Tressa Dale

Strawberries and red bean paste fill these delicate mochi desserts. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: The zen of Mochi

This delicate Japanese sweet takes patience to master

Strawberries and red bean paste fill these delicate mochi desserts. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Creamy butternut squash pasta that skips the dairy is served with salmon and greens. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Creamy pasta that holds the cream

This butternut squash sauce will make you forget it’s low fat and plant based

Creamy butternut squash pasta that skips the dairy is served with salmon and greens. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Buttery bear claws are filled with almond paste and topped with sugar glaze. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Let’s make some bear claws

My food philosophy is to never deprive myself, but if I really want it, I must make it myself

Buttery bear claws are filled with almond paste and topped with sugar glaze. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Korean kimbap with tuna, kimchi, lettuce and carrots makes a perfect to-go meal. (Photo by Tressa Dale/ Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Good to go

Kimbap is a staple of every school picnic day and hiking trip for Korean families

Korean kimbap with tuna, kimchi, lettuce and carrots makes a perfect to-go meal. (Photo by Tressa Dale/ Peninsula Clarion)
Salisbury steak, a classic of American cuisine, is served with mushrooms and broccoli. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: The forgiving art of food

Salisbury steak painted in a new light

Salisbury steak, a classic of American cuisine, is served with mushrooms and broccoli. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Garbanzo beans and beets are topped with feta to provide a colorful dip for springtime crudité. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Brighten up breakup

The vibrancy of beet hummus brings color to a gray season

Garbanzo beans and beets are topped with feta to provide a colorful dip for springtime crudité. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These strawberry grain bars with zero processed sugar and a few nutrient-rich ingredients provide a healthy snack. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Baked goodness

Homemade grain bars with sugar-free jam offer a tasty snack for the pickiest of eaters

These strawberry grain bars with zero processed sugar and a few nutrient-rich ingredients provide a healthy snack. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Curried lentils are served with basmati rice and garnished with cilantro. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

An introduction to Indian-style curry

This red lentil curry is mild and accessible

Curried lentils are served with basmati rice and garnished with cilantro. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This hearty salmon chowder takes a shot at recreating the famous smoked salmon chowder served at Pike Place Chowder in Seattle. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Winter warmup

Hearty smoke salmon chowder caps a day outdoors

This hearty salmon chowder takes a shot at recreating the famous smoked salmon chowder served at Pike Place Chowder in Seattle. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Rice noodles, tofu, lemon grass, cilantro, shrimp and bean sprouts top this homemade pho. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Pho, abbreviated

Make this satisfying broth and noodle dish at home

Rice noodles, tofu, lemon grass, cilantro, shrimp and bean sprouts top this homemade pho. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
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Getting creative on a rainy day

Our streak of rainy days last week tested my creativity. Filling the hours of our day with educational, developmentally challenging activity is hard enough on… Continue reading

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On the strawberry patch: Bites of romance

Valentine’s butter cookies offer flavors of love

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A traditional dish of the Lunar New Year, rice cake soup features beef, rice cakes, green onions, toased sushi nori and eggs. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Making a fresh start

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with rice cake soup

A traditional dish of the Lunar New Year, rice cake soup features beef, rice cakes, green onions, toased sushi nori and eggs. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
The secret to this homemade vegetarian lasagna is the addition of fresh noodles from scratch. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: The secret’s in the noodles

Handmade pasta adds layers of flavor to vegetable lasagna

The secret to this homemade vegetarian lasagna is the addition of fresh noodles from scratch. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Achieving the crispy, flaky layers of golden goodness of a croissant require precision and skill. (Photo by Tresa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Reaching the pinnacle of patisserie

Croissants take precision and skill, but the results can be delightful

Achieving the crispy, flaky layers of golden goodness of a croissant require precision and skill. (Photo by Tresa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Almond flour adds a nuttiness to this carrot cake topped with cream cheese frosting. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: A ‘perfect day’ cake

Carrot cake and cream cheese frosting make for a truly delicious day off

Almond flour adds a nuttiness to this carrot cake topped with cream cheese frosting. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Traditional ingredients like kimchi, ramen and tofu are mixed with American comfort food Spam in this hearty Korean stew. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Warm up with army base stew

American soldiers introduced local cooks to some American staple ingredients of the time: Spam and hotdogs.

Traditional ingredients like kimchi, ramen and tofu are mixed with American comfort food Spam in this hearty Korean stew. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Homemade masa makes the base of these Mexican gorditas. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Tasty trial and error

Homemade gorditas present new cooking challenge.

Homemade masa makes the base of these Mexican gorditas. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
The merigue-based pavlova is a lighter-than-air dessert than can be topped with an assortment of fruits. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: A dessert to dance to

Take to the air with this light and fluffy pavlova

The merigue-based pavlova is a lighter-than-air dessert than can be topped with an assortment of fruits. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Basil, Parmesan, pine nuts and olive oil come together to make a fragrant pesto. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Pesto and presents

The fragrance of basil conjures Christmas memories

Basil, Parmesan, pine nuts and olive oil come together to make a fragrant pesto. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)