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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)
Rich chocolate pudding can use up excess milk products. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Pudding to the rescue

Chocolate dessert saves a feast gone awry.

Rich chocolate pudding can use up excess milk products. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Fresh dinner rolls made without the addition of dairy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Baking for everyone

Dinner rolls skip the dairy, but not the flavor

Fresh dinner rolls made without the addition of dairy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Appease your child’s picky palate with these tasty Tater Tots. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Tots to be thankful for

Two years ago, I spent the entirety of Thanksgiving Day in my green rocking chair, cradling my newborn son.

Appease your child’s picky palate with these tasty Tater Tots. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Before boiling, this handmade pasta is rolled, cut and tossed in flour to keep from sticking. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Pasta by hand

Learning one of the most important task of the Italian kitchen: making the pasta.

Before boiling, this handmade pasta is rolled, cut and tossed in flour to keep from sticking. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Make pumpkin chocolate chip with cinnamon buttercream cupcakes for a decadent fall treat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: In honor of ‘Cupcake Mondays’

Pumpkin chocolate chip with cinnamon buttercream cupcakes brighten up the dreariest of work.

Make pumpkin chocolate chip with cinnamon buttercream cupcakes for a decadent fall treat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This spectacular and simple marshmallow recipe is an easy way to wow at holiday potlucks. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Power puffs

Don’t dread the dreaded potluck with this five-ingredient marshmallow recipe.

This spectacular and simple marshmallow recipe is an easy way to wow at holiday potlucks. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Chewy soft pretzels are easy to make at home. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Penisula Clarion)
Chewy soft pretzels are easy to make at home. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Sisterhood and soft pretzels

Our favorite snack there, the one I know will always make her smile, was a soft pretzel with cheese sauce.

Chewy soft pretzels are easy to make at home. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Penisula Clarion)
Chewy soft pretzels are easy to make at home. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Ward off Halloween’s mystical monsters with these garlic-infused cheesy shells and pepper sauce. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Tasty Halloween

Keep spooky creatures at bay with garlic-infused shells and pepper sauce.

Ward off Halloween’s mystical monsters with these garlic-infused cheesy shells and pepper sauce. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Cabbage, potatoes, salmon and an assortment of pantry staples make for a culinary challenge. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Take a culinary pop quiz

Get creative with what’s in your pantry

Cabbage, potatoes, salmon and an assortment of pantry staples make for a culinary challenge. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These old-fashioned doughnuts don’t skimp on the fat or sugar. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Memories of old-fashioned doughnuts

My recipe is for old-fashioned doughnuts, and since I make these maybe twice a year, I don’t skimp on the sugar and fat.

These old-fashioned doughnuts don’t skimp on the fat or sugar. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)