Well now, it will be interesting to see when the second copy of my post shows up now that the first version was allowed... Sorry about the eventual double post of essentially the same info.
Hope you have a good trip. It's a great place to visit.
Funny, I was just reading on another big blog about PDX and Andina's for Peruvian food was mentioned as incredible. Not been there.
For good, inexpensive here are some of my faves there:
I'd have to recommend Ya Hala for Lebanese. Everything there just is better, including the desserts which I'd say get one to go if you can't eat one there (and likely you won't because they are very generous with the food).
Definitely Voo Doo. It's fun and the Memphis Mafia is amazing though there are some more risque. The Magic is in the hole. :)
I personally like McMenamin's especially the Ruby beer but the Kolsch is very refreshing and what Bud would be if it was any good (but I didn't have a beer there I didn't like and I tried them all). I'd send you to the Ringlers location at 14th and Burnside a few blocks up from Powell's Bookstore (great place to recover from) for the happy hour menu which is a limited (but still substantial) selection of the regular menu for $2.50 (or was last time I was there). The tater tots are incredible but the fries are pretty good too. So are the salads. Maybe not gourmet but fun and that's more important often. Plus it's certainly a flavor of Portland. Lots of local ingredients, and their coffee is amazing (roasted there). In fact, full bar and they make several of their own spirits and even wines.
Another inexpensive but fun eat is Hot Lips Pizza. All about the local, seasonal, and sustainable plus the pizza is pretty yummy (my favorite is the Waldorf which is by the slice on Mondays -- nothing quite like it). Get the homemade fruit soda on tap too.
Chinese Food/Pho/Vietnamese (with a touch of Thai even) at My Cahn. The pepper-salted green beans are divine.
If you do the Farmer's Market there's a portable brick oven in one corner that's very popular (the menu depends on what's at the market). I had a sandwich there last fall of chickpeas, arugula, and delicata squash with tahini and chili sauce in a fresh wheat pita they baked that I hope they'll serve again this fall.
At the Saturday Market in Old Town under the Burnside Bridge is a Polish food cart which is pretty good. In fact there's actually quite a few good carts in town. It's about the food there.
Pambiche for Cuban, and it looks as if Super Torta is the place for authentic Mexican.
Higgins for a spendy Northwest treat. Pretty much something there for any diet even gluten-free vegetarian.
Sisters of the Road is a restaurant that helps the homeless and those down on their luck. You can get something to eat yourself for a little change or buy some meal tickets to hand to those who ask for change (rather than give cash).
There's also the regional fast food chain of Burgerville which has Oregon Country beef (never frozen) for their hamburgers. Probably the best burger I've ever had. They too source local, seasonal and sustainable.
There's a bunch of other places (you need to extend your stay) but perhaps check out the independently and locally owned New Seasons markets if you want to grab something quick, inexpensive and healthy (or stock up on hotel goodies). They have an organic deli with a lot of seasonal and local ingredients. This includes a great salad bar, sandwiches made to order, daily soups, pasta of the day, and ready made food. Where else can you get roasted Brussels Sprouts for $4.99 a pound?
Have fun! :)
I have to recommend Earth Balance too. Organic, non-GMO ingredients.
I was a butter girl and was going to die one too (my mom regularly chastised me before the hydrogenated scares), but my daughter begged me to let her have some Earth Balance. I was shocked to find that I think it tastes better, lasts longer, and doesn't pick up the fridge flavors like butter will. One tub later and we haven't gone back since (now over two years).
They do have sticks and shortening but I haven't tried either yet. However, all their products do have soy oil though it is organic, GMO-free which avoids a lot of the problems some people have with soy. However, Spectrum has some too which are soy-free and still organic. I like coconut butter in some baked goods and peanut oil (with lots of vitamin e) is great in other baked goods giving a lovely flavor.
We really like to cut them in half, toss with oil (olive, peanut, sunflower or another higher heat oil), salt, and maybe some minced garlic, onions if you wish, then roast (scatter on a pre-heated tray, toss half way through) till browned. These are so good it's amazing but they seem to taste even better the next day at room temperature so don't need heating. Great for snacking.
I've heard these can be sprinkled with balsamic or lime juice after cooking but we haven't done much other than adding salt yet. Might be good with a toasted sesame oil at the end too.
Sounds like you'd like some Greek/Lebanese foods. I haven't found a site that caters to either of those that I like much but I just posted some sites in the other thread on cooking/recipe blogs for Indian food which uses a lot of beans, herbs and paneer cheese (which you can make yourself).
Bean salads especially with summer coming up are good too. There's good black bean, black-eyed pea and gigande bean recipes. Good for any meal including work lunches (another recent thread) and picnics/potlucks.
Here's my recipes to get you started:
NEW YEAR'S BLACK EYED PEA SALAD
Ingredients:
2 (15 oz) cans Black-eyed Peas, drained or 4 cups home-cooked
1/2 cup minced green onions
1/2 cup diced red, yellow and/or green sweet pepper
1/4 cup diced celery
3 tablespoons red wine or balsamic vinegar
4 tablespoons olive oil (or other salad oil)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
Directions:
Toss well then rest in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Toss again just before serving.
Serve with small lime wedges and chili sauce.
BLACK BEAN SALAD
Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can of organic black beans, and drained (or 1 1/2 cup of freshly cooked organic black beans reserve cooking liquid for other recipes)*
1 1/2 cups frozen corn, defrosted (or fresh corn, parboiled, drained and cooled)*
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped green onions, shallots or purple onion
1/2 to 1 cup chopped bell peppers (any color)
1 or 2 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced, and/or 1 can chopped green chilies
3 fresh plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped (I actually like the seeds so I skip that step)
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley
1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
2 Tbsp lime juice (about the amount of juice from one lime) or to taste
1 to 3 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 to 1 teaspoon of sugar and/or cumin (to taste)*
Salt and (freshly ground) pepper to taste
Some optional ingredients
1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup quinoa (cooked)
cayenne pepper to taste
Your idea here :)
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the beans and veggies then add seasonings to taste. Chill before serving and allow time for flavors to meld.
*Notes: Heat cumin up in a skillet before adding for extra flavor, grill fresh corn for extra flavor (or even try grilling or roasting some of the other veggies). Sugar and cumin seem to balance and meld the mix of flavors, add to your personal taste (might even try a bit of cinnamon). Organic beans actually are tastier and more nutritious as well as healthier without the various chemicals.
This is a "To Taste" salad... in that you put in what works for you or what you have on hand and these are just guidelines (but a great hot weather dish).
Both are Gluten-Free :) and Vegan Too.
I'm not vegan (yet anyway but I keep getting seduced), however, Fat Free Vegan always seems to pop up in my searches for new recipes. Just last night I was bookmarking several of her recipes from 2006 including Chai Tea Breakfast Cake (which I want to figure out how to make with coconut milk) and Indian Veggie Buns (not being big on bread I'm more excited by the filling). That lead me to go back to the VahChef on YouTube (he's adorable) who has his own site Vahrehvah which has so many recipes I want to try I'm not sure where to begin (though Palak Dal is tomorrow because otherwise my spinach will go bad).
But there are tons of great vegan sites now with some amazing ideas though I don't have all the links handy. Gluten-Free Girl is pretty good too as is Farm Girl Fare (especially Savory Tomato Pesto Pie which drew me in).
Karen,
Hope I didn't offend. Certainly not my intention. He was the first Libra I'd knowingly had much interaction with and I looked up his sign because he seemed so different. Balance seemed like a great thing to me but I had a different idea of it which I'd say is often how we have so many misunderstandings with people... though this guy seems to be special but not so much in a nice way and I'd say it has little to do with what time of year he was born (nor do I think he gives much thought to balance). The good thing (and I always try to find it) is I've change where I go and what I do (restaurants and stores also because he took those too) and I've found great new things I wouldn't have otherwise in my previous comfort zone.
I do know about vegangelicals too. I've encountered them myself and they are unpleasant (as is any extremism). However, I've also been attacked by non-vegetarians just for not eating meat. Accosted with the excuse being the vegangelicals; that they exist means all vegetarians should be harassed (to some people). In comparision the meat-eaters have been more vicious, tenacious and numerous but they aren't marginalized so people not only don't seem to notice when they are being mean, they join in. So, I usually tell the extreme veggies to back off and that they are doing more harm than good but I feel a little forgiving because they do feel intensely about their cause, just unable to understand how polarizing they are. But, it is exasperating to be attacked and be put under a microscope for my every action and lifestyle choice (what I feed my pets and what shoes I wear get examined for instance) because any "unpure" action by me is an ah-ha moment that releases them to not just continue what they were anyway (only now with permission vicariously via me) but also to attack me for the way I live and the choices I make even though it seems to be their own insecurity and issues and because they were nosey and poking around my plate. Sounds personal but it happens to a lot of vegetarians/vegans. It was something I had noticed before switching myself and while never joining in never paid much attention let alone stood up to it. However, it's fresh on my mind this week between the Slate article (found thanks to SE) and some related classes I took this weekend. While there are a lot of issues beyond animal treatment what I'm most intrigued in is how and why people do what they do. Motivations.
It also surprises me how much we do when we don't know the whole story (or sometimes even more than a fraction). I used to look on in admiration to those who said we don't regret what we do as much as what we don't do. But, I think what I regret most is what I've done without knowing why.
I'd rather spend time with Gordon Ramsey than most people as despite being a bit confrontational he's quite together -- just wouldn't let him cook for me. :)
As far as different... I do understand. I felt that way too when I considered going veggie even though I was unhappy not being one. I'm finally discovering Indian food in all it's glory. It's so amazing but felt so strange for so long. I realize now it's because I so dislike cilantro but now I know I don't have to put it in when I prepare it. My regret is not doing this sooner. Another tradition busted. :)
Thanks, I've enjoyed the conversation and exploration.
This is a great discussion. Yes, thank you HeartofGlass. :)
So much touched on here.
My stalker is Libra which I thought when I read about them (out of curiousity not to guide my life) means balance but more that they achieve balance by wild swings rather than hanging in the middle. :(
Balance. That's what is missing from so much but especially food these days. We've taken food apart from the very beginning, with monster farms growing only one thing supported by chemicals which meant putting the animals elsewhere in huge building supported by chemicals which meant putting their waste in huge pools... no integrations, instead attempting to solve each new problem with more tech which only creates new problems.
Interesting the gender thing. I've been watching Gordon Ramsey because I loved the idea of the remaking a restaurant to work better (I have a secret desire to have my own cozy food emporium with inexpensive but yummy comfort food of the best quality). His no nonsense approach appealed to me because it's more about little tolerance for idiocy and manipulation rather than being mean. I found out later how little respect he gives to those who shun meat which is still hard to reconcile (he's a famous one who has taken pleasure in sneaking meat in veggie meals). However I happened on his new chef competition show where there's a woman's team and a men's team. The girls were all working together and talking while the guys wouldn't even acknowledge each other and undercut, tricked, schemed... but in the end when it came to knocking one out at the end the girls did turn catty (hate that word but that was what happened) and it turned the next show unpleasant because of the resentment factor. However, one of the guys was so fed up by the way the guys are he asked to be allowed on the woman's team. That's next week. I'm so intrigued to find out how it goes. So it's especially interesting the point about food science and molecular food.
In another round of coincidences, I had just come back yesterday from a seminar on the Myths of Vegetarian Eating where the question was asked about why so many are resistant. The speaker talked about how mothers (mom's day being the next day) have their identity so wrapped up in the food they present, as well as the nurture factor, they take their child going veggie as a rejection of them rather than the meat, cruelty, political, or whatever. Then along with the societal pressures and the industry that has pressed our ideas of nutrition, it feels as if we (as mothers) are being told we've never understood how to keep our children healthy... that we aren't very smart after all. Lots get twisted into our meals. It's not just food by any means.
I know my daughter has been taken aback by how accepting I've been of her going veggie (even becoming one myself -- I just needed a reason) then going vegan. In some ways I've unintentionally undermined her rebellion but in a good and loving way. I even started sending her to cooking classes which she despised in the beginning (natural extension of the resistance) but now pretends to tolerate while having gained huge confidence in the kitchen and become valuable amongst her friends for her food talent.
My sis-in-law tried for years to sneak mushrooms (and later cilantro) into foods she served me. I guess she figured if I just "tried" them I would finally realize how good they are and my life would be so much better and she'd be the hero or something. Why couldn't she understand I *had* tried them (long before she came into my world) and that's how I knew I don't like them? Why couldn't I have my own preferences? I did always find them, and pick them out (or not eat at all) which amazed her but she never learned. All it did was make it unpleasant, so I didn't trust her, and lost respect for her as well. Stopped visiting (maybe that was her point?). However, when my daughter went veggie she was very accommodating and kind. On the other hand we spent little time there by then so she didn't have much chance to sabotage.
Speaking of which, I spent years trying to convince the ex™ I wasn't his enemy which he would say he knew only to find out he felt I was trying to sabotage him (like if I was late, for getting held up; he thought I did it on purpose to ruin his life) so felt he needed to not just get back at me but punish me. Not even to get me to not do something again because he never admitted till the end he was doing any of it on purpose and in fact he was still taking revenge for minor "trespasses" upon him a decade before. The thing is, it wasn't really about me. He'd have done the same to someone else. He was trying to give me his own pain somehow. Of course that doesn't work for anyone involved.
Now, I celebrate the food itself. I figure if a new person in my life doesn't like what I make they either don't (and won't) like me or they can get what they need themselves (and hopefully let me know too so I can get to know them as well). But I won't give up myself anymore. If people don't like me for who I am, why would they like me for who I'm not? Further, why should I waste time with those who aren't going to like me when I could be free to find one that will?
Course I feel the same respect for the other person in that I won't waste their time sticking around if I'm not digging them. Only to get someone who's taken it so personally he's become increasingly unpleasant in forcing himself upon my world (because dumb*ss is just so irresistibly attractive and sexy... /sarcasm). No kidding, he's taken to hanging at the Farmers Markets for me to show up then following me through a few feet away the entire time.
Sorry for the essay! :)
Love this topic.
Not knowing if you'll have access to cold/heat...
As already mentioned, the idea of fresh, seasonal fruit and veggies is great and so refreshing. Olives too. I love wraps as well with a particular fave being Thai style of shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, onions, scallions perhaps, perhaps some ginger, garlic, lime, chile, slathered in peanut sauce in a flavored tortilla such as spinach or tomato. Another good one are the burritos with rice, beans, corn, onions, lettuce, sauce of choice (I like green). Burritos are good because rice and beans can be made on the weekends and divided into serving sizes and frozen till needed.
I'd also put in a word for various non-lettuce salads especially bean. Black bean salad, black-eyed pea salad, greek, hummus, tabouli, and more. I just had a curry carrot salad in a coconut milk sauce which I still can't believe was so good as I don't care much for carrots. A lot of the salads could be good in wraps too, or pita bread.
Also liked cooked veggies the next day. Roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts seem to be a bunch better the next day at room temp. Asparagus too but also something like a green bean, tomato and chickpea dish either alone or put in a pita... Roasted squash can be yummy too as is using it as a thick base in soups/sandwiches/salads. A sandwich I still think about I had at the farmers market last fall was roasted (with some browned slighty crispy bits) delicata squash slices, really good chickpeas (not canned for sure) and arugala with tahini and chili sauce in a fresh whole wheat pita.
Nuts/seeds are great to always have on hand as are dried fruits.
As cybercita mentions the rigid containers are good. Not only reusable so better environmentally (though I'd caution if reheating to use real dishes or at least paper instead of plastics) the containers stack nicely and keep things from getting squished. I use them in my fridge and freezer now instead of baggies and love them.
Maybe you can tell I'm veg but those are good for safe (not as likely to turn and go bad) and healthy lunches (can be lower cost too) so I'm going to share some web resources for further ideas:
Vegan Lunch Box -- Kid focus but a lot of great ideas from food to how to pack it. Award winning and now has a book.
"Choose Veg" Lunches -- Interesting (maybe inspiring) ideas with videos
Vegan Lunch -- "It's not just for vegans anymore"
Vegan Lunchcast -- Grown-up version of Vegan Lunch Box (this one looks really good to me and I just found it).
Best wishes to you! :)
Karen, thanks so much for your sentiments and good wishes. I agree with you. I'm also very sorry for the pains you've had to go through in your past. Wish we'd been given better tools to avoid them and/or know we didn't need to endure them.
While I'll never understand the need to inflict the same pain they went through on others, I do get (now) that they have some serious pain/issues they aren't able to deal with for whatever reason. Of course, that doesn't mean I need to put up with it and in fact now know that anyone who does so (whether by conscious choice or not) is enabling them to not face their demons.
Rather philosophical for food but boy does so much get wrapped up in food. Rewards, punishments, celebrations, worth...
We were talking in another thread about how some people exert control over others by slipping meat into vegetarian dishes. That's another need I'll never quite understand.
At least I know better now, and even though I recently dated someone who presented a facade of acceptance and excitement over food only to turn out to be just as critical, I realized it quickly and put it out of my life quickly (though months later he's still dogging me as I apparently have done him great damage for not accepting him in all his flawed -- and mean, soul-sucking -- glory). We can't "make" someone happy and trying at our own expense is folly. Better one miserable person than two.
Yes! The tomato sandwich. I had no idea till last August. So simple even though quality and particulars are so important. Organic white sandwich bread from the local independent bakery a couple blocks away, toasted and slathered with good mayo and topped with thick slices of just picked, super ripe big toms from the farmers market, generously salted and heavily sprinkled with crumbled dried basil (the fresh was available but not quite the same), and eaten open (tomato doesn't squish out and I'm not big on bread). Like heaven, not terrible nutritionally, yet wouldn't have been considered a "meal" before. I can hardly wait to try again to make myself tired of them. Until then I'm going to revel in local strawberries, then blueberries, then cherries... Life *is* good. :)
Well now, it will be interesting to see when the second copy of my post shows up now that the first version was allowed... Sorry about the eventual double post of essentially the same info.
Hope you have a good trip. It's a great place to visit.
also, if you have never read julie powell's blog on salon about her experiences cooking her way through mastering the art of french cooking,
it doesn't get any better than the julie/julia project.
i second the pioneer woman's cooking blog. she's highly entertaining!
my sister-in-law (also a professional ballerina) has a beautiful blog of very creative, gourmet food!
www.anticiplate.com
(she also blogs for the PI, and has been featured in the paper)
I did a little write up in my blog last october. We loved it there!!
http://forayintofood.blogspot.com/2007/10/portland-oregon-beer-chocolate-cheese.html
@producestories:
If anyone's tone in this thread is patronizing and arrogant, it's yours. Further, you are the one who seems to have reading comprehension problems. The topic of this thread concerns ORGANIC butter. So you see, YOU are the one comparing apples to oranges.
If you want to compare conventional butter to the product made by Earth Balance, fine, but that's an exercise in the obvious, as we all know the problems in the conventional dairy industry. Even so, conventional butter compared to conventional vegetable spreads is a no brainer, butter wins, despite the fact that most people believe otherwise because they are brainwashed by advertising.
Organic butter compared to organic veg spreads is also a no brainer, in that the butter is clean, and therefore the major health risks involved i.e. hormones and antibiotics are not present, so the qualities of butter in baking far outweigh those of the veg product, no matter how awesome EB is.
The original question makes the assumption that butter is not healthy, when in fact it IS, or at least, healthier than most processed fats designed to substitute butter, and there is nothing wrong with commenters making that point clear. So please, get off your high horse.
All of these suggestions are great.
My number one would be, since you're here on a Saturday: Go to the Farmers' Market! Hopefully it will be a nice day in June, and browsing through all the local produce and sampling to your heart's content is one of my most favorite Portland activities. You can also get an awesome breakfast or lunch at one of several food stands.
You definitely need to check out the local microbrew scene. Deschutes Brewery just opened and they have great food and beer, as does Bridgeport Brewery.
I second the Toro Bravo rec. I've some of the best meals in my life there.
Cha Taqueria has some pretty good Mexican.
Kenny & Zuke's has awesome bagels. Oh, but coming from NY, they might not compare.
I've heard good things about Justa Pasta, and their prices are very reasonable.
The Pearl Bakery has great bread and prepared sandwiches.
For Sunday brunch, I would recommend the Daily Cafe.
Have a great time in Stumptown!
I also haven't found a way to get around the brussels sprouts smell. I brought leftover sprouts to work one day (the skillet-roasted type are actually really good cold, with some extra salt and balsamico), and was *still* paranoid that I'd stunk up the lunchroom.
Same with cauliflower. Even cold, roasted cauliflower has that distinctive smell that really bothers a lot of people. I've resigned myself to not eating any of the cole family veggies in a public setting.
Some things are just meant to be enjoyed only in the privacy of one's home, you know? :)
Jeffrey Steingarten would argue that butter IS healthy, like Simon said, but I say, if you want to go without, I echo everyone on Earth Balance. It's rad!! I had an ex who was a freegan, and he said he only ate bread as a vehicle to get Earth Balance into his mouth. (It really is that good.)
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