Amazing food in Oregon

In the not so distant past our family took a 2 week long road trip to the Northwest, my husband's 30  year high school reunion was coming up that we wanted to attend in Portland, Oregon.   So we decided to make a vacay out of it.   Made many stops along the way like Hell's Canyon, Mt. St. Helen's and more.   But, the memory I have of the vacay will always be the trip we took to Lincoln City, Oregon (yes this was a trip within a trip) We stayed at a fabulous place called the Candlelight Inn, they even allow pets (which is very important since we were traveling with our little Yorkie)  Cute little place right by the beach.

Our first night there we went out for dinner, the place we wanted to go to was full and had a 1 1/2 hr. wait (yes, forget that)  Happy accident this was because we ended up at the most amazing place I had been too in a long time, the Side Door Cafe.   Not only did the place have character, but the staff was fun, friendly and personable and of course the service was excellent.   The food was unforgetable, there is not one thing we ordered that we didn't like.   But, what stands out for me was the menu item I ordered.   Ciapinno, what an amazingly talented chef they had ( I hate to admit, but his recipe was even better than mine) This dish was made with of course the freshest seafood in town, but also with great care.   This was very obvious, since you could taste every flavor in that dish, nothing overpowered the other it had perfect balance.   I can't even discribe how melt in your mouth delicious it was.   All I can say is, if you are ever in the Lincoln City, Or. area.   YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST GO TO THE SIDE DOOR CAFE. http://www.edenhall.com/

Enjoy!

Jacqui Allen

Read more...

EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK SOUP

Ok, I admit it sometimes I get lazy, tired or bored and I just don't feel like making a huge dinner.   I know that you feel that way too, it's ok you don't have to admit it out loud.   But, here is something I threw together on one such day, I call it the "everything but the kitchen sink soup".

What you will need:

1 quart of chicken stock or broth

1 12.5 oz. can of italian style diced tomatoes

(these are items that you should have in your pantry all the time)

1 cup uncooked rice cook according to package

an assortment of frozen veggies, whatever is in the freezer

I used:

1 cup of soybeans (this will add essential protein)

3/4 cup of corn

1/2 cup of petite string beans

1/2 diced carrots

1 stalk of diced celery

1/4 tsp. dried basil

1/4 tsp. dried oregan

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients (except soybeans and rice) simmer for 20 minutes

Add rice and soybeans return to a boil for 3 minutes and you are done.

Serve with salad and french bread.

Enjoy!

Jacqui Allen

Read more...