Food and Drink

Oatmeal raisin cookies to celebrate a one-year anniversay. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Homemade cookies to celebrate a forever home

Homey oatmeal raisin cookies mark one year ‘happily ever after’

Oatmeal raisin cookies to celebrate a one-year anniversay. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
The simple yet versatile crepe can be served savory or sweet, such as this banana, powdered sugar and chocolate creation. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Savory, sweet and everything in between

Simple yet versatile crepes can be outfitted for every taste

The simple yet versatile crepe can be served savory or sweet, such as this banana, powdered sugar and chocolate creation. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Kendra Pisa prepares a shot at Northern Light Espresso on Monday, May 15, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Coffee stand expands to ‘modern hangout’

Northern Lights Espresso opens its second location

Kendra Pisa prepares a shot at Northern Light Espresso on Monday, May 15, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
This meaty sauce is savory and herbaceous and is well worth the four hours of simmer time. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Mom’s spaghetti

Hearty pasta brings back memories of youth

This meaty sauce is savory and herbaceous and is well worth the four hours of simmer time. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This poached pear frangipane tart takes a little planning and skill, but with patience and vision, you too can create a sweet, almond scented masterpiece. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Masterpiece into the fire

Poached pear frangipane tart takes artistry and patience

This poached pear frangipane tart takes a little planning and skill, but with patience and vision, you too can create a sweet, almond scented masterpiece. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Lemon juice and powder sugar make the sweet topping for this luscious lemon cake. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Sun shines through summertime lemon cake

I can see green summer just ahead

Lemon juice and powder sugar make the sweet topping for this luscious lemon cake. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This meat lasagna includes layers of sausage, ricotta, bechamel and spinach. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Lasagna you can eat all week

Crockpot meals always miss the mark, and there’s only so many times I’m willing to feed my family macaroni and cheese

This meat lasagna includes layers of sausage, ricotta, bechamel and spinach. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
North African Shakshuka is a rich and vibrant dish and great way to use up eggs. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Bringing some chaos to the kitchen

North African Shakshuka is a rich and vibrant way to use up some eggs

North African Shakshuka is a rich and vibrant dish and great way to use up eggs. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Hollandaise sauce is served on poached eggs. (Tressa Dale / Peninsula Clarion)

Hollandaise, 2nd time makes perfect

Notoriously finicky sauce can stump even practiced cooks

Hollandaise sauce is served on poached eggs. (Tressa Dale / Peninsula Clarion)
Suwannasa Piwon, right, stands at the counter and greets guests during a soft opening held Friday, April 7, 2023, at Siam Noodles and Food in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Authenticity a catalyst for growth at local Thai restaurant

Siam Noodles and Food opens in new location, credits community support and dedication to authentic Thai food

Suwannasa Piwon, right, stands at the counter and greets guests during a soft opening held Friday, April 7, 2023, at Siam Noodles and Food in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Thai coconut red curry soup can be made as spicy or mild as you choose. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A punch of color to brighten gray spring days

When the gray starts to seep into my soul, I try to burn it out with spice

Thai coconut red curry soup can be made as spicy or mild as you choose. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
White chocolate cranberry cake is served with fresh cranberries. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Hard-to-ruin cranberry cake

This white chocolate cranberry cake is easy to make and hard to ruin — perfect for my students aged 3, 6, 7 and 7.

White chocolate cranberry cake is served with fresh cranberries. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Chocolate cake is topped with white chocolate cream cheese frosting. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A cake topped with love (and white chocolate cream cheese)

He loved the frosting so much he said he never wants anything else on his cake

Chocolate cake is topped with white chocolate cream cheese frosting. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska-style spanakopita includes salmon with the traditional spinach and feta. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the Strawberry Patch: Spanakopita — Alaska style

I have been deep cleaning, organizing, rearranging and generally revitalizing our home these last couple weeks

Alaska-style spanakopita includes salmon with the traditional spinach and feta. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Tofu, spinach, fried egg, carrots, mushrooms and sprouts are served on rice in this Korean Bibimbap recipe. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A Korean dish with a little bit of everything

Bibimbap is a delicious, nutrition-packed meal with all the quintessential elements

Tofu, spinach, fried egg, carrots, mushrooms and sprouts are served on rice in this Korean Bibimbap recipe. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Baklava. (Photo by Tressa Dale)

Accidental baklava

A while back, someone accidentally grabbed three boxes of phyllo dough instead of the puff pastry they were sent to the store for, so there… Continue reading

Baklava. (Photo by Tressa Dale)
Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion 
Ground Beef Bulkogi with sticky rice and noodles make a hearty Korean meal.

On the strawberry patch: Comfort food with grandma

Ground Beef Bulkogi makes for an approachable introduction to Korean cuisine

Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion 
Ground Beef Bulkogi with sticky rice and noodles make a hearty Korean meal.
Shells and cheese are served. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Shells and cheese are served. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Puff pastry desserts are sprinkled with sugar. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Puff pastry made simple

I often shop at thrift stores. Mostly for cost, but also out of laziness — I want to spend ethically, but I don’t want to… Continue reading

Puff pastry desserts are sprinkled with sugar. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This vegan kimchi mandu uses crumbled extra-firm tofu as the protein. (Photo by Tressa Dale / Peninsula Clarion)

Meditating on the new year with kimchi mandu

Artfully folding dumplings evokes the peace and thoughtful calm of the Year of the Rabbit

This vegan kimchi mandu uses crumbled extra-firm tofu as the protein. (Photo by Tressa Dale / Peninsula Clarion)