This Korean rice porridge, called dak juk, is easy to digest but hearty and nutritious, perfect for when you’re learning how to eat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A comforting meal for new beginnings

Rice porridge is a common first solid meal for many, many babies around the world

This Korean rice porridge, called dak juk, is easy to digest but hearty and nutritious, perfect for when you’re learning how to eat. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Eggplants, garlic, lemon juice and tahini make up this recipe for baba ghanouj. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

When making a good example is hard to swallow

Preparing baba ghanouj despite a dislike of eggplant

Eggplants, garlic, lemon juice and tahini make up this recipe for baba ghanouj. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Tantanmen, a 30-minute ramen dish, doesn’t sacrifice flavor or wholesomeness for speed. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Ramen that satisfies

Tantanmen features a milky, nutty broth and can be on the table in under 30 minutes

Tantanmen, a 30-minute ramen dish, doesn’t sacrifice flavor or wholesomeness for speed. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
A cheesecake is ready to be served.

Making a cheesecake that’s all it’s cracked up to be

Sometimes, even if you do everything right, your dish will fail

Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
A cheesecake is ready to be served.
Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
This French onion frittata is delicious and not too filling.

A light meal to fuel fun family outings

This French onion frittata is delicious and not too filling

Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
This French onion frittata is delicious and not too filling.
Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
This basil avocado dressing is creamy, sweet, tangy, and herbaceous — great for use on bitter greens like kale and arugula.

Memories of basil and bowling with Dad

This dressing is creamy, sweet, tangy, and herbaceous

Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
This basil avocado dressing is creamy, sweet, tangy, and herbaceous — great for use on bitter greens like kale and arugula.
This beef and barley stew is both comforting and nourishing — perfect for when your fingers are frozen and your cheeks are chapped. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Drape yourself in warmth with comforting stew

Nourishing beef and barley stew is perfect for cold days

This beef and barley stew is both comforting and nourishing — perfect for when your fingers are frozen and your cheeks are chapped. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Meat- and vegetable-filled dumplings, fried eggs and nori stew in hot meat broth in this recipe for mandu-guk, or dumpling soup. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Dumplings for dragons

In Korea, the Lunar New Year is one of the major holidays, and families gather to cook and play games over a long weekend

Meat- and vegetable-filled dumplings, fried eggs and nori stew in hot meat broth in this recipe for mandu-guk, or dumpling soup. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A creamy, rich and filling is ensconced a puff pastry crust in this French chicken and mushroom pie. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A meal to warm frigid days ahead

On colder days I cook more caloric meals for my own family at home to keep our body fires roaring

A creamy, rich and filling is ensconced a puff pastry crust in this French chicken and mushroom pie. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These rhubarb dream bars are equally sour and sweet and are delicious served cold or hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Sweet treats propel afternoon skiing

A sweet treat makes ski practice days that much more special for him

These rhubarb dream bars are equally sour and sweet and are delicious served cold or hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This decadent brioche dough is made rich with eggs and warm milk. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A breakfast baked with love

Rich egg-filled brioche dough makes perfect French toast

This decadent brioche dough is made rich with eggs and warm milk. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Chicken Katsu Curry. (Photo by Tressa Dale)

Chicken Katsu Curry brings back memories

Sometimes all it takes is a plate of food to transport you to the past. Just the sight of a familiar dish can whisk you… Continue reading

Chicken Katsu Curry. (Photo by Tressa Dale)
This sweet rice dessert, yaksik, is traditional for New Year’s Day in Korea (specifically, the lunar new year) and is often made as a gift for friends and neighbors. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Gifting health on the New Year

This dish is packed with dried fruits and nuts and makes a delicious breakfast, snack or dessert

This sweet rice dessert, yaksik, is traditional for New Year’s Day in Korea (specifically, the lunar new year) and is often made as a gift for friends and neighbors. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Roasted duck is served with rosemary and oranges. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Roasted duck makes for a decadent holiday meal

Cooked correctly it makes an elegant and sumptuous showstopper fit for the fanciest of parties

Roasted duck is served with rosemary and oranges. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This cornbread is sweet and fluffy, perfect with chili after a long day. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Cornbead and crockpots for chilly days

This cornbread is sweet and fluffy, perfect with chili after a long day

This cornbread is sweet and fluffy, perfect with chili after a long day. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Sugarplums are made of toasted nuts and dried fruit with spices and honey, rolled in sparkling sugar. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Dreaming of sugarplums

These fruit specialties conjure the magic of the holidays

Sugarplums are made of toasted nuts and dried fruit with spices and honey, rolled in sparkling sugar. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Fresh mozzarella, above, is great if you find yourself with a gallon of milk on its last day. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Mozzarella saves the day

After all our Thanksgiving guests departed, we received a delivery of several gallons of milk nearing their expiration date

Fresh mozzarella, above, is great if you find yourself with a gallon of milk on its last day. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These festive gingerbread cookies are topped with royal icing and sprinkles. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Rolling out the gingerbread

With Christmas around the corner, it’s time for the holiday classic

These festive gingerbread cookies are topped with royal icing and sprinkles. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Roasted broccoli Caesar salad provides some much-needed greens and fiber to balance out the rolls and gravy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A toasty, warm salad for a cozy Thanksgiving

This warm side dish provides some much-needed greens and fiber to balance out the rolls and gravy

Roasted broccoli Caesar salad provides some much-needed greens and fiber to balance out the rolls and gravy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These snowballs are made of chocolate cupcakes are surrounded with sugary meringue and coconut flakes. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Snowballs for a snow day

Winter-themed cupcakes celebrate a day at home

These snowballs are made of chocolate cupcakes are surrounded with sugary meringue and coconut flakes. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)