Blog - Page 2 of 3 - Portland by Mouth

Making Hard Cider is Not at All Hard

Posted on April 1, 2020April 23, 2020 by Sherri

Fermenting apples and apple juice into hard cider carries an air of mystique amongst so many of us. It seems like it is difficult and elusive and complicated. I am happy to tell you it is none of those. Although as a disclaimer, getting consistent fermentation results on a large-scale basis and running a business IS difficult and complicated.

But for the lay person, fermenting cider at home is basically like cooking. Although instead of using the stove or oven to cook apples, you are using a glass container to house apple juice and yeast for a few months.

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What’s Russian Cuisine? Find out at Kachka

Posted on March 11, 2020April 15, 2020 by Sherri

I laughed really hard when I read the introduction to Kachka chef, Bonnie Morales’ cookbook, Kachka: A Return to Russian Cooking. She tells the story of when she and her husband Israel were opening Kachka in 2013 and they interfaced with contractors, inspectors, vendors, food writers, banks, potential employees. In short, in every discussion, once she mentioned her restaurant to be would serve food from the former Soviet Union, she was met with blank stares, long pauses and confusion.

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Why I Adore Good Salt – Portland’s Salt Shops

Posted on February 8, 2020April 15, 2020 by Sherri

The short answer is because good salt makes everything taste better! I have loved cooking since I was about two. And for many years, traveling around and being a scratch cook, I have preached “if you give me oil, vinegar, salt and a cooking source – I can make just about anything taste good.” Well, to my delight, a couple decades after I first said that, I happened upon Samin Nostrat’s book, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat AND Portland’s salt shops.

A friend told me about it and I sheepishly admit it took me a while to get it, because I thought to myself “yeah, I already know that, I’ve been saying and living the philosophy for years.” Well, I am happy I got over my ego and acquired the book because it is an absolute goldmine of information. Samin really delves into each of the elements and, I promise you, there is something to be learned no matter how long you have been aligning yourself with your allies Salt, Fat, Acid and Heat.

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What are Arepas? Find Out at Teote

Posted on January 8, 2020October 20, 2020 by Sherri

Practically everyone has heard of a tortilla, but not everyone has heard of an arepa. Not having traveled to South America, I wasn’t familiar with arepas until I ate at Teote, years ago in Portland.

It all starts with corn. Corn is important to Latin American cultures. So much so, that there are prayers and celebrations in honor of this life giving plant, which is maize in Spanish.

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So What Makes a Smaaken Waffle so Tasty Anyway?

Posted on December 8, 2019April 19, 2020 by Sherri

Guess what? There are a lot of types of waffles out there. Because we live in a big world and people all over love waffles! The most popular types are Dutch waffles and Belgian waffles. But let’s not forget the American waffle, the Italian style waffle and varieties of Asian style waffles (from Hong Kong to Vietnam).

Portland is well represented with waffles and I will admit I declared one of my favorites sometime last year. All it took was one bite into a Smaaken Waffle and I was hooked. When I learned that the word smaaken is Dutch for tasty, it was so obviously befitting. In fact, Smaaken Waffle is one of my overall favorite food carts in Portland and my go to on a regular basis, even when I am not bringing people there for the Bustling Buckman Food Tour.

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Fun Facts about Chocolate – Portland Food Tours

Posted on November 2, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

A really sublime chocolate experience is heavenly. And chocolate is a health food and has been considered such for eons. Only in relatively recent times has chocolate been denigrated to junk food, because of the additions of so much milk and sugar. It shouldn’t surprise you that a self-proclaimed foodie has a bookshelf full of books about food. Many cookbooks, but also a lot of books that focus on a single ingredient, or the cultural aspects of food. So I whipped out my book The Chocolate and Coffee Bible and dug around for some fun facts about chocolate.

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Weirdest Wine Shop in Portland – Pairings Portland

Posted on October 4, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

Pairings Portland’s claim to fame is “Weirdest Wine Shop in Portland.” I have not patronized enough wine shops to firmly agree, yet still, I agree! The weirdness is undoubtedly part of its charm and so is the fact that it is totally unpretentious and uber quirky. Additionally, there is a focus on organic wines (from organic grapes) and natural wines (no added yeast).

The first time I went in was Tarot reading night. A man in a wizard hat did a simple tarot reading to address whatever question I asked. After that, he did a tarot reading to assess my mood. The three cards he selected yielded states of being and I brought them up to the counter and then it was the wine expert’s task to find me a wine that fit my mood. How fun!

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What Makes Wolf and Bear’s Falafel Epic?

Posted on September 1, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

Wolf and Bear’s has almost a cult like following. I know that is claiming a lot for a humble chickpea dish. But indeed, Portlanders just go gaga over the falafel pita wraps. Currently, Wolf and Bear’s has two food truck locations. One on North Mississippi (between Shaver and Failing). And the other in Pod 28, which is on SE 28^th and Ankeny, on the southern end of the renown Kerns Restaurant Row.

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Get Your Israeli Street Food Fix at Shalom Y’all

Posted on August 3, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

Through the years, I have watched John Gorham build his Portland food empire, one delicious restaurant at a time. His business model it interesting, as he serves different cuisines, but they all have delicious dining in common.

The John Gorham empire expands

It all started with Toro Bravo which is Spanish influenced, although not in the strictest of ways. Tasty and Sons and Tasty and Alder soon followed. Then Tasty and Sons morphed into Tasty and Daughters. They are excellent brunch spots, serving upscale and creative twists on traditional items like poached eggs, and French toast.

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A Slice of Hog Heaven – Tails and Trotters

Posted on July 2, 2019April 12, 2020 by Sherri

Every time I walk into Tails and Trotters I comment (to myself), “this is a slice of hog heaven, well actually it is not heaven for a hog, but it sure is heaven for a human.” Of course this assumes that you are not vegetarian. And if that is the case, then keep reading!

Pork is nutrient dense and flavorful, not to mention adaptable to different cuisines. Now imagine if those happy pigs were finished off on hazelnuts. I bet you realize that would impart a distinctively complex and rich flavor to the meat. Well that is exactly what you can discover for yourself at Tails and Trotters.

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