Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

A favorite dessert at Christmas is pumpkin pie, but there are so many other options that would feel just as seasonal. One of my favorites is Cranberry Bread Pudding. Bread puddings usually utilize leftover stale bread, but I... — Updated 12/11/2021

Being a man, I am sometimes mistakenly slotted into the stereotype of a last-minute shopper. Nothing could be further than the truth. Stressing about Christmas gifts because I have run out of time is not how I want to spend the... — Updated 12/16/2020

Don’t you just love the autumn harvest? The feeling of a crisp breeze in the air, the sound and sight of rustling leaves in a rainbow of colours, and a plentiful array of gourds, squash, and pumpkins available at the produce... — Updated 10/13/2020

These are definitely trying times for everyone. The start of this pandemic produced epic shortages of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Then with the onslaught of people staying at home, the shortages expanded to include staples... — Updated 9/30/2020

There are obviously many benefits gained from using the freshest of ingredients possible when cooking and using the zest from citrus fruits is no exception. Whether you are using limes, lemons, oranges, or grapefruit, the zest from... — Updated 9/14/2020

Eating is a celebration of the senses. All five of them in fact: taste, smell, sight, touch, and sound. Keeping this in mind, there could be an argument in deciding as to which is the most important sense when it comes to eating. T... — Updated 8/31/2020

Today’s marketplace is saturated with almost every type of bottled, enveloped or canned sauce imaginable. Homemade sauces, in many households, have taken a “back-seat” to the readymade and quick varieties that seem to fit... — Updated 8/17/2020

Although men have been assigned the stereotype of working the backyard BBQ, it is a joy that is shared by most home culinary enthusiasts. It’s a summertime passion. The smoky essence of smoldering charcoal starts my mouth... — Updated 8/5/2020

For many of us, meat is an important part of our daily diet. Whether it be beef, lamb, pork or chicken, it is important to know the basics of creating the most flavour possible. Marinades seem to be first and foremost in... — Updated 8/3/2020

Of my cooking classes, Greek are the most popular by far and this stems from my own passion for the flavours of Greece. Almost everyone I talk to loves Greek food and has frequented their local Greek restaurants in the past many... — Updated 5/14/2020

Have you ever had the misfortune of tasting gravy that was bland, watery, or as starchy as dragging your tongue across a pile of raw flour? To say the least, it is not pleasant, and a far cry from serving its purpose: to enhance... — Updated 4/15/2020

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.... — Updated 12/24/2019

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 brea... — Updated 12/11/2019

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... — Updated 11/27/2019

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 spo... — Updated 11/13/2019

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... — Updated 6/13/2018 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... — Updated 5/16/2018 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... — Updated 4/18/2018 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... — Updated 4/4/2018 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... — Updated 1/24/2018 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... — Updated 11/22/2017