Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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There are few sensory experiences more inviting than the smell of fresh baked bread filling your home. Though I was once terribly intimidated by bread making, through careful and delicious experimentation it has become a satisfying addition to my kitchen repertoire. While pulling a fresh loaf from the oven is sure to impress special dinner guests, it can also be a wonderful way to elevate a middle-of-the-week meal for two. Recently, while researching recipes in preparation of our family Saint...
As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about food, I am endlessly fascinated by the origin stories of the diverse ingredients used in modern kitchens. For example, how crops which were integral to the pre-Columbian indigenous peoples of the Americas such as chocolate, vanilla, chili peppers, tomatoes, squash, beans, and corn, found their way onto Spanish trade ships headed back to Europe and forever changed the global diet. Add to that list, the humble potato, which was first cultivated...
In recent years, I have become increasingly obsessed with making perfect homemade corn tortillas. In this quest, I have studiously tested different brands of masa harina, noted the effects slight adjustments to the cooking temperature can make, and even, (thanks to a generous birthday gift), upgraded to a hefty Oaxacan tortilla press made by a small renowned maker. With all these tortillas floating around, I am always researching delicious uses for them in the kitchen. From tacos, or...
While searching for dessert recipes it is easy to get lost in the seemingly endless options of new and trendy flavor combinations. Exotic ingredients and complicated techniques can be fun when you have the time, or the budget, to bake for a special occasion. However, it is worth revisiting the humble classics. Lemon bars are in this category of easy, homey favorites that are always a crowd pleaser. With a delicate butter shortbread base topped with a sweet and lively lemon curd, it is easy to...
When I lived in Seattle, the last soggy, grey weeks of winter were the hardest to endure. One of my favorite ways to combat the dreary short days was to head to the International District for a comforting bowl of soup. From meaty Vietnamese pho, and spicy Sichuan hot pot, to bubbling bowls of Japanese nabeyaki udon, there were always plenty of choices to warm me up in this vibrant historic neighborhood. Back in Waitsburg, as our mild February has taken another turn towards the cold and windy, I...
Over the past year, my time has been fully occupied with recipe testing, managing two businesses, and keeping up with my schoolwork. With this busy schedule, I am always looking for quick and satisfying dinner options that still feel special. This bright version of a piccata, has tender, breaded chicken breast smothered with a silky butter and lemon sauce. A comforting Italian American classic, this straightforward recipe has become a new favorite weeknight dinner go-to. Ingredients: 1...
Everyone has their own unique way of expressing matters of the heart. For me, my love language has always been centered around the kitchen. Sharing recipes, cooking together, and serving special meals, are some of the ways that I communicate my feelings to loved ones. With that, there are certain homey recipes that are so comforting they feel like a hug. This dish of tender braised beef, spiced with a generous amount of sweet paprika, and served over small tender dumplings, is like a love...
My version of a classic recipe from central Mexico, is bright and nourishing, with just enough warmth from dried chilis to shake off any case of late Winter blues. Simmered with tender chicken then topped with crispy tortilla strips, this lively soup is perfected with a final garnish of creamy fresh avocado and cheese. Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, bone-in skin on 5 cups water 2 bay leaves Salt 2-3 stems fresh epazote, (see notes) 2 medium ripe tomatoes ½ white onion, quartered...
The chilly nights are back after a brief, unseasonable warm spell, which has pushed me back into the kitchen to continue my exploration of comfort food classics. This week, I found myself craving the Italian American staple, spaghetti and meatballs. Instead of beef and pork I opted for a lighter version made with ground turkey. Made with an aromatic combination of herbs, the resulting meatballs are extremely flavorful and tender. Baked instead of fried, these lean polpettes are then simmered...
Sometimes, while researching recipes, I am overcome by unexpected cravings. This week, I was reminded of the flavorful and messy childhood lunchroom classic, the sloppy joe sandwich. Always up for a challenge, I set out looking for an alternative to the overly sweet version that comes out of a can. Here, ground beef is simmered in a tangy homemade sauce that comes to life with a zesty combination of spices. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground beef (80/20) ½ yellow onion,...
In response to our recent run of soggy and gloomy days, I have been looking for comfort in my soup pot. From meaty pozoles to classic chicken noodle, I have an arsenal of tested soup recipes kept on file to combat the winter blues. This week, I was craving a vegetable soup that was as nourishing as it was flavorful. Here, I have my take on a chickpea stew inspired by the warm-spiced tagines of Morocco. Colorful vegetables mingle with turmeric, ginger, and cumin, for a healthy and cozy weeknight...
Generally, I am not one for strict New Year's resolutions, however, after a long holiday season full of rich and decadent food I often find myself craving lighter fare in January. This usually also coincides with my winter wanderlust, when the gloomy and grey days have me daydreaming of sunny beaches. This vibrant recipe perfectly combines ripe tomatoes and sweet shrimp with the creamy, briny flavors of feta cheese. Satisfying without being heavy, this flavorful dish will bring some much-needed...
After a sparkly night of champagne toasts and kissing when the clock strikes midnight, I love hosting a casual, open-house New Year's Day brunch. A lazy morning, (or afternoon), enjoying comforting favorites with friends and family makes for a restful start to the new year. These sweet and rich sticky buns are always a crowd pleaser, with the added benefit of filling your house with an enticing cinnamon aroma. Ingredients: For the dough: 6 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon fine...
While I love sharing treats from my kitchen throughout the year, there is something extra satisfying about gifting edible delights during the winter holiday season. Baking batches of assorted cookies while humming Christmas carols to myself (and sipping boozy eggnog) in the kitchen is a guilty pleasure. From ginger-spiced cookies and chocolate crinkles to colorful iced sugar cookies, I have collected several recipes over the years that always make beloved gifts. These tender cookies, which have...
A dear friend of ours just left to live in Tuscany for several months, and to say I am a little jealous would be an understatement. Over the years, much of my food and wine obsessions have been centered around Italy. With la cucina italiana on my mind, I found myself craving a comforting bowl of pasta Bolognese, the famous meat sauce from the region north of Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna. Here, ground beef is slowly cooked with aromatics, tomato paste, and stock, until it is delicately tender. A...
The Solstice is officially two weeks away, however here in Waitsburg it already feels like a winter wonderland. A fresh blanket of snow over the festive lights and decorated trees along Main Street was the perfect backdrop for our Hometown Christmas parade last weekend. In the kitchen, this is the season of cooking comforting and warm food to share with loved ones. One of my favorite flavors for sharing this time of year is gingerbread, which is a broad category of sweets from thin, crisp...
WAITSBURG-For the last year, we have been lucky to have a dear friend from Seattle work at Ten Ton. An accomplished artist, and always curious people-person, Fred instantly fit in at the coffee shop. He charmed new guests and our devoted regulars, and was quick to build a fan base. This month, Fred is heading back to beautiful Tuscany, Italy for several months. We wish him happy, safe travels, and encourage him to spend every moment painting or drawing. We and all his new Waitsburg friends will...
As the season continues to get colder, and the gray days shorter, I find myself craving comforting meals that are also full of vibrant colors. Here golden delicata squash is stuffed with a sweet, warmly spiced filling of farro grains, seasoned beef, dried fruit, and nuts. A nourishing meal that comes together quickly, this stuffed squash will warm your home and your dinner guests. Ingredients: 2 delicata squash Olive oil Salt and fresh ground black pepper 1 cup farro ¾ pound ground beef...
The day after Thanksgiving you can always find me back in the kitchen, enjoying the peaceful quiet after the holiday, and making a batch of turkey stock. As the kitchen fills with the rich aromas coming from a bubbling stock pot, I like to make plans for the versatile leftover turkey meat. Following an indulgent day full of butter and heavy foods, a pot of brightly flavored soup is a welcome meal choice. One favorite option is this variation on a traditional Mexican soup called Pozole. The deep...
The November fog has rolled into our valley, and I have been spending extra time in the kitchen seeking warmth. My favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is just around the corner, and the winter holiday season will quickly follow. Menu planning and recipe testing have kept me busy with the bounty of autumnal flavors available. After harvesting a particularly abundant crop of winter squash in our backyard, I have been experimenting with recipes that highlight all the sweet and savory ways to...
As someone who loves researching recipes, I am particularly fascinated by the foods that are enjoyed across cultures. Chicken soup is one of those universally loved foods with versions that can be found across the globe. Humble and comforting, it is the food we have collectively grown-up eating, for thousands of years. This nourishing recipe is take on a homey Mexican classic. A rich, flavorful broth with the added depth of cumin and oregano makes this soup special. Usually mildly spiced, you ca...
This week, the sunny, mild autumn days have made the abrupt change to cool and rainy. As a former Seattleite, I can't hide my love for the grey and drizzle. Days like this are perfect for making a pot of tea, popping a chill album on the stereo, and experimenting in the kitchen. Looking for some warmth and comfort, I found my self craving a creamy bowl of pasta. This recipe, which combines sweet Italian sausage, fresh chard, and aromatic rosemary in a decadent cream sauce, was the perfect...
Autumn is my favorite time of year for celebrations centered around food. High on the list is the colorful and distinctly Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos. In our house, the mantle is turned into an ofrenda with photos of departed family members, marigolds, and candles. On the night of November 1st, I prepare a feast to be enjoyed by the living and shared with the spirits of the dead. Over the years, I have made various dishes for this special occasion including tamales, pozole, sopa de a...
The beauty of autumn is all around, and I couldn't be happier. The first flashes of changing colors have been spotted in some of the trees around town, and the star-filled nights have been the perfect backdrop for cozy bonfires. On top of pulling out all my favorite flannels, I have been searching through my recipe collections for satisfying and seasonal soups. At the same time, we harvested some gorgeous pumpkins and Hubbard squash from the back yard this week, a perfect inspiration for the...
Each growing season we experiment with different fruits and vegetables in the garden. While some happily flourish, others just seem to fizzle and disappoint. Through it all, the most reliable producer, year after year, has been our purple plum tree. Easy to take care of, and quick growing, the branches of this tree are always heavy with fruit by the start of fall. From pies, cakes, chutneys, and jams, this time of year is always marked by the flavor of sweet, backyard stone fruit. These dark...
