Magazine 2025_DecemberV2

Oregonian Traditions

Oregon is a blend of cultures, traditions, and flavors. In honor of that diversity, we’re inviting local makers to share their favorite traditions. Let’s gather and enjoy the tastes of Oregon together.

HAB Sauce Portland, OR

Our large, blended family is made up of many different cultures and backgrounds. Each of us adds our own flavors to the table, from traditional recipes to new dishes we’ve discovered together. Regardless of the spread, one dish is a given: green bean casserole. Some love it, some avoid it, and it’s become the subject of lighthearted debate over time— anchoring our family in tradition.

-David

Manny's Choice, Oregon City, OR

The kitchen has always been at the heart of my family’s tradition—for me, it was baking most of all. I can still feel the quiet satisfaction of those simple, hands-on moments that filled our home with warmth and anticipation. I’m still the one who shows up to a gathering with fresh rolls and baked goods. Holiday baking prepared me for the work I do now.

-Cindy

Pistakio, Portland, OR

Christmas at our grandparents’ house in Italy always came with a giant bowl of pistachios on the table. Between laughter, stories, and too many holiday cookies, someone was always cracking shells. Now that we’re in Oregon, we’ve carried that tradition with us (though we’ve upgraded from bowls of nuts to jars of spread). For us, pistachios will always taste like family, celebration and the holidays.

-Nicola & Francine

Tropink, Portland, OR

Every year, our little family swaps stockings for sticky buns and mistletoe for real maple syrup (with a sprinkle of edible glitter, of course). Christmas Eve becomes a cozy “brunch-for-dinner” tradition, as the kitchen fills with hazelnut sticky buns, sizzling sausage, and our off-key renditions of "All I Want for Christmas Is You". Then, we curl up with holiday movies by the fire.

-Sierra

The Perfect Little Bites

When it comes to creating the perfect little bites, it’s all about balance. Start with a trio of cheeses that play well together—think one creamy and mellow, one sharp and bold, and one somewhere in between. Then, surprise your guests with something a little unexpected. Paper-thin slices of artisan charcuterie bring savory richness, while a handful of Oregon hazelnuts or buttery Marcona almonds add warmth and crunch. Want to lean coastal? Pop open a tin of sardines, smoked trout, or mussels for a briny, sophisticated twist. Pile it all onto crusty bread, drizzle with local honey, and savor every long, lingering bite.

Toast The Season With Oregon Wine & Bubbles 4

The Bubbles Project:

For celebratory moments and “just because” moments, our hand-selected collection of food-friendly fizz from Italy, France and Spain brings new meaning to the word, sparkling. Each crisp Prosecco, elegant Brut Champagne and bright or Brut Rosé are chosen for their unique quality, character and joyful cork popping throughout the season.

Place:

Made in collaboration with our friends at NW Wine Company, Place wines hail from the famed Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity, and Yamhill-Carlton regions of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Each bottle captures the signature terroir of its home, with a winemaker’s one-of-a-kind touch.

Tip!

Here’s a handy trick: foods and wines from the same place usually vibe together (think Italian wine with pasta, or Oregon Pinot with salmon).

Kasia’s Perfect Bite, Our Cheese Champion

Kasia knows her way around a cheese board—and she’s got the hardware to prove it. In 2025, she placed at the Cheesemonger Invitational Recipe Competition, wowing judges with a bite that showcased Face Rock Creamery’s Aged Cheddar (we suggest Monger’s Choice 3 year Aged Cheddar), paired perfectly with beefy Bresaola, plus a kick of mustard and onions for crunch.

As a cook, Kasia loves letting Oregon’s seasonal flavors and locally grown produce shine, always aiming for that wide-eyed “wow” when someone takes their first bite. She has a knack for mixing everyday ingredients in totally surprising ways.

Since 2016, Kasia has been sharing her passion for cheese at Market of Choice’s Bend store, where she’s earned a reputation as the go-to Certified Cheese Professional who can match anyone with a cheese they’re sure to love. Whether you’re looking for something bold and funky or smooth and mellow, Kasia has your perfect wedge waiting.

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Baked With Oregon Love

Bring home the magic of the holidays with scratch-made treats, fresh from our ovens. From elegant, hand-decorated cakes and classic cutout cookies to our famous gingerbread folks and decadent Frosted Champagne Cake, everything is baked with real butter and locally milled flour. It’s pure Oregon goodness—crafted with care and ready to enjoy, just like home-baked (only easier).

Christina Bakery SalesManager

Celebratory Cake Pops

Ring in the New Year with our boozy cake pops recipe! These beautiful and tasty treats are the perfect dessert for your next party.

Yield: 24 per flavor

Difficulty: Moderate

Prep time: 2 hours

Cook time: 30 min

Ingredients

1 box white cake, baked

2 T Cava Brut Rosé (The Bubbles Project)

1 T Strawberry Jam

3 ½ C Pink ganache candy melts

24 Cake pops sticks Sprinkles (any color)

Steps:

1. Bake cake per box instructions and let cool completely.

3. Add Rosé and mix together with mixer.

2. Remove cake in chunks and place in mixing bowl.

4. Add jam and mix by hand until well combined.

5. Roll into 1-inch balls and freeze 10-30 min.

6. Repeat cake rolling and freeze another 30 min.

7. Place pink ganache candy melts in mug and melt in microwave. Dip cake pop stick into melted chocolate and poke end into cake ball (about half way through).

8. Holding cake balls by the stick, dip and roll each, one at a time, in melted chocolate. Add sprinkles and repeat.

Gifts That Capture The Holiday Spirit

Gifting local isn’t just thoughtful—it’s wrapping up a little piece of Oregon itself. Every handmade goodie and carefully crafted treasure comes with a story, from the maker’s hands to the traditions that inspired it. The best part? You don’t have to trek across town to some specialty boutique. Your Market of Choice has a whole lineup of gifts, including Oregonmade finds that will fill stockings (and hearts) with local love.

Gifts That Show You Care

Build a basket that says “cozy nights ahead”: think specialty teas, rich cocoas, fine candies, and gourmet popcorn. Toss in an Oregon-scented candle, a fun local mug, or even a bouquet of fresh flowers from our Market Florist for that extra “wow” factor.

Gifts for Kids

Skip the plastic clutter and go for keepsake-worthy fun. Our Home & Gift Department has puzzles, games, plushies, and nostalgia-inspired toys that will spark joy (and maybe even keep them busy while you sip cocoa).

Gifts That Share a Smile

For the “hard to shop for” person (we all have one), we’ve got gems hiding in every aisle: rare bottles of Oregon wine, artisan cheese boards, pistachio butter, quirky Oregon trucker hats, and even hot sauces that could make your Uncle’s holiday unforgettable. These are the “oh, that’s so you!” gifts.

Gifts That Are Handy & Helpful

For your favorite home cook or gadget lover, scoop up gourmet spices, local flavor boosters, or clever little kitchen tools that make life easier. You’ll find something unique on nearly every shelf—because useful can also be fun.

Reserve. Pick Up. Dig In

Let our talented Chef team cook your holiday meal, so you can kick up your feet and enjoy the day—stress free. Imagine perfectly glazed ham, a warm cup of matzo ball soup, delicious seasoned potatoes and more unique choices—all ready to heat and devour.

All our entrées and sides are made from Chef-crafted recipes using premium ingredients and just the right amount of seasoning. It’s an exciting holiday meal you don’t have to cook yourself (but are welcome to take credit for). Visit our reservations site and order your favorites!

Holiday Reservations site opens December 1st at 10:00 a.m. with some menu items changing on December 21st at 10:00 p.m. Site for holiday items closes December 28th at 10:00 p.m.

How it Works

1. Visit reservations.marketofchoice.com and browse. Put together your ideal cart. Select. Add to cart. Check out online.

2. Be sure to give us 3 days between the time you order and your desired pick up date. Choose store, date and time for pick up. You will receive an email confirmation with all the details

3. Pick up and pay for your items at the store you selected when you placed your order. Heat, plate and enjoy!

Scan or visit the link to reserve!

Kitchen The Menu Bakery

Feta & Mama Lil's

Peppers Bourekas

Pillowy puff pastry stuffed with ricotta and feta cheese, Mama Lil's pepper, green onion and topped with poppy seeds.

Aji Amarillo Shrimp Ceviche

Plump, tender shrimp with bright Peruvian chili paste, citrus, peppers and cilantro for a tasty and colorful appetizer.

Vegan Superfood

Lentil Wellington

Flaky, vegan puff pastry filled with hearty lentils, mushrooms, and veggie superfoods like kale, beets, and chia—seasoned and baked to holiday perfection.

Apple Cider Braised Brisket

Seared then slow cooked to perfection, our brisket is seasoned with apple cider, garlic, onion, and fresh thyme.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Shallots

Roasted Brussels sprouts with savory, smoky bacon and roasted shallots.

Honey Cardamom Butternut

Squash with Pomegranate & Cranberries

Butternut squash cut into spears spiced with cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg, glazed and roasted, then topped with cranberries and pomegranate arils.

Vegetarian Moussaka

Vegetarian moussaka layers roasted eggplant and Yukon gold potatoes with a spiced lentil superfood filling, topped with creamy béchamel and crumbled feta.

Chef's Holiday Gluten Free Friendly Sides Package

A collection of our favorite Gluten Free Friendly holiday sides includes our Classic Plant Based Gluten Free Friendly Stuffing, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Savory Mushroom Plant Based Gravy, Miso Maple Roasted Young Carrots, and Cranberry Orange Relish.

Chef's Dinner Package for Four with Glazed Ham

Our Chef's Dinner Package includes our Carlton Farms bone-in Glazed Spiral Cut Half Ham, Sausage & Sage Stuffing, Turkey Gravy, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, and Creamy Mushroom & Green Bean Casserole.

Potato Latkes w/ Apple

Chutney

Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these tasty potato cakes pair perfectly with our Apple Chutney, served on the side.

Pomegranate & Citrus

Roasted Salmon

Pomegranate and sumac glazed salmon roasted until tender, then topped with a bright mix of Castelvetrano olives, fresh herbs, blood orange slices and pomegranate arils.

Rainbow Carrot & Sweet Potato

Tzimmes

This colorful medley of roasted root vegetables, caramelized with brown sugar, citrus, dried fruits and warm spices for a sweet-savory holiday side.

Dubai Chocolate Cake

Eight-inch double layer cake with crunchy Dubai filling (kataifi pastry, honey, pistachios and pistachio cream), then iced with chocolate cream cheese and topped with Dubai filling.

Frosted Champagne Cake

Vanilla cake filled with vanilla custard, sprayed with sherry, then iced in buttercream and topped with white chocolate ganache and sugar pearls.

Rum Balls

Chocolate, fruit and rum flavoring rolled and dipped in our dark chocolate ganache.

Stolen Bread

Fruit studded sweet bread filled with a sweet almond filling, then coated with powdered sugar.

Sugar Plums

A blend of dried fruit and orange juice rolled in sugar.

Cheesecakes

These rich, cheesecakes are scratchmade in-house and topped with real fruit. Choose from raspberry, strawberry, marionberry, cherry and lemon.

Meat & Seafood Cheese

Prime Grade Rib Roast

All natural Choice grade beef that is regeneratively raised, humanely handled and 100% vegetarian fed and antibiotic free.

Chateaubriand

Regeneratively raised, center cut beef tenderloin roast.

Beef Wellington Kit

Elevate your tenderloin and create an amazing holiday meal at home with our Wellington kit.

Herb Stuffed Leg of Lamb

Local, grass fed, boneless leg of lamb, filled with delicious herbs and tied.

Bone-in Half Ham

Our classic, uncured and fully cooked ham is ready to heat and enjoy. No antibiotics or hormones ever.

Crab Stuffed Salmon

Fresh Atlantic salmon fillet that has been stuffed with an amazing house made crab stuffing.

Raw Oyster Platter

A delicious platter of Pacific Northwest oysters featuring an amazing Mignonette sauce that is perfect for dipping. Half dozen.

Baked Oyster Platter

Parmesan-Panko Crust Baked Oysters. Half dozen.

Premium Crab Cakes

Our crab cakes are made with Blue Crab Meat. Great for Crab Cake Benedicts or as an appetizer served with your favorite Cocktail Sauce.

Kenai Red Sockeye Salmon

Kenai River wild caught Alaskan sockeye, hand filleted to perfection. Previously frozen.

Pork Porchetta Roast

Skin-on stuffed pork belly that is filled with a garlic and herb rub, then rolled into a pinwheel and tied.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops

All natural chemical free, wild caught scallops wrapped in hickory smoked bacon.

Cork & Cage Board

The perfect centerpiece to any entertaining spread! Five artisan cheeses, silky prosciutto, salami, marcona almonds, fruit and jam

Sour Cherry Baked Brie

Rich, double-crème Brie flavored with sour cherry jam, then wrapped in buttery puff pastry and baked to golden brown perfection.

Chèvre

Cheese Ball with Cherry Hazelnut Crust

Tangy fresh chèvre rolled in a crust of Oregon dried cherries and crushed hazelnuts

Vegetarian Platter

An assortment of vegetarian, rennet-free cheese: Brie, Chèvre, Jarlsberg, and BellaVitano Merlot, with nuts, dried fruit, olives, jam, honeycomb, and crackers.

Small Grazing Plate

The perfect grazing plate for a smaller gathering: Brie, Manchego, Cheddar, Genoa and Finnochiona Salami accompanied by Fig Spread, Spanish Almonds, and Cornichons.

How many Trees can you spot in the magazine?

ACROSS

2. the cryptid of Oregon

3. the people around you

5. Oregon official state nut DOWN

1. the place MOC originated 4. the capital of Oregon

Which Snowmen are the same?

Find all the hidden words!