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)
James Wardlow shows off a salmon filet ready to be hung and dried during a smoked salmon demonstration, part of Fish Week 2023, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

To fillet a fish

Youth workshop showcases ways of preparing salmon

James Wardlow shows off a salmon filet ready to be hung and dried during a smoked salmon demonstration, part of Fish Week 2023, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/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

I have recently formed an uneasy truce with the spider who lives in my laundry room. I always find her on the wall next to… Continue reading

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

Adventurous chicken tikka masala

From the time he was big enough to sit in our special backpack, we’ve been taking him to Skyline for hikes. At first it was… Continue reading

Chicken tikka masala. (Photo by Tressa Dale)
Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Administrative Assistant Claire Jones and Donations and Communications Manager Lilly Murray stand with Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker as they fundraise for the King of the River Food Drive at the Wednesday Market in Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai-Soldotna rivalry central to new food bank fundraiser

The latest fundraiser for the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank pits the cities of Kenai and Soldotna against one another in a friendly competition to donate… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Administrative Assistant Claire Jones and Donations and Communications Manager Lilly Murray stand with Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker as they fundraise for the King of the River Food Drive at the Wednesday Market in Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Homemade rhubarb ice cream is served. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Sweet and tart ice cream for a summer child

The rhubarb is tender and plentiful now

Homemade rhubarb ice cream is served. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A favorite of Korean kids and college kids alike, Korean black bean noodles are an everyday takeout staple. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Comfort food for when it’s needed most

Korean black bean noodles provide a mild and soothing meal

A favorite of Korean kids and college kids alike, Korean black bean noodles are an everyday takeout staple. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank to host spring fest Friday

This year’s Spring Festival will be the largest the organization has put on — with 15 booths set to offer services

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Quinoa Chickpea Kale Salad is packed with filling protein and great nutrition without being too heavy on the stomach. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Fresh and hearty salad to fuel springtime’s busy days

Quinoa Chickpea Kale Salad can be simply poured into a bowl and eaten without breaking stride

Quinoa Chickpea Kale Salad is packed with filling protein and great nutrition without being too heavy on the stomach. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
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)