In honor of National Grilled Cheese Month, I’ve been cooking up a lot of delicious sandwiches! It’s always a challenge to get the perfect grilled cheesy texture, so I thought I’d look to the Tillamook Kitchen Quick Tips for some help. There’s a tip from Dave Danhi, of The Grilled Cheese Truck that suggests making a sandwich press by wrapping a brick or some tiles in foil. I used a small marble rectangular trivet I had laying around the house, wrapped it in foil, and got cookin!

This tip worked great! My grilled cheese came out perfectly melted, pressed, and crisp (but not burnt!) If you’re looking to make some delicious grilled cheese, but don’t want to invest in a fancy press, I highly suggest using this tip to make your own!

Have you tried any of the Tillamook Kitchen Quick Tips yet!?!

By Amalya

If you have ever had passion for something, you’ll know why the newest Tillamook Kitchen chefs create some of the best food in Portland. They are passionate! About what they do. About where they’re from. About where they are. About eating local. And about good food. That’s a whole lotta passion and when you take it all and put it in one unbelievably good biscuit, or piece of fried chicken or bowl of grits…sit down. It’s that good!

If you live in Portland, I’m sure you’ve heard of them – you may have even been there. If you’re from out of town, you might have heard of them from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives where they wowed Guy Fieri with their southern cookin’ done right in Portland, OR. Now you can learn about the guys that make it all possible and how their food is just so dang good (hint: it has something to do with passion.). Pine State Biscuits is joining the fold of great chefs on the Tillamook Kitchen. Show them a warm Tillamook welcome and eat some biscuits…and fried chicken…and grits…and honey…and fried okra…you hungry yet?

By Matt

Being born and raised in Portland, Oregon, I was never introduced to a proper biscuit until later in life when I was able to travel to the south. Now living in Portland as an adult, I know the only place to go get the real thing in town is Pine State Biscuits. That’s why I am ecstatic to welcome Pine State Biscuits as the next Tillamook Kitchen restaurant. Even better, I got to spend a whole day at the Alberta location talking about food and nibbling on some of the best grub in town!

Walt Alexander, Kevin Atchley, and Brian Snyder, the owners of Pine State Biscuits, getting their profile pictures for Tillamook Kitchen. All originally from North Carolina, they showed us some true southern hospitality. They’re down to earth, super welcoming, and the type of guys you immediately want to sit down and have a beer with.

Right when you walk in the door of Pine State Biscuits there’s an instant warm feeling. The flakey biscuits in the oven, the homey atmosphere, all the people enjoying their delicious food… It’s a true neighborhood joint and a place where everyone is welcome.

Pine State Biscuits started at the Portland Farmer’s Market and although it’s grown it hasn’t lost that local culture. Even the grits they use come from a local farm. Tillamook, of course, is also a local ingredient. My favorite bite of the day was the first ever Chatfield (fried chicken, bacon, cheese, and apple butter) made with Smoked Medium Cheddar Cheese!

Thanks, Pine State Biscuits, for being such gracious hosts for the day and letting us into your kitchen! You can get more of Pine State Biscuits on Facebook and Twitter!

By Laura

I can eat Tillamook any time of day. Actually, let’s face it – I DO eat Tillamook any time of day! I use Tillamook for my everyday needs (cheese and egg toast, yogurt as a snack, ice cream for dessert…), but what can be done to make these everyday products a little more special? Well, here are some recipes to help out those of us who struggle to make things fancy!

- This Pear & Muenster Flatbread sure looks fancy, but it’s actually simple to make! What could be better than that?

- Until recently, I had considered truffle oil to be “too fancy” for me…but I was wrong! This Truffle Mac & Cheese recipe could be made for an ordinary dinner, or can make for a fancy side.

- Impress your guests with this Rum Roasted Pineapple recipe. Homemade frozen yogurt and roasted pineapple take it to a whole new level of delicious!

- Who doesn’t like something salty and chocolaty? This Tortoise Pie recipe is filled with caramel, covered with ganache, and decorated in pretzels. It’s as good as it sounds.

For more recipe inspiration, stop by the Tillamook Kitchen!

By Katie

Most of us have those party recipes that we always fall back on. While those are nice to have, it might be time to spice things up and try something different this Fourth of July. Tillamook Kitchen has just the recipes to bring something different to the picnic table this year.

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

These Red Velvet Pies are the perfect treat to make ahead of time. Then try really hard not to eat them before the party!

Apple & Golden Raisin Pie with Cheddar Crust

This Apple Pie tastes like America…with a twist. Make it an unexpected ending to the perfect Fourth of July BBQ!

Fingerling Potato Skins

These Fingerling Skins are topped with everything a potato could ever want…and everything you could ever want on a potato. Enjoy!

What are you going to make this year for your 4th of July party?

By Laura

There’s lots of tasty goodness in there!

Chef Keegan Gerhard, featured in the Tillamook Kitchen, and his lovely and talented wife Lisa Bailey have just opened a new San Diego location for their much loved D Bar restaurant. This new location complements their original Denver, Colorado restaurant with the same dedication to phenomenal food and delicious desserts.

I had the good luck to join them for their opening night! Here are a few pics:

Keegan, doing some heavy lifting…

Kobe Sliders and Bacon Mac & Cheese (with tasty Tillamook Cheese!) top the new menu

Lisa, greeting guests and putting on the finishing touches

Aren’t these gorgeous? Yes, they taste exactly how they look

Sugar Shenanigans is right! I ate the most delicious chocolate of my life here - it was the green one on the left

It was a full house! We all stayed way past our bed time…

You know the best part about Keegan and Lisa? It doesn’t matter whether they are in the middle of opening a fabulous new restaurant or shooting TV shows or video recipes - they are always lovely and they always make sure you feel welcome, with a glass of something and a plate of something in hand. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that this new D Bar adventure will have as much success as all their others.

Cheers Keegan and Lisa! San Diego is lucky to have you!

Like D Bar San Diego on Facebook
Follow D Bar San Diego on Twitter

By Gillian

The KGB Burger from D Bar Desserts

Denver, it’s time to start the countdown to seven days of indulgently cheesy burgers! Next Saturday, celebrate the arrival of the Loaf Love Tour with some of the best burgers in Denver for Tillamook Burger Week. During Burger Week, which runs from June 23 to June 30, four local burger hotspots will offer a unique burger special featuring award-winning Tillamook Cheese.

Participating Restaurants:

D Bar Desserts
Celebrity and Tillamook Kitchen chef Keegan Gerhard was named one of the nation’s top 10 pastry chefs. This year Tillamook is putting his talents to the test to create the ultimate burger. This is one you won’t want to miss.

• KGB 2.0 – Kobe beef, Applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions, and Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese, served on a Cheesy waffle stuffed with Pimento cheese. ($12)

Rackhouse Pub
Always featuring local, fresh ingredients, and over 60 world-class whiskeys, Rackhouse Pub makes bar food better. Stay awhile, and maybe even get a little saucy with their Burger Week special.

• The Saucy – Premium certified Angus beef cooked mid-rare to medium, topped with onion, mushroom, and Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese sauce. ($11)

The Funky Tilla-monkey Burger from Steuben's

Steuben’s
Steuben’s has comfort food perfected. This popular spot featuring all your childhood favorites is now offering a burger we guarantee your mother never made you.

• The Funky Tilla-monkey Burger – A Steuben’s burger topped with Tillamook Pepper Jack Cheese, bacon, crispy romaine lettuce, and banana pepper pico de gallo. Served on a locally made brioche bun. ($9)

Freshcraft
The three brothers Lucas, Aaron, and Jason Forgy created Freshcraft as a place to relax and enjoy cold drinks and delicious food made from scratch. But most importantly, they know how to make an epic burger.

• Tri Pepper Caribbean Burger – House ground lamb and pork Juicy Lucy, stuffed with Tillamook Pepper Jack Cheese, topped with Scotch bonnet sofrito and plantain chips, served on a roasted jalapeño bun. ($10.50)

By SodaPopPR

Pear and Muenster Flatbread - yum!

It’s hard to believe, but another school year has come and gone! This time of year is full of celebrations and parties, and even if Loafy can’t make it to your grad party, we hope a little Tillamook can. We’ve gathered some of our favorite easy-to-make Tillamook Kitchen recipes for you to bring to your grad party this year.

Check out these Fingerling Potato Skins from Chef Hosea Rosenberg! The combination of cheese, sour cream, bacon, and chives makes for a seriously delicious appetizer. Try not to eat them so fast you burn your mouth (it’s been a problem, really!).

If you’ve only got a few minutes until the party, try your hand at this surprisingly easy Pear and Muenster Flatbread! Just add a few ingredients and you’ve got an appetizer that looks and tastes like way more work than it is.

Take your quesadilla to the next level with this Dipping Quesadilla from Chef Keegan Gerhard. With cheese in the quesadilla and cheese in the dipping sauce, you’ll practically melt from happiness!

For a sweet treat that’s part cookie, part pie, and part cake, try these Red Velvet Whoopie Pies from simplethings! We promise that everyone at the party will say “Whoopie!”

What’s your best graduation party recipe?

By Katie

“Come by for a taste of your childhood. Unless your childhood sucked, then we’ll share a taste of ours.”

This is the message that hangs over the NEW Grilled Cheese Grill that is located in Portland, Oregon in the food cart pod on SW 10^th and Alder.

This is now the third location in Portland that you can get Matt Breslow’s delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. Other Grilled Cheese Grill locations include: the double-decker bus on SE 28^th/Ankeny, and the original school bus location on SE 11^th and Alberta. If you’re not in Portland, don’t fret! You can recreate the famous Grilled Cheese Grill sandwiches at home. Visit Tillamook Kitchen for recipes, grilled cheese tips and tricks and more on Portland’s premier grilled cheese hot spot.

I stopped by the new location this week to check out the new location. I ordered the sandwich-of-the-day that was made with Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese, bacon, and apples. It was crispy, gooey and delicious.

By Mary

It’s that time of year when vegetables are on our minds whether you are vegetarian or not. You might even be prepping the garden and getting ready to grow your very own vegetables. Ever have trouble figuring out what to do with all of them once you’ve put so much love and care into growing them? We’re here to help! Here’s a collection of vegetarian recipes for inspiration!

Roasted Veggie Press

Pupusas

Gluten Free Mac & Cheese

Vegetarian Meatball Sub Sandwich

Pepperbelly Melt by The Grilled Cheese Truck

Roasted Poblano Torta

The Kelsey

Dipping Quesadilla

By Laura