New Boat (back in action part 1)

Back in cyberseafaring condition and I’ve got lots to catch up on! Let’s just jump right in!

Early this summer, Summer Beats & Bacon took place in both SF and Portland. Sold out venues were packed with a total of 90 bacon tasters sampling 10 flavors in 24 ways as DJs played hits!! However, while Portland and Bay Area bacon lovers knew the deal and moved fast on tickets, Seattle was a bit luckluster in its bacon affinity. Coming off of two sold out events, I didn’t want to lose steam with a rare slow-selling event, so, I pulled the plug and did private dinners instead. Sorry Sea-town!

Both events were a raucous whirlwind of a farewell-for-now to the Bacon Gospel. Two years of tastings and bacon subscriptions and bacon making lessons into the project, I am so proud of the more than 100 flavors of bacon I have now etched into my little black book. Back when I started the Bacon Gospel, 100 flavors was my lofty goal. Now that I’ve exceeded it and have yet to see anyone out there trying to capitalize on the technique I’ve been perfecting, I am putting those secrets back in my pocket. Starting from scratch with these slabs, making each infused spirit and candied lemon by hand, dreaming up flavors and pushing the expectations for one of our most favored and traditional foods has been just the culinary alchemy that thrills me. Yet, for the foreseeable future, those magical slabs will be available for purchase only for those who book Farm & Table dinners. To be sure, while I focus on other projects that have been waiting in the wings, I may bring the bacon out of the vault when you least expect it...but, for now, here’s a peek at the last tastings of The Bacon Gospel.

PDX Flavors:

Hold Your Horses

(BCN/PDX Fridays! Members Choice)

3 Mustards, Fresh Horseradish, Brown Sugar,

Pickled Garlic

Coming Up Roses

Organic Local Rose Petals, Lavender, St. Germain, Gin, Thyme, Sage, White Peony Tea

Rhubarb Hill

Caramelized Lemon and Rhubarb, Gold Beets, Ginger, Pomegranate Molasses, Nutmeg

Summer Storms

Watermelon, Gin, Black Peppercorns

Heat Wave

Tequila, Plums, Jalapeno, Serrano, Habenero and Roasted Pasilla Peppers

Tasting Menu:

Miang Kham-

Black Pepper-seared Strawberries, Fresh Horseradish, Melon, Serrano and Jalapeno Peppers, Fried Shallots, Fried Red Onion, Fresh Red Onion, Ginger, Toasted Coconut, Toasted Cashews and Hazelnuts

1. Coming Up Roses Herb Bundles

with Gin Vinaigrette

2. Hold Your Horses Candied Sweet Potatoes with Cumin Whip

3. Coming Up Roses & Jaegermeister Figs

4. Summer Storm Buckwheat Waffles

with Lemon-Balsamic Redux

5. Heat Wave and 6. Rhubarb Hill Tacos

with Avocado Relish or Toasted Coriander 2-milk Yogurt Sauce

7. Hold Your Horses and 8. Rhubarb Hill Open-face Sammies

with Lemon Fromage Blanc or Pomegranate Molasses Mustard

9. Heat Wave-Almond-Cocoa Nib Crumble,

10. Summer Storms Shards and Limoncello Whip

11. Rhubarb Hill and 12. Summer Storms Candied Popcorn

SF Flavors:

The Beach House

Strawberries, Cherries, Fresh Sage, Pink Peppercorns, Gin and Rosewater

Three Islands

Lime and Shredded Coconut and Triple Ginger

(fresh, dried & crystallized ginger)

Desert Sweet Tea

Rooibos Chai Tea, Fresh Turkey Figs, Toasted Coriander, Fennel and Cumin Seeds

Beet Feat

Red and Gold Beets, Fresh Dill, Mustard Seed and Onion

Christmas in July

Brandy, Cocoa Nibs, and 5 chiles

(Sightglass coffee-soaked habenero, chipotle & ancho chiles, fresh serrano & jalapeno chiles)

Tasting Menu:

1. Beet Feat and 2. The Beach House & Pomegranate-Black Pepper Popcorn

3. Three Islands and 4. Desert Sweet Tea Miang Kham

Galia Melon, Toasted Coconut, Fried Red Onion, Fresh White Cipiollinis, Herbed Citrus, Ginger, Roasted Cashews & Filberts and Serrano Chiles wrapped in Napa Leaves

Grilled 5. The Beach House and 6. Desert Sweet Tea with Crostini

7. Christmas in July and 8. Beet Feat Tacos

9. Desert Sweet Tea and 10. Three Islands Grilled Kabobs

*toppings*

Cherry Mustard, Black Carrot-Bok Slaw, Avocado Relish, Black Pepper-seared Strawberries

Two-milk Panna Cotta with 11. The Beach House Swizzle Sticks and Tequila-Lime Sauce

12. Christmas in July Maple Pretzel Dream with Sightglass Coffee Whip

Seattle, you missed out!! See you next time!