hotels, properties, cities, and islands all over the world. A full list of winners in every category can be found in the current November issue or on the Conde Nast website.

“We’re elated to learn of our very high placement and honored to be in such good company with the most distinctive hotels, resorts, and inns in the world” said Leslie Mulcahy, co-owner of the Rabbit Hill Inn. “We, along with our stellar staff, do our personal best every single day to make each Guest’s visit to Rabbit Hill a memorable experience.  It is humbling that our Guests and Conde Nast readers regard us so highly and feel so strongly about Rabbit Hill to include us in this prestigious list.  It’s also exciting to know that it shines a bright light on Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom”  finished Mulcahy.



September 27, 2011

Vermont Fall Getaway Package

Still thinking about a Vermont fall getaway? It’s not too late.

Our Sights and Cider Package may be the final nudge you need to plan a well-deserved romantic escape.

This package is available Oct 17 – 30. Here are the details:

 

 

 

Sights and Cider Package

This two night package Includes:

- Two evenings in a romantic guest room or suite (weekends included)
– Afternoon tea & pastries daily
– Terrific dinner on one evening
– A chilled bottle of Eden Iced Cider and box of fine chocolates awaits you upon arrival
– Our signature turndown service nightly
– Full candlelit breakfast daily
– All gratuities & service charges

Package Rates per couple per room:

Classic Rooms
$545.00

Superior Rooms
$665.00

Luxury Rooms
$817.00

Jon Cumming Suite
$865.00

This offer is available:  Oct 17 – 30. Pub charges and state taxes are additional. This offer may not be combined with other specials or discounts. Be sure to the mention “Sights and Cider” Package when booking.

September 13, 2011

You’ve picked apples… now what?

How about a Warm Brown Sugar Apple Cake?  This easy and delicious cake recipe.  And a great way to use up some of those extra apples.  Visit our Recipe Files for more great ideas. Check back frequently, as we continue to add more recipes from the Rabbit Hill Inn kitchen.  From time to time, you’ll even see a cooking video. SO be sure to bookmark this page.

Ingredients:

2 cups apples, peeled and sliced         ½ cup brown sugar

1 ¼ tsp cinnamon                                1-cup sugar

1 cup all purpose flour                        ½ tsp baking powder

1 egg                                                   4 oz unsalted butter, melted

½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Method:

  • Mix sliced apples, brown sugar, and 1 tsp of cinnamon until apple slices are well covered.  Pour into an 8” round baking dish.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients.  When well incorporated, spread evenly over the apples.
  • Bake at 325° to 350°F for approximately 1 hour or until a knife comes out clean when inserted in the center of the cake.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel.

September 1, 2011

Thank you all. Rabbit Hill Inn is Unscathed by Hurricane Irene


Thank you to all those who have emailed and phoned to check on us after Hurricane Irene. Your heartfelt concern means so much to us.  We are pleased to report that Rabbit Hill Inn was very fortunate.  Despite the fact that the eye of the storm passed directly over us, we sustained no damage at all.  Thankfully, the lights never even blinked.  And all roads leading to Rabbit Hill Inn are fine.  We were able to provide full service to 17 guests through the entire storm.  They ate well, played games, and tackled several Stave puzzles. And the Snooty Fox Pub was a popular spot too!

Stores in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and Northern New Hampshire are open as are area activities.  Kingdom Trails, Franconia Notch State Park, Cannon Mountain Tramway, and Alpine Adventures Zip Line Tours are open.   Cabot Cheese factory and Ben & Jerry’s are ready for you.  The good news is, there is much to enjoy here.  Without doubt, the waterfalls must be amazing now!

Many news reports give the impression that all of Vermont is devastated.  Yes, there are a few areas that are heavily affected and damaged severely (mostly south of here). However, much of the state is still passable and operating as usual. Those that were affected are bouncing back at impressive speed (Vermont ingenuity is truly amazing).  All major highways are open. Sure, some local roads and bridges are closed, but there are others ways to get around.

Like you, our hearts go out to those in Vermont who have been affected by Hurricane Irene.  If you are wondering if you can help, yes, you certainly can.  Now more than ever, Vermont needs your support.  Visit Vermont now! Come and enjoy the glorious fall colors.  Take that getaway that you’ve been thinking about.  You’ll have a wonderful time AND support Vermont when it needs you the most.    Here are few links that you might find helpful:

http://www.vermontvacation.com/

http://selectregistry.com/Inns.asp

 

 

August 28, 2011

Rabbit Hill Inn Oatmeal Molasses Bread Recipe

Oatmeal Molasses Bread ~ baked and served at Rabbit Hill Inn for more than 100 years.

To Yield 2 Loaves:

1 cup quick oats                                            1 ½ Tbls. Butter

1 package dry yeast                                    ½ cup warm water

½ cup molasses                                            2 teaspoons salt

4 ⅔ cups flour

Method:

* Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.

* Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of quick oats and 1 ½ Tbls. of butter.  Let stand for 1 hour.

* Soak 1 package of dry yeast in ½ cup lukewarm (105°F) water for 5 minutes.

* Stir until dissolved and add ½ cup of molasses, 2 teaspoons of salt, and the oatmeal mixture.

* Knead for 8 minutes.

* Allow to rise until doubled in bulk.  Divide into 2 pieces and mold into 2 loaves of bread.

* Leave to rise in a warm place covered with a towel until doubled in size.

* Bake at 350°F for approx 20 minutes (or until done). If using a convection oven, turn mid way through baking time to assure even baking.

Side note: this bread freezes very well

August 10, 2011

Perfect Bloody Mary Recipe

Without doubt, Brian’s Bloody Mary recipe is the most requested cocktail recipe.  SO watch carefully…

July 23, 2011

Travel+Leisure Magazine Names Rabbit Hill Inn One of the World’s Best!


We have terrific news to share!!!  Check out the August 2011 of Travel+Leisure Magazine. They revealed their definitive list of the World’s Best Hotels. T+L readers from across the globe cast their votes in the 16th annual survey of the World’s Best and Rabbit Hill Inn scored a handsome 90.44 points, making it a Top Ten Inn in North America.  Rating all aspects of environment, ambiance, hospitality, service, dining, and accommodations, T+L also highlighted RHI for its great value. This is the second time we have been honored to appear on this esteemed Travel+Leisure list.

Needless to say, we are thrilled. To all who have participated in this massive international survey, we thank you so very much.

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