Video Chanterelle Picking with Jeff Michels of Cascade Organic
Cascade Organic was founded through family weekend outings picking chanterelle mushrooms. Join founder Jeff Michels for a quick tutorial and get on out there. The rain will really kick off this seasons!
Oil Poached Albacore Tuna
Olive Oil Poached Albacore Tuna Recipe
Oil-poaching or butter-poaching is an elegant way to slowly cook meatier cuts of fish and seafood. It does require a fair outlay of oil; limit the overall amount by choosing a pan in which the tuna filets fit tightly but without touching each other or the edges of the pan.
Ingredients:
1 Package of Oregon albacore tuna loins
1 pinch fine sea salt
3 cups extra-virgin olive oil, or enough to reach 1/2-inch depth
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
2 large strips orange or lemon zest, optional
1 dried hot chili pepper, optional
Cooking Instructions:
1. Thaw tuna in refrigerator completely. Cut loins into steaks or medallions about 1 inch thick. Season the tuna by sprinkling it with salt; set the tuna aside while you prepare the oil (this has the added benefit of taking the refrigerated chill off the tuna before cooking it.
2. Choose a medium frying pan or large saucepan big enough to hold the fish in a single layer. Add enough oil to come about 1/2 inch up the pan.
3. Add the garlic, peppercorns, bay leaf, orange, or lemon zest, and chili (if using).
4. Warm the oil over medium-low heat just until bubbles form on the sides of the pan. Add the tuna; use a spatula or kitchen tongs to gently lower each filet into the oil, taking care not to drop the fish in or splatter the hot oil.
5. The oil should cover the tuna. Adjust the heat to maintain those few bubbles on the sides of the pan. Gently simmer until the tuna's cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes for a 1-inch-thick piece of tuna (if the oil doesn't quite cover your filets, you may want to flip the fish over at the half-way point. While the fish cooks, set a cooling rack over a rimmed baking sheet or layers of papers towels; or simply line a plate of a few layers of paper towels.
6. Use a spatula or slotted spoon to lift the tuna out of the oil and onto the prepared cooling rack or towels to drain. Serve the filets whole, slice them to serve, or flake the tuna and use it however you like to use canned tuna!
Albacore tuna is awesome in flavor and so versatile. This albacore can be eaten raw as sashimi or seared briefly and made with your favorite Asian inspired vegetables, or baked, grilled, or oil poached and turned into what resembles canned tuna as this recipe suggests! I would love to hear how you wind up using your tuna. Please let me know! krystle@cascadeorganic.com
Peach Salsa Recipe
Peach Salsa Recipe
2 Peaches (cut off the pit and chopped into cubes)
4-5 Sweet Peppers (diced)
½- 1 Jalapeno Pepper (depending on how spicy you like your salsa, stem and seeds removed, minced)
1/3 Cup Cilantro (finely chopped)
1 Lime (Juiced)
½ Cup Onion (finely chopped)
½ Teaspoon Salt (to taste)
Instructions
1. Ensure that the peaches are good and ripe before making this salsa.
2. Chop and dice all ingredients according to how chunky you like your salsa. Combine all into a serving bowl and mix gently. Chill for 20 minutes and serve on top of tacos, ceviche, taco salads, or just eat with chips! For some extra smoky flavor try grilling the peaches before chopping!
Sea Scallops w/ Fresh Pasta in White Wine Sauce
Yield: 4 Servings
Total time: 25 Minutes
Ingredients
Jumbo Sea Scallops | 1lb Bag Thawed
Olive Oil | 1 Tablespoon for Sauce 2 Tablespoons for Searing Scallops
Butter | 1 Tablespoon
Fresh Garlic | 4 Cloves Minced
Fresh Parsley or Basil | 2 Teaspoons Minced (optional for garnish)
Fresh Tomatoes | 1/2 Cup Chopped
Fresh Spring Onion Bulbs or Yellow Onion | 1/2 Cup Thinly Sliced
Fresh Pasta | 1 Package
White Wine | 1.5 Cups
Heavy Cream | 1.5 Cups
Lemon Juice | 2 Teaspoons
Fresh Parmesan Cheese | 1/3 Cup
Capers | 2 Tablespoons
Salt & Pepper | To Taste
Directions
Make white wine sauce
1. In a medium skillet, heat butter, olive oil, thinly sliced spring onion, and minced garlic on medium heat.
2. Cook for about a minute, until garlic and onions soften.
3. Add wine. Bring to boil. Boil for several minutes until the amount of wine reduces approximately to half.
4. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Bring to boil, and immediately reduce to simmer. Simmer for a couple of minutes, always stirring, until the sauce thickens a bit. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 1 more minute.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in drained capers and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper and minced fresh herbs such as basil or parsley if you have them! Taste, add more lemon juice, salt and pepper if needed. Keep covered.
Cook the Pasta
1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain. Add to the sauce, stir to combine.
Cook the Scallops
1. Make sure the scallops are thawed completely.
2. Blot each scallop with paper towels to remove extra water.
3. Season scallops with salt
4. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet on high heat until hot but not smoking. Oil should not be smoking, just rolling easily around the skillet.
5. Add scallops without overcrowding the pan.
6. Sear on one side for about 4 minutes until the scallops are a golden color. Don't move the scallops around the pan in the beginning.
7. Turn the scallops to the other side and cook for 2 or 3 more minutes.
8. Remove from heat and transfer the scallops to the plate immediately.
9. Don't allow the scallops to rest in the hot skillet, off heat. That will make them steam and lose their crust.
10. Add cooked scallops to the pasta with the creamy white wine sauce and reheat gently. Serve and ENJOY!
Basil Pesto Reci
Basil Pesto Recipe
Yield: 1 cup
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 10 Minutes
Ingredients
Basil Leaves (no stems) | 1 Cup
Pine Nuts or Oregon Hazelnuts | 1 Tablespoon
Garlic Clove | 1 large or 2 small
Extra Virgin Olive Oil | 1/3 Cup
Parmesan Cheese | 1/4 Cup (Finely Grated)
Fresh Lemon | 1 Lemon Wedge
Directions
1. Combine basil leaves, pine nuts or hazelnuts, and garlic in a food processor and process until very finely minced.
2. With the machine running slowly dribble in the olive oil and process until the mixture is smooth.
3. Add the cheese and process very briefly, just long enough to combine. Add a squeeze of lemon wedge to keep the pesto from browning. Stir in as much as desired with your favorite pasta!
Chef Maylin Chavez Curated Box Recipes (click to open)
Beet Tartare
Marinated Bay Scallops
Heirloom Carrots En Escabacha
Oregon Bay Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Coho Salmon Tiradito
Why Eat Local Produce
A new trend to support local farmers’ markets isn’t just about fun community activities or summertime shopping outdoors. It’s about supporting local farmers and providing communities access to local produce. While a grocery store might offer things like fruits and veggies, they don’t always come from your own community. Making the change to buying local food can mean a huge difference for you and your local farmers. Here’s why you should eat local produce.
The Benefits of Local Produce?
There are several benefits to local produce and supporting farmers in your area. Here are just a few major impacts this change in consumer behavior can have.
Keeping Dollars in the Community
When you shop at a grocery store, the produce often comes from other states or parts of the country. In these cases, money you spend leaves your community. Rather than give to those outside of your community, eating local produce means the dollars you spend stay in your community. This keeps local farmers working and your local economy more conducive for growth and prosperity for all. The money spent locally multiplies as it is spent locally as well.
Better For You and the Planet
Sometimes, produce that is shipped can undergo changes in temperature and consistency that can make produce less than pristine. The travel can also harm the produce’s nutrient density and leave you with less positive vitamins and minerals by the time it hits your plate. Plus, driving produce cross-country releases toxic emissions into the atmosphere that contribute to global climate concerns. Help to lower carbon emissions, sustain produce’s nutrients, and eat fresher, healthier food by shopping local produce at a farmers market.
Push Back Against the Agricultural Industry
Local farmers work hard to produce fresh natural food, but major companies involved in the agriculture industry often promote GMO products and introduce harsh dangerous pesticides and herbicides. All in all, buying local produce ensures you support individuals who grow food for their community, not companies that only desire profits.
From economic to health benefits, eating local produce pays off for all involved. A community is only as strong as its ability to come together, and buying and eating local produce is one of the most impactful ways to benefit farmers, personal health, and community cohesion all in one go.
Free Home Delivery
Cascade Organic is now providing free home delivery on all orders in Portland Oregon. Customers can choose to have produce, meat, seafood, or freshly foraged foods delivered right to their doorstep.We have decided to offer this option to our Portland community as the number of cases of coronavirus have continued to rise. We ensure that our Cascade Organic team is sanitizing and remaining safe during all parts of the packing and delivery process.
It can be difficult to consistently receive fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients during this time. We are proud to offer this service to the greater Portland area. In addition to limiting the amount of risk individuals put themselves in when traveling to the grocery store, we are also ensuring that our local farmers, fishermen( or women), and foragers are all being adequately supported during this time.
Our mission is to build a sustainable food supply chain for and from our local community. By choosing Cascade Organic, consumers are choosing to support their local economy and growing rich, flavorful, micro-nutrient dense foods.
Cast Iron Ancho Glazed Collar with Chermoula Sauce Recipe
Cast Iron Ancho Glazed Collar with Chermoula Sauce
Recipe by Chef Maylin Chavez
Ingredients:
Ling Cod Collar
1 bunch of cilantro for garnish
1 bunch of shaved radishes for garnish
¼ cup of olive oil for marinade
Juice of one lemon
Ancho Sauce Note: You may find these chilies at your local Mexican market.
6 anchos
2 Chile moritas
8 oz. Chile water
2 oz. honey
Salt to taste
1 -tsp. of lime juice
Method
Toast ancho and morita chilies until fragrant, then add water to rehydrate the chilies. Let them sit for about 10 minutes. In a blender add all the ingredients.
Season to taste. Set aside.
Chermoula with nuts
Ingredients:
1-cup mint
1 cup parsley no stems
1 cilantro
2-garlic clove
1-tablespoon shallot
¼ cup olive oil or more
¼ cup of toasted pistachios
1 tsp. of toasted cumin seeds
1 tsp. of Mexican saffron
1 tsp. smoked paprika
¼ lemon juice
1 tsp. of chili flakes
Salt to taste
Method
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until a smooth yet chunky paste is made. Feel free to add a little more juice or olive oil to incorporate and loosen the consistency.
For the Collar:
Season collar with sea salt, drizzle olive oil and lacquer the ancho sauce onto the collar, store in a zip lock bag and marinate for 1 hour. Pre- heat your cast iron in the oven at 500 degrees, for about 20 minutes. Remove your collar from the zip lock bag, place collar skin side down on your cast iron and place in the oven, cook for about 15 -20 minutes depending on the size of the collar.
For plating:
This is a great accompaniment with a salad, rice dish. It’s the perfect summer dish.
To garnish, spoon chermoula sauce, fresh cilantro, radishes, squeeze of lemon.
Subscription Boxes
As of now Cascade Organic is offering bi-monthly subscription boxes. We hand select the highest quality meats, seafood, and produce that we have to offer. This is a great option for people who don’t want to think about re-ordering high quality, ethically sourced ingredients. Customers have the option to cancel their subscription at any time and will only be charged once the next box is prepared.
All of our distributors are researched and quality ensured before we agree to work with them. If you’re looking for the highest quality ingredients in the Greater Portland area you’ve come to the right place. We source the highest quality meats, buy seafood direct from boat captains and partner with local farmers as well as grow much of the produce on our urban farm just outside of Portland.
We have been in the business of supplying some of your favorite Portland chefs for years. We’re excited to bring that same high quality standard into your home.
