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)
These spiced date cookies may look a lot like Fig Newtons, but the texture and flavor are quite different. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Dessert in a pinch

Spiced date cookies make a last-minute save

These spiced date cookies may look a lot like Fig Newtons, but the texture and flavor are quite different. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This jalapeno popper dip will brighten up any spread with subtle spice. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Thanksgiving planning: Spicing up the basics

This jalapeno popper dip adds some heat to traditional holiday fare

This jalapeno popper dip will brighten up any spread with subtle spice. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These salted caramel cupcakes topped with caramel candy balance sweetness with Maldon salt. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Twinbirthday’ brings back cupcake Mondays

Salted caramel cupcakes make a special occasion even sweeter

These salted caramel cupcakes topped with caramel candy balance sweetness with Maldon salt. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This bento box includes rice, fruit, vegetables and tomagoyaki, or Japanese rolled omelet. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Flavors of farm fresh eggs front and center in Japanese rolled omelet

Tomagoyaki is an excellent protein for lunch and is commonly found in bento boxes alongside fresh rice and side dishes

This bento box includes rice, fruit, vegetables and tomagoyaki, or Japanese rolled omelet. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
These dark and decadent chocolate brownies have a crunchy toffee topping. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Brownies to chase away a bad day

These saucepan brownies are deep, dark and decadent with a crunchy toffee topping

These dark and decadent chocolate brownies have a crunchy toffee topping. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Pork, fermented kimchi and tofu make the base of this recipe for Kimchi stew. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Kimchi stew ushers in fall

This stew is spicy with a rich broth and fatty bites of pork — perfect for a chilly, clear-skied autumn day

Pork, fermented kimchi and tofu make the base of this recipe for Kimchi stew. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Shredded chicken and vegetables are topped with a butter crust in this classic chicken pot pie. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A meal for when you need a hug

This classic chicken pot pie is mild and comforting

Shredded chicken and vegetables are topped with a butter crust in this classic chicken pot pie. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
This mildly sweet and nutty gnocchi was made white sweet potatoes, but any potatoes will do. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Gnocchi brings it home

Enjoying an afternoon in the kitchen

This mildly sweet and nutty gnocchi was made white sweet potatoes, but any potatoes will do. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Andrew Agosti prepares carrot gnocchi at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival’s Chef Tent at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Vendors and vegetables

Harvest Moon Local Food Festival celebrates local food scene at Soldotna Creek Park

Andrew Agosti prepares carrot gnocchi at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival’s Chef Tent at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
This date and walnut bread is sweet, dense and fragrant with spices. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Serving up walnuts, dates and a little courage

My new job will not be an easy one.

This date and walnut bread is sweet, dense and fragrant with spices. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
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)

Harvest Moon Local Food Festival returns Saturday

The event will feature live music, cooking demonstrations, educational talks, food trucks, guided edible walks, a pie-baking contest and the Fermentation Station

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)
Vanilla pound cake, fruits and pretzels are prepped for a fondue celebration. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating grandpa with fond memories and fondue

Sweet and dense vanilla pound cake is perfect for this dish

Vanilla pound cake, fruits and pretzels are prepped for a fondue celebration. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)