Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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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...
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...
This past week, Waitsburg has been graced with gorgeous sunny fall days, and crisp cool nights. The kind of weather that nudges me back into the kitchen, inspired by early fall produce, and cravings for slow-cooked comfort food. While researching recipes, I came across this gorgeous green mole made from pulverized pumpkin seeds, fresh cilantro, and green chiles. Much different than the rich, dark black mole most people are familiar with, this is just one of the many colorful varieties of mole...
Happy Autumn. With these warm sunny days, and crisp cool nights, the weather this week has been perfect. After an unusual summer in the garden, the sight of our pear and apple trees loaded with fruit has been a welcomed delight. One that has also inspired a new season of kitchen experiments. The warm pleasure of spiced apples encased in buttery, flakey crust is a cherished American classic that needs little adjusting. However, with a bag of foraged wild huckleberries sitting on the counter, I...
We make several trips to the southern Washington coast throughout the year. From the lazy sunny days of summer to the dramatic storms of winter, there is something special about each season. My favorite time to visit is September through October, when the weather is still lovely and the post-Labor Day tourist crowds are much smaller. Last week, we were able to sneak off for a quick weekend get-away where we were met with perfect weather and a chance to satisfy our built-up seafood cravings. At t...
Perhaps because of my approaching birthday, or a simple craving for the mood-enhancing properties of cocoa, I have recently been dreaming of a perfect chocolate cake. Balancing sweetness with the deep, complex flavors of cocoa is a culinary science unto itself. This much-loved recipe results in a moist, silky textured cake with a rich and comforting flavor. Finished with a luscious vanilla buttercream frosting, this cake makes a memorable centerpiece to any celebration, big or small. Ingredients...
Cauliflower is one of those versatile vegetables that I love experimenting with in the kitchen. It is suitable for countless cooking methods, all of which bring out and enhance different flavor profiles. Fried, grilled, or seared, this snow-white crucifer particularly comes to life with a little browning or charring. Here, roasted cauliflower is pureed with walnuts, aromatics, and bright fresh parsley, to create a creamy yet light pasta sauce. Ingredients: 1 small head cauliflower, cut into flor...
After my years of experiments and triumphs in the kitchen, there is still nothing more satisfying than successful bread making. The combined time needed to carefully measure ingredients, then knead, shape, and proof the dough all pays off when your kitchen fills with the aroma of a perfectly baked loaf. A delicious repurposing of leftover mashed potatoes, this tender and flavorful bread has become a new, versatile favorite in our home. Yields 2 loaves. Ingredients: For the pre-ferment: 1...
When people in other countries are asked to describe "American food", the most common response is usually the hamburger, and for good reason. From spendy foie gras stuffed wagyu burgers at posh urban restaurants, to perfectly grilled cheeseburgers topped with "the works" at iconic small-town drive-ins, the sheer variety of burgers available attests to our love affair of good things served on a round bun. Beyond the different topping choices, Americans have a wide range of patty options other...
