October is National Pizza Month

Caramelized Onion and Fennel Pizza with Sausage I love pizza and I’m not alone – 94% of Americans eat pizza on a regular basis according to pizza.com (Reference 1) which also posts: •The average American eats 46 slices per year •Kids between the ages of 3 and 11 prefer pizza over all other foods for […]

Noodling in the Kitchen

Zucchini Noodles with Picholine Olives, Lime and Onion   I recently purchased a new kitchen toy, and as I “spiralized” zucchini and yellow summer squash into noodles, I thought about the importance of engaging children in food preparation and having fun in the kitchen.  If a novel cutting tool can bring a little excitement to […]

Salmon’s Second Act

The Salmon Burger What’s for dinner? When the thermometer soars there’s nothing easier than tossing a whole wild sockeye or a large fillet of king salmon on the grill. But until my recent visit to the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery in Juneau, Alaska, I didn’t think much about what goes into making sure that salmon is […]

Earth and Ocean

Sea Scallops with Herbed Lentils, Champagne-Butter Sauce and Roasted Walnuts Many dishes are enhanced with contrast – elements of hot and cold, sweet and sour or bitter. A well-known example pairs foods from the land and sea- surf and turf, lobster and steak. My expression of a the land and sea idea came about when […]

Fill Your Plate with Red and Green

Double Pomegranate Salad with Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Walnuts Look around – December colors are red and green. We decorate our houses, inside and out with shades of these colors, and they dominate party attire at holiday gatherings. With this salad you can take red and green to your holiday table.  Salad is  essential to […]

Get the Party Started

Oysters = Celebration   Baked Oysters – Italian Style   There’s no better way to launch the holidays than with a platter of succulent oysters. The season starts early at my house with my husband’s birthday in early November. A couple dozen Italian-style roasted oysters is always on the menu. Fresh oysters are always within […]

Peak-Season Pears

Northwest Pear Pistachio Salad Dressing & Spicy Roasted Pears   The season for garden-fresh tomatoes is behind us, opening a door for other ways to make salads shine. Inspiration came with autumn’s offering of Northwest pears and a recipe for Pear Vinaigrette from my friend Braiden Rex-Johnson’s book Inside the Pike Place Market, Sasquatch Books, […]

Radish Leaf Pesto

  Radishes are moving beyond the relish tray.    More and more home cooks and chefs use them as a vegetable – steamed, sautéed, stir-fried and more. Last night I dined at Artusi in Seattle and this extraordinary fresh sturgeon with a garlic confit sauce was served with lightly cooked French breakfast radishes.   In […]

Fuel for Peak Performance

Test Your Knowledge   Every spring I get questions about what to eat and drink when preparing for marathons, “fun runs” and endurance events.  Here’s a quiz to get you thinking about optimizing fuel and hydration choices to help you feel and perform your best.            QUIZ YOURSELF ON “FUEL FOR […]

Get Spicy! Seasoning with Health Benefits

Indian Spice-Crusted Fish with Mint, Cilantro and Ginger Sauce     It’s spring and that means a wider availability of fresh fish.  Looking for a little culinary excitement I created this crust of Indian seasonings.  The crust brings a little spicy personality to mild-mannered white fish filets. Toast and grind your own spices for a […]