Food

Before this week’s presidential election, before the coronavirus pandemic, before TikTok, before the long fight for marriage equality was won – join me as I zoom all the way back to the fall of 2014. That is when Deb Perelman, the recipe developer and writer behind Smitten Kitchen, one of the nicest places on the internet, brought a casserole dish of stewed beans covered in a blanket of melted cheese to a potluck.

Glittering chandeliers resembling dandelion puffs. Tables covered in white starched cloths set with quality china and gold flatware.

Regional baker Casey Bates landed a dream stint on Food Network's "Christmas Cookie Challenge" that airs Thursday night for a $10,000 prize. Fittingly, the show's farm theme of "Christmas on the North Pole Farm" made her feel right at home, because Bates runs her cookie business – Casey Bates Creates – from her home in Colton, Wash.

As the holiday season approaches, many have begun planning gatherings with family and friends. A special dinner is often the centerpiece of these festive occasions. Anyone who has hosted a holiday dinner knows what a challenge they can be.

Q: When cooking meat on the stovetop or grill, do I need to switch out my cooking utensil when the chicken is cooked before continuing the rest of the recipe? I have several recipes, such as stir-fries, that say to cook the chicken or other protein first in a skillet, then add the remaining ingredients. Since the spatula touched raw chicken, should I switch to a clean spatula before adding the other ingredients? Or should I make the switch after flipping the chicken but before touching it again to stir-fry?

A new restaurant has opened in Spokane’s South Perry district that merges the cuisines of Mexico and India, offering everything from naan tacos to steak with masala compound butter.

“Do you still enjoy cooking?” I’ve been asked this question regularly throughout my career as a food blogger, line cook and now food staff writer. It happened again recently when I spoke to students in a college food writing course. And, for better or worse, the answer is a mixed bag.

With life as hectic as it is, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut with the same shopping list and a handful of go-to dishes week to week. But enjoying more variety not only makes life more interesting, it is a good idea nutritionally.

Yomiuri Shimbun

Brew Peddler, a new coffee shop on Spokane’s South Hill that had a soft opening last month, will begin serving food at its official grand opening celebration Friday.

A week after my garden began to almost flourish last month – daisies blooming, tomato stalks fruiting – the temperature dropped, and my plants’ leaves started to wither. Every few days, I harvested a handful of something. The day I snipped my broccolini stalks out of their pot, I decided it was brisk enough outside to make soup. This Broccolini Parmesan Soup is my take on broccoli cheddar.

Your assortment of sugary treats on Halloween may look a bit different this year. The traditional mix of caramel, nougat and wafer-filled chocolaty mounds won’t dominate Halloween baskets this year, experts say. Instead, you’ll find more tart and fruity sweets.

A Wild West legend once said, “Wish I had time for one more bowl of chili.” I often think that when a pot of good chili is nearby. When the weather turns chilly outside, it’s a good time to have a steaming bowl or two of chili inside.

Nini Nguyen is loudly and proudly embracing her Vietnamese culture now more than ever before. The Vietnamese American chef, who grew up in New Orleans and moved to New York City to further her career, gained national exposure as a contestant on “Top Chef” in 2018.

Are burgers made from plants really better for you than real beef burgers?

Chicken noodle soup, a cozy blanket, your favorite TV show, lots of sleep. When you’re feeling sick or stressed, you likely have a few go-tos that help you feel better.

An award-winning chef and former Spokane bakery owner took home a $25,000 grand prize after beating out three chefs from across the country in a pizza-baking competition last weekend in California.

The Inland Empire’s fair season has closed for the year, with the Central Washington State and Lewis County, Idaho Fairs concluding the weekend before last. The Spokane County Interstate Fair finished a couple of weeks earlier.

Gooey cinnamon rolls, flaky croissants and other baked goods fill the shelves of the Leaven Bakery & Patisserie in Deer Park three days a week, at least until hungry shoppers clear the display cases each day.