July 4th: Salmon Comes Indoors This Year

A highlight of my trip to the West Coast was last night's potluck with friends, the perfect prelude to a weekend of Independence Day festivities. Instead of grilling outside where a relentless heat wave was keeping evening temperatures stuck in the 80s, we gathered around the dining room table in the air conditioning.

Heirloom Tomatoes, Now and Later

When I'm in California to visit family, I always have a list of favorite things I like to do while I'm there, and a trip to the local farmers' market is my Number 1 To-Do. The market in Ojai, a little town about 75 miles outside of Los Angeles, never fails to knock my socks off. Not only is the produce and fruit available almost year-round, but it's where I am guaranteed to run into old friends and catch up on their news. Not surprisingly, it takes me a couple of hours to make the rounds, all the while sampling the wares of farmers showing off their strawberries, tangerines, and apricots.

Maine Lobster Chef McLellan: "Bring It On!" (Conclusion)

Day Two: The five finalists were announced. Among them, Texas, Maryland, and of course the favored son of New Orleans, who was now representing Mississippi, John Currence. Chef Currence, on day one, had sauntered in wearing ripped jeans, cowboy boots, and a seriously wrinkled chef jacket. Day two, he at least wore an ironed jacket but I somehow knew he was not be underestimated.

Maine Lobster Chef McLellan: "Bring it On!" (Part 2)

Night One: Our information packet gave us directions to the Arts District where we were treated to an amazing sampling of local cuisine prepared by chefs of New Orleans. One could not turn around without bumping into a bartender. (I am not complaining here.) From there we were loaded onto an air conditioned tour bus and escorted to the next stop, by far the best looking Harley riding big bald police officers imaginable. Lights flashing, sirens blaring, cars pulling out of the way. It was something!

Maine Lobster Chef McLellan: "Bring It On!" (Part 1)

If you can’t take the heat, get back in the kitchen.

Culinary competition. Ask any chef how they feel about it and you will get one response or the other. Terrifying or exhilarating. I happen to be of the latter school.

Rockland's Renaissance, indeed!

With a decisive stamp of culinary approval, the Portland Press Herald devotes two full pages to Rockland in today's food section. Finally putting to rest the reputation for which Rockland has suffered for too long (smelly, low-brow, depressed), food editor Meredith Goad declares Rock City a go-to destination for good eating and good art.

From our offices on Rockland's Main Street, we have first-hand access to today's vibrant scene of bistros, galleries, and boutiques that keep the sidewalks thrumming with visitors. Early this morning, the coffee shops were packed and already running low on muffins. A 3-story crane was installing a jazzy, new free-form awning on the entrance to the Farnsworth Museum, and people were still gawking at the Robert Indiana "EAT" sculpture that had been mounted on the museum's roof only yesterday. The aroma of roasting coffee beans was in the air, and it didn't hurt that bright sunshine was making everything sparkle like new.

Favorite Place on Earth: Maine

Midcoast Maine is abuzz this summer with all things Wyeth. I had just attended the opening reception at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland for Jamie Wyeth’s exhibition “Seven Deadly Sins” when I received an email from a longtime friend whose new book had just been released by National Geographic. “My Favorite Place on Earth: Celebrated People Share Their Travel Discoveries” was written by Jerry Dunn, a former neighbor of mine who had told me a year ago that he planned to include two Mainers in his book, Jamie Wyeth and Paige Rense.

Mussel Bisque with Artichokes

The exact origin of artichokes is unknown, though they are said to have come from the Maghreb (North Africa), where they are still found in the wild state. The various names of the artichoke all ultimately come from Arabic al harshuf. The Arabic term Ardi-Shoki means "ground thorny."-Wikipedia

I recently returned from Egypt, and my travels inspired this artichoke based recipe. Hmm, who would have ever thought of Maine mussels and Arabic artichokes?

Isle au Haut Culinary Getaway: the Island Gourmet Girls

If you are looking for on unforgettable experience this summer, you've just found it! The Island Gourmet Girls Culinary Getaway in beautiful Isle au Haut is an experience you can't afford to miss!

Summer Dawn: the Inn at Isle au Haut. © Jim Bazin

Mark June 13-15 and June 15-17 on your calendar and sign up now for an amazing opportunity to join the talented and celebrated ladies on Isle au Haut for the time of your life. You'll meet innkeeper and chef Diana Santospago at her Inn at Isle au Haut, where she'll prepare a lavish meal for you. Next morning, you'll take some cooking lessons from her, have lunch, and enjoy some R&R.

Midcoast Foodie Visits the Middle East

Egypt/Jordan Trip: I was in Jordan for the first week, followed by two weeks in Egypt. Traveled with Overseas Adventure Travel.

Jordan was surprising in the depth of culture (all the Biblical references) and cuisine. Basically a healthy low fat Mediterranean cuisine with lots of olives and olive oil, beans and seed butters, (tahini, a sesame paste) fresh market fruits, and vegetables. One of the drinks of choice was hibiscus tea, which is said to be very healthful. Egyptian cuisine is very similar. I will focus on Egypt here.

Rockland Maine is the Coolest Small Town in America 2009

Well, it would have been if Rockland had gathered just a mere 1,000 more votes. As it was, Rockland placed #2 in the Budget Travel reader poll, right behind Owego, NY. The criteria used for rating these towns were:

1. A population of less than 10,000
2. You must be able to get a good cup of coffee
3. Once you leave the town, you realize your error and want to return.
4. You see more art galleries than country stores.

Watch the CBS Early Show segment from this morning, and hear Budget Travel magazine's editor in chief, Nina Willdorf, refer to Rockland as her "personal favorite" cool town. View article and see video here.

Yes, we all know this about Rockland, but it always feel good to have positive acknowledgement from the country at large. We're happy that the office of Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine is located in downtown Rockland, just down the street from some great coffee choices, the Farnsworth Museum and tons of terrific art galleries, and we all feel the pull to come back every time we go somewhere else.

And in our hearts, we know the Rockland Maine is definitely the Coolest Town in America.

Posted, with great pride, by...

The staff at Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.