Grilled Panzanella Salad a la Tom Douglas

On a recent episode of the Seattle Kitchen podcast, Chefs Tom Douglas and Bridget Charters were talking summer grilling tips and Tom mentioned panzanella salad with grilled flank steak as a perfect one dish meal. Everything about it sounded delicious -- greens, mozzarella, asparagus, basil vinaigrette. It was all the suggestion I needed. We ate a…

May 31, 20170Comments

Events

Save the Date! Feast Portland 2017 Schedule Goes Live June 1

Feast Portland's 2017 schedule goes live one week from today on June 1 at 9 a.m. PT. What we know so far is the event runs September 14-17 and Feast's Main Events -- Sandwich Invitational, Night Market, Smoked!, the Grand Tasting and Brunch Village -- will return. The event will also feature more intimate gatherings, including…

May 25, 20170Comments

Book Reviews

BUNS by Alice Clayton | Review

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Alice Clayton’s brand of rom-com has always clicked with me and it’s particularly true with the Hudson Valley series. It’s the sassy heroines, the laugh out loud moments, the whoo damn <fans self> moments. The Hudson Valley Series adds in the no-holds-barred friendship between Roxie, Natalie…

May 23, 20170Comments

Travel

Tofino: British Columbia’s Not-so-Secret Beach Town

Cox Bay. Tofino, BC is perched on the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island. When we first visited nearly 10 years ago, it was a sleepy surf town just beyond Pacific Rim National Park. Tofino also offers great hiking, kayaking and some of the freshest seafood anywhere. It's an 8-hour trip by car and ferry from Seattle,…

May 16, 20170Comments

Main Course Pasta Recipes

Asparagus with Lemony Orzo, Chicken and Spinach

It's asparagus season. And I have to admit, roasted with olive oil and salt is pretty much my fall back preparation for them. When the asparagus is finally coming in locally, you don't need much more than that. Usually. If you want to feel like you ate a complete meal, try this Lemony Orzo with…

May 4, 20170Comments

Book Reviews

Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen (Brooklyn Bruisers #3) | Review

**ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review** Pipe Dreams weaves hockey with heartbreak and hope, but can it deliver the hat-trick with a happily ever after? Let me say upfront that I don’t usually go for the single dad, second chance at love trope. But damn it, Sarina Bowen did it again,…

May 2, 20170Comments

Book Reviews

Mister Romance by Leisa Rayven | Review

**ARC provided by author's PR in exchange for review** Mister Romance is a classic opposites attract story with a side of “will-they-or-won’t- they?” Straight up: it’s the ultimate beach read. 4 stars. On the surface, the premise might be a stretch for some readers: Clickbait journo Eden stumbles on the exposé of a lifetime and needs to…

April 26, 20170Comments

Recipes Salads

Louisa Shafia’s Rhubarb, Radish and Strawberry Salad

Do you have any idea how sour raw rhubarb is? Until I found this Strawberry, Rhubarb and Radish salad in Louisa Shafia's New Persian Kitchen cookbook, I'd never thought to eat it raw. Thinly shaved it adds an acidic tang, but be forewarned, it's astringency can give you that dry tongue feeling, which some chalk up to…

April 19, 20170Comments

Events

Hot Stove Society’s Food Lovers’ Weekend: April 28-30

Photo Credit: Tom Douglas Restaurants Tickets are still available for Tom Douglas' Hot Stove Society Food Lovers' Weekend, April 28- 30 in Seattle. The weekend's theme: World Flavors, including Brazilian, Caribbean, Chinese, French, Indian, Malaysian and Persian cuisines. The weekend kicks off on Friday night with a reception and demos, followed by two days of eating,…

April 18, 20170Comments

Baking

Hot Cross Buns or Not Cross Buns? The Choice is Yours

I'm known to bake hot cross buns any time of year, except maybe summer. Since Easter isn't a huge holiday for us, Good Friday usually sneaks up on me. This year, I'm ready. Over the last few years, I've tweaked a Donna Hay recipe and finally settled on it as my go-to. You can do a lot…

April 12, 20170Comments

Michelle

Grilled Panzanella Salad a la Tom Douglas

Save the Date! Feast Portland 2017 Schedule Goes Live June 1

BUNS by Alice Clayton | Review

Tofino: British Columbia’s Not-so-Secret Beach Town

Asparagus with Lemony Orzo, Chicken and Spinach

Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen (Brooklyn Bruisers #3) | Review

Mister Romance by Leisa Rayven | Review

Louisa Shafia’s Rhubarb, Radish and Strawberry Salad

Hot Stove Society’s Food Lovers’ Weekend: April 28-30

Hot Cross Buns or Not Cross Buns? The Choice is Yours

Review: The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren

Book Review: Wisdom Corner by David Heska Wanbli Weiden

Book Review: Just for the Season by Rachel Griffiths