IN THE MIX - 1/31/2006; [Sunrise Edition]
By Kathrine Miller, The Columbian Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Burgerville adds
another badge of honor
We admit to a weakness for Burgerville's fresh strawberry milkshakes. And we applauded in 2004, when the Vancouver chain switched to Oregon Country Beef hamburger, produced without growth hormones or antibiotics and fed exclusively vegetable feeds.
Now there's another reason to feel good about Burgerville : It's switching to 100 percent trans-fat-free oil in all of its foods. Trans fat is all over the news these days since the USDA recently began requiring the artery-clogging fat to be listed on Nutrition Facts labels. We can only hope that other fast food chains sit up and take notice.
The early birds get the peas
Procrastinate much longer and you'll be shut out of farm-fresh veggies from local farmers. Community Supported Agriculture farms are now taking subscriptions, and many will fill up before too long. CSA shareholders enjoy regular deliveries of local, sustainably grown, pesticide-free produce, while farmers enjoy more financial security.
If you're considering buying a subscription, here are some tips from the Portland Area CSA Coalition Web site:
* Call the farmer and ask questions about the farm, growing practices, history, etc.
* Contact several farms and look over their materials.
* Visit the farm (be sure to call first; some restrict visits).
* Pay attention to the size and makeup of harvest shares; distribution days and locations; length of season, etc.
* Ask about extras, such as community/special events, newsletters/recipes, work days, etc.
For a complete list of CSA farms in Portland and Oregon, visit www.pacsac.org.
Give the gift of good taste
Remember that electric nose hair trimmer you gave him last year? Or the five-year-old gift certificate she keeps forgetting to redeem? This year, give your Valentine something truly tasteful, a basket of foods from igourmet.com. Selections range from $24.99 to $149.99. The latter, called "Intimate Dinner for Two," includes marcona almonds, picholine olives, foie gras, arborio rice, Parmigiano-reggiano, gorgonzola, fleur de sel, dried porcini mushrooms, French butter, olive oil, chocolate fondue, fresh strawberries and bananas, and espresso.
Igourmet is also offering tempting baskets for Super Bowl Sunday. The "Assortment of Game Day Delicacies" package ($49.99) includes Spanish chorizo; air-dried pork sausage from France; Dijon mustard; Italian pretzels; cheddar; extra-aged gouda; havarti with dill; Bavarian smoked cheese; and water crackers. It'll certainly make a refreshing change from saltines and squeeze cheese in a can.
To see the full range of food packages, visit www.igourmet.com.
Wine and dine on Oregon's finest
Here in Portland, we love festivals, and when it's one that celebrates Oregon wine and seafood, we can't resist. Friday and Saturday the Oregon Convention Center will be filled with booths from wineries, breweries and distillers from throughout the state, as well as 14 restaurants, plus a mix of other vendors. The event, a fundraiser for the Oregon Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, has a different theme for each day: Friday is "Portland's Largest Oyster Bar"; Saturday is "Oregon's Largest Crab Feed." There will also be cooking demonstrations, celebrity cooking events and wine and seafood talks. Hours are 3-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 15 and under. Details: www.oregonseafoodfestival.com.
A yummy alternative to OMSI
Another rainy Sunday afternoon. You could watch "Madagascar" with the kids for the eighth time, or you could take them to the Portland Hilton for the Children's Chocolate Brunch, a fundraiser for the Christie School, a provider of mental health services for Oregon families. The menu will feature a chocolate-infused buffet of traditional breakfast and brunch items designed to appeal to both kids and adults. Afterward, children can enjoy the "chocolate construction zone," a chocolate fountain, face painting, balloon art and more. Hours are 12:30 p.m. for brunch; 1-3:30 p.m. for the activities. Tickets are $30 for kids; $35 for adults.
And be sure not to wear white.