TRIP TO BEAVERTON-FUL: Our mission was to shop the hell out of the Beaverton Farmer's Market and come up with a meal both fresh and fabulous.

And, let's just say, our mission was more than accomplished.

My partner, Juan Martinez, and I, along with our friend, opera singer/bon vivant Carl Halvorson, ventured to the bowels of Beaverton last Saturday in search of Hood strawberries, veggies and all sorts of other goodies. What we found was nearly 200 vendors selling everything from aromatic flowers (they smelled like grapes) to key lime-flavored treats (Zoe Ann's Cheesecakes are not only sweet, but Zoe Ann herself is a hoot to boot) to Bandon bog-born cranberry juice (the Vincent family's juicy juice is featured in the latest edition of Willamette Week). We dined on the Canby Aspargus Farm's hot tamales (some of the best our region has to offer) while waiting for a dozen of their hand-pressed corn tortillas, snagged some Walla Sweet Onions and we even "looked" at the Rocky Mountain Oysters, but passed on them, in favor of Champoeg Farm's sustainably-raised chickens (they actually get to see sunlight, spend time in a pasture and roost in livable chicken coops).

Following our trip to the market, we gathered the next day at Carl's charming abode and crafted our farm finds into a delicious, yet very straightforward, meal. "If you work with fresh ingredients you can choose to make very simple dishes," said Carl as he whipped up a batch of strawberry shortcakes. "It's one of the best ways to show off their flavor." And flavor was the key in our "simple" meal of roasted chicken, freshly steamed asparagus and butter lettuce and goat cheese salad. And let's not forget the strawberry shortcake.

I'll likely be back at the Beaverton Farmer's Market this Saturday (8 am-1:30 pm, 12455 Southwest 5th St., Beaverton) or maybe on a weekday (the Wednesday market begins June 16). You'll be able to recognize me. I will be the one stuffing his mouth with all of this really great, and fresh, stuff.

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