Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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As the days have been getting shorter and the mornings colder, my oven has been working overtime. Harvesting another beautiful pumpkin from our garden, and looking for some extra comfort this past weekend, I reviewed some quick-bread recipes from my files. Here, walnuts and plump, tart cranberries are folded into a perfectly spiced pumpkin bread. With the use of orange juice in the batter, the resulting loaf is moist and brightly flavored. Perfect for a holiday brunch, or even dessert, this is...
Each growing season we experiment with different fruits and vegetables in the garden. While some happily flourish, others just seem to fizzle and disappoint. Through it all, the most reliable producer, year after year, has been our purple plum tree. Easy to take care of, and quick growing, the branches of this tree are always heavy with fruit by the start of fall. From pies, cakes, chutneys, and jams, this time of year is always marked by the flavor of sweet, backyard stone fruit. These dark...
Perhaps because of my approaching birthday, or a simple craving for the mood-enhancing properties of cocoa, I have recently been dreaming of a perfect chocolate cake. Balancing sweetness with the deep, complex flavors of cocoa is a culinary science unto itself. This much-loved recipe results in a moist, silky textured cake with a rich and comforting flavor. Finished with a luscious vanilla buttercream frosting, this cake makes a memorable centerpiece to any celebration, big or small. Ingredients...
Dearest Readers, As you read this, you might have noticed that this week’s paper has landed in your hands a little later than usual. It’s not your imagination. Rather than hitting newsstands and the post office a day early like normal, this week we have arrived exactly on our official Thursday publication date. We don’t take a day’s delay lightly. Particularly when we are so honored to be a part of a proud journalistic lineage. Since 1878, The Times has been produced by an esteemed line of tirel...
While some things in the garden are starting to slow down, our prolific zucchini plants keep producing. Despite our best efforts at gifting these green wonders by the basketful to friends and family, we always seem to have extra zucchini loitering in the kitchen. This week, with another harvest on hand I turned to an old favorite recipe for tender zucchini bread. Quick to make, this delightful bread is full of flavor and is elevated with the addition of a crunchy, crumble topping. Ingredients:...
My favorite dessert recipes are those which rely on a combination of ripe, seasonal fruits with a few simple pantry ingredients to make culinary magic. This summer, after patiently waiting for three years, our young peach tree has finally produced a bounty of perfect fruit. Looking for a way to highlight their distinctive sweetness I decided to stick with the iconic homey southern classic, peach cobbler. Tossed with just the right amount of sugar and spice, slices of fresh peaches are baked...
The last sweet weeks of summer are always my favorite time of the season. The days are still long, yet thankfully, the scorching triple-digit temperatures are mostly behind us. It is also when our homegrown tomatoes are ripe and bursting with sun-kissed flavor. When tomatoes are as good as they are right now, I mostly enjoy eating them as unadulterated as possible – just a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of flakey sea salt is all that is needed. As a result, I am always in search of recipes f...
As summer begins to wind down, our edible garden is often at its peak. With an abundance of vibrant basil, and my favorite nightshades, like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant ready to harvest, my attention often turns towards Mediterranean recipes. Here, lovely eggplant and earthy mushrooms provide marvelous flavor and texture to this vegetarian version of a hearty Bolognese sauce. Satisfying without being too heavy, this comforting dish beautifully captures the delicious and sunny joys of late...
Each summer-growing season in the garden is a little different from the last. Things that thrive one year can struggle to flourish the next. Despite all the surprises and unpredictability, the one thing that there is never a shortage of is zucchini. This most prolific of summer squash needs to be harvested daily, and even after giving away boxes to friends and family we seem to always have a fresh pile on the kitchen counter. As a result, I have researched and tested countless recipes that use...
Too often, uninspired versions of this dish are slapped on restaurant menus, overdressed with bland mass-produced dressing. Originally created in 1924, by an Italian immigrant at his namesake restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, Caesar salads quickly became a hit with Hollywood trendsetters. Here, I have a lively and fresh homemade Caesar dressing that will change how you look at those that come in a bottle. Adding seasoned grilled chicken turns this into a satisfying warm weather entrée. Ingredients:...
Late summer is a productive time in the garden. There are moments when it feels like keeping up with the harvest is impossible, with mountains of summer bounty taking up valuable counter space in the kitchen. This week, we had beautiful tomatoes, cucumbers, and banana peppers that were all ready to be picked which inspired an exploration of classic recipes for Spanish gazpacho. Silky and vibrantly colored, this refreshing chilled soup is a wonderful way to celebrate the flavors of the season....
Recently, a family friend presented us with a box overloaded with lovely, plump apricots from his yard. As they are one of my favorite fruits, and one that we don't have growing in our own yard, I was thrilled. After several jars worth of jam making, we still had some of these sweet stone fruits to experiment with in the kitchen. In my quest for effortless recipes for showcasing seasonal fruits, I had recently bookmarked a Julia Child master recipe for clafoutis, a classic dessert from the...
Recently, while preparing for a dear friend's birthday celebration, I came across a recipe for an old-fashioned buttermilk cake. After adding orange zest to accentuate the tangy flavor of the buttermilk, the resulting cake was rich and moist with a perfect texture. Topped with an orange infused cream cheese frosting, this cake was a smashing hit with the guests of the party, and most importantly the birthday girl. This week, I plan on making this cake again for another summer birthday of sorts,...
As we move into the summer months, my culinary inspirations become increasingly influenced by what is ready to be picked in the garden. Compared to years past, the strawberry plant that runs along the east side of our house, has been extra bountiful lately. With a big bowl of perfectly ripe strawberries on hand, I set out to make a special dessert this week, researching recipes for cakes, soufflés, trifles, and crisps. Then, inspiration hit me when I remembered the robust rhubarb we have...
The days are finally warming up, waking up our vegetable patch with a fresh batch of delicate sprouts and young shoots. A lovely sight as we anticipate the delicious harvests to come. My kitchen herb garden, planted close to the house for quick plucking, has been looking particularly vibrant and lush these past few days. This silky quiche, full of fresh herbs and tender chard, comes alive with verdant spring flavor. Ingredients: 1 flakey crust, unbaked (recipe below) 2 spring Walla Walla...
As with many famous Italian American recipes, the origins of Chicken Vesuvio are slightly shrouded in mystery. Named after Italy’s infamous Mount Vesuvius, the dish shares many qualities to chicken preparations made around the Campania region for hundreds of years. Another possibility is that the recipe gets its name from Vesuvio, a famous restaurant in 1930s Chicago. Either way, it’s clear to see why this homey dish of crispy roasted chicken and potatoes in a lemon laced white wine sauce has remained a classic. Ingredients: 3 large russet pota...
While experimenting in the kitchen, I love when the addition of a single extra ingredient can elevate a classic recipe in exciting new ways. Here the homey snickerdoodle, a buttery cookie steeped in childhood memories, has crushed caraway seeds added to the cinnamon coating for a sophisticated twist on the warm-spice notes. Delightfully chewy, and not too sweet, these lovely morsels have an addictive flavor. Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened ¾ cup granulated sugar...
We make several trips to the southern Washington coast throughout the year. From the lazy sunny days of summer to the dramatic storms of winter, there is something special about each season. My favorite time to visit is September through October, when the weather is still lovely and the post-Labor Day tourist crowds are much smaller. Last week, we were able to sneak off for a quick weekend get-away where we were met with perfect weather and a chance to satisfy our built-up seafood cravings. At t...
With the warmer days and the first flowers blooming, my mind has turned to planning some springtime entertaining. A decadent weekend brunch with friends, full of lively conversation, and hopefully a mimosa or two, is a favorite daytime option. Here, my recipe for a classic hollandaise sauce is poured over a seasonal variation of eggs benedict, featuring cured salmon and fresh asparagus in place of the Canadian bacon. Ingredients: For the Hollandaise: 4 egg yolks 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed...
After six years of living in the Inland Northwest, there are still a few things about the other side of the state that I miss terribly. At the top of this list is access to fresh, local seafood, something I might have taken for granted at the time. Thankfully, there are many wonderful options for local and sustainable seafood that can be found flash-frozen in area grocery stores. Domestic, wild-caught shrimp, frozen raw, have become a staple in our freezer, perfect for quick weeknight dinners....
There are few sensory experiences more inviting than the smell of fresh baked bread filling your home. Though I was once terribly intimidated by bread making, through careful and delicious experimentation it become a satisfying addition to my kitchen repertoire. While pulling a fresh loaf from the oven is sure to impress special dinner guests, it can also be a wonderful way to elevate a middle-of-the-week meal for two. Recently, while researching recipes in preparation of our family Saint...
As spring green colors are finally popping up in our yard, I found myself craving tender green flavors. Rainbow chard braised with aromatics in stock and wine, is a favorite side dish that I love to prepare throughout the year. Here, the addition of potato gnocchi and sweet peas turns the braised greens into a delightful main course. For serving, a dollop of ricotta cheese adds a luscious creaminess, while fresh lemon zest and juice adds brightness. Ingredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 3...
On a recent sunny walk around town, I spotted the first early spring crocus of the season, and on Main Street, the dirty giant mountains of old plowed snow have finally melted away. Even so, the cold dark nights and frosty mornings of late winter continue. Yes, despite our yearnings for spring, it is still most definitely sweater and casserole weather. This week, I turned to ground turkey to create an unexpected twist on an old favorite recipe, Shepherd's Pie. Filling the house with tempting...
As regular readers of my column might recall, I often use my time in the kitchen to satisfy my periodic bouts of wanderlust. Recreating discoveries made during past travels, or dreaming of future trips, cooking and eating have become an extension to my passport. Music, like great food, can have the effect of transporting me to faraway places, with my kitchen playlist often influenced by what is on the stove. There are passionate Mexican corridos on my stereo when stirring a pot of mole, while...
Sometimes, while researching recipes, I am overcome by unexpected cravings. This week, I was reminded of the flavorful and messy childhood lunchroom classic, the sloppy joe sandwich. Always up for a challenge, I set out looking for an alternative to the overly sweet version that comes out of a can. Here, ground beef is simmered in a tangy homemade sauce that comes to life with a zesty combination of spices. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground beef (80/20) ½ yellow onion,...
