Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

With New Year's Eve fast approaching, many people are looking for unique foods to serve at their midnight soiree. One of the recipes we always turn to for our cheese and cracker platter is my wife’s Cheddar Sesame Crackers. These are very simple...

People are always amazed when I say I make fresh bread, hot out of the oven, for Christmas dinner. “How do you find the time?” they always ask. My secret is this recipe for peppered cheese bread. Although it is not a yeast bread (it is a quick br...

One of the most common reasons as to why one doesn’t cook from scratch more than they currently do is because of how long it takes to prepare ingredients for the meal. Whether it involves slicing, dicing, measuring, or simply getting ingredients...

My son is 13 years old and I have noticed that over the past year he has started devoting more attention to his appearance. He recently asked me for a couple of spoons that he could put in the freezer. “Why do you want to put spoons in the freezer?...

If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say that cooking is a chore, I would be a rich man. The act of cooking a meal is just that: "cooking a meal." It is not negative, or even positive for that matter, it is just something we do.... Full story

In previous columns I have suggested on several occasions that one should try their hand at making fresh pasta instead of always relying on purchasing it dry from a bag or box. Congratulations to you if you took my advice and tried your hand at this... Full story

When was the last time you unleashed your culinary talents? I don't mean cooking from your favorite cookbook, I am talking about making something in the kitchen completely from the ideas in your head and following your taste buds along the way.... Full story

Throughout my years involved in the culinary industry, I have encountered many people who have either become bored of cooking, or don't think the result is worth the effort. Everything is perception; appreciation through levels of awareness...inc... Full story

The best way for cooking almost all foods is from the freshest possible ingredients. Seafood is no different, and if anything, even more imperative to do so for premium texture and flavor. With shellfish specifically, it has been long standing... Full story

How well do you know your local butcher, baker or candlestick maker? I realize that local candlestick makers are less prevalent than they use to be, but if you had one in your community, they would be just as important as your other local merchants....

Here we are in January. This is the time of year that is filled with healthy resolutions, but because of the cold temperatures and still limited daylight hours, we also yearn for comfort food. Allow me to help you satisfy both in a single recipe....

Have recent increases in the price of meat leave you with the thought of becoming a vegetarian? With no disrespect to my vegetable eating friends, there is a great technique to bring extreme flavor and tenderness to cheaper cuts of meat. It's...

It’s been a family tradition of ours to decorate eggs for Easter. As far back as history can take us, the egg seems to have served as a symbol of continuing life and resurrection. Therefore, it was natural to decorate them and give out as gifts...

My annual salute to the Irish always includes a pint of Guinness Beer, a delicious black stout from Dublin, Ireland. This full-bodied beer has a considerably smooth finish despite its bold characteristics –and is delightful to drink anytime of the y...

One of the aspects of the food and wine industry that I have realized over the years of my career as a chef is that a lot of people take it very seriously. Yes, I take pride in what I do, and I think that the role I play in the industry has an...

One of the aspects of the food and wine industry that I have realized over the years of my career as a chef is that a lot of people take it very seriously. Yes, I take pride in what I do, and I think that the role I play in the industry has an...

Hard-nosed chef Gordon Ramsey has enthralled many in his repeated seasons of TV's reality show "Hell's Kitchen.” Although his language is somewhat colorful – to say the least – the "F" word we should focus on in the kitchen is...

Ah, the start of a fresh year. What better time is there to make a pact with oneself to start anew? As a cooking instructor, I encounter many situations with people wanting to improve areas of the culinary arts within their home kitchens and...

Christmas is the season for giving, and probably the best gift I can give to you is our much-loved recipe for my all time favorite dessert: Crème Caramel. Although the process of this recipe requires a bit of care and attention, this is sure to...

Whether it's a formal champagne event, or just a get-together with loved ones, tasty appetizers are a must for any successful holiday season party. In today's market place, there are many outlets for one to buy appetizers pre-made from the fr...

What could be more appealing to the eyes and the appetite than the appearance of a pomegranate that has just been pulled apart? The sight of the large cluster of seeds glistening like a crimson beehive makes my mouth water! The taste of these juicy...

Recently, I featured a recipe on Global TV and then in my column for Italian Sausage & Gnocchi Soup. The amount of positive feedback I received from this recipe was overwhelming, to say the least. One of the requests I received within this...

What is your favorite seasonal fruit purchase? For many, it is peaches. Believed to have originated in China over 4,000 years ago, peaches now make up a large portion of the fresh fruit crop sales in British Columbia, where I reside. Similar to many...