Sailed Around the World, and Recycled in Maine! Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine editor Melanie Hyatt doesn’t go anywhere without her new Sea Bag.
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May 31, 2010
May 27, 2010
Rock City Coffee Roasters
Issue Number 11 of Maine Food & Lifestyle pays homage to one of Maine’s finest coffee roasters, Rockland’s own Rock City Coffee. In preparing an article for this issue, we had the pleasure of working with Rock City’s owner and Master Coffee Roaster Patrick Reilley. Patrick brought his extensive knowledge and expertise in coffee roasting to Rockland, establishing Rockland’s now famous coffee roasting operation.
Patrick helped us organize and describe our coffees in a special coffee cupping we did at Rock City Coffee Roasters for this issue. This will always be a special memory to us, as it was not long after that Patrick lost his long struggle with cancer. Our sincerest condolences go out to his wife and business partner Suzanne Ward, their family, and many friends.
In our new issue, the article entitled “The Science of Coffee Cupping, ” we took a lesson from Rock City Roaster’s Yvonne Smith as she shared her knowledge, talents, and techniques with us. Yvonne had been hired by Patrick at Rock City back in 1998, and in 2005 she became his assistant roaster. Now Yvonne is an award-winning roaster in her own right.
L to R: Patrick Reilley, Yvonne Smith, Melanie Hyatt, Eric Hopkins
How do you prepare for a cupping and go about analyzing different samples? What are the variables to consider when evaluating different coffees? Just what is “slurping?” And is there such a thing as “bad coffee?” All this and more we answer for you in the new issue.
And as an added note, our From the Pantry column in this issue gives you a sampling of some of our favorite Maine roasted beans.
Get perky! Wake up and smell the coffee…and subscribe today!
January 31, 2010
Daily Breads: Panzanella and Pecan Toffee Bread Pudding
We are lucky to live in an area saturated with great places to buy bread. There’s Standard Baking Company, stating the obvious. We have Miccuci’s making their own breads not to mention (yummy) pizza, and if you’re in my neck of the woods over the bridge, Scratch Baking Co. Many choices…I love the bagels at Scratch. But if you’re like me and buy more than you consume, you need ideas for leftovers. Well, I’ve come to rescue you from the depths of Moldy Bread Syndrome (it’s a serious problem, no known cure until now).
A savory option:
Continue reading “Daily Breads: Panzanella and Pecan Toffee Bread Pudding” »
December 11, 2009
Appleton Creamery Cheesemaking Workshops
Have you ever pondered the mysteries of how cheese is made? Do you like to make your own foods from scratch? Got a little time on your hands this winter and want to learn a new skill? Appleton Creamery is announcing a series of cheesemaking workshops to be held this winter at the farm in Appleton. 
Continue reading “Appleton Creamery Cheesemaking Workshops” »
November 4, 2009
Thanksgiving Wine Suggestions
I’ve got Gamay on my mind.
With Halloween officially over, I can start to mention Thanksgiving without feeling queasy. You know what I’m talking about, right? Walking into the store in June and going by the “seasonal” aisle with all the Halloween flare on all the shelves. I don’t want to be that guy.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Surprise? How can you not love a holiday that’s main focus is food and wine? I don’t know about you, but it’s the one day I don’t feel bad about opening a bottle around 10:30 in the morning; when I’m immersed in cooking, to de-glaze the pan of course (not to mention it helps when you have family around for the long haul).
October 27, 2009
The Art of Local Food
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On October 29, more than 40 local farms, restaurants, and culinary partners are teaming up to dish out the best treats, ever. Participating restaurants include Primo, Francine Bistro, Lily Bistro, and many more. Ingredients will include fish from the Port Clyde Fisherman’s Co-op, cheeses from Appleton Creamery, mushrooms from Oyster Creek Mushrooms, and fresh vegetables from Peacemeal Farm among others.
For $25, all of which supports NRCM’s work to protect Maine’s environment (and $10 of which is tax-deductible), you can savor an autumn evening with neighbors who love Maine’s environment and enjoy live music, Maine art, yummy local foods, and a cash bar featuring Maine wines, beers, gin, rum, and vodka. What better way to celebrate Maine’s bounty?
If you have questions, please contact Joyce Gracie at (207) 430-0128.
Participating farms and restaurants include:
| After the Fall Farm Montville | Jess’s Market Rockland |
| Angelina’s Bakery Knox | Lily Bistro Rockland |
| Appleton Creamery Appleton | Maine-ly Poultry Warren |
| Atlantic Baking Company Rockland | Market Basket Rockport |
| Belfast Co-op Belfast | Meadowsweet Farm Swansville |
| Brae Maple Farm Union | Monroe Cheese Studio Monroe |
| Brevetto/Sage Market Camden | Mystique Chevre Waldoboro |
| Broken Acres Farm Jefferson | Oyster Creek Mushroom Farm Damariscotta |
| Cellardoor Winery Lincolnville | Paolina’s Way Camden |
| Cold River Vodka Freeport | Peacemeal Farm Dixmont |
| Dandelion Spring Farm Washington | Port Clyde Fisherman’s Co-op Rockland |
| Darby’s Restaurant Belfast | Primo Rockland |
| Ephemere Camden | Ravenswood Farm Union |
| Francine Bistro Camden | Rolling Acres Farm Monroe |
| Good Tern Co-op Rockland | Smith’s Log Smokehouse Monroe |
| Gratitude Food Waldo | Spear Farm & Greenhouse Warren |
| Guini Ridge Farm Union | Sweet Henry’s Belfast |
| Home Kitchen Café Rockland | Sweets and Meats Rockland |
| Hubbard Brook Farm Unity | Terra Optima Appleton |
| In Good Company Rockland | Three Tides Belfast |
| Whitefoot Farm Jefferson |
October 19, 2009
Best Chocolate Ice Cream…from Maine!
Gifford’s Ice Cream from Skowhegan, Maine made the news big time with a recent first-place showing in the World Dairy Expo contest in Wisconsin. By earning a perfect score, Gifford’s earned the bragging rights to having the “World’s Best Chocolate Ice Cream.”
Please, tell us Mainers something we don’t already know…
Read more about this in the Maine Sunday Telegram and in the Bangor Daily News.
October 16, 2009
Heron Hill Winery Announces New Winemaker
Heron Hill Winery welcomes new Winemaker, October 15, 2009:
One of Long Island’s brightest shining stars is coming to the Finger Lakes. Heron Hill Winery is excited to announce the arrival of their new Winemaker, Bernard Cannac. Bernard is a renowned Winemaker, recently of Castello di Borghese. Continue reading “Heron Hill Winery Announces New Winemaker” »
October 15, 2009
MOO Milk: Maine’s First Organic Dairy Co.
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.
October 9, 2009
Antique Apple Symposium
The New England Farm 2 Fork Project-
Presents
(‘An Antique Apple Symposium’ @ Raven Hill Orchard)
‘…expand your antique apple knowledge…’
Sunday, October 18th 9am to 1am
Chefs, cooks, pastry chefs, restaurateurs, educators, winemakers, specialty food shop operators, cheese shop owners, foodies, members of the media and apple enthusiasts are invited to join us at Raven Hill Orchard, a MOFGA certified organic apple orchard in East Waterboro for a day of heirloom apple education, discussion, and evaluation….
The Days Itinerary-
-a made in Maine cheese social
-a tasting tour of our MOFGA certified organic apple orchard
-the great antique apple tasting and evaluation (over 15 heirloom apples)
-lunch with Chef Sebastian Carosi of the new england farm 2 fork project
lunch menu…
-farmstead local cheddar mac-n-cheese…
-the freshest mess of organic greens with mulled orchard cider
vinaigrette, local goat cheese, antique apples and walnuts…
-organic orchard apple crisp with crumb topping
and local sweet cream ice cream…
-just pressed orchard cider & applewood smoked coffee…
$18 per/person (including luncheon) please RSVP* by October 16th
*reservations can be made by calling the orchard at- 207-247-4455
or by going online at- farm2forkreservations@yahoo.com
Raven Hill Orchard- 255 Ossipee Hill Road . East Waterboro, ME 04030 . 207-247-4455 . www.ravenhillorchard.com
September 21, 2009
John’s Ice Cream
There is something sweet being served up in Liberty, Maine. John’s Ice Cream, handmade by John Ascrizzi, is a real treat. John comes from a family of hard working foodies. He says being hard working, experimental, and creative are the keys of his success.
Currently boasting 35-50 ice cream flavors, perennial favorites include vanilla, raspberry cream, and chocolate. And John is proud of the fact that he sources as locally as possible, which makes his ice cream extra delicious.
Try his creations at his store on Rt. 3 in Liberty, and if you are at the Common Ground Fair this weekend, he’ll be serving up his ice cream there, too. Learn more about John’s Ice Cream in the latest issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle.
Parmesan-Herb Braid
This bread makes the house smell like a pizzeria while it’s baking. You can certainly use other Italian herb mixes, or concoct your own, but having tried several I recommend the mix produced and sold by the United Society of Shakers at Sabbathday Lake, Maine. Their mix seems to have just the right proportions of fragrant herbs, including fennel. I’m not crazy about fennel on its own, as a rule, but in this recipe it is a wonderful addition and you wouldn’t want to do without it. At any rate some quantity of garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, and fennel seed are used. Feel free to experiment. Continue reading “Parmesan-Herb Braid” »
September 20, 2009
Seagull Cottage: Mainely Living
Love decorating with the Maine coast’s natural gifts from the sea? Look no further than Seagull Cottage, a destination for shells, sea glass, and all sorts of whimsical, wonderful ocean treasures.
This distinctive Maine shop has two locations: one in Rockland and the other in Warren. Get an inside look at what makes this such a fun place to browse away an afternoon in the new issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.
September 8, 2009
New Issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle
There is something about Maine that defies seasonal explanation. Perhaps it is the strength of its people, its abundance of natural resources, or the unparalleled beauty of its timeless landscape. While the whisper of fall is in the air, we still feel a strong loyal tie to fading summer. While we are connected to finite seasons, the cycle we are in flows infinitely on. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the growing season of our local foods. Continue reading “New Issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle” »
August 31, 2009
Maine Events Calendar: September 2009
September is typically a beautiful month in Maine, and there are still lots of great events all over the state to enjoy. Just because summer is on the wane, don’t fret! The transition to fall is an easy one with so much happening. Continue reading “Maine Events Calendar: September 2009″ »
August 30, 2009
Maine Fare Taste Seminars: Eye Candy for Food Lovers
I just spent hours salivating over a display of eye candy, made some careful choices, and now I’m back for more. Continue reading “Maine Fare Taste Seminars: Eye Candy for Food Lovers” »
August 26, 2009
Chocolate, Cheese, and Wine?
Personally, I can’t think of a better combination. And where can one go to indulge all these food fantasies? We’ve heard satisfaction can be found in Brooklin, Maine. The Cave, says proprietor Laura Cramer, caters to “the three biggest sensory pleasures.”
August 21, 2009
Maine’s Bread Community Comes Together in Skowhegan
I tried Atkins about seven years ago. You know, the diet that makes you crazy because it keeps you from eating nearly everything worth living for, i.e. pasta and bread? It took my best friend telling me I was skinnier but a “little scary to be around these days” to know that losing 10 pounds was not worth depriving myself of one more plate of pumpkin ravioli. I’ve never looked back.
Continue reading “Maine’s Bread Community Comes Together in Skowhegan” »
August 10, 2009
Portland’s “Foodie Row”
Dean’sSweets, maker of elegant dark chocolate truffles, has joined the row of award-winning food establishments on Middle Street in Portland, amplifying this East-End block’s allure as a foodie destination.
July 31, 2009
Maine Events Calendar: August 2009
Summer is finally here! We hope you make the most of it. Get out and enjoy the sunshine and a wide variety of activities across the state. August is the traditional month for Maine fairs and festivals. Whether you’re a local or visitor, we encourage you take part in the fun Maine has to offer.
