Food and Drink

These spiced date cookies may look a lot like Fig Newtons, but the texture and flavor are quite different. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Dessert in a pinch

Spiced date cookies make a last-minute save

These spiced date cookies may look a lot like Fig Newtons, but the texture and flavor are quite different. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This jalapeno popper dip will brighten up any spread with subtle spice. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Thanksgiving planning: Spicing up the basics

This jalapeno popper dip adds some heat to traditional holiday fare

This jalapeno popper dip will brighten up any spread with subtle spice. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These salted caramel cupcakes topped with caramel candy balance sweetness with Maldon salt. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Twinbirthday’ brings back cupcake Mondays

Salted caramel cupcakes make a special occasion even sweeter

These salted caramel cupcakes topped with caramel candy balance sweetness with Maldon salt. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This bento box includes rice, fruit, vegetables and tomagoyaki, or Japanese rolled omelet. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Flavors of farm fresh eggs front and center in Japanese rolled omelet

Tomagoyaki is an excellent protein for lunch and is commonly found in bento boxes alongside fresh rice and side dishes

This bento box includes rice, fruit, vegetables and tomagoyaki, or Japanese rolled omelet. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These dark and decadent chocolate brownies have a crunchy toffee topping. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Brownies to chase away a bad day

These saucepan brownies are deep, dark and decadent with a crunchy toffee topping

These dark and decadent chocolate brownies have a crunchy toffee topping. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Pork, fermented kimchi and tofu make the base of this recipe for Kimchi stew. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Kimchi stew ushers in fall

This stew is spicy with a rich broth and fatty bites of pork — perfect for a chilly, clear-skied autumn day

Pork, fermented kimchi and tofu make the base of this recipe for Kimchi stew. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Shredded chicken and vegetables are topped with a butter crust in this classic chicken pot pie. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A meal for when you need a hug

This classic chicken pot pie is mild and comforting

Shredded chicken and vegetables are topped with a butter crust in this classic chicken pot pie. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This mildly sweet and nutty gnocchi was made white sweet potatoes, but any potatoes will do. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Gnocchi brings it home

Enjoying an afternoon in the kitchen

This mildly sweet and nutty gnocchi was made white sweet potatoes, but any potatoes will do. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Andrew Agosti prepares carrot gnocchi at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival’s Chef Tent at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Vendors and vegetables

Harvest Moon Local Food Festival celebrates local food scene at Soldotna Creek Park

Andrew Agosti prepares carrot gnocchi at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival’s Chef Tent at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
This date and walnut bread is sweet, dense and fragrant with spices. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Serving up walnuts, dates and a little courage

My new job will not be an easy one.

This date and walnut bread is sweet, dense and fragrant with spices. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Volunteers work the fermentation station at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Harvest Moon Local Food Festival returns Saturday

The event will feature live music, cooking demonstrations, educational talks, food trucks, guided edible walks, a pie-baking contest and the Fermentation Station

Volunteers work the fermentation station at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Vanilla pound cake, fruits and pretzels are prepped for a fondue celebration. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating grandpa with fond memories and fondue

Sweet and dense vanilla pound cake is perfect for this dish

Vanilla pound cake, fruits and pretzels are prepped for a fondue celebration. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Slow spaghetti sauce and turkey meatballs are loaded with enough cheese and herbs to change your mind about ground turkey. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Slow and savory

Spaghetti sauce and meatballs fill a quiet afternoon

Slow spaghetti sauce and turkey meatballs are loaded with enough cheese and herbs to change your mind about ground turkey. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These cheesy crackers are easy to make at home and come without the dyes or preservatives of a store-bought brand. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Never too old for cheesy crackers

This week I said goodbye to his babyhood and took him to his first day of preschool

These cheesy crackers are easy to make at home and come without the dyes or preservatives of a store-bought brand. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Honeyberry pie is made with freshly picked fruit from local orchard. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

The spoils of summer

Honeyberry pie is made with freshly picked fruit from local orchard

Honeyberry pie is made with freshly picked fruit from local orchard. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Fresh ripe peaches are wrapped in a buttery crust in this peach galette recipe. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Perfect peach galette for a special summer tradition

For one week every summer, my in-laws host all their children and their spouses and all seven grandchildren

Fresh ripe peaches are wrapped in a buttery crust in this peach galette recipe. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A grazing board, also known as a charcuterie board, is prepared Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Grazing board rules

Charcuterie boards are all the rage in the wedding scene right now

A grazing board, also known as a charcuterie board, is prepared Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Rhubarb is preserved in jars. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Capturing the taste of home

Canning preserves local rhubarb’s vibrant flavors

Rhubarb is preserved in jars. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
JJamppong. (Photo by Tressa Dale)

Spice up seafood with jjamppong

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JJamppong. (Photo by Tressa Dale)
Chicken tikka masala. (Photo by Tressa Dale)

Adventurous chicken tikka masala

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Chicken tikka masala. (Photo by Tressa Dale)