Neighborhood Notes

A journey to Tex Mex Country with Chef Robert Hammond gives new meaning to the cooking style 

In "The Tex Mex Cookbook," author Robb Walsh writes, "Tex-Mex is the ugly duckling of American regional cuisines. Since it was called Mexican food for most of its history, nobody even thought of it as American." Tex-Mex encompasses the cuisines of Indian, Spanish and Southern cultures in one distinct style. Only recently has the style been awarded a rightful place in American food traditions.

Experience traditional southern foods prepared from Oregon's bounty of local and seasonal ingredients in a cooking class at In Good Taste with chef Robert Hammond. Hammond, who presides over the Kitchen at Honeyman Creek Farm, has had the opportunity to learn at the apron strings of many of the best cooks and chefs whose dishes are part of the varied regional and ethnic culinary styles that make up traditional American cuisine. His class, to be held Thursday, August 28th at 6:00 PM, is an opportunity to delight in the American food traditions of the Southwest. Students will prepare and enjoy a full meal, using classic recipes from the southwest and local ingredients. On the menu: Chile Cheese Enchiladas, Pork Tacos al Pastor, Cowboy beans and much more.

Located just outside of Portland in Warren, Oregon, the Kitchen at Honeyman Creek Farm is a working farm that celebrates the vast array of American food traditions and the hospitality centered around the family table. They grow, raise, and preserve much of the food that is served in their monthly Sunday night suppers. Produce is cultivated with both sustainable and organic growing practices, and is a pledge in stewardship to agricultural integrity by preserving heirloom crop varieties.

In Good Taste, a locally owned and operated cooking school, prefers to use organic and sustainable agriculture. In addition to a wide selection of cookbooks and cookware, the school offers hands- on cooking classes, demonstrations and private events. It is located in the Pearl District of Portland, at 231 NW 11th Avenue. For more information, and to register for the class, call (503) 248-2015 or go to www.ingoodtastestore.com.