Food
Simple Spice Cake
Simple Spice Cake is a throwback recipe to less complicated time. It’s easy to get caught up in the super complicated gourmet recipes people seem to favor these days, I like to things my grandma would have made 70 years ago. Feel free to add raisins and pecans if you love them, only about a […]
Creamy Coconut Cheesecake
Confession time. We made 3 of these in a week. Although we only ate 1 at home, the other 2 went into work because the office had a cheesecake emergency and everyone HAD to have a slice. Be sure to find coconut milk powder ahead of time, I ordered from Amazon Prime and it was $7 […]
Strawberry Buttermilk Baked Doughnuts
Spring is around the corner. From an errant daffodil in our front yard to needing only one coat to walk the dog in the evening, better days are definitely on the way. Strawberry Buttermilk Baked Doughnuts use real fruit in both the cake and the glaze, making for a bright and tasty treat. Strawberry Buttermilk Baked […]
White Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
While chocolate is not technically chocolate. It has cocoa butter, sugar and milk but no cocoa solids (aka cocoa powder). Feel free to share this bit of knowledge to annoy your friends… I definitely have. White Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting don’t need cocoa solids. Clocking in with a whopping 3 […]
Yellow Snack Cakes with Vanilla Cream Filling
I got a Twinkie pan for Christmas! Technically, it’s a “cream canoe pan,” although I have no idea what cream canoes are exactly. This recipe can be made as cupcakes but it’s much more fun to create Twinkie look-alike treats. Be sure to read about whipping egg whites if you’re new to the kitchen, stiff peaks are […]
Lemon Cheesecake Bites
Lemon Cheesecake Bites are perfect miniature treats. With a lemony crust, sweet cheesecake filling and tart lemon topping, these little beauties will impress anyone. Need extras? (Hint… you’ll need extras). The recipe doubles easily. Lemon Cheesecake Bites Makes 24 miniature cupcakes Ingredients: Crust 3 oz cream cheese, softened 1/2 C (1 stick) butter, softened 1 […]
Healthy Living Cooked vs raw: Cooked wins
Healthy Living Question: Does your body desire cooked vs raw food? Do you strive to eat more raw foods and feel sluggish and bloated? Consider switching to consuming more cooked food to jump start your healthy living eating program. I am currently enrolled in Vancouver Yoga Center‘s 200 hour yoga teacher trainer course instructed by […]
What Can I Plant Now?
I have noticed geraniums and marigolds in the garden stores. Is it okay to plant those now? What about tomatoes? Geraniums, marigolds and tomatoes are very sensitive to frost. We could get frost for several more weeks, especially in the higher elevations. They are all warm weather plants, which means they will not make much […]
Tom’s “Too Tall” Tree Story
Tom and Mary moved into a home that was only 2 years old in a nice neighborhood. The previous owner had planted a lawn, shrubs and a shade tree about 20 feet west of a large picture window. The tree was large enough to partially shade the hot afternoon sun on the window. By the […]
MOOD BOOSTER Vitamin D – NOT just for bones
As the dreary gray days continue here in Clark County coupled with the switch this weekend to daylight savings time (HATE!), so many people at my gym Battleground Snap Fitness – have shared with me that they’re feeling bluesy, tired, sleepy and depressed. What can you do about it? Consider evaluating your Vitamin D […]
mmmmm Healthy Living Baked Gluten Free and Dairy Free Do’h nuts
Every 3rd Sunday, I bake healthy gluten free treats for the Battleground FourSquare Church – so I’m always searching for new and exciting recipes! I spied this B-A-K-E-D Sweet Potato Donuts with Chocolate Coconut recipe from Ambitious Kitchen blog Inspired, I made a few changes for us Gluten Free and Dairy Free Sensitive bakers. Here’s […]
Three simple salmon recipes worthy of the kitchen table
In 2016 an unfortunate statistic was reported; for the first time in history Americans spent more money eating out than they did on groceries. Unfortunate for a multitude of reasons, one being that the expansion of the American mid-section is largely attributed to meals prepared outside the home. Google it, I don’t make this stuff […]
Burnt Bridge featured wine at The Grant House wine dinner
Did you crash and burn this Valentine’s Day? Here’s your chance for a do-over… VikiI am a Clark County native. I am Level 2 WSET (wine and spirit education trust)-certified and enjoy pairing wine with my passion for travel and fondness of food. My most prized possessions are the memories of places I’ve been […]
Wine & Travel: Texas Hill Country
Living in the northwest surrounded by so many terrific wine regions, it can be easy to forget the world is filled with exceptional wines and even varietals yet to be discovered. On its own, the United States provides fun and exciting excuses to venture out in search of the great grapes of the globe. Everything’s […]
Tickets still available for Oregon Chardonnay Celebration
Tickets are still available for the 2017 Oregon Chardonnay Celebration. Held at the luxurious Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg, Oregon, the 6th Annual event promises to be even more consumer-focused than last year. The in-depth seminar, held from 1-3 p.m. will be led by Food & Wine magazine’s executive wine editor, Ray Isle. The […]
N. Mississippi restaurant features Italian-inspired wine dinner
QUAINTRELLE HOSTS WINEMAKER DINNER WITH DARRYL JOANNIDES OF VIOLA WINE CELLARS Four-course family-style dinner with wine pairings, $75 February 14, 2017 – Portland, OR – Quaintrelle will host a February winemaker dinner on Wednesday, February 22 with Darryl Joannides of Viola Wine Cellars. Join sommelier Matt Hansel and chef de cuisine Bill Wallender for a four-course family-style […]
Local vintners featuring port-style wines for Valentine’s Weekend
Valentine’s weekend is upon us and, with that, wineries will be hosting their annual Chocolate & Wine Pairing festivities from SW Washington to the Yakima Valley, Southern Oregon and beyond. In honor of the occasion, I tasted several of the port-style treats being crafted by vintners throughout Clark County. Be sure to pick up a […]
NW Wineries make Wine Spectator cover story
Have you caught the January/February issue of Wine Spectator yet? Two Oregon wineries—Ayoub and Bethel Heights—and two Washington Wineries—Novelty Hill/Januik and Sparkman Cellars—are featured in the cover story: 30 Wineries to Discover. The wineries are noted for consistently delivering high-quality wines. Ayoub crafts eight small-production wines that I can say from personal experience deliver all […]
Clark College hosts Food Summit this Friday
A daylong discussion about the region’s food ecosystem and the college’s role in its future VANCOUVER, Wash. — Clark College will be hosting “Growing Our Future” on Friday, February 10, to explore issues within the local food system and possibilities for new curriculum at the college to support this region’s food-producing industries. The daylong event, […]
Burnt Bridge Cellars rolls out Thursday Happy Hour
Burnt Bridge Cellars, Vancouver’s only urban winery, rolled out their first Thursday Happy Hour back on January 26. You asked and they answered. In response to numerous requests, Burnt Bridge will now be open from 4-9 p.m. every Thursday and extend discounted glass pours, to boot. Opening in November of 2010, Burnt Bridge started […]