Local and In Season Recipes

by Haley Childers

Springtime in the Northwest cannot be beat. The mild afternoon rain showers and ensuing sunsets are only succeeded by the great local produce we get to enjoy this time of year. Some early season produce includes asparagus, strawberries, and rhubarb, so give these recipes a try for a different spin on some of your favorites.

Easy Roasted Asparagus with Strawberries and Balsamic Reduction

A great appetizer or side dish!

Time: Approximately 15 minutes

Oven Temperature: 400

Ingredients:

Asparagus: 1 Pound

Strawberries: 8-10

EVOO: 2 Tablespoons

Balsamic Glaze: About 2 Tablespoons

Directions:

After washing your asparagus, put it on a foil covered baking sheet and drizzle the olive oil before baking for 10 minutes or until tender.

While the asparagus cooks, wash and slice the strawberries.

Once your asparagus is ready, combine with strawberries and drizzle balsamic glaze over the top.

If you don’t have balsamic glaze, you can create your own reduction by combining 1 ½ cups of a cheap, store bought balsamic vinegar with ½ cup of brown sugar or 3 tablespoons honey and boiling them together (whilst stirring) for about 10 minutes.

Try topped with fresh basil!

Photos by Haley Childers

Visit haley-childers-photo.com

Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Asparagus

Fresh strawberries enhance the experience.

 

Roasted Asparagus

Easy Roasted Asparagus with Strawberries and Balsamic Reduction.

For Pine Shed Ribs, Father’s Day is the pinnacle event of the summer. That’s why owners Matt Ramey and Jenni Peterson are encouraging customers to get orders in now for a barbecue feast that’s sure to please any Dad or grad. The Family Barbecue Dinner ($40-$46) is the most popular item for the holiday, with a choice of two smoked meats, such as the Santa Maria-style tri-tip or the house-made smoked pork link, along with corn bread and two large side orders.

The warmer temperatures mean that the patio has become the perfect spot to be for large gatherings, especially families. House pastry chef Rachel Florip has been busy crafting s’more kits, and Matt has been piling up wood for the fire pit. The $6 kits include hand-made graham crackers smothered with chocolate, and from-scratch marshmallows. The restaurant loans out telescoping roasting sticks to achieve ideal toasting perfection. S’more kits may also be ordered for take-out with 24-hours’ notice.

Father’s Day/grads orders are now accepted via the restaurant’s online order form at www.pineshedribs.com, or by calling 503-635-7427. The restaurant will be open from noon to 6 pm (or until sold out) for dining in or order pick-up on Sunday, June 19.

About Pine Shed Ribs

Pine Shed Ribs serves up a Pacific Northwest interpretation of Santa Maria-style tri-tip barbecue, featuring an intimate bar/dining room and expansive shaded patio. The restaurant is located at 17730 Pilkington Rd, Lake Oswego, OR, 97035. For take-out or catering, please call 503-635-7427.

Pine Shed

The Pine Shed fire pit is open for business.

PORTLAND, Ore. – There are plenty of ways to treat mom at Nel Centro this Mother’s Day.  In support of Portland Opera’s “The Magic Flute” opening at the Keller Auditorium, bar manager Nathanial Stout has created an eponymous cocktail made with Nardini Acqua di Cedro, grapefruit bitters and Prosecco, served in a champagne flute.  The drink will be available starting Wednesday, May 5th and continue through the entire month.

In his new menu, executive chef John Eisenhart takes advantage of the abundance of spring ingredients now hitting the market.

New dinner items include:

  • Tortelli with English peas and lemon
  • Black pepper tagliatelle with speck, fava beans and Pecorino Toscano
  • English pea agnolotti with Dungeness crab and fines herbes
  • Lamb shank with couscous, asparagus and Parmigiano Reggiano
  • Northwest halibut with black barley salad and lemon olive vinaigrette

Mother’s Day Brunch highlights include:

  • Brioche French toast with lemon curd and crème fraîche
  • Steelhead cakes with poached eggs and black pepper hollandaise
  • Florentine omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese
  • Rotisserie chicken salad with hazelnuts and grapes
  • Quiche Lorraine with mesclun greens

Brunch Cocktails:

  • Blood orange bellini with Prosecco and blood orange purée
  • Nel Centro Bloody Mary with New Deal vodka and San Marzano tomatoes

Mother’s Day Brunch reservations are available by calling 503-484-1099.

Nel Centro is located in the heart of the downtown Portland at 1408 SW Sixth Avenue adjacent to Hotel Modera. Classic dishes of Northern Italy and Southeast France meet David Machado’s passion for culinary tradition and locally sourced, seasonal food. For more information and menu, please visit nelcentro.com.

Nel Centro

Bar manager Nathanial Stout has created an eponymous cocktail made with Nardini Acqua di Cedro, grapefruit bitters and Prosecco, served in a champagne flute.

 

Nel Centro

Tagliatelle

PORTLAND, OR – Pastaworks at Providore Fine Foods will open its Mediterranean-inspired Rotisserie on Wednesday, April 13th at 11:30 a.m. serving slow-roasted, free-range, antibiotic-free chickens rubbed with lemon and rosemary oil. The menu includes options from whole bird to a quarter bird with or without sides, which include the Arrosto Potatoes, Arrosto Salad and a slab of Pastaworks’ focaccia. Prices range from $10-27, and meals can be ordered at the convenient walk-up window facing Providore’s parking lot on the west side of the building. Dining is take-out or available to eat at inside or outside tables. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. The window’s regular hours will be from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

“My husband Kevin de Garmo and I have long been obsessed with the rotisserie chickens we devoured on our travels along Italy’s Ligurian coast,” said Kaie Wellman, co-owner of Providore Fine Foods and Pastaworks. “When we first saw the building that’s become Providore, we knew we finally had the right space to open the rotisserie.”

Arrosto Menu:

Chickens (free-range, antibiotic-free, rubbed with lemon and rosemary oil)

  • Whole Bird plus all sides $28 without sides $20
  • Half Bird (breast, wing, thigh and leg) plus all sides $18, without sides $14
  • Quarter Bird (one breast wing, one thigh or leg) with sides $12, without sides $8

Sides (a la carte)

  • Arrosto Salad – baby arugula, escarole and radicchio with shaved pecorino romano, herb crumbs and a lemon anchovy vinaigrette. Small $4, Large $10
  • Arrosto Potatoes – potatoes roasted in chicken drippings. Small $2.50, Large $8
  • Pastaworks’ Focaccia – popular housemade focaccia with sea salt and rosemary. Eight slab $2.50, Quarter slab $4

About Providore Fine Foods

Hand-crafted pasta, briny oysters, grass-fed meat, small-farm produce and buttery croissants are just a few of the delicious edibles to be found at Providore Fine Foods, a European-style specialty market in Portland, Oregon, from the owners of Pastaworks. As the new flagship location for the 33-year old Pastaworks, Providore Fine Foods has gathered a group of Portland’s finest food purveyors to share the 5,000-square foot building once home to an automobile showroom.  The new marketplace brings local, regional and international culinary provisions under one roof, including pasta, cheese, prepared foods, dried goods, chocolates and candy, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages at Pastaworks, roast chickens at Arrosto, local, sustainable seafood and meat from Flying Fish Company + Oyster Bar and The Meat Monger, unique local produce at Rubinette Produce, innovative breads and pastries at Little T Baker, and botanical floras at Emerald Petals.

Providore Fine Foods is located at 2340 NE Sandy Boulevard, Portland, OR 97232. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Follow us on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook. For more information, menus, classes and tastings, please visit www.providorefinefoods.com.

City Market NW is the sister location for Providore Fine Foods and is located at 735 NW 21st Avenue, Portland, OR 97209. For more information and hours, please visit the website.

 

Arrosto

Portland, Ore. – To ease the pain that the Tax Man brings every April 15th, Acadia Bistro chef/owner Seamus Foran will be offering his “Cheap Eats” menu on Friday, April 15th and Saturday, April 16th. Normally a part of the Monday night menu, the Cheap Eats entrées are $12 each and consist of:

  • Cornmeal-Fried Louisiana Catfish with black eyed pea stew and jicama-salsify slaw
  • Cajun Jambalaya with smoked chicken, andouille sausage, house-made Tasso and smoked tomato relish
  • Louisiana White Shrimp Creole with black kale, button mushrooms, spinach and English peas
  • Slow Simmered Red Beans & Rice with choice of house andouille sausage –OR–smoked chicken Cup of Red Beans and Rice, Cup of Gumbo and a Cup of Jambalaya

All entrees can be made into a 3-course dinner with a house salad and bread pudding for $25.  The regular a la carte dinner menu will also be available.  Whether guests in a mood to drown financial sorrows or spend their refund on an extra round, bar director Charles Campos will complement the fare with some new spring cocktails such as “Suzy Q,” a gin-based concoction spiked with the sweet-tartness of rhubarb marmalade.

Dinner service is from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. and reservations are recommended.  Call (503) 249-5001 to reserve seats.

 

Bistro

 

About Acadia Bistro

Located in the Sabin/Irvington neighborhood of Portland, Acadia has been serving modern American cuisine rooted in Louisiana food traditions since 2001.  The restaurant uses locally-grown fruits, vegetables and meats, as well as exclusively wild caught seafood from the Gulf coast and Pacific Northwest.  The restaurant is located at 1303 NE Fremont St. in Portland.  For reservations, please call 503-249-5001.  www.acadiapdx.com.

 

Bistro

If you love shoes and candy, then Arktana is the place to be this Friday, March 24 from 11 am to 2 pm. The downtown Camas shoe store has invited the bakers at Truly Scrumptious to get us into the Easter holiday spirit with a fantastic array of treats and sweets to satisfy even the pickiest of sweets and baked goods fans.

Truly Scrumptious baker, Kimberly Koch, will be providing a nice selection of treats, such as the Oregon Krispy Treat “Robin Egg”, the Spring Rainbow Peep Krispy Treat, Peanut Butter Eggs, and Mallow pops, which are perfect for your little bunny’s basket. There will also be many great-tasting cookies.

“I’ll be at Arktana,” said Koch. “Come by and have a cup of coffee with me and get your Easter treats!”

 

Truly Scrumptious

Peanut Butter Eggs.

 

Truly Scrumptious

Oregon Krispy Treat “Robin Egg”.

 

Truly Scrumptious

Spring Rainbow Peeps Krispy Treat

 

Truly Scrumptious

Mallow Pops.

Mallow pops…perfect for your little bunny’s basket! Join Truly Scrumptious at Arktana on Friday, March 24 from 11 am to 2 pm.

 

How to find Arktana and Truly Scrumptious

Arktana is located at 415 NE 4th Ave, in downtown Camas.

Visit www.trulyscrumptiousnw.com to learn more about their treats.

 

On March 9, 2015, Corbett Fish House officially opened its doors at its East Vancouver location, near Costco. Now, a year later, General Manager, and co-owner Toby Eidem sat down to discuss the success they’ve had, their approach, favorite offerings, and the future.

He also shared with us some amazing dishes, like the special Salmon Reuben, which we hope makes it to main menu soon; the Results Fitness Training Grilled Salmon with quinoa and salad; Cod Tacos (classic and blackened), Shrimp Louie, and their famous Crack Crab Pepper Cheese soup.

It was a culinary explosion of outstanding flavor.

“Our approach has always been sustainable, quality products done right,” said Eidem, who has worked with Corbett since 2006. “When Corbett Fish House first opened its doors in 2002, we were gluten-free without really trying. It just happened as customers brought it to our attention. Looking back, it happened because we set out to make quality food. We make our own dressings and try to get high fructose corn syrup out of everything.”

Eidem says he and his business partners, Dana and Greg Boyce, are happy with the East Vancouver location, which is their third restaurant in the locally-owned, and growing chain.

Corbett Fish House follows the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch guidelines, which means the menu is 100 percent sustainable, and nothing is purchased from China. They go to great lengths to buy locally grown ingredients, as well.

“We are really a Midwestern Seafood Style Fish Fry with a Northwest touch,” Eidem said. “We love our location here, and are looking to expand our small chain into another location.”

Grilled Salmon (from Results Fitness Training menu)

I’ve had this dish about five times, and it’s perfect for those on a weight loss or specific training program, and is high in protein, greens, and low in fat. Each time, the chef grills the wild-caught 5 ounce salmon to perfection. It comes with a side salad and quinoa. I always eat mine with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It’s a very healthy option. It’s also the featured photo for this article, and was presented by Scott Binder, of Results Fitness Training, which is in the same shopping complex as Corbett Fish House.

Salmon Reuben Special

Is this to die for, or is this to die for? This culinary delight has pickled red cabbage, rubbed wild-caught salmon fillet, and is sprinkled with coriander, onion powder and some other seasonings. It’s then laid between two slices of 100% gluten free bread that’s been toasted with caraway seeds and butter, and smothered with homemade 1000 island dressing and smoked gouda. It’s currently a special with the intention of making its debut on the main menu very soon.

Seafood

The Salmon Reuben is a culinary delight, loaded with flavor. The bread has a nice texture and crunch.

 

Shrimp Louie Salad

Always a fish house favorite, Corbett’s version uses Oregon-based shrimp, out of Newport. The dish doesn’t skimp on shrimp, and comes with romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, hard-boiled eggs, and capers. The 1000 Island dressing is house made. Corbett serves a large portion.

Corbett Fish House seafood

Corbett’s Shrimp Louie Salad offers a large portion.

Cod Fish Tacos

The Cod Fish Tacos are served as a two-some — one as classic cod fish fry, and the other is grilled cod with blackened seasoning. The former comes with a white, yogurt-based taco sauce, and is served with red cabbage, and an in-house pineapple chipotle salsa. Served inside white corn tortillas, it’s a bit messy to eat, but is loaded with flavor. It makes for a perfect light lunch.

The latter taco’s blackened seasoning and jalepeno tartar with Thai slaw gives this taco a real bite. It’s definitely a flavor explosion.

Corbett Fish House tacos

The cod fish tacos; one traditional Cod fishery, with white sauce, and the other is blackened with jalepeno tartar and Thai slaw.

 

Cracked Crab Pepper Cheese Soup

This was the first dish we sampled, and we all loved it! The soup has good flavor, cream, and spice, along with a good texture. The award-winning soup, which won Best Soup in Portland in 2010, has been picked up by all 17 New Seasons locations. Even the kids enjoyed it!

Spicy Soup

The Cracked Crab Pepper Cheese Soup won Best Soup in Portland in 2010.

Corbett Fish House History

The Boyces started Corbett Fish House in October, 2002, and it became an instant success. Greg grew up in Green Bay, WI, where Friday night fish fry’s are a tradition and local ritual. Upon arriving in the Pacific Northwest in 1980, he searched far and wide to find the kind of fish fry served in Midwest taverns. He didn’t find any.

Dana took her in-depth restaurant knowledge and used that history to make Corbett Fish House the success it is today.

Their approach is to emphasize quality customer service while serving great food, in a relaxing atmosphere.

Their East Vancouver location is 19206 SE 1st, Suite 102, Camas, WA, near Costco. It’s technically Camas, but most people refer to this area as East Vancouver. 360-258-1609.

To learn more visit www.corbettfishhouse.com

PORTLAND, Ore. – One of Portland’s oldest and most time-honored St. Patrick’s Day parties returns at Jake’s Famous Crawfish on Thursday, March 17th.  Southwest 12th street between SW Stark and Burnside will be blocked off from noon to 9:30 p.m. as the party tents go up and bands arrive for the city’s best Irish party.

Rain or shine, the big tent outside of Jake’s will serve up Guinness beer, Jake’s Famous Irish Coffee, and a host of well drinks.  Revelers will relish seafood etouffee, clam chowder, Irish stew, corned beef sandwiches and a selection of savory meat pasties as they enjoy the live music.

Jake’s Crawfish St. Patrick’s Day Band Schedule

12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Brooks Robertson
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Seamus Egan & Friends
6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Hit Machine

Inside the restaurant, a roaming bagpipe band will serenade diners, who can partake in Jake’s full menu or a variety of specials, including Irish lamb stew, Scotch-braised salmon, corned beef and cabbage or bangers and mash.  Tickets for Jake’s St. Patrick’s Day street party are $10 per person at the door and restaurant reservations are now being accepted at (503) 226-1419.

 

Dinner

Jake’s Crawfish is one of the oldest restaurants in Portland. Photo courtesy of www.realfoodtraveler.com

About Jake’s Famous Crawfish

Considered one of the top ten seafood restaurants in the nation, Jake’s Famous Crawfish features a large variety of fresh seafood flown in daily.  A Portland landmark for more than 123 years, Jake’s Crawfish is home to generations of memorable dining experiences, thanks to its old-world charm, friendly service and classic Northwest cuisine. The restaurant is located at 401 SW 12th Ave. in Portland. For reservations, please call (503) 226-1419.

For a review of Jake’s Famous Crawfish, visit http://www.realfoodtraveler.com/2011/03/jakes-famous-crawfish-portland-or/

Portland, OR – Winter has been kind to Farm Spirit, with a growing waiting list of diners eager to try Aaron Adams’ horticultural cuisine.  Starting April 6th, he will offer multiple seating times throughout the evening, starting at 5:15 p.m. and going as late as 8:30 p.m.  An extended service also means that the restaurant will be able to focus on smaller groups of guests, improving the focus and attention the culinary team can pay to the guests.

“Portland is not always a plan-ahead kind of town when it comes to eating out, so more seating options will allow us to accommodate those who have been on our waiting list, and those who are looking for a table a little more spontaneously,” says Adams, who will continue to use the TOCK reservation system to book all diners at least 24 hours in advance.  He notes, however, that when the occasional last-minute seats do become available, watching Farm Spirit’s social media or signing up for their mailing list is the best way to get notified about imminent openings at the 14-seat restaurant.

Farm Spirit Adds Reserve Natural Wine Pairing List

Aaron, with his beverage team, has also been busy crafting a new reserve wine pairing menu for the restaurant, seeking out unique and rare wines from Oregon and regions around the world such as the Canary Islands, Corsica and Liguira.  Farm Spirit offers an exclusively natural wine pairing list, where all wines served in the restaurant are free from chemical additions or technological interference in the fermentation process.  The new reserve wine list is now available for $65, with the traditional wine pairing list still offered at $38.

About Farm Spirit
A cozy dinner party consisting of plant-based, locally-sourced modernist cuisine, Farm Spirit serves over multiple courses at a 14-seat chef’s counter. The restaurant is located at 1414 SE Morrison, Portland, OR 97232.  Find Farm Spirit on Facebook.com/FarmSpirit, and @FarmSpirit on Instagram and Twitter.

On Wednesday, Miss Nola’s Cafe owner, Tim McCusker, announced that Camas resident, Bonnie Carter, won the $100 restaurant gift certificate that was recently promoted by Lacamas Magazine. The contest asked readers from the magazine’s Facebook site what they liked most about Miss Nola’s Cafe, which serves quality Southern comfort food in the heart of Historic Downtown Camas.

The responses were fun to read.

Carter, the head secretary at Skyride Middle School, was selected as the contest winner as names were drawn.

” I love Miss Nola’s and all of Tim’s ventures,” said Carter, the mother of four sons. “I think Miss Nola’s is a fun and delicious culinary treat to complement the other dining options in Camas. “I see date night in my very near future at Miss Nola’s, but I believe we’ll bring friends to share in my good fortune. My husband and I are jambalaya fans, and of course, hush puppies will be the first thing ordered.”

Miss Nola’s Cafe offers a wide selection of great eats, and customers are given a complimentary order of hush puppies as they await their order. The hush puppies are one of Carter’s favorite items on the menu. Executive Chef, Shelby Lin Schmidt, works hard at preparing fine dishes for the restaurant’s patrons.

McCusker has received numerous accolades and awards for his culinary accomplishments, and has traveled  extensively to perfect his craft, also runs another local restaurant, called Feast@316. Miss Nola’s Cafe currently occupies the former Harvest Restaurant, which was also a popular destination.

“I love making food that puts a smile on people’s faces,” he said. “We’re happy that Bonnie won the gift certificate, and we hope she enjoys her next meal here. She’s always been a great supporter of our restaurant and our efforts here in downtown Camas.”

To learn more about the cafe, and downtown Camas, visit www.downtowncamas.com

 

Miss Nola's Cafe