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

 

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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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Blue sits for a photo with Santa during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank to host Christmas meal, Santa photos

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank will this month host an opportunity for photos with Santa in addition to its annual Christmas meal. Office Manager Claire… Continue reading

Blue sits for a photo with Santa during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Marathon Petroleum Kenai Refinery General Manager Bruce Jackman presents a novelty check for $50,000 to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Marathon donates $50,000 to Kenai Peninsula Food Bank

Funds were raised during fishing fundraiser held this summer

Marathon Petroleum Kenai Refinery General Manager Bruce Jackman presents a novelty check for $50,000 to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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)
A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank seeks turkey donations as Thanksgiving nears

The local food bank is calling for donations of $25 to “Adopt-A-Turkey” for a local family in need

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/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)
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Anticipating candy-coated revelry

These popcorn balls, done three ways, are a classic Halloween treat

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These lean turkey burgers are juicy and flavorful and go great with salad and soda. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Twin dinner turkey burgers serve up birthday nostalgia

These lean burgers are juicy and flavorful and go great with salad and soda.

These lean turkey burgers are juicy and flavorful and go great with salad and soda. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These Japanese-style souffle pancakes are sweet, light and delicate, and taste divine paired with tart cranberry sauce. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Aiming for the clouds

Delicate, fluffy Japanese-style souffle pancakes bring breakfast to a new level

These Japanese-style souffle pancakes are sweet, light and delicate, and taste divine paired with tart cranberry sauce. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This classic chicken salad is bright and tangy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Afternoon chicken salad

This classic salad is bright and tangy, perfect for enjoying on a beach towel on the roof

This classic chicken salad is bright and tangy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This roasted pumpkin, apple and carrot soup is smooth and sweet. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Soothing soup for fall days

This roasted pumpkin, apple and carrot soup is perfect for a sick kid and worried-sick parents

This roasted pumpkin, apple and carrot soup is smooth and sweet. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A presenter processes cabbage for storage at the fermentation station during the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Saturday.

Local food festival returns produce, demos to Soldotna Creek Park

The annual Harvest Moon Local Food Festival is organized by the Kenai Local Food Connection

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A presenter processes cabbage for storage at the fermentation station during the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Saturday.
These chai latte cookies are fragrant and complex, perfect for autumn evenings at the table. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Card night cookies

These chai latte cookies are fragrant and complex, perfect for autumn evenings at the table

These chai latte cookies are fragrant and complex, perfect for autumn evenings at the table. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Abi Gutierrez fills a box of doughnuts during a ribbon-cutting event for The Glaze in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Living the doughnut dream

Owners aim to create a space for people to enjoy tasty pastries and spend time together

Abi Gutierrez fills a box of doughnuts during a ribbon-cutting event for The Glaze in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)