Sunday, October 31, 2021

October Kitchen Activities

Food of the season. Does red wine go with Oreos? Yes. Especially spooky Phantom wine and BOO Oreos. Happy Halloween!

Away from my kitchen: food exhibits that we saw while traveling.

In mid-October, we spent a week on the Lindblad-National Geographic Quest, going from Astoria, Oregon to Idaho on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. We visited several places where food or food preparation were represented. The salmon that swam in the rivers have been a key food source for centuries, first for the Native Americans who lived along the river, and more recently for fisheries and canneries. Unfortunately, the salmon runs have been in terrible decline, worse this year than ever. We also saw a variety of places visited by Lewis and Clark in 1805-1806, and a some interesting museums and historic re-creations.

The food storage and preparation area at Fort Clatsop, Oregon (reconstruction of original.)
Lewis and Clark and the people of their expedition spent the winter of 1805-1806 in this location.

Hood River, Oregon, The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum.
Among the historic planes and jeeps, we saw this display of a portable kitchen from World War II.

Astoria, Oregon: Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Display of labels from canning of salmon and other seafood, once a major activity along the
Columbia River. The museum had many displays about the history of the fishing industry.

Salmon in a fish hatchery in Oregon.
  
Jam and syrups made from Oregon produce at a farm stand in
Mount Hood, Oregon.

In my kitchen in October.


Magnets from the trip: places in Oregon and Idaho. Also here.

A sample jar of Oregon marionberry jam.
We ate it all up.

What's been cooking in my kitchen?

Before a weekend visit from the family, my refrigerator was stuffed
with food for the family visit.

Red and green pasta, with garlic bread and feta cheese, for six people.
The green pasta had broccoli, pesto, and tubetti pasta.
The red pasta had classic home-cooked tomato and mushroom sauce.

Garnishes for a Mexican-type meal: tomatoes, salsa, sour cream,
lemon wedges, cilantro, avocado, and hot sauce.

Miriam's plate with a quesadilla, black beans, picadillo,
savory squash, and all the garnishes.

A meal for the two of us: smoked Michigan whitefish from 
the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.

Single-serving apple crumbles.

Candy for trick-or-treaters. I plan to wear a mask. Not the usual sort for Halloween.

Blog post and photos © 2021 mae sander.
Shared with In My Kitchen at http://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/

15 comments:

Tina said...

I love red wine but hadn’t thought about pairs with Oreos, must investigate that combo! Doug opened a bottle of Federalist red blend for me last night but it was awful, smelled vinegary. Disappointed.

Love your travel photos and learning about new places. Your meals look appealing.

DVArtist said...

Fantastic post Mae. I am so happy you were able to visit some key places in my home state of ID. and the state I am living in now OR.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Happy Halloween!

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

The sign that food will win the war is so true for any war. I love that a meal for two is prepared with as much care as a meal for the family xx

Iris Flavia said...

Love the museum pics and the Booo Oreos.
Probably not what you wanted to show, but... I´ve never seen a fridge that opens from the right.
Hmmm, the Mexican looks yummy!
I´d like to see you in that mask!

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Mae,
I enjoyed your photos of your visit to ID. Your big black bird aids just the right feeling for Halloween. Our neighborhood has changed and lots of new young families moved in during Covid. My street was mobbed with young kids - so many it was overwhelming and I shut off my lights. Are you still refraining from eating meat? Your vegetarian Mexican type meal looks delicious.

Harvee said...

Love your October kitchen. Lots of colorful foods.

Valerie-Jael said...

Fun foody post. Happy T Day, Valerie

Sherry's Pickings said...

thanks for joining in Mae. How did November come so fast? yes interesting to see a fridge with hinges on the left. years ago hubby spent a couple of hours changing the door from right to left (they used to give you spare hinges so you could do just that). the oreos look good (we have 'em here in australia now too - well probably for ages and i just didn't notice.) Hope your halloween was good. we had a nice quiet one. i've never heard of marionberries. i wonder what they taste like?:) Have a great month.
cheers
sherry

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mae,
I can not remember the last time I have eaten Oreos. I do enjoy trying various red wines. The meals all look delicious. Your trip sounds like fun, both Oregon and Idaho are beautiful states. Take care, enjoy your day!

Sherry's Pickings said...

hi Mae
thanks for being here with an IMK post. those oreos look good. they were never a thing here in australia but now we have 'em!

Debra Eliotseats said...

Love the opening photo and comment! Thanks for continuing to share your travels. All of your meals look delicious, Mae.

Jeanie said...

Wow -- you have such a clean fridge! Mine needs such help these days -- it's looking like Fibber McGee's closet! Your dinners look fabulous, especially the whitefish -- gorgeous presentation and oh, so tasty! Love the Halloween and the displays from the museum, too! What a fun post!

Liz said...

I was very impressed at the organization of your fridge. And that Mexican meal had my mouth watering. You had lucky guests.

Shaheen said...

Always a delight to see what is happening in your kitchen Mae. i was a bit of a misery guts this year, decided not to participate in Halloween trick and treaters this year as still cautious about Covid. Adore your glistening crow though.