Author: PFM

Immigrant Kitchens: Afgani Lamb

| Posted in Uncategorized

In the latest entry on Immigrant Kitchens Lindsay Sterling learns how to make Afgani Lamb from Shamayel Kargar (read the recipe and see the photos).

Twenty-one years ago Shamayel Kargar and her husband had a hankering for some good lamb. What they had found at Shop ‘n Save was very different than what they were used to. Where they were from in Afghanistan, lamb came straight from the farm, and I mean straight. Since “sheep farm” wasn’t a category in the Greater Portland phone book, Shamayel asked her sister to watch the kids while she and her husband got in their car and headed away from town on Forest Ave. They figured they’d come to a pasture with some sheep on it eventually.

Farmers Market, Blueberries & Water

| Posted in General News, Farming

Today’s Press Herald includes a report on a new credit/debit card/food stamp option at the farmers market,

“It’s something that the farmers have been talking about for the past couple of years,” said Jaime Berhanu of Lalibela Farm in Bowdoinham. “There are probably already five or six of us who take food stamps, and just maybe two or three that do credit cards. It’s one of these things that’s been on the long-term goal list.”

a survey of blueberry-flavored products and list of Southern Maine locations for berry picking,

Blueberries are even more abundant this year, thanks to the loads of new products on grocery shelves that tout them as potent antioxidants. From blueberry juices to dried blueberries in cereals, there are more ways than ever to get your blueberry fix.

This year, I thought it would be fun to look at some ways you can drink your blueberries.

and an article about a Portland firm that provides an alternative to bottled water.

In place of waste-generating and chemical-leaching plastic bottles and jugs, Blue Reserve provides bottle-less water coolers that use a nine-stage, commercial-grade water filtration system.

Open Farm Day

| Posted in Events

The Press Herald has published a report on yesterday’s Maine Open Farm Day.

Open Farm Day is organized by the Department of Agriculture as an opportunity for people to visit local farms. With the “buy local” trend increasing, it is also a way for people to see where their food is coming from and meet the farmers. Throughout the day, more than 100 farms across the state opened their barn doors, offering demonstrations and farm-raised products for sale, as well as animals and crops to observe.

Fez

| Posted in Openings

A new restaurant named Fez has replaced Hamdi on Washington Ave. The signage says that they serve “Mediterranean Cuisine”. I haven’t seen the menu yet but a regular PFM reader tells me they serve Moroccan food.

This Week’s Events: Twilight Dinner, Latte Art Throwdown, Festival of Nations

| Posted in Events

Tuesday — Blue is holding their monthly wine and cheese tasting.

Wednesday — Elizabeth Fraser from Girl Gone Raw will be teaching a cooking class at Whole Foods, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.

Thursday — David Iovino from the Blue Spoon is the guest chef for this week’s Cultivating Community Twilight Dinner. Bard Coffee is hosting their monthly Latte Art Throwdown; in July 16 baristas entered the competition. The South Portland Farmers Market is taking place in the afternoon, as is a wine tasting at Browne Trading.

Saturday — the 9th Annual Festival of Nations is scheduled to take place on Saturday and the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.

For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.

If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.

New Miyake

| Posted in Profiles

Maine Travel Maven has written about her visit to the new Miyake.

Let’s start with the space. It’s chic, sophisticated, sleek, and comfortable, decorated in earthy tones heavy on charcoal and natural woods. The tables are set with stoneware accents and chopsticks rest on small stones. Chairs are supportive and comfortable. Adornments are few; the patterned ceiling adds texture without being obtrusive.