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The cold weather months make us crave heartier foods… and root vegetables are definitely hearty. They are versatile in flavor, texture and application – as well as budget-friendly and a great source of complex-carbohydrates! Rutabagas, parsnips, carrots, turnips and...

The Pacific Northwest loves their Dungeness crabs! Named for the Washington town on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Dungeness crab is found all the way from Alaska to lower California. Photo from Kathy Casey's Northwest Table. You've probably noticed that some crab...

Oatmeal. We know that it makes for a hearty breakfast. The reason is that it contains soluble fiber (that stays in the stomach) helping you feel fuller, longer. This can keep you from overeating! Eating just a half cup of oatmeal a day is enough to reap its many...

Some people don’t realize that California citrus is in season during the winter – which means zesty grapefruit is at its peak right now! The mighty grapefruit first came to us in the 18th century as a cross between a pomelo and an orange. They are rich in vitamin C...

Planning a festive party and need some drink ideas? Don’t worry! I’m here to help, so you’ll have lots of time to be merry with your guests, Pick 1-2 signature cocktail recipes and pre-batch them. Then supplement your signature drink(s) with red wine and champagne, or...

Potatoes have to be one of the most popular foods in the world. They're economical AND delicious. Potatoes are great boiled or baked, mashed, smashed, or fried. And aren't baked potatoes the best? Served on the side of a juicy steak and smothered with sour cream and...

Whether you like them as a side sauce cozied to turkey or made into a holiday garland with popcorn, nothing is as perfect for the holidays than cranberries! Seasonal foods just naturally go together. The apple, for example, is the perfect foil for its seasonal cousin...

The holidays are upon us and it’s time to start planning those holiday dinners for friends and family. Everyone has their favorites from old-school marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes to the classic green bean casserole. For me, it’s all about the turkey! Juicy and...

Okay, I know that for holiday dinners it’s hard to break away from the tried and true accompaniments – the infamous green bean casserole topped with crispy fried onions, marshmallow-y brown sugar yams, and sage-y stuffing. I’m not saying to forget making your faves,...

Who doesn’t love to throw a dinner party, but some just do it with a little less stress. Here are a few of my fave entertaining tips: •Write out your menu and plan out your prep day by day, preparing as much as you can in advance and picking recipes that can be...

When I think of my childhood favorite after school treat, hot chocolate always comes to mind. But cocoa isn’t just for kids – that’s right adults! Jazz up the flavors with savory and spice add in’s – like infusing cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks into the base. You...

Not many desserts bring out a warm sense of old fashioned home cooking as much as an upside down cake. Think classic with those rings of pineapple, bright red cherries and oozy buttery brown sugar. Upside down cakes are pretty straight forward: gooey sugary business...

Although I love them, figs are so much more than the iconic Fig Newton, which by the way was first sold dried in a commercially manufactured cookie in 1892. Who knew? Figs: they're unusual, versatile, and even grow well here in Seattle. I have a fig tree in my...

Bananas, the ultimate naturally portable snack! Perfect for throwing into your purse or bag. Besides being deliciously handy, bananas are a great source of potassium while being low in sodium. They are a good source of Vitamin B6 as well as Vitamin C and dietary...

DIY hands-on dinner parties are always fun, interactive and convenient when it comes to dietary restrictions and preferences. It’s also a great way to answer that age old party question, “What can I do to help?” One of my fave kinds of food parties is a taco fiesta!...

Local, wild morel mushrooms are treasured like gold and every spring fungi enthusiasts rush out to scope their secret spots, looking for the first signs of this delicacy! Morels fruit in two types of habitat. In areas where they are naturalized, they fruit every year....

Ah, arugula! This bold green livens up any dish it’s in. Nicknamed "Garden Rocket," it grows fast, almost like a weed in our northwest climate. Well, weed or not, this tasty leaf is full of great health benefits. Just 4 ounces of this green is just 25 calories – wow!...

Cinnamon has a spicy history. Wars were fought over trading rights and Ancient Romans paid more for cinnamon than its weight in gold! Fresh cinnamon sticks from World Spice Merchants at Pike Place! It has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine for its...