The food from the Pacific Northwest is simultaneously unique and familiar. Typified by simple preparations with just a few key ingredients, the cuisine takes the best the land has to offer in any season (which is a lot!) and turns it into something that will comfort and satisfy any wayward traveler to this region.
Put simply, the food from the Pacific Northwest is the Pacific Northwest.
Perhaps because this area was settled later than other parts of the country, ethnic and cultural foods seem to have had less influence over the region's cuisine. Still, you'll find threads of Welsh and Scandinavian cuisine here and there.
The flavors in most of these dishes are fresh and seasonal. The preparations are often simple, highlighting one or two ingredient with basic spices.
Soups and Sides:
Celery Root Soup with Top Shelf Beet Relish
Fresh Shell Bean and Sage Spread
Wilted Arugula and Pear Salad
Finnish-Style Smoked Salmon Chowder from Made in Oregon
Pemmican from La Compagnie
Creamed Morels and Potatoes from The Forager Press
Split Pea Soup from Simply Recipes
Main Dishes:
Pecan Crusted Salmon with Ramps and Purple Potatoes
Trout with Hazelnuts, Lemon, and Parsley Brown Butter from Epicurious
Crab Legs with Mustard Dipping Sauce from Epicurious
Pacific Oysters on the Half Shell with Mignonette Sauce from the Food Network
Linguine with Chantarelles and Leeks from The Forager Press
Venison Steaks (and a whole lot more!) from Visit Montana
Sweets and Extras:
Rustic Pear and Apple Galette
Cherry Custard Tart
Bara Brith (Welsh tea bread) from BBC Good Food
Wild Huckleberry Pie from AllRecipes.com
What other foods do you associate with the Northwest?
Related:
• To all Sense of Place posts
• Cooking by Feel: French Flavors and Ingredients
(Images: Flickr members David Sifry, Tingley, and Woodly Wonder Works licensed under Creative Commons)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
The foods that I associate most with the Pacific Northwest include pears (season is extended with pear brandy from Clear Creek Distillery), berries of all sorts, and mushrooms.
view krister's profile
Can anyone recommend good restaurants in Portland OR? I travel there every other month for work, and so far I have not had great experiences eating out - please help!
view JennaB13's profile
Jenna-
What do you like or what are you not finding? I'm happy to pass along some favorites with a bit of guidance.
view pdx-R's profile
I like a variety of foods and trying new things, but I was looking specifically for a restaurant that serves "Pacific Northwest" cusine. Also looking for places in the $15-20 range for an entree. Thanks for your help!
view JennaB13's profile
jennaB13--
Try the Farm Cafe. That sounds right up your alley.
view brittanykate's profile
I think Pacific Northwest cuisine is sort of a misnomer. There are locally sourced foods EVERYWHERE here, but as far as a 'cuisine', not really. The Farm is fun, great to take veggies and omnivores as it's interesting on all levels. Pok Pok is great for really different Thai food, Biwa is a great little yakitori/ramen spot, the bar has some great happy hour specials, Toro Bravo is a too-popular, but fantastic tapas spot. All are heavily sourcing local/organic/free range, etc, etc.
view pdx-R's profile