Tressa Dale

These monster cookie-inspired granola bars are soft, chewy and tasty enough to disguise all the healthy nuts, oats and seeds. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Fueling the fearless

My son’s adventurous nature unfortunately does not extend to his diet.

 

This decadent, creamy tiramisu is composed of layers of coffee-soaked homemade lady fingers and mascarpone cheese with a cocoa powder topping. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A fancy dessert for an extra-special birthday

This dessert is not what I usually make for his birthday, but I wanted to make him something a little fancier for 35

 

This chili uses ground turkey, light and dark red kidney beans, and plenty of cumin and ground chili. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Hearty chili to lighten the heart

This chili uses ground turkey, light and dark red kidney beans, and plenty of cumin and ground chili.

 

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Quick bread for every meal

This foolproof soda bread is a recipe that’s great for breakfast.

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Beef empanadas are served with mixed greens and corn. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Empanadas for the inquisitive

These savory beef empanadas are filling and flavorful, perfect fuel for a growing mind.

Beef empanadas are served with mixed greens and corn. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Creamy pasta is served with smoked salmon and Parmesan. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A dish for the mourning

Smoked salmon fettuccine served in a time of grief.

Creamy pasta is served with smoked salmon and Parmesan. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These cupcakes are dense, more like brownies than traditional cupcakes, and are chock full of chocolate. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate’ with some sprinkles

These cupcakes are dense, more like brownies than traditional cupcakes, and are chock full of chocolate.

These cupcakes are dense, more like brownies than traditional cupcakes, and are chock full of chocolate. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Galbi jjim, or braised beef short ribs, are prepared for lunar new year and celebrate the year of the snake. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Beginning the year of the snake

The lunar new year took place Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Galbi jjim, or braised beef short ribs, are prepared for lunar new year and celebrate the year of the snake. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
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Hoagie rolls for the heart

These little loaves are perfect for eating with one hand while you save yourself with the other.

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This vegetable minestrone soup is satisfying, nutritious and comes together fast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Vegetable minestrone fuels fast-paced days skiing and learning

I’ll be relying on my crockpot to help us get through our busiest time of year.

This vegetable minestrone soup is satisfying, nutritious and comes together fast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This hearty and warm split pea soup uses bacon instead of ham or can be made vegan. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Hearty split pea soup warms frigid January days

This soup is nutritious and mild and a perfect way to show yourself some kindness.

This hearty and warm split pea soup uses bacon instead of ham or can be made vegan. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These savory dumplings are delicious steamed, boiled, deep fried, or pan fried and are excellent in soups or added to a bowl of ramen. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Facing the new year one dumpling at a time

I completed another impossibly huge task this weekend and made hundreds of wontons by hand to serve our large family

These savory dumplings are delicious steamed, boiled, deep fried, or pan fried and are excellent in soups or added to a bowl of ramen. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
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Peppermint patties and a Charlie Brown tree

These icy mints are a nostalgic treat perfect for spreading holiday cheer

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Baking family history

This recipe is labeled “banana fudge,” but the result is more like fudgy banana brownies

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Peanut butter balls for Ms. Autumn

This holiday treat is made in honor of the Soldotna El secretary who brings festive joy

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These traditional southern Christmas Divinity Cookies are soft, extremely sweet and might provide some nostalgic joy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating divine Christmas traditions

Grandma came to our door this weekend with a gift and a smile. She unrolled her handcrafted masterpiece and explained to our wide-eyed little boy… Continue reading

These traditional southern Christmas Divinity Cookies are soft, extremely sweet and might provide some nostalgic joy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These light and savory cheesy ring puff snacks are piped pate a choux with a generous handful of shredded Edam cheese. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Puffing up Thanksgiving

These light and savory snacks are piped pate a choux with a generous handful of shredded Edam cheese

These light and savory cheesy ring puff snacks are piped pate a choux with a generous handful of shredded Edam cheese. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Pistachios and pomegranates give these muffins a unique flavor and texture. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A chef is born

Pistachio and pomegranate muffins celebrate five years growing and learning in the kitchen

Pistachios and pomegranates give these muffins a unique flavor and texture. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Make-ahead stuffing helps take pressure off Thanksgiving cooking. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Holiday magic, pre-planned

Make-ahead stuffing helps take pressure off Thanksgiving cooking

Make-ahead stuffing helps take pressure off Thanksgiving cooking. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This slow-simmered ox tail broth makes this otherwise simple borscht recipe quite luxurious. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Borscht from the source

This homestyle stew recipe draws on experience of Russian cook

This slow-simmered ox tail broth makes this otherwise simple borscht recipe quite luxurious. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)