Looking for some good chocolate treats for a fundraiser, wedding, or gathering…? Give Annie a call! Looking to impress your honey for Valentine’s Day? Get your order in today!!
My friend Annie will be happy to whip you up something amazing! Give her a call: 207-832-4613
Looking for something delicious to eat and fun to do to beat the winter blues? Coming this weekend to Rockland is the annual “Pies on Parade,” a Midcoast event not to be missed!
Here is an interesting article from USA Today concerning Maine’s lobster industry.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-11-27-lobster-traps_N.htm?csp=24&RM_Exclude=Juno
Interested in food and art (and food in art) as I am? Check out the site bridgeman, all about art, culture, and history. Lots of artful discourse there on history of food in art and the holidays. I found the image below particularly enticing. Sure could pass for a Maine lobster. 
Still life with the Drinking-Horn of the St. Sebastian Archer’s Guild, Lobster and Glasses, c. 1653 (oil on canvas) by Kalf, Willem (1622-93)/ National Gallery, London, UK
What is your favorite “artful” food image?
In the news: the following newsworthy article came to us from Mainebiz.
A group of organic dairy farmers in Maine affected by low milk prices and changes at large milk companies have banded together to launch a new brand.
The brand, called Maine’s Own Organic Milk, or MOO Milk, will hit shelves at Hannaford and independent grocery stores in Maine and New Hampshire in November, according to Maine Public Broadcasting Network.
Farmers from Aroostook, Washington, Kennebec and Penobscot counties will provide the milk, which will be processed at Smiling Hill Farms in Westbrook and distributed by Oakhurst Dairy and Crown of Maine. The launch comes as a response to a shrinking demand for organic milk, which can be twice the cost of conventional milk, and milk companies asking farmers to cut production.
This year, H.P. Hood told 10 Maine organic dairy farms that their contracts would not be renewed, prompting a call to boycott the company’s products and those of its subsidiary Stonyfield Organic Milk.
The farmers involved said they hope consumers will support the local product. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Maine Farm Bureau and the Maine Department of Agriculture played a role in launching MOO Milk, according to MPBN.
Today’s NY Times article spotlights the Maine Lobster Industry and L.L. Bean heiress and lobster entrepreneur, Linda Bean. Her entrance into the seafood arena has taken Maine by storm. While there are differing opinions concerning her modus operandi, Linda clearly spells out her plan for success and rejuvination of Maine’s lobster industry in this interview.
Linda Bean, who enjoys working with words, is interested in “branding” Maine lobster as a worldwide recognizable and sustainable resource. She has been busy with her lobster roll chain, wharves, and processing plant. A recent acquisition includes Port Clyde’s Dip Net restaurant, and she has plans to start a Lobster Academy at Cook’s Cove next summer, run by her Executive Chef, Margaret Salt McLellan.
We’d love to hear your thoughts from home and abroad about the state of Maine’s lobster industry and Linda Bean’s contributions. Send us your comments!
Maine Fare discussion panels held on Sunday at the Knox Mill in Camden were dynamic. The panel entitled “Telling the Maine Food Story” was moderated by Don Lindgren of Rabelais Books in Portland. Panelists included Nancy Harmon Jenkins, food writer, author and journalist; Peter Smith, photographer and author, Portland Psst!; Merrill Williams, editor and publisher of Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine; Margaret Hathaway, goat farmer and author of The Year of the Goat and Living With Goats. Discussion centered around Maine writers’ roles in moving the food agenda forward, both nationally and within Maine.
L to R: Margaret Hathaway, Nancy Harmon Jenkins, Merrill Williams, Peter Smith, Don Lindgren
Continue reading “Maine Fare: “Telling the Maine Food Story”” »
As many of you, like me, have kids to send off to school in another week, i
t’s time to start thinking about one of their favorite parts of the day: lunch. I remember the days of opening up my Charlie’s Angels tin lunchbox to PB&J, soggy tuna, and smelly egg sandwiches. I was definitely of the sandwich, chips, and a milk generation.
In general, unless the school was having something I liked, such as lasagna or tacos, I was brown bagging it. And I don’t recall having much “ownership” to my school lunches. I either ate what my mother packed, or I took money for hot lunch. I do know that my mom was on a budget, and that factor often was the driving force behind the food.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for the
rollicking humor that was “The Real Maine Man Pageant.” It was
undoubtedly one of my personal highlights of this year’s Maine Lobster
Festival.
Maine Man Contestants L to R: Ryan Post, Joel Neal, Kendall Merriam, Corey Morris, AlexHaluski
Five amazingly courageous (and funny) men gave it their all
to prove why they should be crowned this year’s “Maine Man.” Among them
were: Kendall Merriam of Rockland, Corey Morris of Tenants Harbor, Alex
Haluski of Minnesota, and Joel Neal and Ryan Post, both of Rockland.
I love fried dough. It is my guilty pleasure, the secret reason I look forward to the fairs and festivals occurring every summer in Maine. Fourth of July, Lobster Festival, Union Fair, Windsor Fair, Common Ground Fair…those doughboys keep me happy with a taste of nostalgia, year after year. They’re the sweetbread taste of childhood I hope I never outgrow. Somehow, I can’t see that happening anytime soon.
Yesterday I took my son, Jacob, to see "Food, Inc." at the Strand in Rockland. We met Creative Director Jim Bazin there and were surprised at how many people came out on such a (rare) gorgeous sunny Sunday afternoon, but the theatre was quite full. Many in attendance were looking forward to the panel discussion following the film led by Nancy Harmon-Jenkins and panelists Merrill Williams of Maine Food & Lifestyle, Cheryl Denz of Terra Optima Farm, Melissa Kelly of Primo, Glen Libby of Midcoast Fishermen's Association, and others with direct insight into Maine's food scene.
Continue reading ““Food, Inc.” Thought provoking, disturbing, and enlightening” »
Wow! I just got a Hannaford flyer in the mail today, and if you love Maine lobster as much as I do, you’ll want to get to a local Maine Hannaford store this weekend. Live Maine Lobster is on sale for $4.99/lb.! The sale runs Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19. This 3-day seafood special is good at Hannaford stores in Boothbay Harbor, Bridgton, Camden, Damariscotta, Madison, Rockland, Skowhegan, and Waldoboro. Oh, and the irony of all this? Side by side on the front page of the flyer, for the same price of $4.99/lb., is Maine Lobster and Sara Lee’s honey ham. Did you ever think you’d see Maine lobster as inexpensive as deli ham??
Now that I’ve solved any menu dilemmas you may have had for the coming weekend, start planning your party, and I’ll meet you in line at the Rockland store! (And be sure to check the recipe section of our blog for some great lobster recipes.)
Melanie Hyatt is an editor at Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.
A while ago I was sent a variety of seasoning packets from a company called Amazing Taste. Being one who usually likes to mix my own spices, I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical at first as to what kind of flavor these little packets would produce. (I was sent seasoning packets for poultry, burgers, steaks, fish, and pork.)
Let me tell you, I recently tried the Amazing Taste for Burgers, and the flavor was delicious! A nice blend without any one overpowering flavor and without being wimpy on taste.
These little packets are only .99 cents, perfect for a great meal that doesn’t require much in the way of cost (or fuss to make). I like that.
I'll admit, I don't spend much time thinking about the earth. I'm sure happy to see it reappear when winter recedes the white blanket in favor of the green, however. And living here in Maine, year round, I do appreciate the change of seasons. But winter always disconnects me from thinking much about anything more than surviving the cold and barrenness until spring.
Continue reading “Earth Day 2009: Take Time to Celebrate and Appreciate” »
Soon to be in bookstores is Pat Crocker's The Vegan Cook's Bible. Challenged to devise a book that not only provided amazing, solely vegan recipes, but also a resource book for all, she succeeded as this is one you'll want within easy reach on your cookbook shelf. It is a comprehensive and thoroughly researched book featuring information on the 7 body systems, how to optimize their function through conscious nutrition choices, and suggestions for positive changes in diet and lifestyle modifications.
The time has sprung forward, the mercury (we hope) is on the rise, and spring seems a bit more than just a promise now. We've managed to weather a long winter, and have so much anticipation for warmer breezes, blooming flowers, and budding trees. I used to think using the word "rebirth" with the word "spring" was an old cliche. After this winter, rebirth and renewal seem to me the most beautiful words in the dictionary. Mud pies are in season as we celebrate Earth Day!
I recently had my first visit to Francine in Camden. Let me just start by saying that stepping inside this charming bistro (without reservations on a Saturday night), you would never know we were in the middle of any kind of economic crisis. A branch of blossoming forsythia and the smile of a friendly host hinted at the beautiful experience awaiting me. The atmosphere was inviting, warm, and cheery. Low lighting, a full house, friendly wait staff, and divine food and drink were among the reasons I hope to make a return trip very soon, if I can wrestle my wallet to comply.
Continue reading “Francine Bistro: A Camden Dining Experience” »
Curious George's owner, as you may recall from the childhood storybook favorite, was the "Man in the Yellow Hat." Well, now I am the "Editor in the Yellow Hat."
I'm very pleased to say that I am, as of this morning's mail, the owner of a lovely new yellow hand knit hat,
courtesy of our Creative Vegetarian columnist and contributing blogger, Mary Lake.
It all started when Mary blogged on her site, Mitten Machen, that she was working on this yellow hat, and would anyone like it once it was completed. I wrote back immediately to stake my claim, as I am one of the few people I know who sports a yellow jacket in winter. Now my ensemble is complete.
Thanks for keeping me stylin' and warm, Mary! Hats off (or should I say on?) to you!!
Melanie Hyatt is an editor at Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.
As March comes roaring in, let's hope it leaves in its wake the lamb like days of spring we're all anxiously awaiting. Below is a list of upcoming events for March. Be sure to take in a Restaurant Week destination or two. Look for the maple syrup to be flowing, another month of great opportunities to take a cooking class, and spring to be in the air as you stop and smell the flowers at Portland's Annual Flower Show. Welcome, spring!
