BELLA - Taste the Beauty!

January 2012 - The Year of the Dragon

2012-01-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

I missed being in Chinatown for the big parade this year but am headed out tomorrow
to New York City for my annual buying trip. I'm meeting with my favorite apron designer,
an Egyptian Cotton importer and plan to spend some time laughing loudly with Anne Taintor.
Plus... there are a few restaurants that I'm going to visit!!!
Work, Work, Work!!!
Enjoy the news, be sure to stop in and admire all the goodies we found at the
Seattle Show last month and to hear more about all the good things coming in
after my big apple venture!

'tis FALL- the BELLA news!

2011-10-26T12:07:00.001-07:00

BELLA Newsletter September 2011

2011-09-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

a newsletter, a tasting scheduled for Friday evening with

divine peaches and fabulous new wines and even better than

all that....

The 2011 GARLIC harvest
from Tuition Farms
has arrived!!!

Hope to see you at the Harvest Moon party!

WELCOME! and Let's get CRAZY!

2011-07-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

Late night painting... but no polka dots this time just a new WELCOME! mat to greet you as you enter BELLA Main Street Market in historic downtown Baker City.
The repainting of the storefront is finished and we think it looks grand---nearly as fabulous as the store is inside!

Stop in this weekend for the BEST MOCHA on the Oregon map! It's our celebrated signature coffee drink that combines real Hazelnut flavor, Espresso Italiano from Allan Bros. (Oregon's very first coffee roaster) and Ghirardelli cocoa. Topped with REAL organic whipping cream, of course!

The newest BBQ tools and great summer condiments have arrived! Check out the gorgeous Bamboo tools and boards, silicone sauce mops, spice rubs from Tom Douglas and the INTENSELY HOT sauces from Dave's Gourmet.

Dave's just released a Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce - if you're a fan of the spicy and don't mind having your breath taken away, this would be the hot sauce of your dreams. I'm crazy for the Habanero Mustard and Travis and Lynn think Dave's Burning Nuts (I know, I can't believe I brought these in either) rate high on the humour scale and more than tolerable - just a slow burn - on the hot scale!

Let's get Crazy!It's CRAZY DAYS in La Grande!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Crazy Days in downtown LaGrande. BELLA Mercantile will be having a DON'T MISS THIS Sidewalk Sale... starts at 10 am Friday!!!
$1 items

$5 treasures

$10 screaming deals

$20 SCORES!

and there's FREE Huckleberry Wine Tasting...

The Huckleberry bubbles!

Sidewalk Sale continues on Saturday...

this is going to be crazy fun and

we'll be making CRAZY deals!!!

Huckleberry Bubbles at BELLA in Baker City this weekend!!!

2011-06-08T12:36:00.001-07:00

Ellee likes the Bike Shrine!

2011-05-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

Ellee Thalheimer is writing an Oregon bike touring book and stopped by BELLA Main Street Market last week. She likes the Bike Shrine! We love her blog - check it out at:

http://cycletouringoregon.com/2011/05/out-where-car-hoods-are-as-tall-as-your-friends/

Also heard Robert Penn on NPR the other day and am thinking I'll have to get this book ordered
at BETTY'S BOOKS.

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/15/136239243/bike-mad-author-finds-happiness-on-two-wheels?ft=1&f=2

Alberto Contador took the Maglia Rosa (pink jersey!) in the Giro d'Italia today after climbing Mount Etna while the Tour of California had a late start today after cancelling yesterday's first day of racing due to snow - lots of snow.
Best wishes to all the riders in both races and everyone else out on the road with two wheels, we'll put the best new pics of the season up on the BELLA Bike Shrine and we'll wish a little harder (if that's possible) for more sun, more blue skies and more dry, smooth pavement.

May 2011 - 14th Anniversary of BELLA Main St. Market

2011-05-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

Etta knows!

2011-04-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

My first customer of the day shared an observation
about our fabulous handmade
CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES
that I just knew I had to share!

Etta took a look at the flavors in the case and immediately chose the

Mocha Rum for her friend, she nearly ordered another of the same

for herself and then smiled and giggled a bit when she settled on

Double Chocolate.

Then she shared with me the best little 'parable'.
She told me about the time she got her very first
BELLA truffle and how she just thought she'd
eat it in the car as she drove home. She told me
that she took one bite and realized (with raised
eyebrows and hand gestures at this point!) that
she simply had to pull of the side of the road and
stop the car. It was just to good to do anything
else while she was savoring it!
That Etta is one smart cookie!

Truffles are so incredible that you really shouldn't
multi-task when enjoying one; more than just a simple
piece of chocolate, each one is a little bit of beauty
with divine flavors and extraordinary textures.

Truffles are so much better if you let them be
the sole focus of your attention. We think you'll
find that the rest of the day is that much improved
by that moment that you stopped everything and
just thought about the chocolate.

BELLA Main Street Market will be celebrating our
GOLDEN BIRTHDAY
in a couple of weeks. My 'little engine that could'
will turn 14 on May 14th and we are planning a
very beautiful (bellabella!) and very, very tasty
party.
And you can count on there being plenty of
Michele's Chocolate Truffles!!!

BELLA has featured these divine truffles
for nearly 14 years. A customer brought
me one of Michele's Black Forest Truflles
not long after I first opened the shop and
I turned my back on Euphoria (my favorite
since college!) and never looked back!

We'll have 3 of our favorite flavors in miniature
for the birthday party - the Champagne, Butter
Rum and the Marionberry!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 14th-
plan to join us at BELLA Main Street Market
in Baker City for a gigantic tasting featuring
many of our favorite local producers including
Gilstrap Brothers Winery!
More details about the tasting next week!!

New Year, New York and the Year of the Bunny!

2011-01-27T11:38:00.000-08:00

So it really has been months and while the fog has cleared today and the sun is shining, I'm feeling like I really should make a better effort! It's not a resolution but an acknowledgement that I'll never be a daily blogger (unless I go back to southern France and then absolut!!) But I think if I try a reasonable goal,

like once a month, then perhaps I'll spend more time writing about food and wine than feeling guilty about NOT writing about food and wine.

Therefor,

Let the blogging begin ... again!

It's been a busy (as in busy working not entertaining or skiing!) winter and while I haven't cooked as much as I'd like to, there have been some tasty moments. The Elk Pate' was a tremendous success and will definitely become something I make whenever the opportunity (or liver) presents itself.
Thai Fresh Garden Rolls have been one of my favorite things recently. They are truly one of the easiest, fastest and most beautiful things to prepare. Next time I 'roll my own' I'll remember to take some photos and post those! Stop in BELLA (both La Grande and Baker City!) for Rice Spring Rolls Skins, Vermicelli and Rice Sticks and we can help you assemble the things you need to make them! The new Sukiyaki Sauce is really delicious and we've got Peanut, Hoisin, Tonkatsu, Pad Thai and every chile sauce imaginable!

I'm off to NYC (I just haven't had enough winter in eastern Oregon!) to seek more BELLA things to share with you through the coming year. I'll celebrate Chinese New Year and welcome the warm, fuzzy year of the Bunny and then return back to BELLA with stories and Fat Witch Brownies to share.

Both BELLA locations will have their annual "Cat's Away" Sale where everyone gets to be a BELLA employee for the day (only you don't have to do any work!) Stop by either store on Saturday, January 29th to take advantage of Employee Discounts (20% OFF all retail, wine and foods (except local meats and fresh pastries) and enjoy a FREE WINE & BEER TASTING. The crew will be pouring
Deschutes
World Beer Award Winner
Hop Henge along with some great new wines!!

Cheers!

Hope to see you soon!

Grandmas, GREAT Aunts & Fairy Godmothers... which are you?

2010-11-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

BELLA knows Bounty!

2010-09-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning started well enough - steel cut oats (Bob's Red Mill, of course!) with freshly picked blackberries from John Miller's orchard in Cove, OR stirred together with a dollop of Mascarpone (I'm all about local food but just can't live without cheeses and other delicasies from far and wide!)

Dandy and I were just hanging out in the sun on the back porch when Gail called to tell me that she'd opened her latest issue of Sunset magazine to discover the Oregon Bounty map which artistically illustrates the cool foodie things to do around the state.

Our Cafe' BELLA hazelnut mocha is on the map as

"the thing to sip in eastern Oregon" for the Oregon Bounty Wanderfeast!

Jen sprinkles a bit of Ghirardelli cocoa over the top of a Cafe BELLA

The Cafe' BELLA, a completely satisfying experience in a cup combines the deliciousness of Espresso Italiano from Allann Brothers Coffee, real Oregon Hazelnut syrup, Ghirardelli cocoa and organic milk and real whipping cream. It's delicious; we all love it!

This comes as no surprise to the imbibers of good coffee in eastern Oregon, but it's pretty thrilling to think that wet side Oregonians might learn about culinary divinity from the east side. Very, very cool!

I made a pot of tea and opened my mail, including the newest issue of Saveur magazine... guess what?!?

There was yet another insert of the Oregon Bounty Wanderfeast map!

I pinched myself and thought about how lucky we are in this beautiful part of the west. The new store is doing fabulously well in La Grande, the summer traffic in Baker City has been great and now we're lucky enough to be featured in the Oregon foodie marketing blitz!

The most delicious part of our marvelous late summer 'bounty' was the discovery of a couple of new LOCAL garlic producers. Stop by either BELLA location in La Grande or Baker City to pick up the 8 variety assortment from Tuition Farms or grab a head or two of Sarah's gorgeous NE Farms Organic Garlic.

So, the Bounty story gets even better...

yesterday Clay Andrew stopped by the La Grande store with a very serious look on his face. He asked if I remembered the rather stern words I'd had concerning a major glossy wine publication last week.

I laughed out loud... can you believe this???

Clay sat down last to read his latest Wine Spectator and found the Oregon Bounty Wanderfest map featuring BELLA inside.

I must be doing something right...

I'm still chuckling over the luck!

Stop into BELLA Main Street Market in Baker City - tell us if you've found the Bounty map in any other publications (will it be in Field & Stream?) and if you mention the BELLA Blog- the Cafe' BELLA is on us!

Cheers!

One more reason to Cheer for Charles Smith!

2010-09-04T17:43:00.000-07:00

We love the wines -
from The Boy and The Creator to Kung Fu Girl!

If we have to pick a favorite Syrah -
it's always Heart if you're buying and Milbrant if I am.
Lucky for us both
(oh remember Lucky #7? That was a great one too!)
it would seem that every
K Syrah
is dandy as candy.

But let's face it-
if you want to talk about a winemaker that always gives you one more reason to smile than you thought you could ask for, it would be Charles Smith!
Just giving us one more reason to give a rebel yell...
Charles Smith
K Vintners
Walla Walla, WA
Winemaker of the Year

BELLA La Grande goes HALF CRAZY for CRAZY DAYS

2010-07-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

It's our first year as a bit player in the BIG SHOW called

La Grande Crazy Days

which celebrates its 50th year

(a HALF CENTENNIAL!) beginning

Friday, July 9

in downtown La Grande.

We thought we'd just go

HALF CRAZY and do a

HALF PRICE Sidewalk Sale.

The fun will begin at 9am friday morning at 1216 Adams Avenue!

This is So exciting!

And we're doing it with :

Big hair

bigger smiles

and a

fabulous free pink wine tasting

50% off all sidewalk merchandise

Holiday Linens, Bakeware, English Poppers, Dishes, Decorations and more!

FREE Wine Tasting

Toffoli Pink Prosecco, Latah Huckleberry Riesling, Gilstrap White Merlot

and the amazing Torre dei Beati Bella Cerasuolo

(which isn't really pink, but a wonderful lighter style red from Montepulciano d' Abruzzo

that is one of the best darned BBQ wines we've ever tasted!)

*** All sidewalk sales final

We look forward to seeing you in La Grande on Friday, July 9th!!

Bev, Lynn, Maggie, Laura, Mackenzie, Jenn, Krista and special guests Leah & Deanna

The BELLA crew

BELLA La Grande

1216 Adams Avenue

La Grande, OR 97850

541-663-WINE (9463)

Open 11 til 7 Monday thru Saturday but opening EARLY for CRAZY DAYS!

Visit us EVERY DAY at

BELLA Main Street Market

2023 Main Street

Baker City, OR 97814

541-523-7490

OPEN 7 'til 7 - 7 days a Week!

Happy Dances, Dog Photos and a Favorite Summer Recipe

2010-06-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

My Shih Tzu, Dandelion is 24 years into his zen journey and he reminds me daily of the beauty of small things and slow moments. So while this blog tells the story of a busy, fun and delicious weekend, all the images are just of Dandy and some of his happiest moments from a sunny June day.
It was just another busy weekend in the life of a small retailer... Saturday began with the hottest day of the year thus far and an A/C system that was MIA at the new store in La Grande. We panicked briefly and then rented a mobile swamp cooler from Eastern Oregon Rental . Before noon, the day turned much brighter, we did a

BIG HAPPY DANCE

when T&T Heating and Air Conditioning appeared all bright and smiley faced on a Saturday afternoon when we are sure they had other plans! Hours later, after the frozen unit had thawed out, a new belt was installed and the wines all breathed a silky sigh of relief!
Especially the 2003 Calzadilla - an amazing blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet, Grenache and Syrah from Castilla, Spain that we are pouring samples of for the next few days. Normally priced at $29.95, we hooked onto a deal with the importer and have this wine available for $19.95 (while it lasts!) Amazingly dark and beautifully complex, it's fabulous to taste a younger Tempranillo blend beside it and see the amazing difference aging can make on a well made wine.

Don't miss out --- stop in at BELLA La Grande for a taste of the Calzadilla today!

Sunday began with the installation of a new dishwasher at BELLA Main Street Market in Baker City. I got to visit with our Idaho friends/fans Dot and Jeff, celebrating their anniversary (Congrats again!) with Cafe Latte' at the BELLA slate coffee bar following a relaxing weekend in historic Baker City. We caught up about the new location in La Grande, shared stories and talked wine while Will did all the real work and wrenched out my beloved 1969 KitchenAid Dishwasher that finally gave up the ghost after years of completely reliable service.

Bye Bye to the best dishwasher ever - it was salvaged from a home remodel 12 years ago and that's way more than you'd ever hope for from a FREE appliance! But with a good neighbor like SEARS just 2 doors down, we had options and great service and the barista crew only had to hand wash for one day!

Another BIG HAPPY DANCE!

So with all appliances "GO", we decided to take a sidewalk table at Baker City Cafe and have a very Parisian moment on Main Street (grilled panini style grinders and fabulous spinach salads!) complete with great people watching! We met a couple from Norway on their touring bikes and headed towards Huntington, I had to admit a pang of jealousy there but decided to take a 'driving holiday' instead!
How American!
There's still snow in one lane along the Anthony Lakes Highway - up on top- but the skies couldn't have been any bluer. The Tamaracks are the most vivid shade of bright green and even the old Crawfish Burn was beautiful as we passed by. We slowly drove along along through Tony Vey meadows, where the river meanders in fabulous curves through one of the most picturesque valleys in eastern Oregon, and then stopped to visit friends in Starkey. Dandy met Ticker, a sweet black lab and we all played in the grass for a bit. On our way back, we stopped at Bird Track Springs and walked the trail though the marsh and down to the Grande Ronde River. There were wild daisies blooming all along the trail and in a small opening in the flood plain near the river. I found a couple of totally groovy rocks along the river bank and dozens of Stone Fly "shells" all along the waters edge. Very cool!

As we descended back into the valley, I started planning a dinner menu that would be the perfect meal to end such a gorgeous day and knew immediately that my favorite summer salad would be delish!

BELLA Summer Salsa Salad

2 ears corn, roasted in the husk then peeled and cut

1 red pepper, julienned

1 cucumber, quartered and chopped

1 can Organic Black Beans

1 can Organic Kidney Beans

(drain and rinse the beans)

1/2 large bunch of cilantro, chopped coarsely

(Yes, I do LOVE cilantro!)

3 key limes, juiced

1 avocado, cubed

1/2 c. or more Feta, crumbled

1 c. Chipotle Salsa (or salsa and some chipolte powder)

I mix everything together in a large bowl and then cover and set aside for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors marry.

Serve with steamed corn tortillas, extra salsa and a bottle of chilled Domaine Rouge-Bleu Rose' Cotes du Rhone. This wine has the most beautiful color - deep salmon - and has wonderful complexity and freshness with the blend of Grenache and Carignan. There's nothing 'pink' or frilly about this delicious Mediterranean Rose'!

Set up a couple of lawn chairs on freshly mown grass, keep the camera handy to catch those cute pup pictures and enjoy a salad that captures all the brightness and liveliness of a beautiful day spent with friends and family!

Name That Cloud and Show Me The BEEF!

2010-06-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

I was driving into La Grande on my way to Nouvo BELLA and there was this astounding cloud over the mountains on the west edge of the city. I snapped a quick picture (from a moving car!) because it was changing so quickly... it was almost like the whorl of a seashell and was tightening in on itself.
The skies opened and it rained just a moment later
and then the cloud was gone.
But the sun has landed in eastern Oregon and today has been a parade of strappy dresses at BELLA La Grande. We're talking about Portugese Branco- the wine of the season and I'm telling everyone about the amazing burgers I made for dinner (two nights in a row they were SO delicious!) with the new

Sutton Creek Ranch Waygu Ground Beef.

This is the same breed known as KOBE BEEF (when raised in Kobe, Japan) but it's grown right here in Baker County and is grass fed ONLY- no grain, no corn, nothing but GRASS!
Waygu beef is deliciously tender and flavorful but the amazing thing is the way the meat is marbled - there's no waxy fat! Even after browning a pound of ground for lasagna last week, I was amazed to see about a teaspoon of fat left in the pan. The fat doesn't solidify and turn white, it stayed clear and liquid all night long because it is extremely high in mono-usaturated fats as well as Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. It's like Olive Oil!
I've only had true Kobe once, in a very trendy Japanese restaurant in LA but this is every bit as delicious and IT'S LOCAL and it's amazingly affordable. You've read about $100 burgers and $50 pound Waygu in the fancy markets but this is just $ 6 a pound! You gotta love that!
Sutton Creek Waygu Beef is available at

BELLA Main St. Market in Baker City

and our new location in La Grande
starting this weekend!
But back to my burgers... I caramelized sweet onions and finished them with Dulcet Tangy & Peppery Moroccan Sauce, which may be my new favorite 'secret ingredient'. It takes the idea of BBQ sauce and elevates it to a scandalously delectable saucy spiciness - it's very, very BELLA!
So, keep your eyes open to catch divine cloud formations, the sunscreen on your cheeks for when they clear and a napkin in your lap to catch the juicy drips as you take a big bite and enjoy the last few days of June!

My ancient little apple tree gets glorious!

2010-05-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

I stepped outside this past Sunday to see my little old apple tree decked in in the most astounding full bloom I've seen since '93. The blooms are nearly 3 inches across and by noon there were hundreds of very happy, very busy bees buzzing through the limbs.
This apple tree is most likely the result of a tossed core from somewhere back in the 20's or 30's when the WPA channelized the river. The tree is just below the old river bank edge which is nearly 100 feet from the rock channel where it flows today. The apples are most likely something like a Lodi or Transparent and from the looks of it, we'll have some wonderful apple sauce this season!

13 BELLA Lessons learned in 13 BELLA years

2010-05-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

1.It's the memories that matter, whether it's good times spent with friends and family or a perfect bottle of Thomas 2003 Pinot noir.
2. Stop thinking outside the box and LIVE outside the box.
3. BELLA means beauty, a beauty found in food, wine, cooking, learning and sharing. A beauty that is always the best 'flavor of the day'.
4. Life is better on the (morning) sunny side of the street, no matter what town you're in! Thanks for the warm welcome La Grande!
5. Guido was right about a lot of things.
6. It's good to have guardian angels, mentors, and people that push you to do MORE (thanks John.)
7. Sea salt, potato peelers and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo can be very sexy.
8. A dollars worth of jelly beans can change your day.
9. Take time to smell the coffee beans and make time to ride your bike.
10. Sometimes bright colored DOTS are the right answer.
11. Fresh, local eggs from Mr. Corona's happy chickens are amazingly delicious!
12. Little things can make such a difference; a little smile, a little treat, a little extra (and always with a really BIG BOW!)
13. Do something new every chance you get and make it fun... and with that in mind,
we're going to do something completely different to celebrate the 13th Anniversary of BELLA Main Street Market in Baker City.

Saturday, May 15th marks our 13th Anniversary in Baker City and as last year was a sidewalk sale to remember (see #1) we decided we needed to do something we haven't done before this year. So Lynn, Maggie and I put our heads together and came up with...

THE WHOLE TAMALE SALE

Wine, Linens, Cuisinart Mixers, Tools, Toys and Tomato Sauce (and everything else in the store!)

30% OFF EVERYTHING from 7 am 'til 8 am

20% off EVERYTHING from 8 am 'til 9 am

$1 Cafe Latte' ALL DAY LONG

***All sales cash or check
***NO house account or credit card purchases from 7am 'til 9am.
*** All sales final

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, May 15th, and we hope to see you early!!
Bev, Lynn, Maggie, Laura, Mackenzie and Krista
The BELLA crew

BELLA Main Street Market
2023 Main Street
Baker City, OR 97814
541-523-7490
Open 7 'til 7 -7 days a week

BELLA La Grande
1216 Adams Avenue
La Grande, OR 97850
541-663-WINE (9463)
Open 11 til 7 Monday thru Saturday

The New York Greek Coffee Cup story

2010-05-02T12:05:00.001-07:00

April 26, 2010

NEW YORK — Countless New Yorkers and visitors have warmed their hands on it — a blue, white and gold cardboard cup with an ancient Grecian design, steaming with coffee or tea.

This pop-culture emblem of New York is slowly disappearing. And now the man who created it is gone.

Leslie Buck died on Monday at his home in Glen Cove, Long Island, at age 87. He succumbed to complications from Parkinson’s disease, said his son, Robert Buck, who for years worked alongside him at a Connecticut cup-making company.

Starting in the 1960s, the Holocaust survivor from Eastern Europe decorated his creation with Greek urns, images of coffee cups and the phrase "We Are Happy To Serve You" in a font resembling ancient Greek.

The new product, made by the Sherri Cup Co. of Kensington, Connecticut, was aimed at urban diners owned by Greek immigrants who were, in fact, happy to serve customers sipping from hundreds of millions of the cups over the decades.
The design soon spilled into the streets, used by vendors peddling coffee on chilly days.

Leslie Buck called it the "Anthora" — unable to quite pronounce "amphora" (or urn) in his accented English.

He was born Laszlo Buch in Khust, Czechoslovakia — now part of Ukraine. He survived Auschwitz and Buchenwald, leaving Europe after his parents died in the Holocaust. In New York, with an Americanized name — Leslie Buck — he went into business, starting a paper-cup manufacturing company called Premier Cup in Mount Vernon, New York. In the 1960s, Buck joined Sherri Cup Co., which by the early 1990s was selling 30 million pieces a year of the cup designed by an artistically untrained immigrant, said Robert Buck.

The classic cups became standard props in films set in New York and television shows such as "Law & Order" and are regularly seen in movies filmed in NYC. The "Anthora" is still around in many New York diners, delis and an occasional food cart . BELLA Main Street Market in Baker City, OR and the new BELLA in La Grande, OR both feature the classic cup in a ceramic version. It's a little piece of New York, and a great tribute to a creative man who lived his American dream!

The Art of Cooking (and a Dollars Worth of RED HOT jelly beans!)

2010-04-29T11:39:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is May 1st and yet it is snowing as I write this. Ahhhh, spring in eastern Oregon! Concetta DeNaro Whitworth, author of Papa's Pantry- The Art of Cooking Italian will be our featured guest for our Saturday event this week. She'll be autographing books, sharing her homemade biscotti (her dad's recipe of course!) and telling great stories about growing up in a Boston home with a real Italian chef for a father. BELLA will be pouring the Moscato d'Asti from Cascina Castlet and the amazing (and incredibly lovable) Elio Perrone Bigaro. Try to stop by and join us SATURDAY, MAY 1st from noon until 3pm.

The new BELLA La Grande is open Monday through Saturday, 11 'til 7 each day and we always offer wine tasting but feature special guests and demonstrations every Saturday at noon!

BELLA Main Street Market in Baker City is still open 7 'til 7, 7 days a week and offers wine tastings daily as well as the best espresso bar in eastern Oregon

Last weekend was beautiful and I was able to spend some time in the yard - some weeding (how do I love my xerascaping, oh let me count the ways - starting with the minimal weeds!) and some transplanting. Lots of cutting, raking and hauling and then the best part... Colleen came over, we sat in my ancient, and rather tippy, Adirondack chairs down by the Powder River and enjoyed Spanish Jamon Serrano ham, French Saint Andre triple cream cheese and a delicious glass of Italian Prosecco - thanks to BELLA, I can sit in my back yard in rural America and eat the most delicious European yummies with my best friends (we always have a chair for Vicki, even if she's "stuck" in Portland!)

The first few weeks of BELLA have been magical and I'm having such fun with the new store. Elizabeth Martin-Calder stopped by last week (we missed spending our birthday together last month) and we had an impromptu party-of-sorts before BELLA opened with the Dufflet bittersweet chocolate and almond Feuille Croquante and a 2005 Banneret Chateauneuf du Pape- it was worth waiting to celebrate! She's the director of the Walla Walla Wine Alliance and has spent the past 5 years watching that valley just explode with great wineries and it's a major perk having such a good friend on the "inside" to help me discover the newest and most exciting wines from our neighbors across the Blue Mountains.

Speaking of.... Elizabeth introduced me to Greg, the founder of Grammercy Cellars at a Walla Walla wineries event in NYC last year and we have finally hooked up and will be receiving his amazing Syrah on Monday, May 3rd! The Lagniappe Syrah absolutely wowed me at that event, the same event where I confirmed my true belief that John Abbot, the winemaker of Abeja, makes the best American Chardonnay, bar none! Greg Harrington is the youngest American to ever receive his Master Sommelier and he worked with chefs named Emeril and Wolfgang (perhaps you've heard of them?) before moving to Walla Walla to start a vineyard with his wife Pam. We're lucky he left Manhattan for our neck of the woods and I'm excited to add his wines to our selection in both stores!

Last night as I began my closing routine, I was doing my usual 7:15 pm-what-am-I-going-to-cook-cruise around the store and I landed on the Palacious Chorizo. I've loved the regular but decided it was time to try out the HOT Chorizo and here's what I came up with... it was absolutely divine!!

BELLA HOT CHORIZO & MEYER LEMON COUSCOUS

3 sweet onions, sliced thinly

1 T. coconut oil (boy do I LOVE cooking with this, and it smells so good too!)

Heat large saute pan, melt oil and add onions. Cook until transparent and slightly caramelized.

3-4 oz. Chorizo, sliced thinly (I always peel the casing off too)

1/2 lb. fresh green beans, cleaned and cut into 1 1/2" pieces

rind of 1/2 Meyer Lemon, all pith removed and chopped into thin strips

1 c. Large pearl Couscous

1 1/2 c. boiling water (or vegetable broth)

1 T. Better than Bouillon vegetable paste (only if using water!)

Add chorizo and cook 2 minutes until onions take on the rich coloring of the sausage. Add beans, lemon rind and stir well. Make well in the center of the pan and add the couscous and vegetable paste, stir well and then add water. Lower heat, cover pan and cook for 15-20 minutes.

1-2 t. Harissa paste

sea salt

fresh cracked Tellicherry peppercorns

Stir the beans and couscous mixture, taste for seasoning and add Harissa, sea salt and pepper to taste. Cover for another minute and serve with crusty ciabbatta bread and Gloriosa Tempranillo.

And now for the Jelly Bean story... this past Friday there were several people in the new store and I noticed a young man, about 10 or 11 that seemed to be on his own. He walked through the entire store and seemed to be looking at everything! After 20 minutes or so, everyone else had found what they were looking for and had left the store. He walked up to the butcher block counter, flipped his bangs to the side a bit (they were very stylishly long and covering his eyes) and reached into the pocket of his jacket. He pulled out a Ziploc bag bursting with pennies and put it in the middle of the counter like someone who has watched every Clint Eastwood spaghetti western and personally knows what the man with no name would do! He looks up and says "I'd like a dollars worth of RED HOT jelly beans please."

We counted out the pennies, he had exactly 100 plus a dime. He walked out with his jelly beans and a dime in his pocket and I chuckled for the rest of the day!

How much fun can a little BELLA have?

2010-04-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

The answer is becoming clearer each day! As the 3rd week of the new BELLA in La Grande begins, I can happily say that two BELLAs are better than one! The crew in Baker City has been busy as spring attempts each and every day to begin. There's been amazing hail storms, find-Toto-and-hide-in-the-cellar wind storms and more than what we consider normal in the way of rain, but today began with clear blue skies and the forecast says short sleeves.

Gilstrap Brothers Winery will be offering samples of their wines today in the new La Grande BELLA and I'm looking forward to another peek at their Viognier. It's always been one of my favorite whites (although my favorites is NOT a short list but is heavy on the V wines, Vernaccia, Vermentino, Verdicchio!) and it's been fun to watch as many of the vintners in the Northwest take on this magical, heavenly scented and lush bodied wine.

I'm still a little sleep deprived although elated. The remodel took longer than planned, which is c'est normale for 100 year old buildings, and it seemed there was barely 10 days to put the store together before we opened. And then there was the opening....

Thank you La Grande (and all the Baker folks that have driven up to say 'hey' as well) for the most amazing welcome I could ever imagine. We had over 350 people through the new store on the first Saturday and we couldn't stop grinning for a week. Many thanks to my dear friend Colleen for jumping in and helping me throughout the entire process!!

The second week has been just as fun, filled with new faces and several that have become 'regulars' already. I am absolutely thrilled with the reception and truthfully haven't had this much fun doing what I love to do in a while- merci beaucoup!

Pollianne Grover made a quilt for the new store inspired by the painting by Heidi Olser that hangs in the Baker City store. It's beautiful and is sure to make you smile... come on in for a visit!

Are We There Yet?

2010-03-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

Someone new showed up yesterday at the new store in La Grande.

It's been a major week of accomplishments and little celebrations; the checkerboard floor is gorgeous, the new cabinets are built and the countertops are nearly finished, the wine shelves are complete and I've been opening boxes for the past 2 days. Lots and Lots of Boxes!
It's like Christmas except for the 2 truckloads of cardboard that went to the recycling plant.

On Friday we had company at BELLA Main Street Market. Rocky Rachiele, son of 'my' Guido stopped in on his way to Portland with his son. They found a bottle of the Sangiovese bottled by Charles Smith called Guido and called to say hello (as I was working in La Grande!) I'm hoping to see them on Monday as they head back to Utah and show them the newest incarnation of the Checkerboard.

The building painting is coming along and we're hoping for less wind today (it was Kansas here yesterday.... all day long!) so that the rest of the base color can be finished. We're just a week and a half away, I'm not sure I'll get it together for much of a preview party but we will be open on April Fools Day!

See more pics and follow the events of the week on
our Facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Baker-City-OR/BELLA-Main-Street-MarketBELLA-Mercantile/305860981099?ref=nf

Live Rams!!! and a light at the end of the tunnel : )

2010-03-11T19:50:00.000-08:00

Saw a huge herd of Big Horn Sheep near the mouth of the John Day River on the Columbia Gorge. The rams were fairly close to the road and it was fabulous to see them so close! This herd was reintroduced in
this area again about a decade ago and it appears they like the place, as there were 17 females just a few miles down river and another small group further up the hill.

I love these sheep and it so cool to see them so often!

The ram at BELLA is anxiously waiting his unveiling which is on schedule for April 1st. I was hoping to have time for a couple of preview party/events and that's maybe hoping for a lot. We got the A/C ductwork etc installed today- it's time to put flooring down and start making it look like BELLA inside.

The signage was approved tonight by the La Grande Historic Landmarks Commission!
Whoopee...
here's a computer rendering of what the signage will look like!
Say Whoo- Hoo!!

John Huston's ram appears for the 3rd charming time

2010-02-23T17:33:00.000-08:00

This is the fun part!
I've painted my own little version of John Huston's Ram that graces the label of the 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild inside 3 of my BELLA locations - and the 3rd has been a charming endeavor from the first moment.
I've got beautiful display windows in the Anson Building and decided to put the mural right up front where everyone can enjoy it! We covered the wood panel wall with sheet rock and a light coating of plaster. I decided to reverse the image so the ram would be facing the morning light and I'm liking it!

The moon was first, then the spot of earth before I started painting in the sky. The colors are much more vivid in this 're-telling' of the story and it's by far the largest (and dare I say fittest?!?) ram to date.

Okay, maybe a bit too thin actually. My first ram looked like he'd had a second helping of lasagna, the second looked a little vertically challenged and this guy is lookin' like a triatha-ram with bike racer thighs!

Next comes the purple grapes, an eye and some hooves.

And to my right, Colleen is working her magic on my trompe-l'oeil
doorway.

Watch the BELLA begin on Facebook

2010-02-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

So let me be clear, I think you can waste a whole LOTTA time 'cruisin' on Facebook but Kina convinced me it was worth thinking about (and believe me, it took months and months of convincing!) and so I've decided to start a FB page for the new BELLA store in La Grande, OR.
This photo was taken before we did anything at all and the transformation will be divine- of course!!
You can see images of the changes so far and watch as the store develops and blooms (our opening is scheduled for April Fools Day 2010 - don't miss it!)
Just click on this link to go to FB and become a fan of the newest BELLA on the block!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baker-City-OR/BELLA-Main-Street-MarketBELLA-Mercantile/305860981099?ref=search&sid=1220580829.1576629747..1

Happy Valentines Day (and Chinese New Year too!)

2010-02-12T07:45:00.000-08:00

It's the long awaited Year of the TIGER and we've got Double Happiness on the menu and are
celebrating St. Valentines, The No'leans Saints and the Chinese New Year all weekend long at BELLA.
Stop in anytime during the weekend for FREE TASTING of the fabulous and cleverly named new Northwest Syrah blend... Coteaux du Bruneaux and a box o' divine chocolates!
Congratulations to Liz and Barry as well, Happy Anniversary to
two of our favorite 'every day' customers!
Just click on our Tiger By The Tail Truffle Menu to see in better detail!
Cheers!

Happy Anniversary wishes to Liz and Barry on top of all that!

Fresh Dungeness Crab (and Beans and Rice- Congrats to the NOLA Saints!)

2010-02-07T20:50:00.000-08:00

Grant just returned from a trip to the Oregon Coast with stories about 15 pound fish pulling his float tube up and down the river and a cooler full of fresh dungeness crab- one of the best foods of Oregon! Yesterday I made Linguine with the crab meat from the bodies and claws tossed with Piquillo Peppers, Artichoke Hearts, fresh Chevre, Parmesan Reggiano and some green onions. Super easy, super fast - incredibly rich and delicious.
Plus, I still had 12 legs for dinner tonight.
I thought about it all day as I painted at the new BELLA store location in La Grande. The N'Orleans Saints played some influence on my decision to go in a beans and rice direction. Congratulations to the city of New Orleans!
I stopped at the market and grabbed some veggies and came back and created this delicious dish!

Fresh Crab with Beans and Rice
2 slices lean bacon (Hill Meat Co. in Pendleton make fabulous bacon! This is optional of course, but incredibly delicious!)
1 sweet onion, sliced thinly
1 Poblano Chile, sliced thinly
1 T. olive oil
1 c. vegetable broth
1 c. fresh green beans, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 c. jasmine rice
1 c. cooked black beans
1 c. crushed tomatoes
2 T. chipotle sauce (a really smokey one like Bufalo)
1 avocado, cubed
1 c. cilantro, rinsed and chopped

1. Saute bacon in heavy bottomed pan. Add onions and cook until transparent.
2. Add chile and the olive oil (if the bacon is super lean) and saute for a minute and add rice. Stir until rice is coated with oil and add broth and cover. Cook 5 minutes and add tomatoes.
3. Stir in black beans, green beans and chipotle sauce . Add another cup of water, cover and lower heat. Cook for 15 minutes.
4. Turn off heat and let rice mixture relax and thicken.
To serve, sprinkle plates with fresh cilantro. Portion beans and rice mixture onto plate and top with crab, fresh avocado and garnish with a bit of the chipotle.
Serve with a great NW microbrew and ENJOY!

Bittersweet... real life and real heroes.

2010-02-02T14:07:00.000-08:00

Got back to Baker City in the middle of the night from a whirlwind buying trip to NYC with a mind full of beautiful images. I didn't take a single photo, even though my hotel was just blocks from the Chrysler Building which I think is one of the most beautiful buildings in America! I've taken hundreds of pics of it and yet it always seems like "I've never seen it from that angle" or "the light is just so perfect" and so it's become an obsession of sorts.
The weather was cold- but with cloudless blue skies and brilliant sun every day- it was absolutley gorgeous in Manhattan! Every corner turned presented a new sparkling image that I captured in my minds eye.
Somehow it seemed a little sweeter that way.

As I crossed the Harlem and then the East River on my way to the airport, I looked back at all the shimmering towers of one of the most magical cities I've ever seen, knowing that I was leaving with only memories and no proof to share other than the telling....
I liked the thought.

Today was back to work and the first item I tackled (after a delicious "so glad to be back to the best Coffee Latte") was the 100 e-mails. I worked through one-by-one until I opened a message with an unfamiliar nickname. One of the sons of my Guido, the man who inspired nearly everything that "works" about BELLA, had written to share with me that Guido was gone.

Guido had been on my mind for the past several weeks and I suppose this one of the hard parts of staring down 50... my heroes are older and some of them are more fragile than others.
His words were very touching, he recognized how much his dad had mattered to me (and so many others) in his role as the owner of Checkerboard Grocery for 55 years and a dedicated public servant.
Guido was my superhero.
He owned the most perfect little market. He talked to me like my opinions mattered, even when I was 8. He recognized me when I walked into his store after a 30 year absence and challenged me a couple of years later to keep BELLA open 7 days a week, "so that the community will trust you and know that they can count on you".
Guido Rachiele, son of Salvatore and Rosina, the grocer who caught my father waxing his windows in the early 50's and held my hand during the 4th of July Parade in Price, Utah in the mid-60's; a man who could pop a top off of a Coke bottle and make me feel like the most important person in the world at ten and even at 40-something had lived 84 very full years and touched many lives including mine.
Rest in Peace Guido. You were "bigger than a Kennedy"to me as a child and still feel like my guardian angel/business coach. Your presence and influence are a visceral part of the little store called BELLA and the checkboard will always be here as an homage to you! You will always be my superhero.

Cellar Discoveries at years end

2010-01-14T18:16:00.000-08:00

Mom called today and wondered why 'no news' on the blog. I'd actually written something at home and just hadn't gotten to the computer yet.
Here it is Mom, enjoy the delicious words and have a wonderful warm and sunny holiday!

There is always a new wine to get excited about, some new varietal grabbing headlines from South America, or a fabulous new label from the farthest reaches near Cap Finesterre. Every once in a while, I have been lucky enough to experience and enjoy the brilliance of fine wines that have had the time and opportunity to become memorable.
This Christmas presented one such opportunity. I was invited to spend Christmas Day with my friend Colleen and her family. They were planning a prime rib roast with all the fixings, I volunteered to bring the wine. My day began quietly, I was both thankful for and exhausted by the very busy season at the BELLA and I slept in a bit before getting up and baking Huckleberry Scones. I arrived just in time for the opening of the stockings with those aromatic scones warm from the oven! Colleen greeted me at the door with a glass of Prosecco and showed me to my place... where I discovered my very own stuffed stocking.
It was a banner year for Smart Wool! Mom sent me a bundle of new Smart Wool socks, and Santa must have gotten the memo too as there was a purple pair in my stocking with fabulous "dot" earrings as well.
We went for a walk after the stockings and gifts- it was an absolutely beautiful day in Baker City with clear blue skies, warm sun and perfect white snow everywhere except the nicely shoveled walks! The air was crisp, and it was a treat to spend
unscheduled time with such a good friend (oh my, there should be much more of this in my life- must make a note for New Years Resolutions!) When we returned,
the whole house was filled with the perfume of roast beef and garlic. Such a glorious aroma!
We teamed up and to play SCRABBLE and I opened the 2000 Corton Charlemagne from Boillot. We marvelled over the cork (does anyone use higher quality corks than those bottling Corton Charlemagne?) and were amazed by the youthfulness of the color- still brilliant and bright with no signs of age. The mouth was every thing you expect from such a great wine, even more so for it's lengthy rest in my basement over the past 7 years! I certainly could have planned a menu around this wine, but matching it with a word game and good friends gathered at the base of a decorated tree seemed the perfect way to celebrate this beautiful wine. Colleen and I won the first game, making up some rules as we went along but having a great time. At last the prime rib was ready to serve, the candles were lit and everyone pulled their poppers and put their paper crowns on as I pulled the second cork. This baby had been resting in my cellar for a very long time, it was a wine I had saved from my very first BELLA store in McMinnville,a magnum of Bethel Heights Reserve Pinot Noir 1990. Bethel Heights has been one of my dear favorite Oregon producers, I loved their old labels which featured a small photo of the grape varietal on each label and although the new labels are very classy and elegant, I really have a soft spot for this label and all the memories of my early days in the Oregon wine business that it evokes!
Anyways,
the wine was simply beautiful. I remember doing a tasting at Salishan Lodge once with Oregon Pinot noir from the 1980 vintage-in 1989!! We were so worried about how old the wines were and how they would show. I remember the Adelsheim very specifically, although it's moment of brilliance was fleeting, it was absolutely brilliant and complete for a window of time. This bottle of wine was made the next harvest following that tasting and while the larger format bottle certainly has allowed it to age longer,the wine was in perfect condition. I have always liked the Pinot noir from the region just northwest of Salem and there are qualities from the grapes in this microclimate that remind me of Vosne Romanee, my favorite French Burgundies. There is an element of spice, and sometimes candied orange peel, along with a depth of color and intensity that defines the Pinot of the Eola Hills region.
The Bethel Heights Pinot noir had intense color, with no browning at all and the flavors were very defined and elegant with an exceptionally smooth finish although still well built, not lacking acidity or structure. It was delicious with the beef and extremely satisfying, 6 adults and a lengthy dinner and there was still 3 glasses left in the bottle at nights end.
Not to worry, we gathered for leftovers the following day after a long and busy day at the store. The wine, even after being open for an entire day was still just gorgeous. I was truly impressed by the color and the fact that the fruit was still so center stage. It's not often that you find Pinot noir that is still beautiful and lovely at over 10 years of age, and Oregon is still such a young grape culture! The last glass was savored, and the sediment reminded us about all the reasons why we think unfiltered wines are better... especially in the LONG RUN!

Birthday Dinners
I want to cook more and I want to try really new things. I started last night with a Thai inspired menu idea and a package of frozen squid. As I worked out on the eliptical yesterday morning, I flipped through the pages of a Thai cookbook. I took stock of my pantry and freezer and made a few notes before going to work. I finished work at 2, grabbed a few produce items and the Holy Basil Chile Sauce and headed to my kitchen.
First was the dessert, afterall, this was a birthday dinner and Will loves pie, especially Rhubarb Pie! I made a whole wheat Pate Brisee crust and filled it with frozen huckleberries and rhubarb, the juice of 2 mandarin oranges and some fresh grated cinnamon and nutmeg. I cut stars out of the rolled pastry and topped my tart with overlapping stars- I should have taken a picture! (Note #2 for New Years Resolutions!)
I had written up my menu and began prepping my ingredients:
Carmelized Leeks
Sauteed Edamame, Broccoli and Green Beans with Fish Sauce
Shredded Fresh Spinach
Homemade Peanut Sauce
Satay Spiced Panko Breaded Cubes of Halibut
Pan Roasted Garlic, 14 cloves!
Shredded Cabbage
Julienned Sweet Potatoes
Julienned Peppers
Cleaned and cut squid
Coconut Rice
Everything was prepped and set aside in ramekins so that once my guests arrived, it would take less than 10 minutes to prepare the first course and about the same amount of time for the main course. I turned on the rice cooker once everyone had a glass of Limoux Brut and we relaxed and enjoyed some crusty french bread and the Rouge et Noir Triple Cream Brie. When I was ready to start the first course, I stirred the rice once and turned up the flame on the wok.
The prep for everything took about 1 fairly relaxed hour. The cooking time took mere minutes and the food was delicious. I'm going to make the Halibut
again soon, it was fantastic!

Satay Breaded Halibut on a bed of Carmelized Leeks and Spinach
2 T. butter
2 leeks, cleaned and cut into thin rounds
1 c. edamame
1/2 c. green beans
1/2 c. broccoli
1 T. fish sauce
1 # halibut, cut into 2" cubes
1 13 oz. can coconut milk
1 1/2 c. jasmine rice
1 1/2 c. panko crumbs
1 egg, whisked
1 Hand Brand Satay packet

1. Melt butter in hot wok, add leeks and lower heat. Stir to evenly coat leeks, cover wok and stir occassionally unti carmelized but not limp. Remove leeks from butter and set aside.
2. Mix together spice packet and panko crumbs. Dip cubes of halibut in egg to coat and then dip into crumb mixture to evenly cover. Set aside in fridge.
3. Saute edamame and vegetables in remaining butter, add fish sauce.
4. Mix peanut sauce packet with coconut milk in saucepan and bring to low boil for 15 minutes.
5. Heat heavy cast iron fry pan or large wok. Add 1 T. sesame or peanut oil. Place cubes of halibut in pan, turn when browned to evenly cook.
6. Add leeks back to veggie mixture in wok, toss until evenly heated.
7. Arrange shredded spinach on serving plates. Divide sauteed veggies onto plates, top with 2 cubes of halibut and top with sauce. Garnish edge of plate with Sriracha sauce!

Holy Basil Squid and Coconut Rice (with a nod to Victor)
1 # cleaned and peeled squid, cut bodies in rings
1/2 small head of cabbage, shredded
4 sweet potatoes, julienned
14 cloves garlic, pan roasted to carmelize
2 c. diced peppers
1 c. chopped flat leaf parsley or cilantro
1 roasted chile
2-3 T. holy basil chile sauce

Heat the wok, add 1 .t peanut oil and stir fry cabbage and sweet potatoes. When tender, add peppers,chile and cooked garlic and toss to mix thoroughly. Add squid and stir fry for 2 minutes on medium heat. Stir in Holy Basil sauce and parley and serve!
Place large scoop of coconut rice in center of plate, top with Squid and sauce. Serve with Holy Basil Chile and Sriracha.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a GOOD NIGHT!

2009-12-26T15:47:00.000-08:00

Orin, Sam and their mother Whitney made this eggscellent Christmas display for BELLA using shells from our local happy chickens that supply fresh eggs for the store.
They hand picked tiny little branches for the antlers- I just can't believe how adorable this is!!
So my Santa's Eggspress is on display at the wine tasting bar until New Years Day. Stop by for a Cappuccino or a taste of the Montelliana Prosecco- we'd love to see you!
BELLA has tickets for the double feature movie on New Years Eve. The feature film is Herb and Dorothy, the true story of a postal clerk and librarian that lived very frugally and collected art "they liked" resulting in an incredibly important and amazingly complete collection of contemporary artwork that is now housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
http://www.herbanddorothy.com/
There will be music, dancing, wine tasting and good food before and after the movie. Sherlock Holmes will be the second feature.
Tickets are $10 and are available at BELLA and at the door.

BELLA Gift Catalog!

2009-12-11T13:29:00.001-08:00

The Baker City Twilight Parade was fabulous and the kids are already planning for next year! We took down the float the morning after (it was SOOO cold - in fact, it still is!) and Colleen helped me move the DOT towers back to the store to stack beside our tree.

We had to get a photo while we had the chance!

Aren't these just too fun?

Anyways,

the tree is up,

the lights are on,

the carols are playing

and

the Gift Basket Catalog is LIVE!

Check it out at:
http://www.bellabakercity.com/catalog/catalog.pdf

Happy HoliDOTS!

2009-12-05T18:32:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the annual Baker City Twilight Parade, the official Christmas season kick-off event. What has always been the "shortest parade" in Oregon was simply fabulous tonight. It's been known to be short because it's usually around 20 degees and it's one FAST MOVING parade!

Tonight it was 22 degrees and there were twice as many floats and entries as last year,

it was fabulous!

The BELLA Happy HoliDOTS float followed the Baker Middle School Marching Band. All the BELLA staff and their kids were ringing cowbells, wearing their elf hats and having a great time. After the parade, it seemed like the entire city gathered at the intersection of Main and Court for the tree lighting and some carolling. Santa cruised the crowd and then everyone stormed back in BELLA for one last Hot Ghirardelli Chocolate with extra whipped cream!

Happy HoliDOTS to Everyone!

Here's another short video from in front of the store!

Who Doesn't Love Fruitcake?

2009-11-09T16:54:00.000-08:00

Well the Holiday Showroom at BELLA Main Street Market opened up this past weekend and we had an absolutely fantastic celebration on Saturday with the Grandmas, Great Aunts and Fairy Godmothers crew! The chocolate fountain was a bit hit with cubes of Italian Pannetone, fresh strawberries and MARSHMALLOWS! Everyone raved about the Twila's English Toffee (still my favorite treat and guilty pleasure!) and the Sweet's Chocolate Covered Orange Sticks and Raspberry Sticks elicited a LOT of childhood reminiscing,

More customers picked up the real fruitcake (the Trappist Abbey Fruitcake!) than inflatables and even more took the Trappist Abbey Date Nut cake, but the Blow Up Fruitcake got the most laughs for sure!

The Fruitcake "infomercial" is the result of our late night 'final touches' work party. Work for sure, but it's a party if there's a little champagne! Here's another moment of levity as Colleen and Vicki model the measure/mixing bowls!

Now it's time to start thinking about turkeys... specifically Grandpa's Farm locally raised, free range, happy hens from Haines!

Grandpa Kurt and Grandma Connie have really filled a huge gap in our local food circle. We've brought in free-range and organic birds from California for the past 4 years, but have dreamed of the day we could offer chickens that didn't travel!

Lucky us! These birds grow up with a view of the Elkhorn mountains under crystal clear skies, with no light pollution, traffic hummmmm and nothing but the rhythmic squeak of Grandpa's rockin' chair on the porch each night as they bed down. The turkey tastes even sweeter when it grows up in such idyllic circumstances and we are just so excited for Thanksgiving dinner this year because of it!

Turkeys are available in 9-12#, 12-15#, 15-20# and we have a few birds available over 20#.

Give us a call at BELLA to get more information or to reserve your turkey today!

541-523-7490

My first Halloween!

2009-10-28T15:34:00.000-07:00

I was born under the sign of Mars and have always embraced my Aries nature- including the seemingly senseless ability to 'ram' my head against the so-called walls of my world- but my mom just saw the horns and dressed me appropriately for my first Trick-O-Treat.

What began the day as my dad's red hoodie was transformed into a baby devil by evening!

My First Steelhead

2009-10-21T13:08:00.001-07:00

I spent Columbus Day weekend on the Imnaha River. It was my first trip to the area and a memorable one indeed! This part of NE Oregon is wild and breathtaking. The drive from the town of Imnaha is not for those (like myself) that get carsick. It's a LONG, windy, bumpy, narrow - and surprisingly traffic heavy piece of road but if you carry enough candied ginger and stop regularly to take pictures, it's well worth the drive! The cliffs of columnar basalt and pillow rock, the dal sheep and bighorns and ruggedness of the land is just remarkable!
There are century old farmsteads along the river - so remote and idyllic but that's a really long way to drive a hay truck! After a crazy busy week at work, I found myself dreaming about living in that kind of pastoral isolation and peacefully tending my cabbage plants.
It's a nice dream, but the only reason I was there was to catch a fish!
And I did!
I caught my first Wild Steelhead on a fly, an itsy bitsy fly in fact! I can't even honestly call myself a fisherwoman yet. My casts are inconsistent- although at times quite marvelous- and my feet get really, really cold still when standing in 34 degree water for over an hour- even with the fabulous neoprene waders and fancy fly fishin' boots.
I may look good but my feet get COLD!!
I took over 100 photos of the river, the canyon and the fishin'. The poison ivy was brilliant red and is actually really beautiful this time of year! I've attached my Imnaha Photo Albumn for your to check out, just click the photo to the top right side of the blog!
The steelhead that made my day was about 28 inches long, bright and wild- so she's still there in the Imnaha where she belongs. I hooked several more, didn't set the hook more than a couple of times and lost a huge one but got a great photo before it took my fly and swam away!
Anyways, it was a quick planned trip- didn't even pack my gas burner and little stove-top espresso (a mistake I will not repeat!) - but we picnic'd like royalty and stayed toasty warm in the tent with layers of quilts atop our down sleeping bags. I took a 'box' of the Green Path Organic Australian Shiraz, Oregon Raw Milk Cheddar, Emerald Valley Hummus and roasted Hazelnuts. Great food, excellent wine and no glass bottle to haul back!

This year has been an amazing one for Oregon fishing! The limits have been increased on the Grande Ronde River because of the incredible number of fish making their way up the rivers. It's been an incredibly lucky season for me!
This picture is one of my 'old favorites' from 1963- I was always the camp cook it seems. Uncle Don caught this image of my cousins Bryan and Janae with their catch of the day as I stand there with those glorious chipmunk cheeks and a frying pan in my hand. I especially love the BandAids on Janae's forehead!

When You LOVE it... Write About It!!

2009-09-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

I had a call back from a customer last week that claimed he'd found the "dream deal" for his passion of BBQ on his recent visit to BELLA.
I asked if he'd be willing to write a review!
We will be featuring the Kingsford BBQ Wok and Grill Basket in our
Top 20 Great Gifts They Will Use
catalog this year. But I'll let David tell you more!!!

KINGSFORD BBQ WOK REVIEW
DAVID BAGNARD, GARDEN VALLEY, IDAHO

As a life long barbequing practitioner I have always been frustrated when trying to grill fresh vegetables on a barbeque. Fine screen grill attachments I have purchased in the past were poorly constructed, wimpy, and usually failed in a short period of time. I even tried using paint roller screens designed to hook onto a painting ladder. Unfortunately the results were unsatisfying and the ladder hooks made the process clumsy to say the least. And, lots of beautiful veggies were sacrificed during this unsuccessful experimentation, ending up in the bottom of the barbeque along with the charcoal.

Finally, due to the buying genius of Beverly Calder and her extremely competent staff the miracle product showed up on the shelves of the wonderful BELLA Main Street Market in beautiful downtown Baker City, Oregon. Unbeknown to me, the Kingsford charcoal briquette people started marketing a fantastic BBQ wok. Carefully thought out, perfectly engineered, and extremely sturdy, this is the ultimate veggie griller for use on an outdoor barbeque. And it even has handles for lifting it onto and off the grill.

My suggested method of using this great little round basket wok is as follows:

Take a mixing bowl and fill it with various vegetables you have selected from your garden or the local purveyor. Before the veggies go into the bowl chop them up in one inch lengths.(Cut at a forty-five degree angle for artistic effect if you like.) Various squashes, onions, peppers, eggplant and anything else you can think of work great. Roma tomatoes are particularly delicious and juicy and grill perfectly. I love to add several jalapeños sliced length-wise with the seeds left in. (This adds a delicious heat to all the vegetables that are being grilled.) When your bowl is filled to your satisfaction drizzle a little olive oil over the mixture and add some high quality garlic salt. Stir things up and you are ready for the grill. Take your new BBQ wok and spray it with Pam or just brush on some of the olive oil you used for the veggies. Place the empty and oiled BBQ wok onto the barbeque grill and wait until it is good and hot. Dump your prepared vegetables into the wok and stir with a soft (Teflon) spatula while you drink a delicious glass of excellent wine from the BELLA inventory. When the veggies are cooked and nicely browned, remove the wok from the barbeque using two pot holders and dump the contents back into your kitchen bowl that still contains olive oil and garlic salt residue from the original mixing. You might consider throwing a few raw shrimp into the BBQ wok while cooking the vegetables or you could buy two woks and cook shrimp, scallops, pieces of fish or some chunks of chicken breasts separately while the veggies are grilling. I haven't tried small pieces of steak yet, but I believe they would be outstanding. Remember to treat your BBQ wok(s) with consideration and respect. No automatic dishwasher or abrasive scrubbers. Just hot water and a little liquid dish soap will work fine. Bon appetite.

The Grill Basket is one of my favorite pieces, if you love kebabs and you hate trying to turn those little skewers- you will absolutely LOVE this basket!! Line up the kebabs, lock it up and put it on the grill. Turn the entire basket once and voila!! no burned fingers and perfectly grilled kebabs! I've also done steelhead and salmon steaks in the basket.

Tastes Like CHICKEN SHOULD!!

2009-09-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

Grandpa's Farm is what you'd call a small family operation.
Real Small.
It's just Connie and Kurt who decided that they weren't ready for rockin' chairs on the porch but loved the idea of raising baby chicks and putting
LOCAL
FREE RANGE
HAPPY CHICKEN
on the table for local consumers to enjoy! Whoopee!
I for one am a happy chicken eater and I couldn't help but smile when a devoted customer (who has her own cookbook and has lived in this valley for somewhere in the neighborhood of 60+ years) called to tell me she hadn't "tasted chicken this good in 30 years!"
I thought it was good chicken before but then I was sure!
I've roasted them (stuffed with lemons and herbs), BBQ'd (with Spicy Chipotle Sauce from Red Tail Ale), cubed and stirfried with fresh veggies and each time I take a bite (and then marvel over the flavor) I just giggle with glee!
How many people can pop over to their local market and pick up a chicken raised less than 15 miles from the store and processed by the owner of the chicken?
NOBODY touches Grandpa's chickens 'cept Grandma!

I am so proud of these folks and so thrilled to offer their chicken at BELLA Main Street Market (7 'til 7, 7 days a week - now and forever!)
Last night was the BBQ option, I simply quartered the bird (you won't believe it, there's NO FAT on this poultry!!) and rubbed it with the sauce, popped it into a hot oven and roasted it until the juices ran clear. I served with Napoli Bucantino Pasta tossed with roasted NE Farms Roja Garlic, Caspian Pink Tomatoes, sweet Walla Walla Onions and some of that absolutely amazing Fiorentina Zucchini from my own garden. A pinch of sea salt, some crushed peppercorns and a small bit of the Mamma Junes's Tuscan Tomato Herb Blend is all I add (plus the required amount of olive oil!) I grate a bit of fresh Pecorino Romano over the top and pour a glass of Ciacci Piccoliamini Rosso and all is well in the world!
Of course, we'd had fresh grilled steelhead the night before and it's always hard to follow something so incredibly tasty and fresh like Deschutes big fish but Grandpa's Farm Chicken was getting no complaints!

If you'd like to try it for yourself, join us in historic downtown Baker City this Saturday for the Taste of Baker City and the festivities of Fall Festival. BELLA Main Street Market will be celebrating local agriculture from 4 'til 8 pm under sunny skies. Come on down, grab some 'wooden nickels' and enjoy the fruits of Oregon's harvest!

NE FARMS Roasted Organic Garlic with Sourdough Baguette

Free Samples of Grandpa's Farm Chicken and Turkey

Horse Drawn Organics Oven Roasted Sweet Corn on the Cob

Eagle Creek Orchards Fresh Alberta Peaches & Whipped Cream

Michele's Handmade Chocolate Truffles

Weiser Classic Candy Company Hand Dipped Velvet Mints

Oregon Peppermint Chai

And last but not least, it's the wine tasting of the season!! Buy a crystal BELLA wineglass for just 6 wooden nickels ($6) and taste through the new shipment that just arrived from Spain and Italy along with an amazing dessert wine from Malaga, sparking Moscato d'Asti and a fabulous little Oregon Pinot noir that we are simply mad about!

HOPE TO SEE YOU ON MAIN STREET THIS SATURDAY!!

By the way... Congrats!!! to Charles Smith - the genius behind the wheel of K Vintners. We loved you even before you were famous in WW2 and we still think your wines absolutely ROCK and that's why we feature them so proudly in the cellar at BELLA!

Great story about wine labels - check it out!

http://www.kval.com/news/59563347.html

That's FIRE... THAI FIRE!!

2009-08-15T15:59:00.001-07:00

Sarah called to correct me - and suddenly everything made more sense!
Aha!
It's not Thai Fine... it's THAI FIRE!

This garlic has a slow building heat that is sumptuous and breathtaking all at the same time. Gorgeous cloves with an intense yet complex aroma, but take a tiny bite of the raw and you'll be stunned with the most wonderful hot flavor. It reminds me of Thai Holy Basil sauces - all these layers of flavor and then you realize... wow, there's some heat too! It mellows beautifully on the palate and was delicious in the roasted aubergine, tomato, basil and pork dish I created for dinner! Just tossed with herbs, pepper and sea salt--- oh and a good healthy drizzle of really, really good Italian olive oil --- 45 minutes in the oven and served over Carnaroli rice. It was delicious and Will was happy because there were plenty of leftovers - he calls it 'fish food', as it's what he's eating this weekend while fishing the Deschutes. All the other fisherman have bags of Cheetos and beefsticks, Will dines on Thai Fire Caponata!

After dinner, there was pie.

All you need... is PIE!

Say it with PIE!

and ALWAYS,

Save Room.... there's PIE!

Fresh local Red Haven peaches from Eagle Creek Orchards with 2 cups of Wild Huckleberries and made with unprocessed cane sugar and a bit of fresh grated nutmeg.

All is well in the world.

The Catch of the Season, PEACHES & The Best Garlic in the World!

2009-08-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

(Always saving the BEST for last, the news about NE Farms Organic Garlic is at the END of the blog - savor the thought, the reward is mighty fine indeed!)

FISH ON!!
Local Baker City painter Marcie Cook has a very talented and WAY creative daughter. Lucky us!

Deanna Camp stopped in the store a couple of months back to show us her trout paintings.

These are not just gorgeous works of art, each painting is made merrier by the descriptions given which are clever, funny, and downright brilliant!

For example take the Corporate Trout all decked out in pinstripes:

Latin name Orcorynchus schyster

Habitat: Where the money is.

Behavior: Very aggressive; preys on suckers; even holds its own swimming with sharks. Oddly, often drowns in red ink.

Preferred Fly: Golden Parachute

You get the idea!!!
We absolutely LOVED them and begged Deanna to put together our dream calendar- one fabulously gorgeous and very rare trout each month with both style and major attitude!

Here's a peek at the Free Range Trout!

So knowing that we're all just dreamers and that 'if wishes was fishes' we'd be hip deep in the Deschutes not giving a thought to what day it is.... we thought this was a perfect 'catch'.

The Elusive Trout

2010 Collector's Calendar

by Deanna Camp

Available at BELLA

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST- $19.95

The Organic Peaches from Eagle Creek Orchards have just arrived, they are absolutely juicy and beautiful. I made a fresh Peach & Huckleberry Tart last night, I'll tell you how delicious it was tomorrow!!!!

And now, the moment you've really been waiting for....

The GARLIC NEWS !!
I called to check on the harvest a couple of weeks ago- too curious to wait! Ed told me that it was "by far the best harvest yet" and that Sarah, his daughter was "in charge" from now on.

Last year, Sarah had pointed out a place on their property that she thought would be really suitable for their fabulous gourmet garlic varieties. They had been rotating the crop between 2 separate fields and this patch to the northwest kept calling to Sarah.

Good thing the garlic knew her name, because it appears that this was the perfect patch of land! The Inchelium Red is absolutely stunning this year and in addition to the 12 varieties, there are a couple of test varieties that we'll be tasting. The Thia Fire will be part of tonight's menu (along with some lovely little eggplants and vine ripened tomatoes - I'm sooooo excited!

I love peaches, it's true, but GARLIC ... FUGETABOUTIT!!

Currently available:

Inchelium Red: Artichoke style, large cloves with amazing sweetness when roasted! This variety was rated the Best Tasting by the Rodale Institue 20 years ago and we completely agree!

Spanish Roja: This hardneck variety was brought to Oregon by immigrants in the late 1900's and it likes cold winters so you'll find the best Roja right here in Eastern Oregon! It's described as the most "piquant" garlic in the world. I served roasted Roja for appetizers this last weekend and it was gone in a hurry! Lots of aroma, wonderful flavor - really divine with Buffalo Mozzarella, basil and fresh sliced tomatoes.

Asian Tempest: The sweetest hardneck garlic and a wonderful variety for roasting, it's nearly caramel-ly- you might want to try it for dessert! Breathtaking when raw, but amazing in small amounts in a Caesar Salad dressing - oooooh la la!

All varieties of garlic from NE Farms are $10.95 per pound. Head size (and weight) vary with each variety. Stop in and sample several varieties this season or send an e-mail and request the BELLA Garlic Sampler (better than Russell Stovers any day of the week!) We'll gather up an unforgettable bouquet, pack it up and ship it to you!

Ciao Bella!!

Life in the Grupetto

2009-07-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

It's the Monday after... the Tour de France is now happily ended on the Champs-Élysées and for the past 3 weeks I had somewhere to be at 5 am.

It's a sweet summer routine when I wake up to the early sun and my cell phone buzzes with a text that reads something along the lines of... "Tour's on, so is the coffee".

I splash some cold water on my face and ride up to Gail's house to cheer George Hincapie and the rest of the peleton on. Watching Cav's slingshot sprinting, Contador's climbing acceleration and Fabian's absolutely divine legs (and beautiful smile) is a great way to start any day - but it is definitely my July 'habit.' But the Monday after is bittersweet - but not for long, there's so much work to do.

Afterall, it's harvest time and the fruit is finally coming in! Eagle Creek Orchards started picking during Gold Miners Jubilee. I had such a blast offering samples of fresh picked, local, organic PlumCots and Apricots on the sidewalk all day. We waited so long for the early fruit and now everything is coming all at once. Today, John Miller walked in with boxes of the juiciest Sweet Cherries you've ever tasted from his orchard in Cove. Lynn and I already ate too many cherries today, but we'll be offering samples all week and you wouldn't want to miss these beauties!

Last week the FRESH WILD HUCKLEBERRIES
started arriving! Mom and Mike got here on Thursday and I made Huckleberry Scones for breakfast! Then it seemed like the switch just turned on in my garden and suddenly I've got lettuces galore, baskets of arugula, gorgeous courgettes (the tasty, striped and slender french zucchini) and did somebody say they needed cilantro??

Needless to say, the garden (and other Baker County produce) was featured prominently in everything I cooked this weekend. I dry roasted a Sexton Beef Tri-Tip (so easy!! just 450 for 20 minutes after rubbing with herbs) and then thinly sliced the meat for arugula and roast beef sandwiches one afternoon and then arranged with fresh mozzarella (still from Italy, nobody is making mozz here YET!) over the greens from my garden, with quickly sauteed broccoli and garlic scapes with cured black olives and sunflower seeds.

It was gorgeous and delicious as well. We also enjoyed an Abeja Chardonnay that evening, I still think they make the very best Chardonnay in America!

Super Big, super rich, super silky, aromatic and lush with layers of complexity and it's from Walla Walla- what more could you want?!?!
You could say PEACHES!!
And I'd just smile and say WEDNESDAY!!!
The early peaches will be here this week, Linda called from the Orchard this morning to say they had just picked 700 pounds of sweet organic peaches. I'm already dreaming about the Rosa peaches, my personal favorite!
Peach Season... the tour?
What tour?

Men on the Moon '69

2009-07-21T13:38:00.001-07:00

I remembered taking the picture but was amazed that I remembered where I'd put it!

The best part is my handwriting on the back of the little black and white photograph... "Men on the Moon! '69". You can sense the importance of the exclamation point in my large, loopy red script.
I'm pretty sure I got the camera as as gift for Christmas '68 and I remember being told that the camera wouldn't take a picture of the television.
Do you remember watching Neil Armstrong that night?

Metromint Race Report

2009-07-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

Evan Pickett, second from the left in the photo above, sent along his race report today. Check it out!
: http://www.metromintcycling.com/?rr_1245797639

Zan Gibbs, the Sorella Forte rider that I rode with on Friday's stage took
this photo of Team BELLA (Corrine was on her trainer warming up!)
just before the Gold Rush Criterium!

Summer of Love

2009-07-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

We're calling it the Summer of Love... and why not?!?!

It started with the far left window which reads...

Baker
(heart)
Bikes

We painted it for the Elkhorn Classic Bike Race in support of the new volunteer organization of the same name. Baker Loves Bikes is a new volunteer run, non-profit organization dedicated to providing bike education and safety training at the local schools and promoting safe access for all cyclists. There are some great stickers available at the store that are a fundraiser for Baker Loves Bikes - stop in to pick one up or send us an e-mail at bella@uci.net and we can mail one to you!
The funny thing was that folks kept walking into the store and asking if we were a bike shop...so we decided we had to show that there is a lot to love at BELLA Main Street Market, including bikes!

BELLA
(heart)
Huckleberries

The new Huckleberry Wine just arrived from Latah Creek Winery. We'll be offering FREE TASTING for the next couple of weeks as well as the $99 case price (SAVE $32!) through GOLD MINERS JUBILEE weekend. BELLA Main Street Market is the ONLY store in Oregon to offer this amazing wine, and for 10 years; we've been tickled PINK to watch the reactions as people fall in love with this lovely wine. It's one of our favorite summer sippers and is truly the best wine you'll ever taste with turkey or ham. The aroma of Huckleberry is always divine, the wine is just lightly sweet- even our very favorite 'wine snobs' catch themselves liking this one!

BEAVERS
(heart)
DUCKS

I'll admit I chuckled while I was painting this panel - afterall, it's going to get a reaction! The ANNUAL POWDER RIVER DUCK RACE is July 19, the final day of Gold Miners Jubilee. The prize list is always fantastic and BELLA always sells the MOST WINNING DUCKS - and let's face it, even BEAVERS love winning DUCKS at the Duck Race! Just $2 a duck, stop in or give us a call and we'll help you pick a duck - everyone that picks a duck at BELLA gets a complimentary Duck Finger Puppet too! Everybody wins!

and the final panel...

BRIDES
(heart)
BELLA

'Tis the wedding season, and BELLA Main Street Market makes it easy for brides to register, easy for friends and family to pick a perfect give and even easier because BELLA is right here, on Main Street, on the way to the church! We're always OPEN (7am 'til 7pm, 7 days a week) and we offer FREE absolutely gorgeous gift wrapping! Stop in to view the bridal registry displays, or send an e-mail to bella@uci.net and we'll send you the photo and list for the bride and groom you're shopping for!
What's not to love in the Summer of LOVE 2009?!?

Two Best Friends, Wild Mushrooms and Melon

2009-07-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

Vickie was here last weekend for a pottery workshop and we filled the rest of the time with great food, fabulous wines and just hanging with Colleen. Saturday evening was the first evening spent 'on the deck' this year.... it finally stopped raining. And while you may think "oh yeah, it always rains in Oregon", it DOESN'T rain on the east side of the state very darned often. But rain was what we got this year and while you can't complain about it in a town that is dependent on agriculture (beef, potatoes, mint and the best hardneck ORGANIC GARLIC in the free world)- we can get very excited about cloudless blue skies!!

YIPPEE!!!

One of the gifts from those laden clouds were tons of beautiful Morel and Boletus mushrooms. I've still got a few left and will probably do something fungus oriented for my 4th of July petit dejeuner!
I've got company this weekend and am looking forward to fixing a very celebratory meal to start the holiday!

Last Saturday evening began with sauteed Boletus (Porcini) mushrooms and garlic. Nothing says love like homemade pizza! I layered Sexton Ranches Merguez sausage (I adore the aroma and flavor of this Moroccan spice inspired meat and use it in many of my favorite recipes), Fresh Mozzarella, capers, roasted red peppers, and a few chopped olives and a a bit of chevre on top with fresh herbes from the garden.
We'd finished of a bottle of Clouet Champagne before I went to the cellar to pick something for dinner and was so thrilled to find the VERY LAST BOTTLE of '99 Panther Creek Cellars Melon and a Vino Nobile de Montepulciano from Corte alla Flora (my favorite wine from this property, it's the 'old' part of the estate!)
Anyways, it was awesome to open a ten year old Oregon white wine that I knew would be absolutely stunning. The color was still brilliant and young, the aroma reminiscent of the best Viognier in the world (think Chateau Grillet) and the complexity of flavors and the lush, creamy mouthfeel took me back to some of my best Willamette Valley memories.
I'd loved the intensity of working crush (the harvest) at Panther Creek Cellars. I would sort grapes, punch caps, measure brix and then rush to clean up, put on a tuxedo and go to work on the 30th floor of the bank tower at Atwaters.
(And I usually stopped at Laube Market for a super juicy peach on the way! Another great food memory!)
Good memories, great friends, and a wonderful way to really learn about the wine I love to share!
Anyways.....
The Melon (prounounced May Loan) was perfect with the wild Boletus mushrooms on the pizza and the Vino Nobile was savored as we laughed, took pictures and spent the rest of the evening 'catching up'.
And the food got even better as the weekend continued!

On Sunday, I roasted my fresh beets with Walla Walla Sweet Onions and some local baby red potatoes. I like beets, but roasted beets, garlic and olive oil are a magic trio and the result is always beautiful and incredibly good! After roasting, I chill the beets and then toss them with feta, roasted hazelnuts and a bit of Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. I also 'threw together' a fresh rhubarb pie (in a Pate Brisee crust made with Ginger Beer) and we went up to Colleen and Joe's cabin for dinner and a creative work party!

Joe's mom Leah dreams of a true Cantina in the walkout basement of the cabin- you walk out to a breathtaking view of the Elkhorns under the shade of the deck above. The room is delightfully cool and knowing Leah, it's going to be the grooviest Cantina this side of the border! She wanted stucco walls, so we polished up our trowels and opened two enormous buckets of sheetrock mud and a couple of bottles of chilled Vinho Verde, the 'green wine' of Portugal that is perfect for summer sipping and stimulating creativity! An hour later we had completed texturing nearly 2 entire walls of the cantina space. When it's finished, painted and decorated I'll take a photo and share!
We moved up to the deck, enjoyed Elk Burgers, salads and fresh rhubarb pie as the sun dropped down behind the Blue Mountians. Life is good!
But I'm saving the best for last!

Sunday night was just Will and I - and a tiny bottle of Croatian Black Truffle Oil... aromatise'e! A friend from Pendleton is now importing wines, Olive oils and truffle products from Croatia and had just sent me a 'first look' at the stuff.
Oh my!
I was thinking potato tart - but wanted to try something completely new.
Here's what I came up with and I have to say, it's one of the best meals I think I have ever made. The truffle oil is divine and I should have it in stock at BELLA within the next week.

Porcini Tartufi Torta
2 yukon gold potatoes, julienned finely
2 T. olive oil
2 boletus mushrooms, sliced
1 T. butter (optional but delicious)
small bunch of arugula and spinach, shredded
4 fresh eggs, beaten
2-3 oz. grated fontina or provolone
sea salt, pepper
black truffle olive oil
1. Preheat saute pan, add oil and potatoes. Toss until evenly browned.
2. Add mushrooms and butter, toss until mushrooms are tender and browned.
3. Preheat broiler.
4. Add green, saute' until tender and stir to evenly distribute greens and potatoes in pan.
5. Season with a bit of sea salt (I'm loving Himalayan at the moment) and a bit of fresh cracked pepper.
6. Pour eggs evenly over potatoes. Sprinkle grated cheese over top. Cook until set but still very wet on top.
7. Place under broiler for 2-3 minutes. Pull from oven as soon as egg mixture is puffy and no longer runny. Divide torta into 6 servings, sprinkle a few drops of tartufi oil over each wedge immediately.
8. Serve with fresh green salad, crusty bread, crisp white wine. The aroma of the tartufi is amazing and you'll find yourself swooining over your dinner!
YUM!

More to come about the Elkhorn Classic - my first bike race!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

Moms, Memories and Dollar Bills

2009-05-12T18:28:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful week! I actually got my mom's present wrapped and in the mail ON TIME this year (I think that's going on 3 years in a row, just proof that old dogs can learn new tricks!) and we had a great conversation on Mother's Day before she put her gloves on and went outside to spend the day filling her flower beds.
Best part of the conversation was sharing my little 'keep your nails clean' tip! I 'rake' my nails through a bar of soap before I put gloves on, then when you wash up after gardening, the soap magically lathers up and your fingernails look great! I'm sure I got this tip from a magazine years ago, and I know it was WAY before Martha, but it's still a cool thing to know something that your mom doesn't!!

Found this snapshot of my parents (vintage 1960.) I remember unzipping the bag in the back of the closet and looking at my mom's dress when I was 8 or 9 years old (which would have been when my waist was about the same as that dress) and I loved the lace and the tuille. We cut her circle skirts short for me and made bolero vests from the trimmed fabric- my fascination with poodle skirts fueled my 3rd grade wardrobe! I was taller, and bigger 'round, by my 12th birthday. My 'mini-mom' never had to deal with a teenager that borrowed her clothes and shoes! But she still had a teenage daughter, and we both survived - so she's definitely earned all the merit badges offered!

BELLA Main Street Market was an incredibly fun place to be on Friday and Saturday, lots of young men on their own shopping with thoughtfulness and confidence, and many fathers with small children. There really isn't anywhere I'd rather be before the holiday than in the thick of it at BELLA with all that excitement and all those happy kids!

The highlight of my day was during deliveries Saturday evening. I took a handpainted Polish Pottery teapot to Mardelle (I live in a town with both a Mardelle and a Zona, and they are two of my favorite women!) The view from Mardelle's is stunning and she invited me in while she unwrapped the gift from her daughter and we visited for a while. Mardelle loves her cup of tea and her daughter had chosen something will allow them to share that moment every day - beautifully! We chatted about her family, polka dots, bicycles and chocolate -all the things that make life 'bella'. It was such a treat and so relaxing and sweet to be able to stop - Baker City style- and just spend some time with her. I'm miles away from my own mother (but she knows I love her) and years past my own 'Grannies' Iris and Leone but for a portion of the hour last Saturday evening, I listened to Mardelle speak with love and pride about her kids. It was a perfect close of a wonderful Mothers Day Eve.

Last year, Bill Clinton stopped in for coffee on Mothers Day. This year, all the VIPS were locals and it was a beautiful day with lots of people enjoying a walk on Main Street in the sunshine. I left work early and drove to Prineville to enjoy a feast (a culinary extravaganza that was a joy to watch!) with my sweetie, his mother Pollianne (just one more classically fabulous name!) and his sisters family. Vanessa's husband Richard racked up some serious points as he prepped and cooked Roasted Artichokes, Grilled Polenta with Parmesan, Ratatouille Stuffed Tomatoes, Crab Cakes with homemade Mango Salsa, Grilled Shrimp kebabs and Strawberry Shortcake (yes, the shortcake was made from scratch!) It was delicious and beautiful! I can't wait to see what Vanessa plans for Fathers Day- but I'm signing up now to help if another feast of this magnitude is in the works!

BELLA turns 12!
It's true... the little BELLA that could will be a teenager next year! To celebrate properly the end of our adolescence and the beginning of our reign as the darling cheerleader/prom queen/diva of Main Street we are cleaning the house! (Here's a photo from Day 1 - May 14, 1997 at our first Baker City location on Resort Street!)

Our Annual Anniversary Yard Sale has an edge this year. We always reward our loyal customers with the craziest deals on super cool things at our Yard Sale but this year is the CRAZIEST YET! The sale begins at 7 am (not one minute before!!) and I'm determined to have the most fun I've ever had at this event - we're talking major league fun and better than a flea market YARD SALE PRICES!

LIKE HOW ABOUT $1?
Linens, aprons, Mamma Ro ceramics, bubble glass parfaits, Chantal saute' pans and NordicWare stockpots, ceramic bakeware, candle holders, flatware, serving platters, doormats, serving pieces and home decor for A DOLLAR! No kidding!!! I'm just thinking that it's time to have a some radical fun and start our teen years with a lot of big smiles and great deals. Everyone can use a little retail therapy and the price is right on Saturday at BELLA Main Street Market.
The BELLA baristas will be cranking up the espresso machine and and making FREE Cafe Latte's from 7 am 'til 9am. Plan to join us early in the day to score some serious deals at the YARD SALE and then relax and help us celebrate with the best coffee in town!

May Day - Will The Snow STOP?!?!

2009-05-01T13:31:00.003-07:00

Yes, that is snow, April snow NOT April Showers as promised.
But we rode anyways!
Colleen gets Gold Stars, Brownie Points and Get Outta Jail passes forever and ever for getting me out and on the bike on days where the work is piled so high I can't see over the top.
The best part is that within a couple of miles, the 'juice' in the muscles takes over- the world is a good place - work is under control- and I breathe differently because I just love riding my bike!
Nothing else clears my head in the same way. I think that at the tender age of 48 I've realized that spinning circles is what 'sets' my inner clock; energizes, organizes and prioritzes all the strewn data in my files and basically 'reboots' my system and makes it everything

Tres' Bon!
Yesterday was a funny, funny day. Two inches of snow to close the month and put a little more pink in the cheeks of the tulips that have just pushed throught the ground. By 4 o'clock the skies were blue, the snow was gone and all that remained was the wind.
My riding partner was a competitive XC skier and her coach (aka Dad) always told her "Skiers Love Hills". We've adapted it some, and our mantra is "Bikers Love Wind". And wind we've got!
It took us 10 minutes longer to come down the hill than go UP the hill - and we were pedalling harder! It was crazy but the only way to keep laughing and not get off the bike and walk is to remember that we LOVE the wind.
I love the wind.
I love the wind.
I love the wine - oops!
A Typo but a Truism.
I think I'll leave it and say "everything happens for a reason!"

Rainbows, GREEN Wine and the merry month of March

2009-03-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

Saw this amazing double rainbow near the Columbia River Gorge on my way home from Portland on Tuesday. Both sides of the rainbow were in Oregon - something we Oregonians have always believed and it was nice to see it confirmed in living color! As I climbed the Blue Mountains on my way home to Baker City - the arrival of March made itself known with a blizzard that lasted 3 days and dropped several feet of spring powder up at Anthony Lake ski area!
Ahhhh, spring!

I'd been to Ptown to pick up the Casal Garcia Vinho Verde (that's Spanish/Portugese for GREEN WINE!) and to find more fabulous Tawny and Colheita Port, Italian Brunello and Barbaresco as well as the most amazing Blanxart Dark Chocolate from Spain (good chocolate always makes me think of you Lisa P!) We love the Vinho Verde; it's a fabulous wine to serve with spicy foods and goes well with asparagus (the real reason we love spring so very, very much!)

I planned the trip around a trade tasting of wines from one of our favorite importers of Spanish wines including an Alvear PX Solera 1830 sherry. It was one of the most beautiful wines I've tasted; by far the most decadent in both perfume and length, in fact the perfume seemed to linger for over an hour! Alvear, from Montilla-Moriles is the oldest wine producing region of Spain but is inland from the more well-known region of Jerez (pronounced Sherry!) BELLA has featured the Alvear wines since '97; they are an exceptional value (although the 1830 is pricey for the simple reason of rarity and oh yeah, it's really, really old!) and the Cream and PX wines are stunning! All of the Alvear wines are currently available, including the very last bottle of 1830 Solera on the west coast - stop in and let us show you the 'gold' from Andalusia!

(For more info about Montilla-Moriles and the Pedro Ximenez grape -

http://www.catavino.net/wine/the-source-of-pedro-ximenez-do-montilla-moriles/)

This "International Wine Bar" sign is actually the logo from a divine little wine bar in the East Village, NYC called Carrera. I stumbled into it shortly after it opened and have visited it every time I've been in NYC since! It seemed like they wrote the wine list just for me, with many of my favorite Spanish wines by the glass including phenomenal wines like the dessert Moscatel from Malaga made by Jorge Ordonez (we always keep the Seleccion Especial #1 at BELLA- oh my!) and my favorite Spainish Rueda, Bodegas Naia Naiades- a wine that will make you consider never drinking Chardonnay again! Anyways, I love the bartender, the menu, the wines and the art (stylized cattle skulls made from bike seats and handlebars - how cool is that?!) but most of all, I adored the logo. In fact, it's so cool I can't help but wish I'd thought of it first!!!

But we've got BELLA and that's makes us pretty lucky! And luckier still, it's the Merry Month of March and that means the Birthday Queens have already begun the celebrating and it will continue on well into the month of April. Just a hunch, but I think this year deserves an added element of jubilation without restraint! Vicki and I got the ball rolling with a glass of bubbly while we had lunch together in Portland at Milo's City Cafe. Sally, Vickie and I will be wearing our best party dresses at WICKED (in Portland!) on the 27th and we are planning other soirees to fill our idle hours! Our happy little group keeps growing as we realize how many fabulous individuals share this spot on the calendar - including a couple of very groovy guys- who are cool enough to accept membership into something called the Birthday Queens without feeling the least bit threatened (of course, they are on the Aries side of the deal- could that be part of it?!)

So with that, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish to everyone who first appeared in the month of planet Mars. If you find yourself in the neighborhood, stop in and share a little cheer!

Another New York Moment

2009-02-06T13:37:00.000-08:00

Today I received a couple of photos of New York from Allan Schultz - our coffee roaster and a connoisseur of life, poetry and the Chrysler Building. Allan and I share an obsession about that shiny deco-wonder and so we send each other pictures each time we visit the city. A confession, it's my obsession and I should lay claim to it - I once took over 50 pictures of the Chrysler Building as I walked from Central Park to Union Square - perhaps Allan just sends me pics of the landmark because he knows I'm so fond of it! Anyways, that was the beginning of today's New York moment!

I've known Allan since The Beanery opened up on 14th Street in Eugene - in the former home of a "restaurant" called Mama's Homefried Truckstop. It was my first foray into the caffeine zone and obviously it made an impression! I've been devoted to Allann Brothers Coffee for close to 3 decades and I truly think you won't find a more flavorful cup of coffee anywhere - the Rainforest Certified Costa Rican is divine and the Main Street Blend is pure poetry in a happy cup.

The next New York moment came when I checked one of my favorite blogs from Christophe Niemann. The newest art I LEGO N.Y. is SIMPLY sweet and I thought it was a perfect Valentine. You'll never look at Lego toys the same way again!

http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/i-lego-ny/?ref=opinion

Enjoy - drop me a note and tell me your favorite. The 'French Fries/Home Fries'' made me laugh out loud but I absolutely adored the 'Sorry, we just started a New Keg'. Good, simple and fun - ah, the sweetness of another NY Moment!

Chili First... then let's talk CHOCOLATE!

2009-02-03T14:28:00.000-08:00

Don't miss out on one of the most delicious fund raisers of the year! When the parents of Haines Elementary students gather to plan a Chili Feed, with so many ranchers in the room - you know the food is going to be fabulous!
Plan to join us to savor Dick Sexton's famous chili (Sexton Ranches produce our grass fed and finished Beef and Lamb!) as well as the Potato Bar (and I'm hoping for a little pie too!)
The goal is to raise enough money for much needed new playground equipment; they've already raised over $17k and need $7500 to finish the job.
BELLA donated 10% of that goal and our entire crew is going to be at the Chili Feed to help accomplish the rest (and enjoy the chili and maybe take home a few raffle items, if we're lucky!)
Tickets are just $5 for adults, $3.50 for kids over 6 and raffle tickets are just $2 a piece - and of course, you can find them at BELLA Main Street Market. If you can't make the dinner, go ahead and buy a raffle ticket or two because you don't have to be present to win and there are some great items (just click on the poster to see the details!)
Give us a call at 541-523-7490 if you have any questions.

There's hope for a little fresh snow up at Anthony Lakes this weekend. I can't think of a better way to work up an appetite than a few hours of cross-country skiing and enjoying the sun up at Gunsight Peak! Maybe I'll see you there!

And now for a little CHOCOLATE talk!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, don't forget to spend a moment or two thinking about everyone's favorite aphrodisiac! Stop by and pick up a copy of our Chocolate Collection catalog - it's good for a laugh and has a variety of clever ways to say something sweet!

Happy New Year of the OX 2009

2009-01-30T15:49:00.001-08:00

I love New York!
I adore that they close down the streets and celebrate...
ALL THE TIME!

These pictures were taken Monday, January 26 at the the Chinese New Year Parade on Mott Street in Chinatown. I left the Gift Show at noon, took the subway to Canal Street and joined the massive throng of people making their way to the parade. The confetti cannons were going off everywhere and the crowds below chased to catch the good luck parachutes with the spent cannon cyclinders - it's almost like a dance!
The parachutes would slowly drift down, the crowd would swarm together and suddenly the wind would shift and the parachute would dart across the street. Great comedy and the drums were beating all the while. I watched for over an hour, loved the dragon dancers and crowd watching was at it finest but it was hard to not get really, really hungry. The smell of sizzling garlic filled the streets and every steamy window held ducks, more ducks, and lots of other exotic looking birds, fish and other yummy things.
I'd walked past an old Italian restaurant called Forlini's and the special board had Trippa! So there I was, headed into an Italian restaurant on Chinese New Year - why not?
The lentil soup was divine - the sauteed endive delectable and the trippa was tender and delicious although the portion would have served 3 or 4 people! Amazingly restorative though, which is one of the reasons I love tripe so very much! I'd arrived in the city at 4:30 in the morning, watched the sun rise over Central Park and after my delicious lunch I got back to the show and worked another 4 hours before heading back to my hotel.
I love New York!

Chinese New Year in NYC 2009

2009-01-30T15:46:00.000-08:00

Remind Me to Do That AGAIN!!

2009-01-21T17:51:00.002-08:00

Thanks to everyone who so wholeheartedly supported my late night idea for our BELLA EMPLOYEE FOR A DAY celebration! The shop was filled with very happy people, the Bellita Barristas made free Cafe' Latte's for at least half the population and Konnie McManus won the drawing for a $25 BELLA Gift Certificate!

CONGRATULATIONS KONNIE!

We want to say 'thank you' once more for a fabulous holiday season and another great year. BELLA starts 2009 with an even stronger commitment to support our community by offering local and sustainable foods, great tools for the kitchen and the best made wines for the buck!
We'll continue to be here 7am 'til 7pm- 7 DAYS A WEEK to answer your cooking questions, send you off with that special ingredient you didn't think you'd ever find in Baker City or just fix you up with a chocolate truffle and a really good cup of coffee. Oh yeah, and there's wine tasting everyday and GREAT WINE BUYS too!

Local (and amazingly delicious) Organic Russet, Red and Yukon Potatoes
Fresh Local Eggs
Local Raw Honey
Grass Fed & Finished Local Lamb and Beef
Local Organic Garlic (the best you've ever tasted!)
LOTS of new Thai sauces and ingredients - delicious and EASY!

Our Spanish ship came in and these favorites are BACK IN STOCK:
Protocolo, Vina Borgia, Borsao and Naia along with some wonderful new wines from France, Italy and Washington state!
The weather has been a little funny lately - we've been under a bit of a cloud in the Baker Valley for most of the past week but I found blue skies, sunshine and gorgeous groomed trails at Anthony Lakes this past weekend. This photo overlooks the Baker Valley - that's Antelope Peak poking up like an island in the fog and the Eagle Caps in the distance. It's wonderful to be able to get some fresh air exercise in the midst of the cold winter and it keeps me from missing my bike quite so much (in fact, I'm really enjoying the upper body workout of XC skiing a LOT - workin' them triceps a bit!)
The hoar frost in the valley has been really amazing and I've seen bald eagles nearly every time I've gone through Haines this past month - foxes, hawks, owls and a magpie or two as well! I love having a digital camera, I don't feel so foolish taking dozens (hundreds!) of photos of trees, fences and brush animated by these lacey frosty days! The light has been so interesting and the 'contrast' of white on white has been fun to capture in pictures!
I'm off to New York City this weekend for the Intl. Gift Show to search out good new things for BELLA (and to check out some traditional Italian markets in the Bronx!) I'll send out a full report next week!
Ciao Bella!

So Many Things To Be Thankful For!

2008-12-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

It's the 3rd of December... and there is still NO snow! In fact, the snapdragons in my garden are still blooming and Dandy is running about with a coat. No complaints here however, it just seems a little bit warm to be playing Christmas music!
But we're ready for the season and Duffy Bishop is on the stereo singing Christmas in Latte' Land inside BELLA as we're steaming up Peppermint Mochas while wearing our adorable Peppermint Caps and building BELLA Gift Baskets like the little elves we happily become on December 1st every year!

The news outside is frightening
But we still find things to delight in
'Tis the season of cheer
We've got plenty to share
BELLA's here to help you find
your 'wonderland'!

If you've never visited BELLA 'Below' - our holiday showroom in the cellar- take a moment to come and spend a few fun moments with us. We'll whip you up a steamy drink and slow your world down for a minute or two so that you can wander, wonder and wish.

The BELLA holiday focus is centered on favorite childhood memories (3D cookie cutters), flavors to share (garlic, wild mushrooms, fabulous Smoked Salmon Chowder and Twila's English Toffee) and fragrances that say 'Welcome HOME for the holidays'. There's peppermint nearly everywhere you look inside the store but there's also plenty of cinnamon, vanilla and roasted nuts as well!

We've always thought that sending a little Oregon to those far away was the best way to share our joy and the bounty of Oregon just gets more delicious every year. Don't miss the Carpathian Walnuts from the Fox Creek Land Trust - they are the meatiest, mellowest walnuts you've ever tasted and you can crack them in your hands! The Hazelnut crop from Eagle Creek Orchards was fabulous this year and we love reminding folks that not all of Oregon's filberts come from Dundee ---we've got some of the best right here in Baker County! There's Huckleberry Preserves (with strawberries added or all by themselves, I can never decide which one is better!) , Huckleberry Syrup and Huckleberry Jalapeno Jelly. Serve it over a wedge of brie and bring any big, strong man to his knees begging for more brie!

That's just scratching the surface of delicious things from Oregon - I didn't even get to the sweets and treats nor did I mention the line-caught Oregon's Choice Tuna (but be sure and ask for our recipe for Pam's Divinely Fine Tuna Salad!)

This holiday season presents an opportunity to relax and remember the things we all cherish. Good food always topped the list in my family - bless those Potts'! I can't think about Thanksgiving without thinking about the amazing fragrance of the kitchen when we returned from sledding! And what memory of Christmas isn't complete without the sweet, spicy warmth of Peppermint!

Just for fun, here's a fun little Coffee Art piece by Christoph Niemann, one of my favorite New Yorker artists! I think I'll try to make a Peppermint Mocha Daydream painting tomorrow (if it's any good, I'll share it!)
http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/

So much more to tell - but let me catch my breath!

2008-10-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

Home again, home again and the stack of work on my desk isn't even HALF of what I've got to tackle before Monday!
But then again, I did get to go on a marvelous vacation!
I thought what I 'd do is take a few minutes each day and post a couple of good images. It'll take me a while to tell all the rest of the stories I want to share (not only did we have a great time the last several days in Florence, Italy but I had 2 incredible 'post card perfect' days in NYC before coming home.
Lucky, Lucky Girl!
The first image was taken on one of my last days in Florence and the skies were perfect. The quiet gray skies lifted by noon, but I knew as soon as I stepped out of the apartment that I'd be able to catch a perfect 'mirror' image of the Ponte Vecchio with the light. What a beautiful city!

The next photo was taken inside an Etruscan tomb (and without a flash- so it's definitely a soft focus pic) beneath a winery in Montepulciano. It was one of the highlights of a day spent with Luca Garrapa, the brains (and charm) behind Hills and Roads, a tour company based in Sienna. As someone who really detests tour groups, van tours and anything that looks like organized vacationing I have to admit that Luca offers tours for people like me! He speaks with such passion about art, culture, Etruscan history, wines, olives, Tuscan geography and medieval hill towns that he could create a day trip that even the most jaded traveler would thoroughly enjoy!
Did I mention he was charming?
Oh yeah!
Anyways, we arrived at Gattavecchi cellar and tasting room in the afternoon and were given a tour of the cellars by Daniella, who shared her family story and the story about Santa Maria, the church where the cellars are located. From the cellar, we walked down the ancient hand carved steps into an Etruscan tomb below the cellars which are below the street level! You can see the chisel marks of the tomb which was nearly a perfect square with a vaulted ceiling and niches on the walls. It was an impressive way to shift gears and prepare for wine tasting!
The Vino Nobile Riserva was a stunner, I thought the Vin Santo was as heavenly as any I've tasted and we were all taken by the intense color and fresh fruitiness of Daniella's olive oil!
We walked throught the streets of the walled city until the moon started to rise and then shared stories about our favorite parts of the day on our way back to Florence. Like I mentioned, there's so much more to tell about Serre di Rapalano,the Travertine mines, and Castiglion del Lago on Lake Trasimeno but there's plenty of time. If you are lucky enough to plan a trip to the region of Tuscany in the near future be sure and note Luca's web address - it may be the highlight of your time in the land of Tuscan sun, Fleur de Lis and red, red wine!
http://www.hillsandroads.com/

And then, there's New York City!

A cloudless afternoon and a wonderful walk across the Brooklyn Bridge followed by another 7 hours of wandering around Manhattan - a fabulous day! Another visit to Carrera, the divine Spanish wine and tapas bar in the East Village and a little bit of shopping. But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.... there are many more Italian stories to tell before I share tales of the US city that I love more every time I visit!
It's good to be home, even better to return with such a big smile!

Dots, Dots, More Dots and Brachetto por favore!

2008-10-16T04:10:00.000-07:00

It started with one cute little red bike with dots painted on it. I took a photo and kept walking... around the very next corner, I couldn't believe my eyes.
More Dots.
A scooter with both red on silver and silver on red dots.
I feel so at home here!Not two more blocks down via Ghibellina and there she was, the bike seat I've always dreamed of! Ah, the Fiorentines that also love fleur di lis, accordian music, trippe (yum, yum!) and moonlight are fond of the dots that I love as well. LIFE IS GOOD!
I made something lighter and very refreshing last night for dinner, a composed salad.
Our very own little operetta on a plate.
Fresh fennel and Pomodoro tomatoes with olio and balsamico
Sautèed Porcini Mushroom with roasted garlic
Sliced Proscuitto, Aged Gorgonzola and Pecorino Romano
Sautèed Chinese Green Beans with Carrots
Served on a bed of romaine and curly red leaf lettuces with Porcini Cous Cous and a little bit of 'leaning towards Ceasar dressing'
We enjoyed a fresh and lovely white wine from San Gimignano that we found for 1.6 Euro at the Market Centrale and t he 2008 Prunolo that has become our 'house favorite' red wine. The conversation was great and we decided to go out this evening to a fun little bar we discovered on our walk today called SLOWLY.

Jeannette, Kelly and I walked over and found ourselves in a dimly lit, very groovy bar (complete with Barry White on the ste reo for over an hour!!!) and the wine list had Prosecco, Brachetto and Moscato d'Asti by the glass - definitely my kind of place. Think I may go back there again!!!

CIAO!

It's So You!

2008-10-14T07:19:00.000-07:00

If you walk past Valentino, or Versace, or Max Mara (or any of the dozens of other designers camped out here in Firenze, sooner or later you start to think...
That would look so good on me!
It finally happened today, but I caught my breath and backed away from the store. But these shoes at Valentino were so FABULOUS that Cindy and I decided to take our pictures with them!
The shoes are stunning, double click the photo to see 'em up close!
The other thing about walking around Firenze each day, discovering new neighborhoods, turning corners and entering hidden piazzas, or watching the street food vendors "perform" for their hungry crowds that I don't believe I've mentioned before now....
The men in these parts are SO dangerously beautiful!
!!!em no doog os kool dluow tahT
Sorry, couldn't help myself!
The crowds haven't thinned out a bit in the center of town, but today we walked to the NE section of the city. I had wanted to visit the Synagogue and the museum there but it was closed for a holiday so we just meandered in dig a big circle on the "Right Bank" and saw the quieter neighborhoods.
I haven't yet formulated the menu for this evening but the Chianini beef steak that we enjoyed last night was really delicious! The Poggiotondo Rosso was amazing and I am going to try and find another bottle of that here - it's one of the wineries I visited in 2006 and their wines are wonderful but I found this '06 Rosso in a mini market and it was such a treasure to discover!
We had roasted vegetables, roasted garlic (but of course) and Chinese Green Beans, cooked quickly in a wok with olive oil and yes, GARLIC!
The steak was seared first and then roasted in the oven in the center of the veggies. It was such an enourmous cut (like having prime rib for 4 people) that there was plenty of rare and medium to go around with leftovers even!
It will be hard to top the dinners we have had the last two evenings, but I think I'll start with some fresh fennel and tomatoes and work my way thru the story problem that wasy. I found some lovely olives at the Marcato Centrale as well as the famous Cannelini Beans.
It's a mystery at this moment, but there is a chilled bottle of Pinot Grigio in the fridge and that should be all the inspiration I need for a delicious dinner tonight!
Ciao!

Smiling Happy People!

2008-10-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

Recipe for a Wine-Sized Barrel of Laughs!
So you take six intelligent, successful, happy women who collectively have survived college, excelled in male dominated businesses, reared children, volunteered for EVERYTHING and you put them in a piccolo (small) apartmento on the busiest (loudest) Via (street) in Firenze for 2 weeks and what do you get?
Well, we have all had the opportity to laugh at ourselves that is for certain! Today the west wing of the apartment has become known as the infirmary, heads colds have taken over the west wing! Other than that we have created the Sorority of dripping socks and leopard printed unmentionables as the laundry rack takes us most of the traversable space on the balcony or hallway depending on the time of day. "Are these mine?" is our motto, "Where is the chocolate stashed?" is our fight song - just add wine and the laughter cackles a little louder, the smiles get a little broader and we all go to bed happy that we are here together spending a warm and sunny holiday in Italy!
We are SO Fine!
Our trip to the Marcato Centrale got a huge laugh when Ipointed out the pasta shapes and Jeanette commented on how CUTE the pasta shaped like DOG BONES were.
Not So Much! (Double click the pic to see what the joke is really about!!)
At least no bone my own sweet dog ever chewed!
And then it seemed we saw them in every fine fook shop we entered and Jeanette will never hear the end of this good laugh!
Last nights dinner was really beautiful. I'm working in a kitchen that is limited!! The gas barbeque doesn't exist and I've done fine without it, but we've had to be creative with the utensils!
I found a lovely pork roast which I butterflied, pounded (with a gigantic rolling pin with handles!) and then stuffed with fresh finnochio sausage, herbes, fresh garlic and spinach. The roast was then rolled and tied with cotton twine, rubbed with olive oil, more herbes and cracked pepper and sea salt. I put the roast in a hot oven for 15 minutes and then turned the heat down and let it slowly roast for about 1 hour.
The side dish was gnocchi with mushrooms, peppers, lots and lots of garlic. I added some white wine, a cube of the mushroom bouillon and the drippings from the roast before topping it with grated provolone. I let the roast sit for 5 minutes or so after removing from the oven. Remove the twine and slice into 1/2 " thick slices. Yummmmmm!
Today was spent marketing for dinner tonight and then a hike up to Piazza Michelangelo for one of the best views of the city. There is a stairway from the river nearly all the way to this hilltop piazza- we were ready for gelato after that climb!

Tonight I am cooking the Fiorentina bistecca, the famous Chiannina (sp?) cattle from Tuscany. I've only had it once before in a restaurant but am anxious to give it a go tonight. We picked up FRESH porcini mushrooms, baby zucchini, string beans that are over 16" long (but we skipped the funny pasta- don't worry!)
I found a bottle of Poggiotondo as well, we shall be all smiles by bedtime once more. Ciao Bella!!

Aha! The secret ingredient that almost remained SECRET!

2008-10-13T07:31:00.001-07:00

I woke up this morning thinking about reduced Balsamico, and suddenly remembered that I forgot to write about the most important ingredient in the fabulous sauce in my last entry!
Most good cooks keep their secrets it's true.... but that was not my intent!
Take 1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar (a regular not aged!) and pour it onto a saucepan and reduce over medium low heat until thickened like syrup. Take care to ventilate the cooking area, the acedic acid (I'm guessing) can be pretty intense when it is reduced. But when you can dip a spoon into the balsamic and it coats the back of the spoon and doesn't run off, it's ready to add to the soup. Add a little more than half and then taste the sauce, add the remainder if needed.

just another tranquil day in Florence!

2008-10-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

The Fiesole Etruscan tomb was a very cool part of our trek yesterday, we got home late from the market and were a bit rushed to prepare dinner.

It was not special but I think everyone agreed it was delicious, and it was all about the sauce. Katherine Medici would have been so very proud.

I used a wok and stir fried garlic, shallots and lots of peppers with some cubed pork. The pasta had already been cooked and set aside, just tossed with a bit of olive oil and covered.

As the pork browned, I added a healthy splash of Prosecco (one for the cook, one for the pot, one more for the cook!) and a cube of the Porcini bouillon, 2-3 T of reduced Balsamico, 2 nice big spoonfulls of Gorgonzola Dolce (so incredible here, but you can find it a home as well!) and about a cup of the fresh tomato sauce. Th combination of tomato, gorgonzola and the mushroom is exceptional; no one element makes a statement but the combination is lovely and rich.

We spent a lovely Sabato seeking quiet and solitude in Florence with about 30K other tourists seeking the same.

Funny thing.

A visit to San Lorenzo, one of the sunniest churches in the city was the center of our walk and then we stopped at the Piazza Liberte before coming home to begin preparations for our Grande Dinner (stuffed pork loin and a pear tarte - more later!

Comfort Food and Cioccolato de Amaro

2008-10-11T13:17:00.001-07:00

The day was spent in the gardens of the riche and
the super duper riche! We wandered through the
Boboli Gardens with it's terraces, fountains, big heads and large marble discs and enjoy the quiet and the amazing views. After days pounding the uneven pavers of Florence, the pea gravel pathways climbing over a mountain that you don't even see from the streets of the city was a respite from racing Vespas, the milleu of taxis and their horns and the uber- narrow sidewalks.
(Not that I don't love every little detail about Italy, honking horns included, it was just a nice break!)
There is a new private garden that has been added to the Boboli tour and while it is very elegant you can truly see the difference between what was once a private garden for some very, very comfortable Fiorentines compared to the acres of gardens, the miles of arbored walkways and the collection of statues that the regal owners of the Boboli created over the last millenia plus. And the views not bad from either place!
This photo shows Bruneschelli's gorgeous dome, I'm actually hoping to get a chance to walk to the top of it later next week. I post a photo of the reverse view of the Boboli from there!
(I have NO idea what that underline means or where it came from, huh?)
The weather has been magical, we've enjoyed the bluest possible skies and comfortable temperatures. Tonight after dinner, we walked to the piazza at Santa Spirito to find a gelato place we had read about.... oh my! I had a small cup with 3 flavors, limone, currant and the Cioccolato di Amaro which simply mean Dark Bittersweet Chocolate and how! It almost looked like licorice in the gelato case, but it was like eating truffle centers - like the best dark truffle centers you've ever tasted. It was fantastic!
And the Limone and Currant were exceptional as well, but I'll be going back for the Amaro!!
Dinner - which was enjoyed by all before the late night walk for Gelato was my favorite comfort food - Pasta Carbonara made with Egg Fettuccine, fresh basil, Marconi peppers, capers and lots of shallots.
Cook the pasta in boiling water until al dentè, drain, toss with some olive oil and cracked pepper. Cover and set aside.
Sautè the shallots in a bit of olive oil in a very hot pan. Add 2 cups of julienned peppers, cook until tender, add 4 oz. shredded Proscuitto ham, 2 T. of capers and just toss to evenly warm.
Put the pasta pan back on the burner, add 1/2 c. cream and 3 whipped eggs. Add the peppers and proscuitto and toss until the eggs are cooked. Serve with lots of fresh chopped basil and grated Pecorino Romano. Serve with crusty bread and extra olive oil of course and save room for a little gelato!

This giant disc of silky smooth marble in the Boboli gardens called to us from across the way while we were walking through a magical forest.
I felt SO GOOD to lay back against that cool marble!!

Zuppa makes everything alright!

2008-10-10T04:46:00.000-07:00

I kept the blinds drawn and slept in this morning- I love these heavy wooden blinds, it stays midnight dark in the apartment! I took off to see the NE section of the central city today and spent the better part of an hour away from all tourists and tourist oriented stores!
Ahhhhh so lovely; this city of stone and beautiful people and cute dogs!
I found several places I want to share when the rest of the group returns. The walkway along the river is really wonderful right now, the leaves are beginning to turn!
I found a market, picked up some throat lozenges and some lovely things for making soup tonight and walked home on the south side of the Arno. This photo shows the Ponte Vecchio and the walk ways that lead to the Uffizi and the Piazza with the fountain of Neptune. I loved watching the rowers and the crew boats in the river, it was a warm and sunny day and when the sun started sinking, the entire river walk was line with cameras!
Tonights menu:
The starter consisted of a bed of romaine with tiny, sweet black olives and large, salted capers with slices of aged Provolone and the most delectable soft ripened cheese called Caprice. I sliced one of the cooked beets (one of the best reasons to travel to Europe, you can buy pre-cooked beets and they are divine!) and served it with a thin bread coated in olive oil and sprinkled wit sea salt before baking- perfect with cheeses!
The soup:
I started with a classic mirepoix (don't know the Italian word for it, so we'll use a little French!) but it is a simple sautè of carrot, celery and onion. You finely chop the vegs, and sautè them until they are very tender.
In a separate stockpot, bring 2 Qt. water to a boil, add 2 c. of a mixture of lentils, rice and barley and one cube of Porcini mushroon bouillon (yeah, like you could find that at home! I'll seach for an option when I return, but I think that Pacific Foods does a mushroom broth.)
Add 8 oz. cubed pork and 4 oz. pork sausage to the mirepoix, stir to evenly cook and add the entire batch to the broth as soon as the meats are evenly browned.
Cook over low heat for 30-45 minutes until the rice and barley are tender.
Just before serving, add 2 zucchini, chopped into small chunks and 1 cup fresh basil, shredded.
Cook just until the zucchini is tender to the bite.
Serve in large bowls topped with grated Pecorino Romano cheese and good crusty bread.
I served the soup with a simple Vino Rosso, a 2.20 Euro wine that I picked up at the market. It was soft and fruity with no heavy varietal character or oak presence and was perfect with the soup!
As 3 members of our Fiorentine troupe are dancing with the idea of head colds, it was a perfect restorative meal which it so fitting in a city where restoration is happening on every corner. I loved waling along the river and finding this restoration artist working on the hand of the statue of the war memorial.
Ciao bella!

Soccer, Sausages and Sidewalk Art

2008-10-09T05:47:00.000-07:00

Aha! Even in the ancient city of Firenze, there are CRIMINALS painting on the sidewalks and I immediately relax and feel so much more at home.
We found the butcher shop with the the tableau of four little pigs out front and decided to plan our menu there. The four little pigs had bandanas around their neck in 1988 when I first found them, they were dressed as Santa and 3 Wise Men today---- early for the holidays or just late changing the display?
I chose the Fennel Sausage, and if I was not coming down with a bit of a head cold I am sure I would remember the proper name, but it is just not there today! The eggplant (melanzane), peppers, arugula, spinach, leeks, and garlic were beautiful at the market square at the square just around from the apartment and I found fresh mozzarella, gorgeous tomatoes and panè (bread) on the way back across the river.
The menu this evening:
Fresh mozzarella on a bed of sliced tomatoes over shredded arugula- dressed with Cold Pressed Olive oil, sea salt and cracked pepper. As the group enjoyed the appetizer with a lovely glass of Chianti, I started the main course.
4 cloves garlic, chopped finely 3 leeks, chopped finely Saute together in a heavy bottomed pan until transparent 1 eggplant, cubed, tossed with olive oil and sea salt - let rest for at least 10 minutes before cooking Add to garlic and saute for 2 minutes Add 2 Finnochio Sausage (voila! I remembered the name!), removed from the casing and broken into small pieces. Cook until sausage is done Add 1 bell pepper and 2 small zucchini, both sliced finely. Stir until everything is nicely mixed, cover for a minute and then stir in 1 c. Fresh Tomato Puree
Serve over a bed of shredded spinach with a side of cous cous.
Season and serve with crusty bread and a bottle of 2008 Prunolo - the first wine of the vintage!
Enjoy!
The evening I first arrived, we walked down to the Piazza Signoria and listened to the young man that sounds just like Paul Simon singing old Simon & Garfunkle classics and then walked up to view my favorite church, the Santa Croce. We returned the next day to tour the interior- which is really breathtaking and awe inspiring to stand at the tomb of Galileo. This photo is taken in the garden outside Santa Croce.
Yesterday, the group went to Venice without me but I spent the day with Barbara de Rham, a winebroker and friend that represents Cascina Castelèt, the Moscato with the butterfly label as well as many of our favorite Italian producers. We had an amazing lunch, drank 3 bottles of Bellavista Rose - did we really??? and then joined her husband and some friends to attend a soccer match at the stadium.
Now I can say I have truly experience Italy - WOW! It was a game honoring one of the national great players, Stephano Borgonovo who has been incapacitated by some horrendous condition. The second half of the match was kind of an All-Star match with the great soccer heroes of both Madrid and Florence. The crowd was wild, Florence won by 2 goals and it was really a blast.

Almost Like First Class!

2008-10-07T03:08:00.000-07:00

After abandoning the airport transfer bus that was supposed to be the BEST way to get from LaGuardia to JFK after it broke down about a half a mile down the road, I felt lucky to be able to grab a cab and share a ride with 3 other stranded travellers. But that was not the end of my lucky streak!
Three whole seats to myself- a window and an aisle, 3 pillows and a stack of blankets for my flight across the pond! I have dozed off before on airplanes but have never slept for 6 hours - what a great way to start my Italian holiday.
No pictures to share yet, although I had a fantastic weekend in NYC before arriving here. The food experiences in NYC may be hard to beat; an amazing falafel, Turkish food and the fab little Spanish Wine Bar but give me an afternoon at the market and I will be sure to have food memories to share tomorrow.
We ate a 4 Leone last night and I went for the Tuscan specialty Trippa Fiorentina with Ceci beans and finished with a tasty Tira Misu. The waitress was charming and told us (after discovering that we were from Oregon) that she wanted to ask us a question AFTER dinner.
Sure enough she wanted to talk about the presidential election- she was charming and I sure I will see her in Oregon sometime next year when she takes her coast to coast US trip.
More later, with pictures - hello to all (especially Mom!)

WINE TASTING FRIDAY, Sept. 26, 2008

2008-09-25T19:07:00.001-07:00

It's Thursday evening at closing time and I'm just now realizing that I'm headed back to ITALY in just one week!!

Yahoo!!

Today was crazy busy, which is always good especially when part of the busy was unloading the first, just picked Asian Pears and the opulent Flemish Beauty pears (think Rubens curvaceous babes and you know exactly what these pears look like!) from Eagle Creek Organics. This has been a stellar year for Linda and Robert at the orchard (as well as anyone in the valley with fruit trees, me thinks!) and the Asian Pears are divine this year - so crisp and yet juicy and sweet.

But I digress....

I'm leaving on a wine buying holiday (and picked up new wine at K Vintners yesterday!)
The pears are being picked ...
How about we call tomorrow WINE TASTING FRIDAY and let the pear juice fly!

Stop by tomorrow (9/26) between 4 and 7 pm.

We'll open the brand new Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon that I loaded up at K Vintners yesterday. Charles gave me a bottle a couple of months ago when we were hanging out on the front porch in Walla Walla and I'm so excited to finally have the wine at BELLA! You'all know that I don't sing the praises of too many Cabernet but this one is fabulous. Charles starts picking his Viognier grapes tomorrow, and I tasted some Syrah grapes right off the vine while I was there yesterday - the flavors are gorgeous this year and they still have a bit more good weather to benefit from. Yahoo we say once more!

Pour me a little glass of Chateau Smith and let's BBQ!
We've also got organic Rosa Peaches, Gala and Lodi Apples, the magnificent Duarte Plums and Seedless Green Grapes from Eagle Creek Orchards. Sexton Ranches new sausages are another tasty treat, if you haven't tried them yet, ask about our favorites! I love the Merguez, Tena likes the Sweet Italian and Maggie thinks the Kielbasa is the best! Lynn, Laura and Toni can't decide which one they prefer but just claim to "love them all!" Read more about Andi and the kids at www.sextonranchblog.blogspot.com
It's been a bountiful season in Baker County, stop in and taste the harvest!

A month of Bicycle LOVE!

2008-07-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

Somehow an entire month has passed by... dang!
I've got stories to share and I'm ready to take off on a road trip to Bozeman so I figured I better tell a few tales before I go. Surely I'll have more to tell when I return!

First the Elkhorn Classic Stage Race ...
GREAT BIG GIGANTIC SMILE!
Thrills, chills and a few spills - but overall, 3 glorious days of racing, some wonderful time spent cheering on the peleton and this year BELLA was a part of the mountain top celebration at Dooley Mountain. We shared our Recovery Brownies, Italian Pannetone and organic chocolate milk with some very appreciative racers and watched Sarah Barber take 1st place for Women Cat 1 GC.
Yahoo Sarah!!
Once the 'Horn was behind us, I started spending more time playing in the dirt with the fat, knobby tires. And when I say "in the dirt", I really mean it. It's been a long time since I've felt confident on a mountain bike and it's way past time to get back on that horse.
I've approached trail riding with good intentions and a big smile and boxes full of Advanced Healing Band-Aids and Second Skin. I was having a great time, and felt like I was making little improvements every ride but was still leaving too much of myself on the trail, if you know what I mean. The final straw was noticing the vultures above, circling my crash site - something had to change!
My 'coach' finally set me straight and told me that the reason I kept crashing (I prefer to call it high-speed tip-overs although the last one was undeniably a crash) was because I accepted that I was going to crash.
'NUF said.
The next time I rode, I corrected when I lost my balance, and what d'ya know??? I have had a couple of very low-speed tip-overs on climbs since then and I'm almost completely healed up ('cept the elbow).
*Must learn to shift sooner.
*Must learn to shift sooner.
*MUST LEARN TO SHIFT SOONER!
I've ridden more in the past few weeks that in the last 5 years and IT'S REALLY, REALLY FUN when you figure out how to just keep riding!!!

then came the TOUR de FRANCE...
and the TEAM COLUMBIA announcement!
I have to say it was exhilarating (and I still feel incredibly lucky!) to follow the tour last year while in France, although you see much more of the race on TV than you do when the break passes you by at 45 km/hour! This year I'm back on Gail's couch at 5:30 in the morning listening to Phil Leggett and loving it! Todays finish was even more exciting for the way Paul and Phil's voices capture the explosiveness of adorable Manx-man Cavendish as he bolted from behind after 170 km of riding and blew past the other sprinters.
Three stage wins for Team Columbia and Cav!
Gert Boyle was already my hero, and now her 'little Oregon sportswear company' is the driving blue force at the front of the peleton! I can't think of anything sweeter!

and right there in the middle of the tour...
the CASCADE CLASSIC and Bend's fantastic mountain bike trails!
Got to Bend in time to ride Shevlin Park trails before the Criterium, a good beginning to a great weekend! Stayed at the St. Francis School - McMenamin's gorgeously restored hotel right in the heart of town. Lucked out on a last minute reservation thanks to someone's cancellation-Thank you, thank you!
http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc+98

Watched Sarah Barber, Ally Stacher and Allison Beall from Team Bob's Bicycles storm around downtown Bend with Olympian Kristin Armstrong Savola before watching the Man of the Hour, Chris Horner lead Levi Leipheimer on the fast circuit tour of town. Sarah took the QOM polka dots on Day 1 and Ally finished Top 3 for Best Young Rider during the CC. Congrats to both! It was fun to be able to cheer you on again this summer (and know that I'll be cheering LOUDLY for you from Montana during the Twilight Crit!)
(read about Chris Horner and why he's the coolest guy on a bike at www.velonews.com/article/80087 )
There were some awesome surprises over the weekend... hearing my name over the loudspeaker at the finish line at Mt. Bachelor of Saturday was pretty cool, but even better than that was when Splinter said he'd seen the 'BELLA Mobile' in town and wanted to know if we'd like to hang a Women Challenge leaders jersey at on the BELLA Bike Shrine. WOW! It feels a tiny bit like the passing of the baton, at least that's what I'm going to read into it.... HP dropped sponsorship of the Womens Challenge 5 years ago. Baker City has worked to increase the womens participation in the Elkhorn Classic since then and it really started to show this year!! Thank you Splinter - what an honor - we'll display it proudly!

The other MAJOR achievement of the weekend was of a much more frivolous nature, and call me silly if you must but I actually 'caught some air'. Technically that means that my tires were no longer touching terra firma, something Mom would never approve of, even now. But no one was around, and I was feeling pretty brave and powerful and so I just did it. There ya have it, the headline should read "47 year old wine chick finds her inner 12 year old". Bottom line is still all about bicycle love - and having fun! (A gigantic Thank You to Barb at Sunnyside Sports for wrenching on my bike - you absolutely rock! Maybe I'll become a wrench when I grow up!)
http://www.sunnysidesports.com

Here's a short video of one pass of the Pro 1 Men at the Cascade Classic Criterium. Chris Horner is sporting the robin's egg blue Astana uniform and in the yellow leaders jersey right behind him, fellow teammate and Olympian Levi Leipheimer!

Well that's all for now, I'm off to Montana to celebrate the wedding of BFF Wif to her man DC Ron. Next week, I'll tell you the big news about goat cheeses from Waitsburg and Tumalo!!

Chasing Windmills, Garlic with a View and Basil

2008-06-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

It was a gorgeous day with sunny blue skies as I drove to Cove, OR to visit with Annie and Sarah at NE Farms and check on the organic garlic and basil! The punch line is that we had several inches of snow just 2 days ago, but that will more than explain why the basil plants are still so very, very small!
However, both Annie and Sarah assured me that they've got well established root systems at this point - apparently their 'toes' are warm and that's where they've been putting all their energy!
The good news is that they are nearly ready for market and BELLA will have
ORGANICALLY GROWN BASIL PLANTS
on June 25th! Bring on the mozzarella!

The garlic fields looks fantastic. The Spanish Roja is thriving and the Persian Star (always one of my favorites!) looks like it really enjoyed our lengthy winter- you could almost hear it growing! It's probably the only garlic farm with such an amazing view - the freshly snow capped ridge of Mount Emily is just across the valley and the lily filled pond is at the southern edge of the fields.

We had a great visit before the girls had to go back to their weeding (organic farming entails LOTS of weeding!) So we've got basil and rosemary to look forward in just a week or so and then it's the long, sweet wait for garlic harvest!

Driving back to the store through Ladd Canyon, I couldn't help but notice that the windmills were keeping time with the music in my car - I just had to share!

Great Wine Buys and Mechanical Mice!

2008-06-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

Back from my experience at Jon Schallert's Bootcamp and we are ramping up and re-creating the "little BELLA that could!" Things look great at the store; all the really fun and unique toys and tools I found in NYC have finally arrived. The Organic Cotton embroidered linens are divine, the newest BBQ tools are too cool and the mechanized mouses from France are a major hit!

Would I joke about something this serious?
Check 'em out!

Actually, I'm having about as much fun as I can imagine breaking out of my comfort zone and trying new things. Two days ago, I went and recorded radio ads - it's a little weird listening to your own voice on anything other than an answering machine, but I think they sound like BELLA! The ads run on 1450/1490 am in eastern Oregon and 106 fm if you're in the area!

Our Spanish and Italian wine container hit the dock this week and will be arriving in Baker City on Monday. Mark the date on your calendar, and make plans to come to the store to taste the summer wine sensation!

We are bringing in stacks of a delicious summer red from Castilla y Leon, Spain called Carril de Cotos. This wine simply ROCKS and is certain to be one of the best values of the year at $6.95!

Made from 100% Tempranillo with sensationally ripe, lush flavors, nice mouthfeel and a silky little finish this red wine will be absolutely perfect for BBQ and summer gatherings at the river. Stop in for a taste, this wine is not going to last for long at $75 per case!
Several of our favorite bubblies from France, Italy and Spain will be arriving Monday as well - if you have a celebration coming up that requires the popping of a few corks, we've got a Limoux sparkler that not only looks a little like Veuve Cliquot but is truly a beautiful and elegant sparkling wine. The Domaine Rosier has the tiniest bubbles, creamiest mouthfeel and a lovely toasty finish - and all for $15 bucks - a mere $50 less than the Widow Clicqot! There tons more to taste and dream about, so stop in to visit, try a new wine and see all the fun new things! We'll be here, as always, 7 am 'til 7 pm....every day....even on Sundays!

On the Road Again...what a long strange trip it's been!

2008-05-21T00:14:00.000-07:00

So I'm away in Longmont, Colorado for my secong go-'round at a
Jon Schallert
Destination Retail
Bootcamp.
The skies couldn't be any bluer, the Porter certainly couldn't be any smoother at the Pumphouse, and the roads are like butter (more on that later!)
While I'm considered a "Graduate" (as this is my second Bootcamp) and I have really enjoyed working with Jon over the past decade, I admit that I feel as though I've been held back because of stubborness, pride and a solid belief that "my way works".
(Let's face it, it has, but there may still be a better way!)
Quite honestly, I have to say that I'm learning more the second time through and that when I get back home - things are going to start looking lively! Maybe it's me that's changed the most, maybe it's just time for something new at the old ranch - whatever the explanation ends up being, this has been the most fun I've ever had taking truckloads of criticism (oh, and more than my share of sweet kudos too) about my "Good Ship BELLA". Most amazing is that I'm taking it - willingly, graciously and frankly, I drove here to get it!
(Yes, I can hear John B. already - my favorite mentor that shows he cares with big doses of 'tough love' will bemoan the fact that I'll drive 900 miles for critical assessment when he will readily dose it out daily, and I wouldn't have to travel at all!) Love you JB- always will!

Long story short, the first 11 years have been the most wonderful joyride imaginable and I'm ready to get a little more serious and let this baby grow up a bit. Watch us closely to see the checkerboard POP and the little baby BELLA enters it's teen years with a new sense of style and dare I commit to saying CONSISTENCY! It could happen!

I have a feeling this is going to be fun!

The 'aha' moments have wed bikes and wine (it's not just me that sees the connection!) and aprons may have assumed a new and powerful role in the universe. Stay tuned, more at 11.

Dandy enjoyed the road trip here and has been lapping it up in the luxury of hotel suites, air conditioning and his very favorite tunes on the I-pod as I've spent my days in class. I also brought my bike along... can I have a little hallelujah for the road crews of Longmont - what nice smooth pavement you have! And what lovely bike lanes and tolerant drivers!

I took a spin today after 9 fruitful and hilarious hours of re-constructing BELLA and I was riding along this gorgeous stretch of road in the NW corner of the city (out past AMGEN, the sponsors of the Tour of California!) just cruising along, feeling like a total rock star - loving my bike, enjoying the weather and chewing on some of the discoveries of the day when I hear that silky noise of spinning bike chain and it suddenly seems that my mistaken 'rock star' super biker power is being overtaken not by one but TWENTY cyclists!
Okay, so they were wearing KODAK kits and looked very young, very fit, and like they ride those bikes a lot but it really stole my misguided thunder to be passed so summarily. Luckily for me there were 2 riders hanging on the back that I was able to hang with and so I was fortunate to draft a bit and get pulled up the next hill by this lovely train of gorgeous legs.
Still a rock star in my own little rock opera, I'm simply left with no delusions about my riding style (and thank goodness I wasn't wearing my Elkhorn Crest Leader jersey (graciously gifted by the race director, certainly not earned!) That would have drawn at least a pointed remark or two!
Yada Yada, I'm having fun and looking forward to another great day of breaking old habits tomorrow.

Just another day in the life of a small town wine merchant!

2008-05-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

So it's a really busy Mother's Day and Sarah and I are working the store by ourselves (all the other BELLA staff are Moms and they have the day off!)

We're making coffees, building gift baskets, wrapping flowers, recommending wines and basically multi-tasking like women can
- and as Anne Taintor says...
"and to think- I'm only using 1/10th of my brain."

Then suddenly, I turn around to help a new customer at the counter and realize that it's former President Bill Clinton!

Yeah sure, you betcha,
just another day in the life of a small town wine merchant!

Sarah of course, was cool as a cucumber; she shook his hand and very politely said something like "It's nice to meet you." Me on the other hand, acted a bit star struck and said something far less clever. I think it was something like "Can I trade you a cup of coffee for a photo?"
Cool Bev, real cool. Here's where I should point out that Sarah was probably 7 when I first voted for Bill Clinton - and that's the excuse I'm sticking with.

The former President was visiting Baker City today to speak with the community about Hillary Clinton's campaign for the presidency. There were well over 500 people at the county courthouse and his speech was captivating - humorous, touching and with lots of nitty gritty details about how Hillary proposes to implement the CHANGE that so many of us desire to see.

It was a great afternoon, and a real thrill to shake the hand of a former US President. While we all have opinions and issues that set us apart and challenge us to work together, his leadership and service illustrates what democracy is all about in my mind. While I'll try not to over-politic here, I'll just say that in my opinion, a great woman president seems like a smart decision and a completely American thing to do!

Good luck Hillary!

(Many thanks once more to Guido Rachiele! Just think of what I would have missed today if you hadn't challenged me to have BELLA open 7 days a week!)

Casting the First Stone

2008-04-27T21:59:00.000-07:00

OR - Wine Judging for Dummies (this dummy anyway!)
Dandy doesn't particularly fancy waking up when it's still quite dark - but who does? He already knew something was up - afterall, there is a suitcase in the middle of the room -but yesterday morning came early for both of us. The drive to Portland was beautiful and the weather was really fabulous. The stretch of the Columbia River east of The Dalles looked like a parking lot (that was the picture I should have taken!) The boats were anchored up next to each other, 4 across and dozens deep - they say this is the best salmon run in ages!
The NW Wine Summit starts tomorroow noon at Timberline Lodge and the mountain loomed large - and has more snow than seems possible for nearly May Day! I have to admit that I was a bit nervous (or just apprehensive) about this event. I haven't done any wine judging for 14 years and while it's not that I think I've forgotten "how", wine judging has little (or nothing) to do with living, eating or drinking well.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Last night, Vicki and I decided to head to Mingo for dinner. We went to the Beaverton 'on the round' location and it's almost like not being in Beaverton anymore (not my favorite, sorry - I can navigate nearly any city, but the Beav always confounds me!) The restaurant has a wonderfully intimate feel, and yet is feels open and 'al fresco' with the roll-up glass doors opening out onto the square.
The staff at Mingo is as gracious and lovely as the menu and the wine list, everything was simply delightful. The best little secret is that they offer half-glasses of wine which allows you to try different wines with each course. That is way too cool!
Cameron Giovanni (oh how I adore this perfect spring wine!) with a salad of ripe tomato, fresh mozzarella and shredded basil served with a crusty, chewy bread with extra virgin Olive Oil and sea salt - (don't even consider the other salads - this one is not to be missed!)
The Cascina Corte Dolcetto was excellent with the grilled polenta, wild mushrooms and parmesan. I immediately remembered Sandro (the spry little rabbit of a winemaker at Corte.) We tasted with him at 8 o'clock in the MORNING on the trip to Piedmont a year and a half ago. He was so charming and his wines are so loaded with fully developed fruit that they showed well- at a time when all good Italians should be considering their second espresso, their first pastry and the morning paper!
The di LenardoTOH! (tocai from the region near Venice) is always one of the prettiest wines on the table and was my immediate choice to go with the Risotto 'Special' (rock shrimp, ahi and prawns) which had this amazingly delicate and yet brilliant touch of lemon.
Yes we had dessert too - we shared a lemon tartlet with a glass of Prosecco - the softer, fruity (but not sweet) bubbly from Conegliano! Our entire meal was perfect and a great value! The restuarant has a reputation for being crowded, but wasn't on this particular Saturday evening. The portions are quite generous (we actually shared each course) and the half glasses of wine just tickled me pink!
And then it was Sunday.

Grab a cafe latte and yogurt, hit the road
and drive UP the mountain. The forecast had been for rain all day but I drove through Boring, Damascus and into Government Camp with clear blue skies and up the incline to Timberline where the temperature in the parking lot was almost 60 degrees!
Alrighty!
Got settled into my room (if you've never stayed at Timberline, make plans to do so.) There is nothing like it. There has been so much snow this year, 791 inches so far and 6 of those fell yesterday so there isn't any view from the second floor rooms (nothing but snow out the window!) but the lodge is full of hand-hewn logs, wrought iron hardware (no doorknobs here), handmade furnishings. Even the draperies are hand crafted!
But if I have to judge wine for 3 days, at least I'm in a setting that truly suits my sensibilities!
The first day got started with a bang- my panel tasted 77 wines in 5 hours - all Northwest - some very good and some that probably shouldn't have been bottled. I was right in my trepidations in that I don't taste wine 77 at a time anymore, several panels were having totally 'geeky' discussions about VA, TA and Brett (a funky yeast spore that inhabits wine barrels when winemakers aren't paying attention.) I'm taking notes about overall impressions, the balance and beauty, the body and the finish. I enjoyed discussing the wines with my panel but still feel like I'm speaking another language, and one that real people don't learn.
I know this is a great experience and I was really flattered to be invited but I'll be so happy to be home in my own little wine shop where we just buy and sell good wine - not wines that some judge somewhere thought was a gold medal winner on some sunny day at high altitude!
Tomorrow we'll judge over 150 wines - better brush my teeth and get some sleep. It's going to be a bruiser!

APRIL IN PARIS ANYONE?

2008-04-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

The April in Paris Adventure Begins at BELLA
It's April 21st and it is still snowing. The ground is too hard to plant potatoes, the temperature is too fierce for bike rides and I'm looking for the silver lining everywhere I turn.
Voila!
My French importer calls with the wonderful news that she was able to order the EIFFEL TOWER Brie and she remembered that I loved the stuff - 'oui oui' said I - send it right over!
Suddenly my Monday isn't so blue!
The sun even came out for a moment as we unloaded the truck (lovely new flatbreads, fabulous new wines, the most amazing NY cheddar and .... the brie!)
(A view of the Eiffel Tower from the Pompidou)
So, we've decided to let SPRING know we are starting without her!
Is there any better way to celebrate the beginning of the second month of a very late spring than with a picnic - indoors if we must! So for the rest of the month, join us in tempting SPRING out of her rabbit hole by fluffing up your best beret, drawing on a pencil thin mustache and sharing an APRIL in PARIS moment with your best friends!

(Walking to the Eiffel Tower from the Pomidou, you will actually get this close to it before you see it again!)

(an apology here, for the computer has seized control and is deciding how big or how small to make the words- am I the only one who has this problem???)

Eiffel Tower Brie (while it lasts!) just $ 7.95 per lb.
***we're also pretending that the dollar is stronger than the blasted Euro!
Abel Clement Cotes du Rhone $ 8.95
*** we also have the new Clement Cotes du Rhone Rose'
LaBrea Bakery Baguette $ 2.25
***the very best French bread made in the states

Stop in the store, check out our mustaches and let us show you all the wonderful new cheeses and wines !

(I love this photo taken in the Bois de Bologne, with the Eiffel Tower in the background - Napolean's campground is now a beautiful park - in the daylight!)

OBRA Spanish Red Wine $ 7.95
Viu Manent Merlot $ 7.95
Green Path ORGANIC Shiraz & Chardonnay
in 1 liter Tetra-Paks for just $ 13.95
Italian Garlic Flatbreads
Santa Barbara Biscotti & Fee Brothers Bitters
Danish Garlic Havarti
Yancy's Fancy Aged Champagne Cheddar
Hazelnut Marionberry Cheese Torta
Rogue Creamery Lavender Cheddar

The NEW YIPPEE YEAR

2008-04-11T15:31:00.001-07:00

It may well be the 11th day of the 4th month but today is the first official day of the year on the Bicyclette Calendar here in lovely Baker City!
YIPPEE!
Setting aside the regiment of the Gregorian calendar (and can anyone really get excited about the Year of the Rat?) it seems appropriate to measure the year by the first good bike ride! Colleen and I headed out just after noon and rode the roly-poly highway towards Pleasant Valley (the valley where it snows and blows more than anywhere else 'round here!) Although it wasn't my first ride of the year, it was the first ride without ear warmers, leg warmers and arm warmers and that makes it real - as in real sweet!
It felt so good to be out in the sun, away from the YMCA's bad music and worse TV. We were climbing hills like girls that overindulged a bit during the winter but we were happily spinning and recalling our great rides of the past year as we counted coyotes and pheasants (which are far more plentiful on old Highway 7 than trucks and cars!)
DOUBLE YIPPEE!
As a child, my mother said that dinner hadn't officially begun until "Bev spilled the milk" and I realized today that some things never really change. The only difference is that it's no longer milk but my bike chain that gets dropped. Vive la difference!!!
But then, I've never claimed to be athletic, just eager, and it always takes me a little while to get back into that shifting rhythm... by the time I get to Colorado next month (Hey there Jon! Better get my BibiCaffe chilled!) I'll be shifting with my eyes closed (but still with my hands on the handlebars- that's one thing I'm simply too chicken to try!)
So, two hours later, back in my work clothes but with a hop in my step, I have to say how excited I am for the start of the year, how lucky I am to live in this beautiful place and to have such great friends.
Cheers!!!
& Happy,Happy, Happy
New Bicyclette Year!

Ziazerbaz Betetako Piperrak

2008-04-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

The word of the day has LOTS of consonants but is absolutely delicious!
Vicki and I decided to run over to Boise yesterday to celebrate her actual birthday. (This is the secret double bonus of having a Spring Break birthday, the option -nay obligation- to celebrate for the entire week!) We left the snow behind and cruised the roly-poly hills to the Treasure Valley with those fluffy cumulus clouds that painters love to paint dotted across the bright blue sky.
We got to Flicks in time to have a leisurely glass of wine before the show (Hello! I'd go to more movies if there was more Syrah inside theaters!) Frances McDormand's performance in the gorgeously costumed Miss Pettigrew was fabulous and the message about forgetting the costs of war were subtle but powerful.
There now, that's the politic message of the day.... where was I?
Oh yes, Ziazerbaz Betatako Piperrak!
We decided on Basque food at Leku Ona (NE corner of the Basque Block) in downtown Boise after the movie. We started with glasses of Verdelho and Cava, made a toast to Vicki's birthday and then savored every amazing bite of the shrimp stuffed, smokey sauced Piquillo Peppers (aka Ziazerbaz Betatako Piperrak!)
When Vicki told our waiter Hieme that she was 39, he very excitedly proclaimed that he too was 39. We still haven't figured out if he was part of the ruse, or if he really is 39 and it's a joke that doesn't translate to Basque men! But we got a great laugh nonetheless. They had the Marques de Arienzo Reserva 2000 on their list, so we had him pull the cork to let it breathe - although I have to say, it had a stunning aroma immediately.

We enjoyed every spoonful of the Chickpea Soup to the jaunty Basque music and had to laugh when (as we are now the only 2 people in the restaurant) the music suddenly changed as our salads arrived. Eric Burden and the Animals ?? (maybe the House of the Rising Sun is in Bilbao??)

The busboy heard our giggles and the Basque music came back on as our Txipirioak Bere Tintan and Mina arrived and the real dining began. The '02 Arienzo Rioja Reserva was heavenly!
Our allocation should arrive within the next two weeks at the store and I can hardly wait, this wine has the most perfectly complex aromas and is so rich and smooth and delicious!
The squid (I didn't even try to pronounce Txipirioak) was the tenderest I've ever had and was delicious in the inky black peppery sauce over exquisitely garlic-ed, parsley-ed rice (with no shy amount of butter!) I'd have to say that Mina (beef tongue) is one of the benchmarks in my book for the authenticity of Basque food and they scored perfectly last night!
All in all, a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend the restaurant - the service was friendly and very accommodating, we didn't even walk in until after 9 pm and were allowed to enjoy a very leisurely dinner.

http://www.iparagon.com/lekuona/index.html
So today is back to work, Vicki is back to Portland, and April may still bring us some spring at last!
Now there's a happy thought!

Birthday Wishes, Fishnet Stockings & Best Friends

2008-03-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

There are few things more fun than sharing a birthday with great friends! Elizabeth and I have been celebrating the 27th together since we met, she's been a magical friend and is one of the most beautiful women I know. This year we discovered that we both use 27's in our secret codes and combinations but the best discovery of the weekend was brought to light when we were dressing for the evening.
Elizabeth got into town in the early afternoon and decided to go for a walk around Baker City as it was sunny and bright. The road reports had been all full of winter storm warnings and she had driven from Walla Walla wearing jeans and said she hadn't brought anything to wear for the party. So anyways, she stops in at Barbara Jeans Boutique and finds this fabulous black dress...and she JUST HAPPENED to have fishnet stockings and fabulous boots in her overnight bag. I swear she is my fashion guru - from now on, I'm always going to pack the fishnets first - you just never know when you are going to find the perfect black dress!

The Other Birthday Queens

Sarah
(Aries artist and official head cupcake)

Linda
(the babe with all the flair and fabulous hair)

Miss Vicki Sue
(my very own State Geologist and BF)

Greta
(undeniably the hottest tamale in our all girl band)

Marketing 101- easy Merlot jokes

2008-03-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

I thought I was the only one making derisive remarks about Merlot until Alexander Payne gave us Sideways, but now it's open season and frankly, I am having so much fun!

This vintage artwork was the perfect place to land with a bit of double edged humor. Just 'click' on that pert little nose of hers to see the ad full size. Hopefully everyone, no matter how they really feel about the main grape of Pomerol, will find something to smirk about here!

Tonight is the BIG NIGHT - the 'Let Them Eat Cupcakes' bithday fete for the Merry Month of March Birthday Queens. (We are actually all last week-o-March filles, but I liked the illiteration M's!)

We stayed up late drinking fine Champagne, decorating 100 cupcakes and the Linzer Cookie tiaras. Goodness knows there was no shortage of laughter around the table and the cookie crowns turned out quite sparkle-y!

Time to go and decorate the space, we'll be participating in 'Earth Hour' tonight (lights out from 8 pm until 9pm) and so there are candles to set up, and headlamps to distribute. Check back in for pictures of the fun!

speakin' Italian at the table

2008-02-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

Last night I watched the Directors Cut of Cinema Paradiso, my favorite movie of all time made even better by watching it the way the director intended it - all 170 romantic and emotionally resonant minutes! I poured myself a glass of Sardinian red wine, also a classic and a reverent tribute to the old traditions of winemaking.

So it was perfectly fitting when I started work this morning and ended up on hold for an extended period of time, but instead of bad musik - there was an announcement about how February is "Learn to Speak Italian Month". The scene of John Cleese speakin' Italian to Jamie Lee Curtis in A Fish Called Wanda came rushing back to me!

Fettuccine Alfredo ** Mozzarella di Buffalo ** Reggianno Parmesano (oh my!)

Simple seduction with trilled r's and all those prounounced vowels! What a lovely language; is it any wonder that the wines, cheeses and pasta have that same seductive power? So, todays lesson is simple... wine notes and a recipe. Both contain many lovely Italian words - bon gusto!!

Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2004
The mother of all wines, the grapes that are used to make the Cannonau were cultivated on the island of Sardegna (Sardinia) in 1200 BC. The island is part of Italy, but like the Veneto, is autonomous and has its own language – one of my favorite scenes in the movie Mondovino is shot on the island with a very charming old winegrower and his wife while he speaks about the cultural commitments to the ‘old ways’.
Sella & Mosca is one of the most heralded producers in Europe and they are unique in that they operate the second largest (contiguous) vineyard in Italy – albeit, all on one island! The island has a rich and ancient relationship to winemaking but has been struggling to protect their native varietals in the push for the Cabernetization of the Italian wine industry. Sella & Mosca has fallen in step with that movement and pioneered Cab on the island, but still produces wines from the ancient grapes – let’s hope they keep it up for another 100 years!!
All I can say is, one taste of this lovely poetic red and you’ll wonder why any Sardinian worth his pecorino sardo (there are twice as many sheep on the island as humans!) would plant something as ho-hum as Cabernet in his vineyard. The aroma is mesmerizing – a rich medley of spices, violets and plums. It’s almost like tasting the history of the island or turning the pages of a book telling a fairy tale. There is a subtle, but warm sense of the soil and the relationship of the vines to the sea. The texture of the wine is also stunning as a result of 3 years of aging in old Slovenian oak casks.

Lasagna Primavera (Spring)
con Due Formaggio (2 cheeses) e Pancetta
Large Won-Ton or Chinese Eggroll Wraps ** 1 t. fresh chives
2 T. butter ** ½ lb. asparagus, steamed
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped ** 4 oz. pancetta, chopped
½ c. chanterelle or oyster mushrooms ** 2 oz. Fontina, grated
1 ½ T. flour ** 4 oz. Aged Feta, crumbled
½ C. half and half ** 1 c. white wine
1 t. fresh sage, finely chopped ** 2 sundried tomatoes, diced
fresh nutmeg and black pepper

1. Prepare 9 x 9 baking dish by spraying with olive oil. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Preheat a sauté pan and cook pancetta until done but not crisp. Remove pancetta from pan and set aside. Add garlic, sauté until transparent.
3. Add mushrooms to garlic and sauté briefly just until glossy and limp, stir in chives, sun dried tomatoes and pancetta. Remove and set aside.
4. Melt butter in pan, sift in flour and whisk until no lumps remain.
5. Whisk in wine and sage and cook until slightly reduced.
6. Whisk in heated half and half (heating reduces chance of cream “breaking”) and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
7. Layer wraps, sauce, asparagus, mushroom mixture, and cheeses in three layers starting with wraps and ending with cheeses. Grate and bit of fresh nutmeg over each layer and grind a bit of pepper to taste.
8. Cover with lid or foil and baker 15 minutes, then uncover and cook for 5-10 minutes longer until internal temperature is about 135° and top is evenly browned. Let set for 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Serve with fresh greens and good bread.

Spare a Mink (poems & recipes!)

2008-02-12T13:10:00.002-08:00

Just a short note to say how much we love our loyal customers!
Buck (our ferry engineer, motorcycle builder that loves dark, dark chocolate, lamb roasts and Stilton Blue Cheese) sent a poem via e-mail today...
Rah for Bella
Rah for pink
Buy her chocolates
Spare a mink!
Thanks Buck! You made us laugh out loud! That's good for one FREE wedge of Stilton on your next trip into the store.
...and speaking of cheese, we've got some fabulous cheeses for fondue (a very romantic dinner if you ask me!) as well as St. Andre' -the most decadent triple cream brie imaginable. All you need to do with this lovely little 'piece de resistance' is slice up a pear or apple and then peel me a grape and pour the champagne!

If you are thinking of serving a balanced meal for V-Day, we'll suggest a couple of savory options.
BELLA Agnello allo Zafferano
We are lucky to be so lamb rich here in Baker City, with three growers producing grass fed lamb within 30 miles of the store. Sustainable, local, and delicious – what more could you ask for?

2-3 lb. lamb roast, boned and cubed * 8 cloves garlic, minced
½ c. olive oil * 1 c. san marzano tomatoes, chopped
1 bunch of parsley, minced * 1 big pinch saffron
Salt and fresh ground pepper * rind from one lemon

4 cups cooked Jasmine rice

Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet or dutch over, sauté herbs and garlic quickly but do not let garlic brown. Add lamb, stir-fry or turn until pieces are evenly browned. Powder saffron by crushing between your fingers into ¼ c. white wine, stir and add to lamb. Add tomato, reduce heat and cover. Cook for 12-15 minutes, until lamb is just pink inside. Serve over rice or roasted sweet potatoes. Serves 4.

Srawberry Mtn. NY Steak au bleu!
4 Strawberry Mtn. NY Steaks * ¾ c. balsamic vinegar
1 T. crushed black peppercorns * 1 t. sugar
1 T. green peppercorns, drained * ¼ lb. Oregonzola, crumbled
1 T. porcini mushroom powder * 2 T. olive oil

Preheat oven to 350˚
Mix cracked pepper, crushed green peppercorns and mushroom powder in pie pan. Press steaks into mixture to form a thick coating over both sides. Heat a large, heavy skillet-add olive oil and turn pan to evenly coat. Add steaks and cook over moderately high heat to quickly sear in flavors and brown on both sides (3 minutes on each side). Transfer steaks to a baking sheet and place in oven for 10 minutes.

Add balsamic vinegar and sugar to skillet drippings, bring to a boil and reduce to 1/3 cup. Remove steaks from over, press Oregonzola over top of each and return to oven for 2 minutes. Drizzle balsamic sauce over steaks and serve with grilled vegetables and pasta.

BELLA Chicken Cordon Bleu with Bleu Cheese!
This is an easy and gorgeously delicious way to have more pizzazz in your poultry!

2 Chicken breasts, boned and pounded slightly * 2 slices proscuitto
2 oz. Oregonzola or Roquefort * 2 oz. Comte or Emmental, julienned
1 T. Dijon mustard * 1 t. bread crumbs
2 T. finely grated Parmesan or Romano * ½ t. finely chopped parsley

Pound the chicken breasts to double in size. Light brush with mustard and layer slice of proscuitto and cheeses on one side of breast. Roll breast from stuffed side, so that cheese is in the center. Secure with a tooth pick. Mix together grated cheese, parsley and bread crumbs and roll each breast into mixture.

In preheated sauté pan, add 2 t. olive oil and then place chicken in pan and cook 2 minutes
on each side. Pour in a splash of white wine, lower heat and cover for 10 – 15 minutes. Check for doneness with a cooking thermometer – 150 to 160 degrees interior temp. Serve with green beans, caramelized carrots and garlic mashed potoatoes.

Happy Valentine

2008-02-12T13:10:00.001-08:00

Rah for Bella
Rah for pink
Buy her chocolate
Spare a mink!