Trader Joe's new Strawberries & Cream Cloud Cake has no right to be as good as it is. It's two layers of white cake with custard sandwiched between them, frosted with whipped cream. And finally topped with strawberries. Housed in a plastic dome, the box advises letting it thaw for 24 hours before consuming. But…
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…
Issaquah Farmers Market kicked off on May 7 with a mix of vendors old and new. It was a gorgeously sunny day which undoubtedly delivered a good turnout. Here's a quick look at Opening Day and what you can look forward to at the market this weekend.
Spring has arrived - Washington asparagus at Issaquah Farmers…
Strawberries have a lot in common with regret. And with the old adage, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
If ever there was such a thing as a fleeting moment, strawberry season in the Northwest truly is it. The first local strawberries seem to appear in early June and by the end of the month, they’re nearly gone. If you want to get technical about it yes, there are ever-bearing varieties here, but the June bearers – the Puget Crimson, the Puget Reliance, the Rainiers – seem to make the most flavorful jam.
For a kid who grew up in California, strawberry season stretches from as early as late January nearly all the way to the fall, before starting again. It’s a luxury that we just don’t have this far north. You’ve got to pay attention to the calendar and the moment the strawberries come in, start tasting and making jam. Unlike last year, when I first started dabbling with jam, I only made strawberry once, and as a refrigerator jam to boot, not realizing what I’d be missing come January and February. This year, I was ready. Sort of.
Rhubarb is perpetually stuck in the Friend Zone, like that friend you’ve known your whole life, but you just didn’t see him that way. Every spring, rhubarb kicks off farmers market season in the Pacific Northwest, but all you have eyes for are the asparagus and peas. Last week at the market, I snapped a few photos of rhubarb but otherwise passed it by. Then, with a nudge from Hannah’s rhubarb cranachan (think oaty rhubarb jam parfait) over at Blue Kale Road, I put this crazy red celery-looking fruit on the shopping list.
Devising a dessert 7-layer dip is no easy feat. Earlier this week in the midst of all the chicken wing and pulled pork sandwich recipes, I wondered out loud on Twitter, “Why have I seen no 7-layer dip with chocolate pudding, caramel, cool whip and M&M's (ok, you figure out the other 3).” Rebekah at…
