Subscribers, I am delighted to announce the imminent launch of BILL OAKLEY'S SIGNATURE SUMMER DOG in collaboration with the awesome folks at Zenner’s Sausage Company!

I have already eaten so many of the test batch and I can assure you these are DELICIOUS. They are a hot dog/Weisswurst mash-up with a fantastic snap and, although any topping works great, I prefer a strong mustard on mine.

As you know I've done a lot of sampling of regional foods in my travels, and these are inspired by some of the best l've ever found! One of the many inspirations are the Hofmann Snappy Grillers I had outside Syracuse NY at the legendary Heid’s last year.

IF YOU ARE IN PORTLAND: Come to our launch party and pop-up at the superb Wellspent Market on Saturday, July 19, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and get one (or more!) hot off the grill, as well as the packaged version!

WHERE CAN YOU BUY THESE? Your best bet is Wellspent, above, but we are trying to get them into a couple of specialty markets in Portland as well. You may also be able to get them at Providence Park (Home of the Portland Timbers) at the Zenner’s location there. If you’re outside of Portland, ask your local store to order a case of them!

Culinary Curiosity Dinners COMING UP!

Tickets are NOW ON SALE for all three July Culinary Curiosity Dinners at the links below, so if you live in these cities, COME! If you don’t, tell your friends to COME!

SAN DIEGO - JULY 15 - PONYBOY

SAN DIEGO - JULY 16 - BALLAST POINT BREWING, MIRAMAR

ATLANTA - JULY 22 - SOUTHERN BELLE

This Week’s All-Timer

This is a recurring feature of this newsletter in which I highlight one of my all-time favorite foods or food products which I haven’t talked or posted about in a while.

This week it’s ajvar. It doesn’t have to be Zergut Ajvar (though that is a good brand), any ajvar will do — it’s all delicious.

I never even heard of this stuff until I was like two years into my food pursuits. Google sums it up: “Ajvar is a flavorful Balkan relish primarily made from roasted red peppers and eggplant.”

This is the most enjoyable vegetable or combination of vegetables there is (to me), exceeded only maybe by giardiniera. I use it on eggs, sandwiches, on crackers with and without cheese, you name it. If you go to a Russian or Eastern European grocery store you will find like sixty varieties of it. (I am working my way through those and will report back.)

How about you forward this newsletter to someone else who might enjoy it? That’d be appreciated.

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