Protein 
How to Become a Poacher
My enthusiasm for cooking is waning and it’s not only because I don’t want to heat up the kitchen. Anyone who lives in the Northwest knows that when summer finally arrives, we NEED to go outdoors and take full advantage of our beautiful, long sunny days. There will be plenty of time for more serious [...]
Two Girls and a Grill
Ever since we bought land on Orcas Island about a month ago, I’ve wanted to try cooking on an open wood fire. I’m talking about ON the fire, not just on a grill over the fire. To some people this may be no big deal but I’d never done it and needed some help to [...]
Pack Pate for a Picnic
With Summer Solstice comes the beginning of house guests, picnics, and lazy meals outdoors. I know summer doesn’t really begin here until around July 12, according to Cliff Mass, atmospheric scientist and weather prediction wizard. Still, it’s not too early to sneak in drinks and apps in the garden or just get ready for full-fledged [...]
He Loves His Fish & Spinach & Sautéed Lemon
Fish and spinach and a sautéed lemon are an awesome trio and I’m here to tell you about their delicious culinary song.
Of all the good food we ate on our recent trip to Italy, my husband proclaims this meal we cooked ourselves his favorite. Because we had such amazing seasonal food everywhere we went, I was [...]
Not My Mother’s Meatloaf
With Mother’s Day right around the corner you might think this is a story about how I still make my mother’s favorite meatloaf recipe. You know the one I’m talking about — with family-guarded special ingredients, handwritten on an index card. It should be the recipe that every time I make it, I think of [...]
Spring’s Local Feast: Fish & Spinach
I’m traveling and finding seasonal, local food to eat and sometimes cook has been a particular interest. Italy has it down. Fish and produce markets in Venice, streetside bins of favas and blood oranges in Rome, in addition to daily fresh markets everywhere. Eating seasonally and within the character of a particular region is not [...]
Eating Out, Staying Green
I’ve wondered about small neighborhood restaurants and if many of them have local and sustainable in mind. If my own neighborhood is any indication they do. Sustainability is our 21st century zeitgeist. When we eat out, sushi for example, we want to know that the fish we’re consuming won’t be [...]
A Breakfast Ritual Worth Repeating
Many families have a ritual around at least one special meal a week. For us it’s our Saturday morning trip to the farmers market followed by breakfast at home, made with everything farm-fresh. It’s the same every week. We wake up, roll out of bed, get dressed and set off to the market. We usually [...]
Brine It: Homemade Corned Beef
I’m not Irish but St. Patrick’s Day gives me an unnecessary excuse to wear green and to eat corned beef. I decided to try “corning” my own beef this year and in the process learned that I have more of a connection to this dish than I realized. As it turns out, corned beef didn’t [...]
The Darker Side of Chocolate
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we’re all thinking about the sweetness of relationships but it takes a little more effort to delve into the deeper, more complex aspects of love. Similarly, chocolate’s savory side isn’t usually sought after or easily understood. Just try adding a little unsweetened cocoa powder to a dish for [...]
