Oktoberfestering

This was our first year to hit Oktoberfest in downtown Bend. I read the advertised menu of food and drinks served and had high hopes for some cheap-yet-scrumptious representations of Bend’s best restaurants.

Alas, The Blacksmith Restaurant bowed out, as did Bend Brewing Co.

We went for the smoky ham and sausage stew with sauerkraut from Merenda Restaurant & Wine Bar. It was salty and tangy and delishious with my Oktoberfest beer.

Stew and beer at Bend Oktoberfest 2008

With our admission, the evening already cost us $12, so we decided to finish the night at Deschutes Brewery and Public House, where we got even cheaper Oktoberfest beer, French onion soup and Buffalo wings. This was my first experience with Deschutes’ Buffalo wings and my lips were burning…so good! But next time, I hope they bring us blue cheese instead of ranch for dipping.

My boyfriend also bought a couple special microbrews that look promising. We watched some football, then walked to Goody’s for candy. It was a good night.

Deschutes Brewery

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Who stole my huevos?

My favorite breakfast food to order out is huevos rancheros. The best place I’ve found it in Bend is at the Victorian Cafe: vegetarian huevos rancheros: two blue corn tortillas with eggs-over-easy, vegetarian chili, black beans, cheese and avocado.

After reading Smitten Kitchen’s post on these delights, I elected to try my novice hand at it. I added avocado and sour cream…it was delicious and my sweetie asked for seconds.

This dish is easy, cheap and sure to get you rave reviews in the kitchen. Maybe for a special sleepover?

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium. Add a drop of olive oil and one corn tortilla. Once it starts to bubble or brown, flip it and add a sprinkling of cheese (whatever you life, but try the Mexican kind). Once the cheese begins to melt, crack and egg on top. Wait until it starts to turn white at the edges and flip it over as best you can. It’s OK if the yolk isn’t center, just don’t break it!

Sprinkle cheese on the other side and cook until the egg is at your desired firmness. Slide onto a plate, then top with more cheese, black beans (cooked with a little cumin), your favorite salsa, sour cream, avocado and hot sauce. Some pan-fried Mexican chorizo would be delicious, too, and I’ve found it at Newport Market and Albertsons (or any store that sees a lot of Hispanic customers).

Salud!

Huevos rancheros