Posted by Teri
Did someone say “rehearsal dinner”?
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to cook and feed people, so when my son asked me if we would like to do the rehearsal dinner for his upcoming wedding here on Orcas, I jumped at the chance! He reminded me that this was not going to be a traditional wedding. Good, I said because this was not going to be a traditional rehearsal dinner. My invites read something like this- “Welcome to Orcas………Island Style. We begin with a bonfire; add good food, family and friends. What to Bring: warm clothes/outdoor shoes”. Then I reminded my son to inform our guests of the weather here at the end March!
Next…menu planning. Welcoming guests to Orcas for the first time or anytime is meaningful to me and has to include as much of what we offer here as possible.
I called Becca Gray, Island Hoppin Beer, www.islandhoppinbrewery.com and ordered up one of their hoppy beers. My son and his bride live in Portland where IPA’s are very popular. City brewing has nothing over Orcas brewing!
Next I contacted Rick Hughes, Ray’s Pharmacy (more than your mainland Rite Aid) and ordered wine. Jay gave me an organic red for Christmas that seemed to swallow easily, Green Truck, www.classicwinesofcalifornia.com/585winepartners/redtruck.htm . Rick recommended a white also and the beverages were checked off the list!
A call to my favorite oyster business, Judd Cove Oysters, check them out at www.oysterguide.com/maps/northern-puget-sound/judd-cove. Bill and Char were more than happy to provide me with more than enough to satisfy any “crassostrea gigas” craving. Add some garlic butter and parmesan and we may need to leave more time to rest our tummy before the main dish is served.
King Salmon
My last order was placed with Troller Point Fisheries, Troller@alaska.net . Mark and Diana Hoffman, Orcas locals, who have found their passion in fishing. The Kings are on their way as I write.Salmon Recipe:
Place 1 large bay leaf on a square piece of parchment paper. Top with thick slice of
beefsteak tomato; add several slices of red onion. Place room temperature piece of salmon (one portion) on top of the pile. Mix 2
Parchment Salmon Main Dish
Tbsp of mayonnaise and tsp of dill together and spread on top of salmon. Fold and close up the parchment paper. Place package on a cookie sheet and place in a 300 degree oven. Depending on thickness of the fish, bake 20-25 minutes, just until fish is turned color and flakes apart. Do not over cook. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes. The fish will continue to cook in the parchment pouch. Serve the pouch next to a Caesar salad. Lay several spears of cooked asparagus on top.
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…the Broadleaf Starflower steps up to center stage. Her delicate green leaves begin emerging in early spring as she creeps quietly along shady paths, playing the supporting role. Then suddenly she erupts with a sea of pale pink stars that last through June. All with zero effort on my part.
