Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse & Portland, OR Recap {Part 3}

Published on Jun 14, 2015
Updated on Nov 28, 2018

Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and TastyDay 3 in Portland. If I had one word to sum up this day, it would be: spoiled. Spoiled. Spoiled. Spoiled. This day will go down in history as one of my most favorite days I’ve ever experienced. As if day one and day two in Portland weren’t amazing enough, day three may have given them a run for their money. Really what it comes down to is the entire weekend in Oregon was one that I will never forget. Day three was sponsored by OXO in partnership with Travel Oregon and Willamette Valley. There was so much beauty to take in the entire day, there wasn’t a moment that my heart wasn’t full.

I’ll explain in detail the story behind this ah-ma-zing appetizer a little bit later. For now, I just have to tell you how much I’m in love with OXO’s new GreenSaver Activated Carbon System. If you missed my Quick & Easy Cucumber Salad recipe, you’ll want to check out my first experience with the GreenSaver. Love. I’m in love. I hate to say this, but we throw away entirely TOO much produce. We always have high hopes of making green smoothies or fresh vegetable juice everyday, but time gets away from us… and then the produce goes bad. {Insert the incredible GreenSaver here}. I can’t tell you what a lifesaver adding on a few days to the life of our precious veggies can be. Already it’s made the world of difference – and I highly recommend you give it a try too!

OXO Produce Keepers // Tried and TastyRed Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12
Calories: 258 kcal
Author: Yvonne
Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse served atop a lightly toasted crostini with fresh strawberries. The perfect hors d'oeuvres for any party/gathering!
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Ingredients

Red Wine Caramel

  • 2 c. dry red wine
  • 1/2 c. ruby port
  • 1 tsp. whole black peppercorns
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 4 thyme sprigs
  • 1 c. sugar
  • Pinch of citric acid or squeeze of lemon juice

Goat Cheese Mousse

  • 1 c. heavy cream divided
  • 10 oz. goat cheese softened
  • Salt & Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Crostini and toasted walnuts for serving

Instructions

Red Wine Caramel

  1. In a saucepan, bring the wine, port, black peppercorns, shallot, thyme, and sugar to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the citric acid. 

  2. Cook over moderate heat, without stirring, until syrupy and reduce to 1 cup, about 35 minutes. 

  3. Strain and discard the solids. Let the caramel cool slightly.

Goat Cheese Mousse

  1. Whip 3/4 c. of cream on medium speed in a standing mixer until it reaches stiff peaks. Move to another bowl and chill.  

  2. Add goat cheese and remaining 1/4 c. cream to standing mixer and switch to paddle attachment. Beat on medium high speed until the goat cheese softens, about 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl.

  3. Increase speed to high and mix for 4-5 minutes scraping down sides once during the process. Fold in the whipped cream in four increments and season to taste.

  4. Serve mousse with toasted baguette, toasted walnuts, & fresh strawberries

Recipe Notes

Adapted from The Kitchen at Middleground Farms

Nutrition Facts
Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse
Amount Per Serving
Calories 258 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 37mg12%
Sodium 95mg4%
Potassium 42mg1%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Sugar 20g22%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 550IU11%
Vitamin C 0.8mg1%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 0.6mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and TastyThe morning started with {more} Blue Star Doughnuts in Lauren’s Suite at 7:45 (where I enjoyed a Lemon Poppyseed… HELLO delicious!!!!), then down to a breakfast reception at the Red Tavern Club Room at the Hotel Monaco. We were then treated with the cutest OXO Twist Top Water Bottle to keep us hydrated throughout the day. I may have realized at this point that turquoise may be giving green a run for my favorite color. Not intentionally my shirt, necklace, water bottle AND cell phone case all were the same color :). From there, at 9:00 we boarded the bus and headed to our first stop: Our Table Cooperative.

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and TastyJust a bit about the conference location and our accommodations. We stayed at the classy, elegant, and eclectic Hotel Monaco 506 SW Washington Street Portland, OR 97204. It was the perfect location and within walking distance to a lot of the attractions we were interested in seeing. It was also conveniently close to the TriMet Public Transportation System that we used to and from the airport. The floor our room was located on was halfway between the lobby and conference room. Couldn’t have asked for a better location! As I mentioned before, I had the pleasure of sharing a room with four other amazing gals. We had the best time together.

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and TastyAt the cooperative we listened to Narendra Varma, the Executive Director, tell us all about the farm, gardens, CSA, and values of the collaboration. Our Table is a cooperatively-owned community-supported organic farm and on-farm grocery store. The weather was absolutely beautiful and the fresh, crisp air was food for the soul. I seriously kid you not. As a child I spent many summers at my aunts house on a farm, so the love of farm life runs deep within me. This was another one of those ‘what I wouldn’t give for Steve to be here’ days. I know he would have loved every second of it.

We walked the grounds, perused the beautiful organic strawberries, picked fresh blueberries straight off the bush, met the new chickens, and spent a few minutes in the grocery store – where I tasted the Kombucha on tap and bought some Pineapple Pepper Jelly, a couple of shirts, and reusable bag. We were even able to catch a glimpse out in the distance of Mount Hood. I never think twice when it comes to supporting local. Love when I can help contribute to something I so strongly believe in. It was hard to leave when it was time for us to head to our next location. I wanted to sneak away in the fields, lie down and watch the clouds go by. So serene. So peaceful. So very relaxing.

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and TastyThe next stop was The Kitchen at Middle Ground Farms. “A recreational cooking school on a small working farm; all ingredients come from chef/owner Jessica Hansen’s own farm or from one of her neighbors. Lessons take place in a beautifully refashioned cattle barn equipped with modern-day appliances”. We took a hands-on cooking class to make a snack with some fresh local produce. Here’s where the featured recipe comes in to play. We made fresh butter, Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse, and Prosciutto Wrapped Mango & Arugula.

All of it was yummy, but ESPECIALLY the strawberry/goat cheese/red wine drizzled crostini. I couldn’t stop myself, I just couldn’t believe how delicious all of the components put together were. Absolutely delicious. I couldn’t wait to recreate it at home! Not only was the food wonderful, look at that barn remodeled in to a kitchen. Be still my heart. I’m telling you, every stop we made this day made my heart yearn to live in the country. There’s just something about the breathtaking scenery, fresh air, slower paced life that I welcome with open arms. Chef Jessica was a wonderful host. So kind and helpful, very welcoming.

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and TastyThe last stop was at JORY at The Allison Inn & Spa. “The Allison is Oregon Wine Country’s premier resort and spa, and on-site restaurant JORY has been consistently recognized as one of the best restaurants in the state. Food is sourced from the greenhouse and 1/5 acre Chef’s Garden, cared for by full-time garden manager Anna Ashby. Chef Sunny Jin was recently nominated for Best Chef: Northwest and JORY was nominated for an Outstanding Wine Program by the James Beard Foundation Awards.”

Did I mention at the beginning of this post that we were spoiled? I wasn’t kidding. Can you believe all of the incredible places we got to see and mouth-watering food we got to eat? JORY did not disappoint. As soon as we saw the table setting we knew that we were in for a real treat. Additionally the view was stunning. Absolutely gorgeous. We were served four delicious courses, one right after another each surprising me with it’s fresh, light, and rich flavor. One of the best meals I’ve ever had and it couldn’t get much more ‘farm to table’ than this meal. I’d absolutely love to go back in a heartbeat. It was the perfect ending to an absolutely perfect afternoon. Many thanks to OXO, Travel Oregon, & Willamette Valley for making such a remarkable experience that I will truly remember for a lifetime.

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

Indulge Food Bloggers Conference, Portland OR 2015 // For a first timer, it's easy to see how a foodie could fall in love with the city of Portland. So much tasty food in the middle of the most beautiful green cityscape. Follow my adventure through the city as I eat my way around town! | Tried and Tasty

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15 comments about “Red Wine Caramel with Goat Cheese Mousse & Portland, OR Recap {Part 3}

  1. Patricia @ Grab a Plate

    Looks like an amazing trip – I’m so envious and happy you had a wonderful experience! I was just in Portland for the first time recently (for a wedding at the Hotel Monaco, coincidentally!). Love the Green Saver – looks like a super-useful product. And your recipe? Wow! What a combination of divine flavors!

  2. Erin @ Texanerin Baking

    That Green Saver looks so cool! I’m going to look into getting one.

    And what an awesome time you must have had in Portland! You got to see so much!

    The recipe looks crazy good! Red wine caramel?! I would have never ever thought of that.

  3. Jessica Hansen

    Thanks for sharing The Kitchen at Middleground Farms with your readers! It was great to have you here, and hopefully we’ll get to bump into each other at Feast Portland! I’ll be at the Travel Oregon booth at the Oregon Grand Bounty Tasting on Saturday!

    1. Yvonne

      Thank you so much for coming by to check out the post!!! I LOVED your kitchen and can’t wait to someday come back and cook again. I’ll definitely look for you at Feast and say hello :)

    1. Yvonne

      Thanks so much Thalia! I absolutely LOVED Portland and can’t wait to go back – it was AMAZING!!! This recipe is on point, let me know if you give it a try!

  4. Sarah @ Will Run for Pasta

    This was my favorite day too, I really love that they put the farm tours together. So often you go to a new place for a conference but have no time to see anything except the conference room. I love sharing Portland and Oregon with visitors so I enjoyed seeing everyone fall in love with it. I’ve been back to Our Table so many times already, and I think of the Indulge group every time. I hope you’re able to come back and visit again with your husband.

    1. Yvonne

      I’m so grateful for the tours! I thought they were just wonderful! This conference really was the best. I can’t wait to come back and visit. You are lucky that you get to visit Our Table as often as you want! #jealous!!!

  5. Erin @ Platings and Pairings

    So glad you posted this – The goat cheese with red wine caramel was my favorite as well!!! I actually made it again last weekend too :) LOVE your pictures from the OXO farm tour – Really, really a great summary of such a wonderful day!

    1. Yvonne

      Thanks Erin! That’s awesome you made it too – it was SO good!!! That farm tour was nothing short of ah-ma-zing!!!

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