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)
Mashed potatoes are served with chicken breast, green beans and pan sauce. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Mashed potatoes for a chef

They are deceptively hard to get right

Mashed potatoes are served with chicken breast, green beans and pan sauce. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Ultra-fast, protein-packed miso soup is a mild and comforting broth for sick days. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Soothing soup for January ills

It’s probably a novelty to have experienced my child’s infancy without a single sniffle

Ultra-fast, protein-packed miso soup is a mild and comforting broth for sick days. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelsey Shields applies a “Lucy’s Market” sticker to a Cheese of the Month subscription box on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 at Lucy’s Market in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

New month, new cheese

Lucy’s Market launches subscription box for monthly cheese selections

Kelsey Shields applies a “Lucy’s Market” sticker to a Cheese of the Month subscription box on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 at Lucy’s Market in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Adobo Chicken Floutas are topped with queso, sour cream, cilantro, onions and tomatoes. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Deep-fried New Year’s indulgence

Like many people, I used to make New Year’s resolutions every year

Adobo Chicken Floutas are topped with queso, sour cream, cilantro, onions and tomatoes. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Soft and sticky cinnamon rolls incorporate the tastes of cinnamon and whipped cream cheese frosting. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Consolation for a getaway that didn’t happen

Warm, sticky cinnamon rolls take the sting out of holiday disappointment

Soft and sticky cinnamon rolls incorporate the tastes of cinnamon and whipped cream cheese frosting. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This Double Chocolate Peppermint Fudge combines chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and a few mix-ins for a simple, quick holiday treat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas magic in candy form

Double chocolate peppermint fudge in a few easy steps

This Double Chocolate Peppermint Fudge combines chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and a few mix-ins for a simple, quick holiday treat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Onions, carrots and chicken broth are topped off with warm dumplings in this classic recipe. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A meal to warm up sleepy snow days

Chicken and dumplings are a simple, homey classic

Onions, carrots and chicken broth are topped off with warm dumplings in this classic recipe. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Blueberries and lemonade can be combined to create a base for a number of drinks. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Adventures in tasting

A young chef tries out blueberry lemonade

Blueberries and lemonade can be combined to create a base for a number of drinks. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School Culinary Students roll out dough for Christmas cookies as part of bake sale preparation on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Guest chefs ready to help

High school culinary students will do holiday baking for you

Kenai Central High School Culinary Students roll out dough for Christmas cookies as part of bake sale preparation on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Golden Soup mixes cauliflower, onions and apples and can be made in one pot. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Golden soup offers a healthy reprieve after holiday indulgence

On the off days between the trips and celebrations I find it necessary to eat strategically

Golden Soup mixes cauliflower, onions and apples and can be made in one pot. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Cranberry sauce made from scratch with hand-picked berries makes a special holiday treat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Foraging with love and gratitude

Gathered and prepared by hand, cranberries brighten a Thanksgiving feast

Cranberry sauce made from scratch with hand-picked berries makes a special holiday treat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)