There are many who harp on Valentine’s Day for being a “Hallmark” holiday. I listened to several people on OPB this morning going on and on about how much they hate this “commercialized” day. I get it. The same could be said about any holiday really. But what if, just for once, we ignore the Hallmark stuff and…
Lifestyle
Escape the cold with Santorini wines
I’m craving somewhere warm. Somewhere sunny. Somewhere where the blues are as blue as can be and the whites are as white as can be. I know I know, I’m in Portland, it’s not like it’s “that” cold here. It could be worse. I could be braving the blizzard headed towards the east coast right…
Friday Favorites — Arizona Edition
A weekly roundup of the “best of” the week in wine, food, and travel. The boys and I traveled to AZ this week to visit family. Sean and I took a couple of nights to ourselves (wohoo!) while the boys tortured spent some QT with the fam. FAVORITE FASHION – The Man-Robe If you’ve ever tried…
Cookin’ up My Mama’s Green Chili Turkey on AM Northwest
Today I’m thankful for this –> Going on AM Northwest to do a cooking segment! I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to share a recipe incredibly near and dear to my heart with the folks at AM Northwest. My Mama’s Green Chili Turkey. This is a recipe that has been in my family for…
Thanksgiving on the Grill or Smoker!
All the tips and tricks you need for cooking the perfect Thanksgiving dinner on your grill or smoker! We’ve been cooking Thanksgiving dinner outdoors on our grill and smoker for almost a decade now and wouldn’t do it any other way. Hopefully these tips will help you have a smooth Thanksgiving when cooking outdoors on…
Lentil Soup Recipe with Smoked Sausage
This hearty Lentil Soup made with Smoked Sausage, Bacon, Red Wine, and Vegetables has deep smokey and savory flavors, is comforting, and completely soul-soothing. It’s the perfect soup for a cold and rainy afternoon. A Tried & True Soup Recipe To Feed A Crowd This soup is a winter staple with our catering company, Ember…
Food Blog University (Cancun, Mexico) — work + family time = win win
Last week I returned from a weeklong trip to Cancun. When friends asked me if the trip was for work or vacation, my answer was yes, and yes. I was there for the inaugural Food Blog University held in Cancun, Mexico. A conference that is in its first year can go a couple of ways. It…
Smoked Brisket Pizza
Brisket Pizza takes leftover brisket and gives it a fresh makeover! This is another fantastic use for leftover Beef Brisket. My husband’s weakness is pizza. Usually he prefers plain ol’ pepperoni pizza (which I find quite boring). But lately, with his never-ending obsession with trying to perfect his brisket (this is a real problem, people),…
Friday Favorites — California wines, supermoons, and fire.
A weekly roundup of our favorite finds from the week in the categories of wine, food, and travel. WINE With the exception of our lunar eclipse wine (bottom) we spent this week focusing on California wines. For someone who spends a good deal of her time focusing on Oregon Pinot Noir I did tend to notice…
How to Make Homemade Orecchiette (pasta)
How I learned how to make Homemade Orecchiette at Masseria Il Frantoio in Puglia, Italy… and how YOU can too! Plus a full authentic recipe for Orecchiette with Tomato Sauce and Meatballs. It was already getting dark by the time our group arrived at Masseria Il Frantoio for a cooking lesson and dinner, otherwise I could have easily…
Veneto and Puglia (Italy) — Photo Preview
A photo tour of two incredible regions in Italy — Veneto, in Northern Italy, and Puglia, in Southern Italy. I’m still in total awe of the beauty of these vastly different regions and the warmth of the people I had the pleasure of meeting. I can’t wait to begin sharing stories of the wines, sights, people,…
Five Oregon Wineries with Restaurants
Winemakers will often tell you that their wines are meant to be enjoyed with food. But how often does a winery have a chance to prove it to their guests? In my latest article for Palate Press I continue an exploration of epicurean experiences at wineries, this time focusing on five Oregon wineries that have gone beyond…
Big News & Introducing Ember and Vine
Ember and Vine is a wood-fired (grilling and BBQ) catering company based in the general Portland, Oregon, region, and Willamette Valley Wine Country. Also the sister company to Vindulge, Ember and Vine was recently featured in Oregon Wine Press. We are featured in this month’s Oregon Wine Press!!!!! If you’ve been following along here you…
Pulled Pork Breakfast Hash
Breakfast Hash is one of the most comforting brunch meals. And Pulled Pork Hash is a fantastic way to use leftover smoked pulled pork for the ultimate brunch! This is how people who are obsessed with smoking meats do brunch. Portland is pretty famous for its brunch scene. But with young twins at home we’re…
2015 Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon — the scoop!
I knew I wasn’t entirely ready for the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon, even though it’s been on my calendar for nearly a year. Summer, work, travel, kids, they all got in the way of a perfect training schedule, or really any consistent training schedule for that matter. I hadn’t had a long run (and…
Friday Favorites — BBQ, breakfast, and stellar sunsets
A weekly roundup of my favorite things from the week in the categories of wine, food, travel, and occasionally lifestyle. Since we took last Friday off, this covers the last two weeks of July. LIFESTYLE Favorite Moment — Cooking for Counter Culture! I’m still pinching myself that we even got invited to cook at such…
IPNC 2015 — Photo Preview
IPNC, the International Pinot Noir Celebration, is one of the world’s most premiere wine events. Held held every year in July on the campus of Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, this three-day event lived up to its hype. The event is described as a “mecca for lovers of Pinot Noir,” but I’d also add that…
Cooking up Smoked Tomato Bisque and Brisket Sandwiches on AM Northwest
Mary and Sean were back on AM Northwest doing a TV cooking segment for Smoked Tomato Bisque and Brisket Grilled Cheese Sandwiches! We were so stoked to have been asked back on AM Northwest, this time to cook up something not usually associated with BBQ – Vegetables! But not just any vegetable. Smoked Tomatoes With…
Friday Favorites — tasty treats and upcoming BBQ fun
A weekly roundup of my favorite things from the week in the categories of wine, food, travel, and occasionally lifestyle. This week we have a mix of some cool wines, a recipe I’ve been obsessing over for the last few weeks, and some awesome upcoming events you don’t want to miss. WINE Forgeron Cellars Façon…
Cooking Segment on AM Northwest
We were on TV! Sean and I were invited on AM Northwest to cook up our award-winning Smoked Beef Brisket Nachos. We had so much fun! If you’re new here, welcome! Let me give you a little background. My name is Mary and I’m a wine, food, and travel writer. I am a columnist for…
Our First BBQ Competition – McKinley Springs BBQ Showdown & Benefit
… The good, the bad, the ugly, and the emotional, from our First BBQ Competition at the McKinley Springs BBQ Showdown & Benefit. I don’t function at my best when I am severely sleep deprived. Really, who does? But I feel like I function less well than others and I easily turn into a moody…
Phelps Creek Vineyards Nachos and Syrah Party Recap
Thank you!!! What a whirlwind of a weekend! Thank you to everyone who came out for the Nachos and Syrah Party. And thank you to Phelps Creek Vineyards for so graciously hosting at your winery with some of the most spectacular views ever. We are overwhelmed with the love we are feeling from friends, family,…
Comté Photo Preview
A photo preview of the Jura Mountain Region in eastern France and home of the world class Comté cheese. Say cheese! Comté cheese that is. Last month I had the opportunity to tour the Jura Mountain Region in eastern France and home of Comté cheese production. As someone who knows a fair share about wine, but admittedly much…
Book Review — Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto
“You’ll be surprised that when we started we had absolutely nothing — no resources, no knowledge, no image of what we wanted to become. All I had were my own two hands, a work ethic, a positive attitude, a sense of humor, and a fine lady to help it all come together.” – Aaron Franklin….