Volunteers work the fermentation station at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Serving up a passion for wellness, local foods

8th annual Harvest Moon Festival focuses on sustainability, locally sourced foods and food security.

Volunteers work the fermentation station at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Homemade lemon curd and fruit are an easy way to fill puff pastry tart shells on the fly. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: When life gives you puff pastry … make lemon curd

By my own necessity I have become resourceful, adaptable and a creative problem-solver.

Homemade lemon curd and fruit are an easy way to fill puff pastry tart shells on the fly. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This base oatmeal muffin mix offers endless variations and can be paired with fresh fruits and berries. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A muffin for all seasons

Accompany the summer berry bounty with this all-purpose oatmeal muffin.

This base oatmeal muffin mix offers endless variations and can be paired with fresh fruits and berries. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Arugula, pine nuts, and the blueberry relish top meats and homemade pizza dough. (Photo by Tress Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Blueberry pizza marks the end of summer

The acidity and sweetness of the berries make them an excellent companion for creamy cheeses and fatty meats.

Arugula, pine nuts, and the blueberry relish top meats and homemade pizza dough. (Photo by Tress Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This potato corn chowder takes 10 minutes to prepare and can be customized with different toppings to satisfy everyone at the table. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: A soup to ward off burnout

Even for me the mental labor of cooking is exhausting and sometimes overwhelming.

This potato corn chowder takes 10 minutes to prepare and can be customized with different toppings to satisfy everyone at the table. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Whole fruit and sweetener like sugar and honey combine to make fresh strawberry milk. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Not your average strawberry milk

Local fruit adds depth to summertime favorite

Whole fruit and sweetener like sugar and honey combine to make fresh strawberry milk. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Spam, seaweed and sticky rice combine to make one of Hawaii’s most iconic road snacks. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: A salty, satisfying taste of paradise

Spam musubi, Hawaii’s most iconic road snack

Spam, seaweed and sticky rice combine to make one of Hawaii’s most iconic road snacks. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Scrambled Eggs A La Escoffier (Photo by Tressa Dale)

Scrambled eggs the Escoffier way

For the last few months of culinary school, my class was given the opportunity to occupy the kitchen and dining room of an old hotel… Continue reading

Scrambled Eggs A La Escoffier (Photo by Tressa Dale)
Mindful ramen. (Photo by Tressa Dale/For the Clarion)

Take guilt off menu with mindful ramen

I do a lot of preaching about healthy eating, but I have a dirty secret: deep down, I’m a junk food junkie. I love all… Continue reading

Mindful ramen. (Photo by Tressa Dale/For the Clarion)
This rich Parmesan risotto makes a creamy base for mushrooms and kale. Photographed July 10, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Kale salad? Not so much

A cream risotto makes an indulgent base for the nutritional green

This rich Parmesan risotto makes a creamy base for mushrooms and kale. Photographed July 10, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This orange Julius swaps out the traditional egg whites with sweetened condensed milk, for a tangy and safe summer treat. Photographed July 4, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Adding some orange to the red, white and blue

A quintessentially American drink cools off any Fourth of July celebration.

This orange Julius swaps out the traditional egg whites with sweetened condensed milk, for a tangy and safe summer treat. Photographed July 4, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Containing onions, carrots, shitake mushrooms and noodles Japchae is a stir-fried Korean vegetable and noodle dish that is delectable hot, cold and everywhere in between. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Noodles made with a loving hand

Japchae is a stir-fried Korean vegetable and noodle dish that is delectable hot, cold and everywhere in between

Containing onions, carrots, shitake mushrooms and noodles Japchae is a stir-fried Korean vegetable and noodle dish that is delectable hot, cold and everywhere in between. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Bell pepper, cabbage and onions add flavor and texture to this salmon cake recipe. P(Photo by Tress Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Reaching new heights with salmon cakes

An Alaska classic turned into Father’s Day tradition

Bell pepper, cabbage and onions add flavor and texture to this salmon cake recipe. P(Photo by Tress Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Cheddar biscuits go hand in hand with summer seafood catch. Photographed on Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale)

On the strawberry patch: Cheddar biscuits for your fresh catch

For a lot of the country, cheddar biscuits go hand in hand with seafood because of the popularity of a certain chain seafood restaurant.

Cheddar biscuits go hand in hand with summer seafood catch. Photographed on Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale)
Tressa Dale / Peninsula Clarion
Feta and Parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, carrot, yellow bell pepper, asparagus, purple potatoes, beets and white button mushrooms form into a rainbow with a cheesy heart on focaccia bread.

On the strawberry patch: Colorful food for a colorful world

Rainbow vegetables adorn this colorful focaccia canvas.

Tressa Dale / Peninsula Clarion
Feta and Parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, carrot, yellow bell pepper, asparagus, purple potatoes, beets and white button mushrooms form into a rainbow with a cheesy heart on focaccia bread.
Freshly baked loaves are ready for resale at Lucy’s Market in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘I managed to keep it alive all this time’

Born over 250 years ago in Germany, “Marlis” is now vital at a Soldotna bakery

Freshly baked loaves are ready for resale at Lucy’s Market in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A fried egg, crushed seaweed paper, green onions and sesame seeds top this classic Korean kimchi dish. (Photo by Tress Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: A meal to change your life

Kimchi fried rice a taste features the most iconic of Korean staples.

A fried egg, crushed seaweed paper, green onions and sesame seeds top this classic Korean kimchi dish. (Photo by Tress Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Primavera is a classic springtime pasta dish that features fresh foraged fiddleheads. Photographed on Sunday, May 23, 2021. (Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Alaska primavera

Fresh fiddleheads add an Alaska twist to this pasta classic.

Alaska Primavera is a classic springtime pasta dish that features fresh foraged fiddleheads. Photographed on Sunday, May 23, 2021. (Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids enjoy homemade popsicles on May 16, 2021. (Photo courtesy Tressa Dale)

On the Strawberry Patch: Make memories of summer

Popsicles are easy as can be and can even be a great way to sneak in some nutrition if you’ve got picky eaters.

Kids enjoy homemade popsicles on May 16, 2021. (Photo courtesy Tressa Dale)
Brie and caramel apple voulevant is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, photographed in April, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: A celebration of food

Make first gatherings special with this simple but sophisticated brie and caramel apple voulevant.

Brie and caramel apple voulevant is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, photographed in April, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)